Page 7 of Laying it Bare Biker Style: Ryder

The girls started laughing, so Ijerked my gaze to them.

“I like you even more now.I thought for sure you were going to grab some things and duck intohis bathroom.”

Feeling my cheeks heat – for like thefourth time – I bit my bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I can do that ifthis makes things weird.”

“Hell, no. Nothing awkwardat all. Since Wednesday is hump day and all that; we have naked dayat the club that day. So we don’t think anything of it. We justweren’t expecting you to be so casual. I think we’re going to getalong great.” Misti ripped open a bag of underwear and tossed me awhite pair. “We brought you a couple bras, but didn’t think youwanted used panties.” She scrunched her nose up in disgust. “We’lltake you shopping soon, maybe tomorrow if it’s okay with Ryder, toget you some nicer ones. Because you’ll need another pair of casualshoes and we can’t forget a sexy pair of sandals to wear withdresses at some point.”

I inwardly groaned, but gave them agrateful smile. I really didn’t need much, but I appreciated theirfriendship and the fact that maybe for once I did have someone whotruly had my back. I hadn’t had that since I was fourteen and therewas no way I was going to push that away.

We spent the next half an hourlaughing as I tried on various pairs of shorts, yoga pants, tops,skirts, and a pair of jeans that were way too long. I decided tokeep on a pair of cutoff shorts and a plain blue t-shirt when wewere finished.

“We did bring you a pair ofpajamas. They have a draw string so they should fit your tiny ass.We know you could sleep in one of Ryder’s shirts. But we figuredyou’d be more comfortable on the couch in actual pajamas so yourass is not hanging out.”

My damn face heated again. Just themere mention of his name.

“Wait. Where are yousleeping?” Angel’s lips curled into a devious smirk.

“Um, I was going to sleepin their spare room, but the mattress on the futon didn’t meetGrayson’s approval so the two of them argued. And now I’m sleepingin Ryder’s bed. Well, I haven’t yet, but will be tonight.” I had toclamp my mouth shut to stop the spewing, again.

They started laughing so hard, the twoof them actually doubled over and slapped their bare knees foremphasis. But from the little bit I got to know of them as we weregoing through the clothes, I was wagering a guess they wereintentionally being over the top dramatic. My situation was nowherenear that funny.

Misti recovered first – or switchedoff the dramatics first – and gave me an amused smile. “Grayson isdefinitely a bastard. He totally set Ryder up with that. But Idon’t think he is going to mind at all.” She waved her handdismissively. “But it’s a good thing we brought pajamas though.Couch or Ryders’ bed, you don’t need your ass hanging out.” Hermouth twitched.

I rolled my eyes. “Thank you guys forthis.”

“The teasing. Oh, hell thatwas for our benefit.” Angel folded up the bag the clothes had beenin. “Thank you for being so good natured about it.”

“Well, I actually meantabout bringing me some clothes. I don’t have anything here. Notthat I left much back at their club, but I don’t want to go backfor any of it.”

The two of them padded over to thedoor.

“We’ll take care of you.And I knew you didn’t mean about the teasing. But I think thingsare going to turn out alright for you. It will take a while forRyder to come around, but he will eventually. Be patient with him.And we’ll kick his ass when we see he needs it. And he’s sure toneed it often. Although it sounds like Grayson is doing his part.”Misti pulled open the door.

“I guess you guys won’ttell me anything about this Jensen person.” I cringed when thewords left my mouth before consulting with my brain first. I had toshove my curiosity aside. It wasn’t any of my business and I didn’tneed to cause friction with two people I had justfriended.

Angel glanced back at me,her face still kind and shook her head. “Not really our story totell. But you don’t have to worry. You arenothinglike her at all.”

The two of them slipped out into thehallway.

I may not be anything like heraccording to them, but how did Ryder see things? And did it reallymatter? He was generous enough to take me in and most likely keepme safe. But that didn’t mean there was a chance for anythingrelationship wise. Besides, did he even want an Old Lady? I shookmy insane thoughts loose. One thing at a time here. I had a mess Ineeded to figure out and a life to get back on track. Just becausehe was hot as hell and made my girly parts tingle and stand up forattention, I did not need to complicate things by revealing myinterest. It was bad enough I had let it slip that I was on boardfor sex with him. He didn’t need to know it was more than that. Istepped out of the room and headed down the hall.

“What the hell did you twodo to her? Or say to her? She’s not back there crying or anythingis she?” Ryder sat with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring atthe two of them.

“Chill out.” Angel tossedher hand on her hip and cocked her head at him. “She’s tougher thanyou give her credit for. Took our ribbing like a champ. But no, wehad fun and plan to take her shopping tomorrow. A girl’s day. Ifthat’s alright with you.”

I stepped around the girlsand walked over to sit down beside him. “I didn’t have siblingswhen I was growing up so I can admit it was just alittlefun to have somegood natured teasing thrown my way. And I never had a best friend Icould have that with either.” Gah. Did they have a type of ImodiumA-D for diarrhea of the mouth? I sighed and sank into the couchcushions.

Stretching his arm out, hetugged me to his side and then draped his arm along my shoulders.Then with his other hand, he jabbed his finger at the two of them.“You got your teasing in for the day, so close your trap. And thankyou; I’d appreciate you taking her shopping. I would have no ideawhere to start for that. I’ll give you cash, but make sure youspend it all onher. Unless you are planning to stop for food. I can buy the twoof you dinner, if that’s the case. But bring me back any change.Keep the receipts. I’ll want to see them as proof.”

Giving us a little wave, the girlsjoined arms and marched through the kitchen to the sidedoor.

“You can trust us, Ryder.”Misti tossed over her shoulder in a sing song voice as they slippedout into the garage.

He released a deep sigh. “They meanwell.”

“I actually like them. Theydidn’t have to be nice to me. And once we were closed up in yourroom, they could’ve treated me like shit and it would have been myword against theirs and I know how that goes. You guys are close sothey like to jerk your chain.”

“I’m sorry you were treatedlike shit so much that you kinda expect it. I won’t tolerate itfrom my club members. And that includes the club whores. But no,those two are cool.”

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