Page 30 of Laying it Bare Biker Style: Ryder

“Ryder!” I screamed as Iworked to wrench myself free from the stranger’s grip.

Ryder immediately snapped hisattention my way and his gaze grew murderous as he shot his arm outto connect viciously with my attacker’s face.

But before Ryder could seize him, theman sped off for the woods again.

He bellowed, “Fuck!” Before hisanxious eyes trailed over me. “Are you okay?”

“Just shaken up.” Inodded.

Sirens blared in the distance andwithin moments three firetrucks, two ambulances, and four policecars pulled up to the scene.

Tucking me firmly to his side, Ryderwalked over to Pip. “Was anyone inside?”

“No. Thankfuck.”

“What the hell startedthis?”

“Apparently a kid snuckinto the back of our shop and was caught by one of our Prospectstrying to steal money from the register. The Prospect said he waswearing a t-shirt with your patch design on it. The kid managed toget away. The Prospect then stormed over to Twisted Tats to flipout before coming back here. A couple of your guys came over and itturned into a huge argument. I got here just before you and it wasstarting to simmer down before it blew up, literally.” Pip rubbed ahand down his face and growled. “I know it wasn’t one of yours andnow maybe the rest of my club will listen. I have an idea who itwas, although I couldn’t see his face. Thanks for coming down. Igot shit to straighten out.” Grumbling a slew of curse words, hestormed over to one of the police officers.

For the next half hour it was uttercraziness as the cops tried to determine what had gone on and thefire department assessed the damage after putting out the fire.Everyone refused ambulance transport, but most of the guys plannedto head down to the clinic on their own. I had answered questionsas best I could about what I had witnessed. The guy had been aboutthe size of Ryder, but wore dark jeans and a dark hoodie whichcovered most of his face. I hadn’t even gotten a good look at himwhen he had tried to grab me.

When we were released from the scene,Ryder drove us to the clinic so that I could get looked over. Inthe waiting room, Ryder had me sit on his lap. I wasn’tcomfortable, but I didn’t want to cause a scene. My emotions wereall over the place. Since we were no longer standing on the streetin the middle of the commotion, things I’d been trying to shoveaway came back full force. I was pregnant and while the idea ingeneral wasn’t too overwhelming, the conditions surrounding it weremore than unnerving. I tried to take his advice and pretend thebaby was his. And while sometimes I was rather successful with thatconsidering I didn’t remember the attack, the fact that he wasn’treally with me made it difficult to get my brain fully on boardwith the idea. The explosion that could’ve killed me or Ryder stillhad me rattled. And then the whole incident of the stranger tryingto drag me off promised to haunt my dreams. Add all of that shit tothe fact I was in love with Ryder and had no hope of it beingreturned and I was on the precipice of an emotional outburst orbreakdown. My money was on the latter.

Once Dr. Michaels checked me over –Ryder refused for himself – and declared I only had some minorscratches and bruises and the baby was fine, we headedhome.

After we stepped inside, Rydersuggested I hop in the shower first. When I was finished, I slippedinto my pajamas. Then while he was busy in the bathroom, I strolledover to the spare room and lay down on the futon. It really wasn’tthat uncomfortable and I didn’t think I had it in me to sleep inhis arms anymore; not feeling the way I did about him and it notbeing shared. I was sure the nightmares would return, especiallyafter today, but I didn’t know what else to do.

About ten minutes later, Ryder poppedhis head in the doorway. “Hey, what are you doing in here? I got alittle freaked when you weren’t in my room when I cameout.”

Keeping my gaze on the worn blanket Iwas sprawled out on, I released a huge sigh. “I didn’t mean toscare you, I just . . . I really appreciate you protecting me andgiving me a place to stay, but I think for my own sanity I need tosleep in here. I’m falling in love with you, Ryder, and sleeping inyour bed, sleeping with you, is too confusing for my emotions. Idon’t expect anything from you and I’m sorry I allowed myself tofall for you when you were up front about what you could offer me.”Bracing myself for . . . I had no idea. I knew he’d never hurt me,but I wasn’t sure if I was expecting him to get pissed and stormoff, leaving me alone in the spare room, or tell me I was beingridiculous and an argument would ensue. I wasn’t sure which one Ipreferred.

What I didn’t expect was for him tosit down beside me and sift his hand through my hair. “You knowwhat I learned today?”

“I thought you already knewmany of the Pyros were idiots.” Why didn’t I tell him to stoptouching me? Instead, I got lost in the feel of his hand runningthrough my strands and my eyes drifted closed.

He chuckled. “Well, yeah I’ve alwaysknown that. I meant about me and my feelings for you.” He pausedfor a beat.

And I held my breath. Terrified tohope and petrified to be wrong.

“Sage, I loveyou.”

My breath whooshed out ofme. Scrambling to my knees, I got my legs tangled in the blanket,but managed to free myself without looking like too much of a klutzand I knelt in front of him, staring up into his dark eyes inshock.What did he just say?

“About fucking time.”Grayson stood in the doorway wearing a shit eating grin. “My wordsfinally sunk in, huh?”

“Don’t you have anythingbetter to do?”

“Not for another hour.” Iexpected Grayson to laugh at his hinting of a hookup later, but hisexpression remained solemn as his serious gaze bounced between us.But then his lips curled into a satisfied smile. “It is about timeand I’m very happy for you two.” After tapping the doorway with hisknuckles, he twisted and headed down the hallway.

“Grayson has always had asoft spot for you.”

“What about you?” Tiltingmy head, I studied his expression. I still wasn’t sure I had heardRyder correctly, but Grayson’s reaction confirmed that I had, eventhough my brain was having a hard time accepting thewords.

“You had to grow onme.”

Big jerk. Eyes widening, I punched himin the arm.

“I’m kidding. I wanted totake you home with us as much as Grayson, but I was denying it tomyself. I didn’t think I had it in me to love someone. But I’mpretty sure I started falling for you as soon as you woke up in ourplace and started babbling.” He shot me a teasing grin. “ButGrayson was right. But don’t tell him I said so.” He added in awhisper. “All the little things signaled I had fallen in love withyou. I just thought not saying the words would make it not true.”Taking my face in his hands, he curled his fingers around the sideof my neck, gliding his thumb back and forth just in front of myear. “But not saying the words didn’t mean it wasn’t true. It justmeant I was an idiot.” As his intense dark eyes regarded me, Idiscovered in their depths his truth.

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