Page 186 of His Virgin Romance Series

Ryder stood there awkwardly for a moment, and then he turned and walked out of my room. The smile broke through across my face, and I closed the door feeling buoyant. I knew it was silly of me to get so worked up over a casual night out, but I wondered if this was Ryder’s way of swallowing his pride and treating me like I wanted to be treated.

“Slow down, Abby,” I told myself. “This might be exactly what he says it is.”

I opened the bag and pulled out the dresses that Ryder had brought me for. There were three choices, and I studied them each carefully. The first dress was extremely sexy. It was a figure-hugging black strapless mini with an open back and cut out details on the side. The second dress was much more conservative. It was a pale, sea green dress with see-through sleeves that fell to the elbow.

The third dress fell somewhere in the middle. It was sexy without being overly obvious about it. It was a red off the shoulder mini dress that was fitted in the waist and chest and billowed slightly from the hips. I was immediately drawn to the red dress, and I held it up to my body, noticing that Ryder had got the right size for me.

Impressed with his selection and the fact that he had brought me three dresses to choose from, I glanced at the clock. Eight o’clock was still an hour away, but I was so excited that I started getting ready immediately. I went to the bathroom and did a little last-minute grooming, making sure my eyebrows were plucked and my hair was all right.

Then I slipped on the red dress, and it fit like a glove. The mirror in my room was small and grainy, so I couldn’t exactly get a good view of myself, but the little I did see looked good, and I felt instantly more confident. I also realized that the last few weeks of training had changed my body somewhat. It was leaner and stronger. My stomach was flatter and more defined, and even my arms looked good.

I applied just the faintest touch of lipstick and rouge, choosing not to overdo it just in case Ryder interpreted that as real interest. Then I paired the dress with my black jacket and my favorite pair of black boots that could be dressed up or down.

I stared at my grainy reflection in the mirror and took a deep breath. I knew my feelings for Ryder were fast growing, but I couldn’t seem to rein them in. I decided to see how tonight played out. If a physical relationship was the only thing that Ryder was after, then it would become evident soon. And if not… then I would have to cross that bridge when I came to it.

The clubhouse was empty as I walked downstairs. I was thankful for that because I didn’t want to have to deal with the stares and the questions from the other guys. I suspected that Ryder felt the same way too.

No one was downstairs, so I walked outside, and the moment I took a step out of the door, Ryder zoomed in on his massive Harley, taking my breath away. He looked extremely impressive on the back of the colossal motorbike. There was something very seductive about seeing a man who knew how to handle a powerful machine. Ryder was dressed in his dark denim and a leather jacket that made my heart do a little flutter. He looked better than a movie star, and for a second, I actually hoped that this was a legitimate date.

“Hop on,” Ryder said revving his engine.

“We’re going on your bike?” I asked.

Ryder smiled. “Scared?”

I shot him a glare. “Please,” I said, rolling my eyes as I walked towards him.

Considering the dress I had chosen was a mini, I could easily hike up my leg and get on the back of the bike, behind Ryder. I wrapped my hands around him and nodded. “Ok,” I said. “I’m ready.”

“Here,” he said, passing me a helmet.”

“You’re not wearing one,” I pointed out.

“I don’t need one,” he said cockily.

“Why?” I demanded. “Because you’re invincible?”

“Sure.”

I shook my head at him. “Don’t be ridiculous… wear a helmet.”

“I ride better without one,” he said stubbornly. “Now put on the helmet.”

Clenching my jaw, I did as I was told, and Ryder took off immediately. I felt my heart flutter as we left the premises and headed onto a main road. The moment we were clear and there was only open space and unending road ahead of us, Ryder picked up speed, and I felt cold wind smash against my face. It was like the hardest yet the most intoxicating kiss I’d ever experienced.

There was nothing gentle or tender about the wind as it smacked against my face, but there was something also extremely liberating about traveling at that speed. At first, I felt a little pang of nervousness because of how fast Ryder was going, but then I relaxed when I realized he knew what he was doing. He was confident and sure of himself, and he didn’t take any unnecessary risks. Even the speed was completely in his control. At least that’s how he made me feel.

The longer we rode, I felt my body growing accustomed to the ride. I could feel my soul screaming in delight at the brilliant sense of freedom that I had longed for all these weeks. At that moment, I felt invincible too, and suddenly I understood it. I understood all of it. This was the whole point of the club. This freedom was what everyone who joined was after. Because once you experienced that kind of freedom, how could you go back to mundane, everyday life? How could you go back to a life of tradition and convention? This was real living.

---