Page 187 of His Virgin Romance Series

CHAPTER15

Ryder

We rodefor almost half an hour before I stopped at my all-time favorite burger shack that made gourmet burgers with artisan ingredients. I helped Abby off my bike, and we walked inside. I was trying very hard to stay cool and keep my eyes off her. She looked flawless in the red dress I had picked out this morning.

Even her auburn hair matched the bright, sexy color. She had paired it with a cool jacket and black lace-up boots that made her look like a biker chick, and I had to admit, it made me imagine things I had no business imagining.

“What’ll you have?” I asked.

“Have you been here before?” Abby asked.

“Are you kidding… this place is my go-to for good burgers,” I told her.

Abby smiled. “Then what do you recommend?”

“Everything,” I replied. “Honestly, you can’t go wrong. My favorite is the beef burger… slow cooked spiced beef with lettuce, tomato, crispy onions, bacon and homemade mayonnaise.”

Abby’s eyes turned to the picture on the large menu that had been pinned up behind the counter and her eyes widened. “Whoa… that’s a giant of a burger.”

“It comes with garlic chili fries and pepper crusted onion rings.”

“I’m sold,” she said, obviously not bothered about what I thought about her appetite. “I’ll try that one.”

We stepped up to the counter to place the order, and Miriam turned and caught sight of me. “Ryderary,” she said. “You haven’t been in a few weeks.”

“I’ve been busy,” I replied. “But I’ve been dreaming of you.”

She gave me a wink and then her eyes fell on Abby, and I saw the curiosity on her face. “Well, well,” she said. “Who do we have here?”

I gave a little internal sigh. “Uh… this is Abby,” I said, keeping the introduction short and vague. “Abby, this is Miriam… the owner and mastermind behind half the burgers on the menu.”

“More than half the burgers on the menu,” she corrected immediately. “It’s nice to meet you, Abby.”

“You too,” Abby smiled.

“This must be a special occasion,” Miriam continued, and I instantly regretted bringing Abby here. At the very least, I should have thought ahead and told her to wait for me by my Harley.

“Why?” Abby asked, with a frown.

“Well because I’ve never seen Ryder with a woman,” Miriam said. “He’s the love ‘em and leave ‘em type you know.”

Abby’s smile deepened a little. “Oh, I do know,” she nodded. “But we’re not together.”

“No?” Miriam asked, looking slightly disappointed.

“Just friends,” Abby said.

“What a shame,” Miriam said. “You two match one another.”

“How about you take our order now, Miriam?” I cut in impatiently.

Miriam shot me a glare. “Oh, fine… won’t let an old lady have a little fun.”

She took our order, which included two tall ice blends, that was a cross between a drink and a milkshake that was all kinds of good, and then we headed back towards the motorbike.

“We’re not eating here?” Abby asked.

“And have Miriam watch our every move?” I said. “No way… I have someplace better in mind.”

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