Page 45 of A Lot Like Love
Ryder slowed, not meaning to rush her. “Nothing. And he won’t be bothering you again so don’t waste any time worrying about him.”
She nodded and tugged his hand, forcing him to stop when she moved her body slightly in front of his. “Ryder.”
He looked down at her, possessiveness rippling through him as he considered her big brown eyes and beautiful face.
“It feels nice to be protected.”
Ryder shrugged. “Like I said, it’s no big deal.”
“Yeah, maybe not for you,” she said, grazing her lips across his, “but it does mean a lot to me. Makes me realize you’re not just some rich kid asshole.”
Ryder could see tears shining in her eyes, knew the whole run-in had shaken her up even though she was trying to joke with him now. “No one will ever get away with threatening you when I’m around, Chloe, and that’s a promise I can keep. He so much as looks at you again there will be hell to pay.”
She rested her head against his shoulder as they walked, less self-assured gambler and more damsel in distress now, and he knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe after seeing that scared doe-in-headlights look on her face before. Something about her pulled at heartstrings he didn’t even know he had.
“Come on. It’s time I taught you how to ride a bull.”
