Born to Ride

by Kasey Millstead

  Fuck.

  Afraid that someone was still in the house, I didn’t call out. But I wanted to holler out to Jade, at the top of my fucking lungs, so she could hear me for certain.

  This shit was scaring the fucking life out of me.

  Every room was empty. No traces of where they were. No clues.

  My head hurt and my heart hammered my chest to shit. There was only one room left—the guest room, at the far end of the passage.

  Holding the gun with both hands to control the trembling, I rounded the corner, gun first.

  Please God, they had to be there. Please.

  I hadn’t prayed or asked for anything since that day in the bathroom all those years ago.

  But I would give anything now, even my life, to know that they were safe.

  I pushed the door open with the gun, holding my breath.

  Christ.

  Sprawled on the bed, a child tucked into each side of her, Jade was fast asleep, unaware of the turmoil she’d caused. She looked so innocent, her hair spread like a halo around her face.

  I wanted to kiss her and then spank her and then fuck her and then kiss her again.

  Yeah.

  I’m fucked.

  Fuck.

  Chapter 21 ~ Jade

  My hand flew to my mouth. Stunned into silence for a few seconds while I processed the sight in front of me, I took it all in with a gasp.

  On the desk, legs spread wide open, her dress around her waist, was Zelda, the receptionist who’d started at the firm a couple of weeks ago. And pounding in to her was Marcus, protégé extraordinaire, grunting how much he loved fucking her pussy.

  I hated office parties, and this one was fast turning into a nightmare. I’d come with Marcus —our third date as a couple in the public eye—to celebrate the new client the firm had snagged this week. We’d been dating for a few weeks now and I was officially his girlfriend. At least, that’s what I was lead to believe.

  Both blond heads turned toward me, two sets of eyes wide and confused.

  “You’re a . . . you’re a cock sucking . . . bastard!” I screeched.

  Sweet Lord, did that just come from my mouth? Must be the influence of one foul mouthed biker.

  It felt good to swear. I was on a roll. “What the fuck is going on here, Mr. Marry-me-soon-and-I-will-give-you-the-world, lying asshole?”

  Freaking hell. I’d just finished reading a book about a guy who’d used his boss’s daughter to get to the top while he was screwing the entire office’s female co-workers, and laughing at her naivety behind her back. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect fiction to morph into reality.

  Anger seethed through my body; I needed retribution for my book heroine and for myself.

  “Fuck you, Marcus. You’re lower than shark shit. And that’s low,” I hissed, my hands on my hips.

  His brows knitted, panic on his face. He pulled his dick from Zelda and stood there gaping at me. “Jade. I can explain.”

  “Save it, lover boy.” My blood pressure was rising to dangerous levels. The asshole.

  He indicated between him and the blond between his legs. “This...this means nothing, darling. I’m just emptying my balls, till I get the chance to be with you. You’re so full of shit with all that romance crap. A man has needs—”

  “Yeah, that much is obvious—your needs, balls deep in her pussy. But you are a false, pretentious sack of shit, Marcus Masterton. I’m never going to let you empty your balls inside me. Not going to happen.”

  Marcus winced. “Jade, please. Let’s talk about this.” His dick went flaccid. Considering I’d never seen him naked, bile rose in my stomach. I wanted to gag. This was not how I pictured seeing my future husband’s cock for the first time.

  “You want to talk with your pants around your ankles, Mr. Lawyer? With her sprawled wide open on your desk? I don’t think so.”

  He pulled his pants up, condom still in place, not bothering to fasten his zipper. He slapped Zelda on her ass, dismissing her. She pulled up the cups of her bra to cover her breasts, her cheeks flushed.

  “Marcus,” Zelda whispered, “what’s going on?”

  He turned to her impatiently. “Not now, sweetheart. Get out. I need to talk to Jade.”

  Zelda got up from the desk and pulled her dress down, avoiding my eyes. She had the good grace to whisper “Sorry” as she slipped past me and left the room.

  “Just don’t tell your father. We can work something out.”

  “What in the hell did you just say? So this is what it is. You’re more worried about Daddy’s reaction than mine. Nice, Marcus, very fucking nice. Way to go.”

  “Jesus, Jade. Don’t overreact. We’re not married yet.”

  “Thank fuck for that. There is a God looking out for me after all. So, tell me Marcus, how many girls have you screwed since you started dating me exclusively?”

  He stared at me, mouth gaping. Then he closed his eyes and turned his head away.

  Hmmm . . . I thought as much. Everyone in the entire office except me. Now wasn’t that fucking ironic.

  I turned on my heels and slammed the door behind me so that the glass rattled in the frame. For a small girl, I had the power of Thor in me when I was mad.

  Fuck Mr. Perfect. He was everything but perfect.

  I ran down the stairwell, not wanting to see anyone on my way out. My throat burned and my chest squeezed. I’m not going to fucking cry. He isn’t worth my tears.

  Three flights down, I heard the door open and Marcus call after me. “Jade, wait. Please.”

  I didn’t. Instead, I kicked off my shoes and ran faster, skipping stairs so I could get out of the building and as far away from him as fast as possible.

  Home. I just wanted to go home.

  I ran onto the sidewalk, stabbing at my phone to call a taxi. Sobs raked through my body. I’d never been this humiliated in my life. I bet everyone in the office knew. Everyone except me and Daddy.

  Shoving the phone back into my purse, I walked to the corner where I told the taxi to pick me up, shoes in hand. Ignoring the stares of the people around me, I slipped the shoes back onto my feet and waited to cross the intersection.

  Why was the damn taxi taking so long? It was futile to try to flag the passing ones. They were all on a mission between destinations.

  Just as I was about to cross the intersection, a hand gripped my arm and pulled me back. I swung around, eyes wide, as I fell back against Marcus’s chest. Asshole with the athletic body had caught up to me.

  “Jade. Calm the fuck down.”

  Oh, so Mr. Perfect had the F word in his vocabulary after all. Seems the veneer was rather thin.

  “Let me go, Marcus.”

  “No. Listen to me. Your father will wonder where you are. He will be asking me.”

  “Fuck you. That’s all you care about. Appearances. Let me go!”

  His grip on my arm tightened, his biceps flexing as he held me in an iron cage.

  Self-defence 101. I stepped back onto his foot, stomping down with my heel as hard as I could. Even though I was plastered against his chest, I swung my arm at the same time and smacked him in the balls with my fist. God, those lessons came in handy after all.

  Marcus howled in my ear and loosened his grip, cursing under his breath. “You fucking little bitch.”

  He lunged forward and reached for me again. I stepped back, trying to get away, my heart nearly climbing out of my chest.

  An arm struck out between us. A taut muscled arm, with a tattoo of a cobra.

  Could it be?

  “You fucking heard her, asshole. Step away from her if you know what’s good for you,” he growled.

  What’s Ryder doing here? Of all the people in the entire world, he’s the one to show up now and witness my embarrassment?

  Life sure sucked.

  Chapter 22 ~ Jade

  Marcus’s eyes widened. “Who the fuck are you? Get away from my girlfriend.”

  “Your girl? I don’t think so, motherfu
cker. Step away from Jade before I fucking break that pretty boy face of yours.”

  Marcus turned to me, confusion on his face. “Jade? You know him? This...this mongrel?”

  Ryder stood in front of me, facing Marcus. He looked even bigger than I remembered. Taller. Wider. Angrier. I peered from behind Ryder at Marcus. At first he puffed up his chest like a peacock, but the scary biker’s face must’ve gotten to him. I couldn’t see Ryder’s face, but I could just imagine the expression on it after being called a mongrel.

  What I did see, scared even me. Veins were popping on Ryder’s arms and neck, his fists balled by his sides as if he was ready to strike at any moment.

  “Jesus, Jade, answer me!” Terror rose in Marcus’s voice as his eyes grew larger. “I don’t want us getting killed tonight.”

  “No, motherfucker, I wouldn’t kill you. Just break that pretty jaw of yours. And your perfect fucking nose while I’m at it. Maybe a leg and arm too for good measure.”

  “R...Ryder.” I stuttered. “It’s OK. He’s not worth hitting.”

  He turned his head for a second to look me up and down, concern in his eyes. “Princess,” he growled, “did the fucker hurt you?”

  “Physically? No.” I shook my head and dropped my gaze. I folded my arms across my chest and hugged myself.

  “What’s going on then? Tell me.” His voice was menacing.

  I nodded toward Marcus. “Turns out he’s a scumbag whoremonger. Did I mention he wants to marry me to get to my daddy’s firm?”

  Ryder’s eyes lit up. He was finally face to face with my kinda boyfriend.

  “That so? Be glad you didn’t hurt a fucking hair on her head. Otherwise I’d rip you the fuck up. As for the other shit, you come near her with your prick again, I will kill you. Slowly. Got that?”

  Marcus spat at Ryder, suddenly brave now that he realized the biker wasn’t a random stranger. “It’s none of your fucking business, muscle man. I’ll slap a law suit on you so quickly, it’ll make your dumb head spin. I’m not afraid of a stupid fuck like you. All brawn and no brains. Scum of the earth.” The venom in his threat was unmistakeable.

  “Marcus. Stop! You don’t know anything about him.” Anger seethed through my bloodstream.

  “Well, I sure as hell hope you don’t either. And by the way, while you’ve been crying wolf here, should I be worried that this beast has been fucking my girlfriend?”

  Ryder took an ominous step toward Marcus. “I told you she ain’t your girl,” he growled.

  “The moron can’t even speak proper English. Tsk, tsk, Jade, what happened to your standards. Slumming it now, babe?”

  My hands fisted by my sides. If I were a man, I’d deck him.

  I moved in front of Ryder. “Don’t you dare speak of another person with such disrespect. You’ve humiliated me, isn’t that enough for one night? And by the way, you can explain to my daddy why I’m no longer at the party or going on dates with you. Or marrying you. Better use that brain of yours Ace, cause daddy ain’t going to buy your bullshit.”

  “Jade, be reasonable. I’m sorry. What happened...it won’t happen again. When I get stressed I need sex, baby. And since you wouldn’t put out, I had to—”

  “You’re right on that score. It won’t happen again. Because I’m not interested in you any longer.” I turned toward my rescuer. “Ryder, is your bike close by? Take me home. Please.”

  “You can’t be fucking serious. Let me at least get you a taxi. You can’t go with him. Your old man will kill me.” The fear on Marcus’s face was genuine. He was scared shitless. And so he should be. My father was formidable when he was crossed. He’d have Marcus’s head on a chopping block. And his dick too, when I told him the whole story. Poor Marcus, I actually felt sorry for him—he’d blown his whole future because he couldn’t keep it in his pants.

  “You should’ve thought about dating etiquette before you screwed that girl, Marcus. Too late now, buddy. As of tonight, you’re my ex-boyfriend. I’m leaving. With Ryder.”

  It was Ryder’s turn to gape at me. “Jade. You sure you wanna do this?” He looked at me as if I was crazy.

  I nodded. “Yep. I’ve never been surer of anything in my damn life.”

  Chapter 23 ~ Jade

  Shit. My bravado of a moment ago left me the instant I saw the Harley. What was I thinking? Maybe I should just wait for the taxi after all.

  Looking perplexed, Ryder stared at me, a deep frown marring the face I was liking more and more every time I saw it.

  “What?” I challenged, sounding a hell of a lot braver than I actually felt.

  He shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “Don’t lie to me, Ryder. Not now.”

  He shrugged. “Just ain’t never had a woman on the back of my bike.”

  “R...really?” I choked out.

  I didn’t know how this shit worked and I was losing my nerve. Fast.

  He smiled, a beautiful genuine smile that lit up his face for a moment—one I’d never seen before. Ryder was breathtaking when he smiled. My heart did a little three sixty degree flip.

  “Guess there’s always a first time. Guess this is an emergency.”

  “Hmmm. Ryder?”

  “What now, woman?”

  “I...I think I’d better take a taxi after all. I’m not dressed for this.”

  He looked me up and down, a lascivious grin on his face and lust in his eyes. I can do that to him, just standing here? Wow.

  “If you think I’m letting you go after all that, you’re mistaken. I don’t play the knight in shining armour to just any woman.”

  What does he mean?

  He straddled the beast and nodded. “Get on.”

  I shook my head.

  “Fuck, bitch, don’t test me. I said, get on. Now.” He growled.

  My mouth went dry. He called me bitch. What the hell had I gotten myself into?

  I heard Marcus’s voice. The idiot had followed us. Tenacious prick. “Jade. Get back here. Don’t you fucking dare get on that motorcycle with that dickhead!”

  That was it. I pulled my dress right up my thighs till the lacy tops of my stockings were exposed. Ryder’s eyes widened and his jaw tightened. He cocked his head, waiting for me. I grabbed hold of his arm and swung a leg over the seat.

  I felt like a tramp. I felt rebellious. But most of all, I felt free.

  The bike roared to life beneath my ass, the rumble sending shockwaves through my body—from my barely covered pussy, to every cell in my body.

  So this is what it’s like to feel alive.

  This was what I’d been missing.

  Adventure. Freedom. Living.

  Really living. Fuck yeah.

  Ryder pulled my arms around his waist and squeezed my hands. It sent a ripple straight to my core. Sweet Jesus, was I going to have an orgasm on his bike? I squeezed my thighs together, which only made me grip Ryder’s hips tighter.

  “Princess—” His gravelly voice rumbled from his chest.

  Marcus stood in front of us. “Get off the bike, Jade. I’m not telling you again. You look like a whore. I’m not having my future wife behave in such an atrocious manner. You’ve made your point. Now get off.”

  “You don’t get it do you, Marcus? I’m not marrying you. Ever. You’re a douche-bag. Who knows where else that cock has been since I became your girlfriend?”

  Ryder turned his head and glared at Marcus. I squeezed my thighs again, gripping his hips even tighter. Then I leaned my cheek against his back and hugged his torso. Tightly.

  “Hold on,” he shouted.

  The bike roared as we pulled away from the curb, into the traffic.

  I looked back at Marcus. His shirt was still untucked. My ex-boyfriend raked his hand through his hair, scowling. As juvenile as my actions may have seemed, I couldn’t resist it—I smiled and flipped him the finger.

  I could get used to this. Being badass. It rocked!

  I let go.

  Of everything.

  The wind w
hipped my neatly styled hair around my face. My dress rode up my thighs till my naked ass was sticking to the leather of the seat. So much for thongs. The vibration of the beast made my body tremble with anticipation. Every thought left my mind as I just absorbed the sensation: my cheek to leather, and the warmth of Ryder’s hard body.

  It felt so...right. Like I belonged.

  I wanted to live, be wild, even if just for tonight.

  “Where to?” Ryder bellowed above the rumble of the bike and the traffic noise.

  “Anywhere. Just take me away from here. Just for tonight. Please.”

  “Yeah,” he groaned, his voice raw.

  Chapter 24 ~ Jade

  Finally we left the city behind and wound up Mulholland Drive. At this point he could take me anywhere, I’d be happy. A small voice in my head reminded me that I was on the back of a badass biker’s motorcycle. Strangely, I wasn’t afraid. Should I be?

  It was men like Marcus, who pretended to be what they weren’t, that frightened me more—wolves in sheep’s clothing. With Ryder I knew exactly where I stood. In spite of his rugged, and often fierce appearance, he was mostly transparent. If he was angry, I knew it. If he was happy... No, I had no idea what he looked like when he was happy.

  Yet, inexplicably, I did trust the man. Mostly.

  Except when he looked at me with lust in his eyes. I’d seen lust—more than once.

  No, don’t go there.

  The small voice was back: He’s married, Jade.

  How could I forget that? Even for an instant?

  Right at this moment, I was a smart, professional woman with temporary memory loss.

  My heart twisted, and I had an uneasy feeling that knotted my stomach and tightened my throat. I shouldn’t be here, away from civilisation, dressed like this.

  Alone with a man like Ryder.

  And anyway, how come he was there in the street at that exact moment? Coincidence? That was highly unlikely. Was he stalking me? I doubted that. Ryder had no real interest in me.

  It must’ve been coincidence.

  I loosened my arms around his torso and shuffled my ass backward on the seat. I shouldn’t be leaning this closely into him; it was just . . . wrong. I gave Marcus hell about screwing other girls and here I was on the back of a married man’s bike, letting him take me wherever he wanted to. I hated two-faced people. Yet, I was no different in this moment. I lifted my cheek off Ryder’s back, even though it took all my strength to do it.