During my second class, we finished the book To Kill a Mockingbird. I thought it would be nice to watch the movie for comparison. That leads us to now. I am in between classes on a fifteen minute break, tidying my desk, when there is a knock on the door. I look over my shoulder and see a beautiful arrangement of red roses, with a head poking out around them, saying, “Are you Ms. Scott?”
“Um…Yes,” I say, dumbfounded. Who would send me these? He walks over and places the beautiful flowers on my desk and then holds a clipboard out to me.
“Can you sign here, ma’am?” I take the pen that he is holding out for me and sign for the flowers.
“Have a good day.”
“Thank you,” I say, as he walks out.
I admired the roses for a few minutes and then look for the card. Opening the card, I read:
‘I Love You’
Oh. My. God.
Ryder loves me! I have to see him. Shit, I’ve got to work. Oh, I will go see him lunch time. I can’t wait to tell him I feel the same. I pull out my phone to text him.
Thank you.
That is all I have the chance to write before the bell rings and my students begin walking through the door. I jump and put my cell phone in my desk drawer.
“Wow Ms. Scott! Someone’s gonna get lucky,” Ashley says, walking by and making the other kids whistle and clap their encouragement.
“Alright, everyone settle down and open your books,” I say.
The hour trudges by slowly, but not without some questions and comments about me and Ryder and the beautiful flowers that he sent me. When the bell rings for lunch break, the class files out the door and I take off for my car. I can’t wait to get to the bar and find Ryder to tell him that I love him too.
I pull up in front of the Wilde Ride and I run up to the door, throwing it open. I spot Ryder as soon as I step in and storm towards him. Once he notices me, he comes from around the bar with a worried expression on his face. When he gets close enough, I run and jump into his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, while saying loudly for everyone to hear.
“I love you too, Ryder. So much.” He pulls back.
“What?” he asks.
“Thank you for the flowers and I love you too.” I notice the confusion on his face. Oh God, were they not from him?
“What do you mean Ryder? The flowers and the card, they are so beautiful,” I say.
“Babe, what flowers?” he asks.
“The roses you sent me,” I state.
“What are you talking about?” he asks again, still looking confused.
“You sent flowers with a card that say ‘I love you’ to the school for me. Well, I thought they were from you.” I fall out of his arms and turn my face away from him.
“Babe, you know I don’t do flowers,” he reminds me.
“I know, but I thought after last night you might have.”
“No babe, like I said, I don’t do flowers.”
“Okay,” I push myself away from him, so I can go and wallow in my stupidity.
“Babe, who sent you the flowers?”
“I don’t know. That is why I figured they were from you. It said I love you so…” I let that trail off
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me?”
“No.”
“Ella, like I said before. I. Don’t. Do. Flowers. So they’re not from me.”
“Um, I have to get back to work. I’ll talk to you later Ryder,” I say, urgently trying to leave. I can feel the anger radiating off of his body.
“Who would send them, Ella? I bet it was that fuckin’ Brent. That goddamn douchebag!” he roars. “I thought I taught him a lesson, but I guess he needs some tutoring on that lesson.”
“No. Ryder. I don’t think it was him. He hasn’t been around since you paid him your little visit. No one has seen him. The new substitute is temporarily taking his place. I heard some of the teachers say his name was Mark or something like that.”
“Well, who else could it be then?”
“I don’t know, but I have to go Ryder. I’m going to be late.” I finally get out of his arms and make my way towards the door.
“We need to talk about what you said, Ella. Supper at home,” he demands.
I make it to my car with tears in my eyes. He never said it back. Oh God, he doesn’t feel the same as I do. I know the card wasn’t from him, but I thought after I told him how I felt that he still might say it because he felt it too. I am such an idiot. Why would a smoking hot, badass biker like Ryder love a mousy, scarred up, freak like me? Of course he doesn’t love me.
I make my way back to work and slowly go through the rest of my day doing the bare minimum. I think my kids notice something is up because they keep very quiet, looking at me with concern on their faces. The bell rings and everyone rushes out of the room to go home for the day.
“Ms. Scott, are you ok?” Ashley asks.
“I’m fine, thank you for asking,” I say.
“Are you sure? You look really sad. You shouldn’t look like that after your sexy ass man sent you those flowers,” she says.
“I know, but I found out that he never sent them. I am fine though, just tired that’s all.”
“Who sent them to you?” she asks.
“Um… I don’t know, but they’re not from Ryder.”
“Well, you don’t look too impressed. Do you want me to get rid of them for you?” she offers.
“Yes, please.”
“Okay,” she says grabbing the flowers and heading towards the door. “Hope your day gets better Ms. Scott. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, Ashley,” I say, exhaling with relief knowing the flowers are gone. I turn back to my desk to finish grading papers and to think about things.
God! How stupid could I be, to think someone like Ryder could ever love me? I made the biggest fool of myself. Who does that? Who runs into his bar and jumps in his arms, telling him you love him? I am so cheesy. I was acting like one of those bimbos in a romantic movie. I laugh to myself, wondering what world I live in. I mean it’s me, Ella Scott. I don’t get that kind of sweet. A knock comes at the door
“Hey, Ella,” Sandra says, she’s one of the high school’s mathematic teachers.
“Oh, hi Sandra, How are you?” I ask.
“I’m good, how are you?” she returns.
“Good. Just trying to get these papers graded,” I answer.
“Jumpins, are you planning on staying here all night?”
“Shit! What time is it?” I ask. At the same time I hear my cell phone, letting me know there is a text message. I pull it out and there is a message from Ryder.
R U coming home? Supper is ready!
Shit! What am I going to do? I feel like a frigging idiot. Can I do that, go to his place and pretend that I never said that and he never returned the sentiment? I don’t know. Fuck.
“It’s five thirty, why?”
“I’m late. I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say and storm past her.
I look at my cell phone, when it buzzes again with another message from Ryder.
Babe where R U? I’m coming 2 look 4 U!
Shit now I have to text him back.
Sorry Ryder I have a few things to do. I will see you later.”
He replies again.
If your sweet ass isn’t at my house in 20 mins, I am gonna come and get U and bring U here. Your choice G.I. Jane!
Well there goes my avoiding Ryder plan.
Fine see you in 20.
Ok.
I slowly get into my car and turn towards Ryder’s, driving the slowest I have ever driven. I’m not overly anxious to have ‘the talk’, where he tells me he doesn’t feel the same way I feel. I pull in his driveway and shut my car off. Resting my head on the steering wheel, I pull in a deep breath. I am hoping I find the courage to do this and get it over with, so we can move on from this and pretend it never happened.
I get out of the car and walk to the fron
t door. I knock once and open the door. I am left breathless at what I see. I can’t believe my eyes. Did Ryder do this? It is beautiful. There is a walk-way leading down the hallway, made of two rows of burning candles on each side with pink peddles on the floor around it. It is like something you would see in a movie. Maybe my man can do romance after all. I finally get myself together and start moving in the direction of the candle lit walk-way.
“Ryder?” I call out.
No answer. Where is he? I follow the burning candles that lead to the bedroom. The door is open a tiny crack and you can hear music slowing to a stop, and a new song beginning. I push the door open and there he is, standing by the side of the bed with a single calla lily in his hands and votive candles burning on all available flat surfaces around the room. I am speechless and motionless.
“Babe,” he says, with a grin on his face.
The song changes and starts playing, “You and Me” by Lifehouse (one of my favorite songs). I stare a little more amazed at what is before me. Ryder puts the flower on the bed and walks over to me. He takes my hand, pulling me to his hard body.
“Baby, somethin’,” he says.
“I—I don’t know what to say,” I stammer with shock. Ryder chuckles.
“Do you like?” he asks.
“It is beautiful Ryder. Thank you,” I reply.
He leans down and takes my mouth with a soft, gentle kiss. Ryder wraps his arms around my body and lifts me up, carrying me over to the bed. He gently lays me down and stands at the end of the bed, just staring at me.
“Ryder,” I moan.
I want him so badly that my body gets so aroused I can feel the heat through my whole body. My cheeks flush. He takes his shirt off and puts a knee to the bed, leaning over and grasping my hips in his hands. He then runs them up my body, taking my shirt with them. Ryder pulls it up over my head and my shirt is gone.
I am wearing a lacey blood-red, demi bra and matching thong, wishing he was going to get to see them when I put it on that morning. Guess my wish came true. He puts his face on my chest and places kisses all along my body, paying extra attention to my scars that are across my abdomen. Our breathing gets labored with excitement. I grab his Harley belt buckle, rushing to get it off, when he grabs my hand.
“Hey what’s the rush babe?” he asks.
“I want you Ryder, in every way possible,” I say.
“I want you too, Ella. And I’m gonna have you. Just relax and enjoy what I’m gonna give you.”
Oh wow. I love sexy Ryder.
He takes my hand and places it on his lips, kissing it. Then entwining our hands together, he moves them above my head and trails kisses along my arms. He is seriously good at the whole seduction thing.
All of a sudden Ryder stands up and looks down at me. He places his hands on my pants and opens the zipper, while teasing his fingers along the waistband. He slowly slides my pants down my legs, leaving me in nothing but my bra and panties.
“Amazing,” he whispers.
“What?” I ask.
“You, you’re amazing Ella. I never thought I would have anything like this.”
“I’m here Ryder and I’m not going anywhere,” I vow.
“I won’t let you,” he states. “Lose the bra, babe,” he orders.
“Um…” I say, while doing what I was told.
“Take off your panties too.” That goes straight to my core.
I take my panties off slow and sexy, or at least what I hoped looked slow and sexy. I hear him growl, so I know he likes what he sees. Two can play this game.
He takes my right leg and trails kisses from my ankle to my upper thigh, almost to my sex. Then he repeats the same process with my other leg. Ryder then slides his finger through the wet folds and says, “I love how you are so ready for me.”
He steps back and slowly unbuckles his belt, unzips his jeans and takes them off. Standing there, all I can do is admire the full view of his gloriously naked body.
I get up and kneel on the bed, and started kissing, nipping and sucking on his chest. I take him in my hand, when Ryder pushes me back to the bed. He places my hands around his neck and my legs around his body. With one of his hands he slowly guides his erection to my sex and enters me in one thrust. Our mouths join in union as he, oh so slowly, makes love to me.
“I love the way you feel, Ella,” he says in my mouth.
“I love the way you taste,” he whispers against my breasts and gently licks one of my nipples.
“I love the way you smell,” he murmurs into my neck, inhaling behind my ear.
“I love the way you look at me when I’m inside you,” he whispers against my lips at the same time he grinds into me.
With his words, I can’t explain the feeling that strikes me. Every nerve ending on my body is ready to explode at how he is seducing me with his words and actions. He is driving me to the edge with his slow thrusts over and over.
“Oh Ryder,” I moan.
Ryder stops what he is doing and looks me in the eye with such seriousness in them.
“Babe, after the way you looked at me today thinkin’ those flowers were from me, I would do anything, and I mean anything to see that again. So here’s my turn to be the person to put that look on your face. I never thought I was a flower kind a guy, but I want to put that look on the face of the woman I love.”
I stiffen. “What?” I ask.
“I love you, baby,” he says.
I can’t stop the sudden rush of tears that start falling down my face. It is too much, way too much. I never thought I would ever have something this special and here I am with a man who actually loves me and doesn’t mind showing it. Ryder thrusts deep inside me.
“Are you good cryin’ or bad cryin’?” he asks, stilling himself inside me and stares down at me. I’m so overwhelmed, I can’t answer him.
“Say something, babe,” he says, looking unsure.
“I love you too, Ryder,” I return, gasping as he starts the slow torturous thrusting and grinding on my pelvic bone again. I am so very close.
“Say it again, babe,” he demands.
“I love you, handsome,” I gasp.
“Again.”
“I love y—Oh God!” I scream as my climax finds me. Ryder smashes his mouth down on mine and grunts his own release. I feel the hot liquid release on my insides, which brings out another small orgasm.
“I love you, baby,” he whispers, nuzzling my neck.
“Um…,” is all I can mutter.
The next words he growls into my ear, sending another rush of wetness between my legs.
“As beautiful as that was, darlin’, next time I’m fuckin’ you so hard, you’re gonna stop breathing and then start screaming my name. It’s gonna be so damn hot.” Sexy Ryder makes another appearance.
“Promise?”
“That’s a goddamn guarantee, sweetness.” My only response is to bite down on my lower lip. I look forward to the next time. Ummm, do I ever.
Ryder pulls me on top of him, hauling the covers back and rolling us to our sides and then covers us with the comforter. We lay there naked, my body half on his chest and legs tangled with his body. Holding me tightly, he traces patterns on my back and says, “Go to sleep babe. I love you.”
“Um…” is all I can say before sleep takes over my sated body and any thoughts of the flowers forgotten.
Chapter 14
Issues
After an uneventful two weeks, Ryder and I are starting to find out how our lives work together. As it turns out, we fit together pretty nicely. That is until the night Ryder leaves the house to go to a meeting with the members of Mayhem.
While Ryder is gone, I take it upon myself to do some laundry and clean the bathroom. When I’m done, I decide a long, hot bubble bath will be a great way to relax. I set the mood with some scented candles and some soft classical music playing on the bathroom’s iPod docking station. I must have tired myself out with the bit of cleaning I did because my eyelids started gett
ing heavy fast. The bath is so relaxing though.
I wake with a start; time to get out of the bath, I think. I wonder what woke me. Then I hear the stomping sounds from the living room.
This can’t be good.
Ryder’s at his meeting and someone down the hall sounds pissed off. I locked the door before settling into the tub. I did, right? Where’s my bat when I need it? And even more my style, I’m going to go G. I. Jane on someone’s ass while dressed in a towel. I really deserve my own reality show. This shit would sell millions, but for now, back to the task at hand.
I wrap the towel around myself and search for anything I can use as a weapon, the most obvious choice being the plunger. It’s that or a toothbrush. Unfortunately I can’t MacGyver this situation, and I’ve never been very good at shanking people. Normally, those would be considered good traits to not have. This, however, is not a normal circumstance.
The sound of a lamp smashing breaks me out of my stupor. Why does this stuff happen while Ryder’s gone? I slowly open the bathroom door and peek my head out. Nope, the hall seems clear. I hear another crash. Yep, the sound’s definitely coming from the living room. My hands shake as I tighten them around the plunger and raise it over my head ready to pounce on the perpetrator. I slowly creep down the hall, avoiding the spots on the floor I know are creaky.
Rounding the corner as stealthily as I can, my eyes focus on a man standing in the darkened living room. I’m about to pounce when I suddenly realize it is Ryder. The commotion is coming from Ryder, my Ryder. I drop the plunger and rush to his side. The pure anger I see reflected in his eyes, warns me to back up, but I can’t bear to see him in this state. I wrap my arms around him trying to snap him out of his rage. He may be pissed off at something, or hell, even me, but I know he would never physically hurt me.
“Ryder, Ryder. Babe, it’s me,” I whisper in his ear, tugging him into my body as best as I can. He doesn’t respond to me.
“Come on Ryder, talk to me. What’s got you so riled up? I’m here, we’ll figure whatever it is out,” I plead.
Several minutes pass by and I plead again.
“Ryder, talk to me. Please!”
Wilde Ride Page 9
