by Murphy, V
Stealing Ryder
By: V. Murphy
ISBN-13: 978-1493718283
ISBN-10: 1493718282
SEQUEL WARNING: STOP BEFORE CONTINUING READING! This is book 2 of a series. If you have not read Sharing Harper, please go do so before continuing with Stealing Ryder.
Thanks,
V
Copyright © 2013 Victoria Murphy
Cover © Elizabeth Brinckerhoff
Cover Models: Erin McPartlin & Bryan Kennard
Author Photo: Cal Connolly
Edited by Kayla Robichaux AKA Kayla the Bibliophile
Formatting by Danielle Jamie
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior written consent from the publisher, except in the instance of quotes for reviews.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and you did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, than please return it the distributor and purchase your own copy. Thank you for supporting and respecting the hard work of this author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the name brands i.e. Nike, Gucci, etc. that might appear in the story
Praise for Sharing Harper
“The chemistry between Ryder and Harper had me fanning myself. Seriously!!” –HEA Book Shelf
“The drama that came with this story. I am a drama JUNKIE!!” – Crystal’s Many Reviewers
“We give miss V the up-most respect for broaching this real topic that, affect millions of people around the world on a daily basis.” –Scandalous Book Blog
“This book was one of the best I have read so far this year.” –Rose’s Book Blog
“GREATEST BOOK I HAVE READ ALL WEEK!! V. Murphy you nailed this one on the head!!” – 2 Chicks and a Blog
CONTENTS
Dedication………………..6
Quote…………………….8
Chapter 1…………………9
Chapter 2………………..24
Chapter 3………………..37
Chapter 4………….…….51
Chapter 5………………..66
Chapter 6…………….….77
Chapter 7…………....…..81
Chapter 8…………..……101
Chapter 9…………….…116
Chapter 10……………...123
Chapter 11………..…….154
Chapter 12……………...160
Chapter 13……………...167
Chapter 14…………..….178
Chapter 15……………...198
Chapter 16……………...203
Chapter 17……………...212
Chapter 18………………216
Chapter 19………………218
Chapter 20…………...….223
Epilouge………………...225
Reader’s Note…………...228
Acknowledgement………229
About the Author……….231
To all those who supported my dreams, this is for you.
For my VIP girls.
A special dedication to my someone special who is currently overseas deployed. You cannot imagine how proud I am of you, JT.
Come home safe & sound.
Thank you for being my very own Ryder.
I love you.
- V
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
- Carl Gustav Jung
Chapter 1
One month later
Ryder
The sun crept into the room, and all I did was stare at the curvature of her beautiful back pressed tightly against mine. The slow breaths she took calmed me. When I couldn’t sleep, I would sit up all night, staring at her tanned skin, flowing brown hair, and the curve that etched between her tits and her hips, dipping in and exposin’ her small waist. I was taken back to where her smile spread from ear-to–ear, and the dimples on her cheeks were adorable and sexy in the same way. I needed her to move her little body around mine all day. We’d eat take-out and pizza, and she’d fuck me senseless at night, until her legs buckled beneath her and my cock was in pain.
I didn’t need anything more than what I already had right now.
Durin’ the day, we would deal with work, but nights were consumed with each other. I couldn’t get enough of her. I was desperate, selfish, and always needed more of her. She was mine, only mine. I just wanted to spoil her, as she deserved to be spoiled.
If I ever said out loud what finding Harper meant to me, the guys would mock the soft spot I have for that woman. They didn't know how it felt to have a woman so attuned to my desires; and I'm not just talking sex. It may sound cheesy, but meetin’ Harper was the second most important day in my life, the first being the day Evelyn was born. I remember it like it was yesterday.
“When is this thing going to be over?” I grumbled under my breath, but still continued waiting patiently, giving her the support she needed to get through the unbearable pain. I kept runnin’ back and forth, grabbin’ her ice cubes to suck on and cold rags for her head, because that’s what those stupid mommy books said to do. I wish I had read more of those damn things…
I sat there, just looking at her and thinkin’ that through the months of torture, today was the day I was going to meet my daughter; she’s the one thing I could finally be proud of in my life.
Today would also be the day I vowed to change everything I had done wrong. To stop being that dumbass college kid and become a damn father. I would never turn out like my own father, and do everything opposite of his asshole unsupportive self.
Hours and hours passed, and once we hit the 24 hour mark, I started to feel faint myself. After forever, and pushes assisted by one doctor and a flurry of nurses, this beautiful child came out, and I was in shock. My heart expanded with love, and an unexplainable feeling shot through my chest.
She flew out screamin’ and kickin’; the moment I got to see her, I spotted her bright blue eyes that were shaped the same as mine, and the full head of dark black hair that matched. From that second on, she was a part of me; she was my reason to wake up in the morning, and my reason to breathe. It was powerful in an unexplainable sort of way.
The rustling of the sheets caught my attention just as the sun shone through the windows. Since Harper and I became involved, I haven’t left her once in the morning without telling her goodbye, ever since the day I left her stranded alone at the hotel. That entailed waking her up early, but I had to. I wanted to fuckin’ punch myself for being a crass idiot and leaving her that morning, but I knew I had to go before the ocean got too crowded with other dudes.
“Hey, beautiful,” I whispered in her ear, while slowly biting down on her lobe and kissing her neck. This woman was so sexy, and I loved making her groan with pleasure, which is exactly what she did.
Her body shifted as she turned around to face me. Her small button nose and lush lips sent me into a tailspin. Her hair was messed around her face, and when she blinked, she greeted me with her large brown eyes. They mesmerized me and invited me in.
“Mhmmm,” she groaned, and her hands came up
to touch my chest. She had the smoothest, little fuckin’ hands around. I clenched my abs when she touched me, shivering from her cold little fingers. I imagined them caressing me, makin’ me beg her for more. I pictured the warm wetness of her mouth circling the tip of me, and instantly went hard. Fuck, I was going to have to walk this off before I could get dressed.
“I will never get used to these hot-ass abs,” she murmured through sleepy yawns.
“Go back to sleep, babe. I am goin’ to go surf for a little bit. I will be back in a few hours,” I whispered, hoping she wouldn’t try to move towards me any further. I couldn’t control my sexual appetite around her; but I had to get out on the ocean, and I knew if she were to try anything else, it would be the end of me.
“Okay,” she breathed.
She was exhausted, and needed her sleep now. “I’ll miss you,” she said, and planted her sexy lips against mine, sending my cock into a painful realization that it wasn’t going to taste the inside of her until later.
“I love you, Harper Mae.” I gave her the lightest kiss against her forehead, just as she curled back into the comforter and fell asleep with a smile plastered on her face.
I got up to get dressed, and threw some shit into a bag. I never missed a day of surfing; it was my release from life’s crap. I felt alone yet invigorated when I was ridin’ the waves. It was almost the same feeling I had when I was on the football field…almost. I grabbed my wetsuit from the closet, and threw my board in the back of my Ford pickup.
As I drove down the island and towards the local surfing spot, I watched the sun rise from the east. I was content with the life I had now. Somehow, though, something was missing, and I had a feeling it had to do with family. There was still a part of me that wanted to mend things with my family and Kylee.
I dreaded going to pick up Evelyn every other day because Kylee’s comments towards me were pissin’ me off. She didn’t want to see me happy with Harper or moved on, and she had to find her place. She wanted me for herself, just like she always had. That was never going to happen. She had to back off before I forced her off.
After I finished this surf session, it was going to be hard to go to the house to pick up Evelyn; but I had to remind myself that I was doing this for my daughter. Everything I did now was for Evelyn and Harper. They would be the only girls in my life.
***
I pulled into the parking spot, slipped on the rest of the wetsuit, and grabbed my board from the truck. I saw a couple guys I knew and joined them as we paddled into the ocean. When we reached our spot, we sat there waiting for the right wave.
The water lapped as we bobbed up and down with each passing bump. The sounds of the crashin’ ocean at the shore and the seagulls above us calmed my nerves, which always peaked when I knew I was about to ride a wave.
“Yo, Ry, did you read about that surf competition coming up in October?” a buddy of mine, Finn, asked.
“Yeah, the big one with ESPN?”
“Yeah! You goin’ to enter?”
I thought about this for a second; I had never actually competed in surfing. A couple guys on the ocean marveled at how fast I was able to pick the sport up.
After my football injury, my body wanted to stay active; so I figured, since I was in San Diego, I might as well try it. I took a couple lessons from Finn, and that’s how we bonded and started hanging out.
“I don’t know, man. Pat keeps tellin’ me I should, but I don’t think I am good enough.” Pat was my old football agent. He said it would be good to enter somethin’ and get my career started again, this time maybe in surfing.
“Do it! You’re totally good enough, man. Plus, you still have a whole month to decide if you want to do it anyways.”
“Are you enterin’?” I asked, my southern accent heavily emphasized.
“For sure, dude!” He beamed. Finn was your very typical “brah.” Blonde hair, tan skin, the total California “hottie” as Skye would say. He didn’t have a full time job; instead, he worked as a bartender at one of the local clubs. Even though he worked until 2am sometimes, he was always out on Coronado at 4 or 5 am. “Let’s hit this wave,” he echoed over the crash of the ocean.
The wave was large enough, and didn’t show any prediction of closing anytime soon. We both paddled forward and braced as the wave came up from behind us. As the wave broke, we split up. Finn went for the right side and I braced left. Just as the wave reached it’s largest point, I stood up, briefly hobblin’ to regain balance. As I grasped my balance, I pulled up and rode the wave out. I allowed it to swallow me as I weaved in and out, riding along the inside of the closing tunnel. I spun twice on the board, moving up and down because the wave closed and I reached the shore. It was a damn good feelin’ to pull into shore in one piece.
I looked over to the right where Finn was, and realize he didn’t ride the wave out. He was waving his hand at me, gesturing to swim towards him.
I grabbed my board out from under me and started paddling towards him.
“Dude! Sick ride,” he exclaimed when I was close enough to hear him.
“It wasn’t that big,” I hesitated. I wasn’t one to boast about my athletic abilities. In fact, many of the guys didn’t even know I used to play for the NFL. Finn only knows because one drunken night I confessed it to him.
“I am totally going to talk to Patrick about putting you in the competition in October. Can’t say no.”
“I’ll think about it.” I laughed knowing I wasn’t prepared at all for the competition. Hell, I was just a beginner; sure, I had the strength, but I didn’t have the experience.
“Whatever you say man,” Finn said, as he began swimming out towards the ocean. “You wanna go to the bar Monday? Bring Harper and her hot, unavailable friend?”
“Yeah, sounds good. I’ll run it by Harper, but I am sure we can meet you there around 10 pm?” I called back.
“Sounds rad.”
“You know Skye is engaged right?” I reminded him.
“Yeah dude, but just cause there is a goalie doesn’t mean you can’t score.” He busted up laughing, and I fist pumped him before paddling the other way.
“Hey man, I got to go pick up Evelyn, but I’ll catch ya’ later,” I drawled, as I started paddling back to shore.
“October, bro!” Finn screamed at me as the breaking waves started pushing me out more towards the shore. When I finally reached the shore, I pulled myself off the board and gathered the rest of my stuff on the beach. I threw the board back in the truck and started it up. I drove through Coronado, and onto the bridge that connected the island to the mainland. I drove the same path I always took, down the I-5.
Today’s drive was different. I haven’t said anything to Harper, but Kylee threatened to move back to Texas the other day. She told me she was miserable here, and had trouble making friends. With her bitchy-ass attitude, I was not surprised, but I couldn’t leave Evelyn in Texas. It was not going to happen, ever.
If Kylee took off with Evelyn, then I would have to follow. I couldn’t even imagine the thought of leaving Harper; but I knew she wanted to be here for her best friend, Skye’s wedding, and to finish her last year at school. So I haven’t brought it up with her…yet.
I pulled up to the cottage Kylee rented in the suburbs. Kylee came from old money, but she spent it on Evelyn. She wasn’t a bad mother at all; she just keeps insisting on this bullshit about gettin’ together, which ain’t gonna happen. A relationship we never had and never will have. As much as I would have loved to work something out with her, Harper was, and always will be, my life. I learned how to breathe again with Harper around me. If only Kylee would finally understand. I didn't love her; my entire heart belonged to Harper.
I pulled up and parked the truck in the driveway. I hope to God this is not be the last time I come around. Hell no, my child will not be sent to Texas away from me. I respected Kylee and all, so I certainly don’t wanna be draggin’ her to court. I just wanted a relationship with my daughter, and I
don’t get where Kylee is coming from, wantin’ to take that all away from me. I opened the truck door and prepared myself for hell.
When I saw her come up from inside the house, a devilish grin formed on her face. She slid up next to me before I could even step through the threshold.
“I missed you so much,” she murmured in my ear, while moving her hands along the tops of my arms, which were still wet from the ocean.
“Stop it now, Kylee,” I commanded with force, but not before I looked around to make sure Evelyn hadn’t run out.
“What’s the problem, baby? That stupid girl of yours got you on a tight leash? She’s a fucking bitch,” Kylee spat in my face.
I lowered my voice and stared her straight in the eyes without shifting once. That would be the last time she ever said something like that about Harper. Coming from her, she sounds heartless as fuck. Harper was constantly worried about Kylee hating her, and always making sure I asked Kylee’s permission before she saw Evelyn. While Kylee was always hesitant about Harper, her hatred for her was new.
“I know you’re scared, Kylee, and I know I hurt you, but I swear to you, if you ever call Harper a bitch or anything along those same lines again, I will make your life hell. Hell, do you understand that?” My voice was low, but echoed determination and anger.
“Whatever, Ry. You and I both know she isn’t the right girl for you anyways.”
I pushed past her, not even acknowledging her statement. As I walked into the living room, I saw Evelyn playing with one of her numerous Barbie doll sets. I smiled, remembering the many times I’ve played prince to her princess; because while the guys I used to play football with would laugh at that sight, I treasured the moments I could protect little Evelyn from the evils of the world. She would always be Daddy’s little girl in my eyes.
