by Livia Grant
She feels perfect against me.
The final few miles to their destination were so different from the first few miles of their trip. Thick forest and ground brush surrounded them where concrete and buildings had been in the city. Even in the dark he could tell that the recent rain had greened the area nicely; the smell of spring flowers was evident as winding turns replaced flat streets. Here, the near-full moon was the only light besides the single headlight of his bike. They didn't pass another vehicle the final two miles of their trip, reminding him of how remote the family homestead was.
Family. The word could be misleading. In this place, family was linked by loyalty, not blood. He may have the right blood flowing in his veins, but he wasn't stupid. Many here would not be happy for his return, which was why he'd like to keep his presence under wraps for as long as he could and that meant going to see the one person he was pretty sure would be happy he was here.
He pulled into the dark parking lot of The Canyon Ridge Resort, the last public establishment before hitting the private family compound. A few older model cars were parked at the far edge of the lot, looking abandoned.
In the distance he could see the campfires of the residents of the neighboring RV park that sat along the smaller of the two lakes on the property. Once he cut the engine, he could make out the laughter of people having fun.
Ryder turned his attention to the mammoth A-frame lodge in front of them. It hadn't changed at all. The log frame, gigantic windows and wraparound porch called to him. He was home.
Or close enough.
Like at the gas station, he got off and told Khloe to stay put, but she was ready for him this time.
Ready to argue.
"Where the hell are we and who do you think you are, stealing me away like you did?" she growled, anger brewing in her beautiful eyes as she lifted her visor.
He'd missed her fire. The spark he'd masterfully tamed for three short hours months before. Only tonight, he didn't have a roulette wheel and consent form giving him the right to master her. Here... tonight... they were in uncharted territory, playing with no carefully crafted rules to their game and they both knew it.
He spoke softly, recognizing the growing fear on her face in the dim lighting. "I haven't stolen you. At least not in the way you're worried about."
"So why?" Despite his leather jacket, she shivered visibly. From fear or the chill of the night, he wasn't sure.
Ryder stepped closer, pulling her torso flush against his chest as he enveloped her in his arms, sharing his own body heat with her until she stilled. Her eyes sought answers he didn't have. He replied with the only truth he could come up with in the heated moment.
"I need to protect you, Khloe. The thought of someone out there wanting to hurt you... fuck..." He was unprepared for his own emotions bubbling up as he squeezed her tighter as if to prevent her from disappearing like a mirage. She really was in his arms again, and it felt damn perfect.
The shouts of the nearby campers reminded him they had a potential audience. This was neither the time nor the place for their little reunion discussion.
He released her, stepping back to give her directions before he got further swept up in the growing tension. "Leave your helmet on again. We don't need anyone recognizing you and posting something on social media sites. It's gonna be hard enough protecting you in public. We don't need to be looking over our shoulder out here."
"Where is here, anyway? Why not take me back to my place in Malibu, or even a hotel closer to town?"
He held his fingers up to her lips to stem the spew of questions. "Shhh. I'll try to answer all of your questions when we get settled. For now, stay put, got it?"
He enlisted his best Dom voice, hoping to channel the power he'd held over her the last time they'd been together. From the widening of her eyes and slight 'o' of her mouth, he'd say it worked.
He didn't stay and gloat. Instead, he lowered her visor again before securing his helmet to the seat and headed down the long brick sidewalk to the entrance of the hotel. The rustic luxury of the expansive lobby welcomed him home. Despite the heat during the day, it got cool in the evenings so he wasn't surprised to see the roaring fire in the two-story high stone fireplace. A couple snuggled on the leather couch, looking like the newlyweds they probably were.
He hadn't even approached the front desk when he heard his name shouted from across the room. He turned in time to see an attractive woman in her fifties rushing towards him.
"Ryder! Is it really you?"
She pulled him into a hug as soon as she reached him. He chuckled. "Hello, Aunt Ginny."
"Would it kill you to drop a line every once in a while? You know, they make this thing called a telephone. Hell, even an email or text would do."
They pulled out of their embrace. His aunt was several inches shorter than he was. Small webs of wrinkles crinkled around her eyes as she smiled up at him reminding him they'd both aged since they'd seen each other last. He could see she was assessing him for changes as well.
"Yeah, well my job isn't exactly conducive to staying in touch."
His family didn't know exactly what he did for a living, but they knew enough to know he couldn't talk about it.
His aunt smiled good-naturedly. "A likely excuse. You probably work in an office in L.A. and don't want to bother with family." He knew she was teasing him. His father's sister was listed as his next of kin with the agency. She'd been the one who'd got the phone call each time he'd been injured in the line of duty.
"So don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled to see you, but to what do I owe this honor?"
"I was hoping you had an open cabin I could borrow for a few days, maybe weeks. I'm not really sure." He paused, "I know I should have probably called ahead but..."
His aunt cut him off. "You're welcome here any time. No need to call ahead. This is your home."
His heart constricted at her words. The emotions pressing in were unexpected. He finally choked out, "I hardly expect you to keep a cabin empty on the off-chance I'll come by."
A sad smile played at her lips. "Ah, honey, I don't keep a cabin empty. I keep your cabin empty."
"But..."
"Come. I'll get the key." Ginny smiled wryly.
He followed her to the small front desk where a teenager sat behind the counter looking bored out of his mind.
"Go ahead and take your break early, Mikey. I'll take care of this customer."
"Sure thing." The kid was more than happy to get lost. Ryder appreciated her discretion, helping to keep his identity under wraps, at least until he was ready to deal with the fallout of his appearance. Still, she didn't ignore the elephant in the room.
"You're welcome here any time, you know that, right?"
"I'm not sure everyone feels that way," he countered, slipping the set of keys she'd handed him in the pocket of his leather pants.
"He's changing. Mellowing. You need to at least stop in to say hi." His aunt's face look pained. "Even if you don't stop at your dad's, at least look in on Axel. We're all so worried about him."
Christ, he didn't need this guilt trip. The motel back on the highway was starting to look better, but he tried to appease his aunt.
"I'll think about it," he conceded, anxious to get back out to Khloe for more than one reason.
He could see she didn't believe him. "So stubborn. Just like him."
His aunt's eyes left his to focus on something behind him. The crinkles around her eyes returned as she smiled. "So who's the beautiful woman in the long gown headed this way?"
Of course she didn't listen to him. He didn't need to turn to know Khloe had followed him into the lodge.
"No one. Just a job." Ginny had the audacity to grin at him knowingly, so he tacked on. "She's in danger. I'm protecting her, that's all." He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince his aunt or himself.
"Uh-ha. If you say so." Her smile slipped. "Always looking for that adrenaline high?"
He agreed reluctantly. "Something l
ike that."
He turned to see Khloe making her way across the lobby. Seeing her here, in this familiar place was surreal-unexpectedly calming. Still, he didn't want her to get close enough to be recognized.
He turned to say goodbye. "Listen, I gotta go now, but I'll stop by to catch up before I leave town. I promise."
"Go." She smiled mischievously before adding, "I'm sure you're anxious to get Khloe Monroe alone to yourself." She patted his arm to reassure her nephew. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
He took off, meeting Khloe before she got to the desk. She'd taken the helmet off and her thick mane of blonde hair was a hot mess, molded to her head at the top with the ends that had extended outside of the helmet a tangled mess from whipping in the wind on the drive there.
She's still fucking perfect. Well, other than not following directions.
"I thought I told you to wait for me outside," he admonished, grabbing her elbow, attempting to turn her in an abrupt about face.
She stood grounded, looking conflicted, but finally admitted. "It was really dark and spooky out there. I got kinda creeped out." Fear lingered in her voice. The night they'd met, he'd reveled in pushing her to her edge. Seeing her like this, vulnerable and afraid, by someone else's hand––that infuriated him.
For a city girl like Khloe, the remote resort probably was like visiting another country.
Aunt Ginny came up behind him, scolding him and reminding him why coming here had been one of his more boneheaded ideas. "He never should have left you out there in the first place. He was trying to avoid having to introduce us." Khloe's eyes widened before his aunt took the plunge and added, "I'm Ginny Helms, Ryder's aunt. It's a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Monroe."
His hand had found its way to the small of Khloe’s back, snaking under the bottom of his leather jacket she was still swimming in. That hand ended up helping stabilize Khloe when his aunt rushed forward, pulling his protectee into a tight hug.
"Jesus, Ginny, what the hell?" His hands found Khloe's too-thin waist, trying to pull her back towards him, suddenly feeling like he and his aunt were playing a game of tug-of-war.
Ginny won when Khloe unexpectedly returned the older woman's hug.
"What the fuck?" he blurted in frustration.
Khloe didn't seem fazed as the women parted. "Nice to meet you."
His aunt grinned before adding, "Don't let his bark scare you."
"It's not his bark I'm worried about. It's his bite."
He'd never seen his aunt blush before, but he enjoyed watching her fumble to answer, "Well... I've heard rumors about his... but... oh, never mind."
He couldn't stop his chuckle. "Alright, that's about enough from you two. I can see coming here was a mistake."
"Oh I wouldn't say that. You actually just jumped up in standing with me," Khloe teased, adding, "Your aunt is lovely."
"Figures," he groused, unable to be angry.
He tried to pull Khloe back towards the door, but Ginny kept pressing for details. "So, how long have you two been seeing each other?"
"Oh it's not like that, is it, Ryder?" The beauty in his arms turned to deliver her under-cut. "We went out once, months ago, and then he ditched me, not even bothering to get my number."
"Woman, you don't have a clue what the hell you're talking about," he defended.
He couldn't believe she was picking a personal fight with him in the middle of the thankfully quiet lobby. Could they possibly be more conspicuous?
He moved his grip to her bicep and had started dragging her back towards the door when his aunt unexpectedly tried to defend him, calling after them as he tried to get to the exit.
"You can't hold leaving against him."
Khloe pulled free of him to turn back towards Ginny, her hands on her hips. "Oh, and why not?" He heard the vulnerability in her voice. It was then that it hit him that Khloe probably didn't have many men walk out on her.
Ginny leaned close to speak softly. "Trust me, sometimes he has to leave, even when he may not want to." His aunt's gaze found his and he saw her understanding of his secretive job that had torn him away from his family most of his life. The corner of her lips curved up as she added, "You're welcome here any time. Any friend of Ryder's is a friend of the family."
Christ, not that.
"Khloe, we really need to go. We have a lot to talk about." He finally got her feet moving, but the women still both shouted out their 'good-byes' to each other across the lobby.
Only when they were out next to the bike did he complain. "I told you to stay out here."
"And I told you it's spooky out here."
"Nice try, Princess. Aren't you a little too old to be afraid of the dark?"
He had reached to put her helmet back on her, but she yanked out of his arms, her eyes sparking with anger. "I'm not afraid of the dark, jackass. I'm afraid of the lunatic who is after me, promising to take me away and fuck me every day for the rest of my life. Call me crazy, but yeah, that has me a bit spooked."
Raw anxiety mingled with exhaustion, clouding her beautiful face. He'd seen that expression on her briefly on the TV, but tonight she reeked of fear, and it gutted him.
When he'd made the decision to protect her, he'd also pledged he would keep her at arms length. In his line of work, no good could come from him getting involved with a woman, let alone a celebrity. Yet, they had a combustive history, and in that moment his normally unfailing self-control fled.
The urge to hold her was undeniable. He didn't fight it, pulling her into his arms. For a brief moment, she let her guard down, relaxing into his body, molding them together so tightly he was unprepared for her to shove him away, losing his balance and almost knocking over the bike at his back.
"How do I know you aren't the stalker? This is a pretty remote location. How do I know this isn't where you'd planned to take me?" Her voice quavered with emotion.
He didn't know if he should laugh or yell. "You must think I'm the stupidest criminal alive. Driving up to take you with thousands of witnesses, most with cameras snapping. Then stopping for supplies at a well-lit stop with security cameras everywhere. And then dropping in to say hi to the family on the way to my hideout." He took a step closer and her eyes widened as he added, "You think I need to kidnap you to take you to my own cabin to do things to your body I've already done and could have again at the snap of my fingers?"
At least fear had vanished from her expression, leaving misplaced anger. Khloe scoffed. "You have a pretty high opinion of yourself if you think you'll snap your fingers and I'll fall to my knees, under your spell again. Look around. There is no roulette wheel here tonight, and we sure as hell aren't at Black Light."
His patience was at an end. Ryder yanked her against his body, twining his fingers through her long, messy mane and snapping her head back. He towered above her, so close he could feel her gasping for breath against his cheek.
"This is not the time for this. Or the place. Like it or not, you're stuck with me, Princess."
"And why is that?" she asked breathlessly.
"Because I'm the best person to protect you right now. Trust me when I say that as long as you listen to me, I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you. Period."
"Why the sudden interest in my welfare? You walked out, making it clear you didn't give a shit. You said it had all been a game." Her vulnerability was back.
"Well, game time is over."
Her breaths were sporadic. She had the exact same hurt look on her face that haunted him when he closed his eyes at night. The one she'd had just before she'd left Black Light. She wiggled, trying to free herself from his grasp while shouting, "Why now, Ryder?"
Crushing her to him was easy. She was tiny, but he admired her spunk as she struggled against him. Like the bastard he was, the harder she fought, the harder his cock grew in his leathers, until lust demanded he subdue her like the dominant he was.
His lips crashed down on her, taking what he needed. His tongue conquered her mouth as his
free hand cupped her perfect ass, yanking her against his body, ensuring she felt the erection straining for release.
Once she melted like a candle in his arms, it took every ounce of his will power to pull out of that kiss. There would be plenty of time for that after he got her to real safety. His body screamed with need, recognizing the proximity to his kryptonite. They spent several seconds looking into each other's eyes by the bright moonlight before she pressed him again, this time with a whisper. "Why now, Ryder?"
The urge to tell her the truth couldn't be denied. "You really want to know?"
"I need to know."
"Because. No one gets to hurt you but me."
Chapter 11
Khloe let Ryder lift her onto the back of his motorcycle, stunned into compliance by his shocking words. She welcomed the loud roar of the engine as he put them into motion, hoping it would drown out her pounding heart.
She'd been living on the edge for weeks. The events of the last few hours threatened to drown her. Her mind raced to make sense of the barrage of details she'd learned about her mystery man, Ryder Helms. In many ways, he was a complete stranger. Other than his use of his pet name for her, nothing about the last hour resembled the three hours they'd spent together at Black Light. Still, she couldn't deny feeling safer with him than she had in weeks.
It made no sense.
She was forced to hug him tighter as he banked around a sharp corner, taking another stone path through the thick woods, yet she barely paid attention, too busy remembering his kiss and the crush of his erection throbbing between their pressed bodies.
Ryder's left hand left the handle bar of the Harley to link with her grasp at his waist. It was so innocent, the twining of fingers, yet the intimacy of it warmed her from the inside out. Memories of the kinky things they'd done together closed in. He'd debased her, yet she'd loved it. She'd never felt more alive–or devastated–than she had when he'd entered and then fled her life in a matter of hours. He'd mastered her, then deserted her so fast she'd had whiplash, yet the uncontrollable urge to beg him for a round two had her rocking uncomfortably against the vibrating seat.
