Delivered Through the Storm

by Nicole Garcia

  Her shoulders slump and I swear I hear a tiny whimper come from her throat. She straightens and clears her throat. “So?”

  “So what?”

  “So, are you going to tell me why you aren’t a chef if you like to cook so much, because you’re obviously good at it.”

  “Why are you changing the subject?”

  “I’m not, you are.”

  I lean back on my elbows. “I did try to go to college, but that didn’t work out for me. I also tried attending a small culinary school, but I couldn’t keep up because of my dyslexia. It was too much of a fast track learning system. I was just too slow.” I have no idea why I’m discussing all this with her. Only it seems natural to. If anyone could understand the struggles a person like me has to go through daily, it would be her. She sees the difficulties her son has to endure day to day so why not finally open up to someone who can relate to me. I just hope I’m making the right decision and don’t wind up regretting it later.

  “Ryder, you are not slow, and whoever told you that is an asshole of the worst kind. You just have a different way of learning things. Everyone does. Some people learn better with pictures, others by reading, and some learn better by using both. Me, I need to read. I drive Tyler insane sometimes. When we were putting Caleb’s toddler bed together I had to read every word of the instructions. By the time I was finished he was already done because he followed the diagrams. No two people learn the same Ryder. Which brings me to my previous question? Why aren’t you a chef now? Why are you not following your dream? You do know most schools will help those with learning disorders?”

  “I can’t do that Madison.”

  “Oh no, heaven forbid a grown man such as yourself asks for a little help occasionally. It would be a travesty to the male gender. An abomination. A complete and utter horror to…”

  “Okay Madison. I get the picture.”

  “See, I don’t think you do. You go through life making jokes, flashing your bravado and using it to shield yourself from others. But I see right through you Ryder Storm.”

  I sit up, getting annoyed that she’s calling me out. I knew talking to her about this would come and bite me in the ass. “Do you?”

  She puts down her food and brushes the crumbs off her hands. “Yeah, I do.”

  “Oh yeah, well since you’re so smart, tell me what you see.”

  She kneels in front of me, poking me in the chest. “I see a man too afraid to take chances because the road ahead may be too bumpy to travel on. I see a man who hides behind his disorder and uses it as a crutch to keep people from getting too close.” She sits on her heels and lowers her voice. “And I see a man whose heart is so big, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to brighten a little boy’s day and asks for nothing in return.” She sighs. “You know what else I see?”

  “What?”

  “I see a man just sitting on his ass, listening to me rant when he should be kissing me.”

  I don’t think, I just leap into action, sliding my hand to the back of her neck and slam my mouth to hers. The little squeak she emits quickly turning into a low moan and I swallow every shallow breath likes it’s my only lifeline. I deepen the kiss, pulling her even closer to me. Her breasts are pressed against my chest I can feel the pebbled peaks of her nipples through our clothes.

  The sweet scent of peaches invades my senses, causing a frenzy of need only her body will fulfill. Fuck, she smells so good. Good enough to eat. I want to devour every inch of her skin and then some. I need to touch her bare skin. I want to feel the warmth of her underneath me and peel back every layer of sadness that has her heart so guarded. I lower my hand to the hem of her shirt, unfastening each button, slowly making my way to the top. When I get halfway there she pulls away from me, pushing my hand down.

  “Ryder, stop. We can’t.”

  I lean into her, gliding my tongue over the shell of her ear. “Yes we can.”

  “No, we can’t!”

  I plop back onto the blanket, letting out an aggravated sigh. “Why not?”

  She points to the corner of the room. “There are cameras in here.”

  “Then we should clean up so I can take you home and continue where we left off.”

  She stands, placing the empty glasses in the basket and I use this opportunity to take advantage of her bare calf. I trail my tongue up her leg as my hand skates over her smooth skin. She stills under my touch and I raise my hand higher under her skirt. As I reach the middle of her thigh, she jerks back.

  “Ryder!”

  I laugh. “I can’t help myself. You are too delicious for words.”

  She shakes her head, smiling. “Help me put all this stuff away please.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Madison

  The quiet drive to my house was...awkward. That is, it was for me. Ryder didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable. He talked practically the whole way, trying to draw me into a conversation, but all I gave him were one or two-word answers and a lot of head nodding. I didn’t know what to say to him without looking like a babbling idiot. It was bad enough I had to clench my thighs together the entire time we were in the car. I will never forget the way his hands felt on my needy body. I’m afraid to think of what I would’ve done had there not been security cameras in the museum. I might have been tempted to do something entirely unlike me.

  His touch was so gentle, so sensual, so damn hot. If I’d given him the chance to go further he would have found out just how wet he made me. I couldn’t let the situation get out of hand, for two reasons. One, I really wasn’t in the mood to make an impromptu amateur sex tape. And two, I’m falling for Ryder, hard. If I allowed him into my home and into my life, he’ll quickly get bored and end up leaving. I can’t do that to the boys. They need love, security, stability. Things only I can provide for them. There’s nothing on this earth I wouldn’t do for my kids. I need to protect their hearts from any further devastation.

  I peer out of the frosted passenger door window as we pull up in the driveway and come to a decision that I have been dreading to make since my divorce from Mitch. I was trying to keep the boys interest in mind, but I think it may be time to go back to court and seek full custody of Aiden and Caleb. I would never keep any child away from their father, ever. But I don’t know how much longer I can watch Aiden face disappointment after disappointment every time his father bails on him. He doesn’t call him, doesn’t even acknowledge his existence. I feel awful, guilty for thinking of cutting a boy’s father out of his life. Only Mitch has shown me time after time that he doesn’t plan to change or try to be a good father. I can’t have my son growing up feeling like he’s inadequate and unworthy of love. My heart is heavy. I know exactly how Aiden feels. My ex-husband has that effect on people and couldn’t care less about who he hurts as long as he gets what he wants. Usually that means sleeping with anything that walks and has a pussy.

  “Madison.”

  Ryder’s voice booms in the small space, causing me to jump and turn my head. “What?”

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine. We should go inside.”

  He sets his hand on my thigh, holding me in place. “Hold on a sec. What’s the matter?”

  I move his hand off my leg even though what I really want is for him to slide those long, calloused fingers of his inside me over and over. Heat begins to rise up my chest and I begin to feel my face getting flushed at the thought of Ryder touching me in the most intimate way. I squeeze my eyes shut to clear the passion filled haze in my brain and clear my throat. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

  He arches a brow, giving me a questioning gaze. “You sure?” You don’t seem fine.”

  I flash him a fake smile, hoping it will be enough to get him to stop looking at me the way he is now. “Yeah, I’m good. Just a little tired.”

  He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips for a sweet kiss. “Let’s get you inside then.”

  When I unlock the front door Tyler is already standing in the foyer with his fi
nger over his lips. “Shhh, the boys are asleep.”

  I pull my phone out of my purse to look at the time and set it down on the counter. “It’s early.”

  “Yeah, well I had them all over downtown doing errands with me, then we got some dinner and came back here. All I have to say is thank God Ryder called Aiden before we settled down for a movie. Man, that little boy sure can hold a grudge. He went to sleep a very happy kid, which was good ‘cause I did not want to have to look at that boy’s sad little face all night.”

  Ryder laughs. “Oh he’s good. He lasted a lot longer than I had when I used to get mad at my mother. I could never stay angry at her for more than an hour.”

  Tyler laughs. “I’m sure you made her feel guilty enough in that hour.”

  Ryder scoffs. “Pfft. It didn’t even phase her. I’m the youngest of three boys. She was already immune to such antics by the time she had me.” He reaches into his back pocket and hands Tyler two tickets. “Here before I forget.”

  Tyler takes them, staring at Ryder in bewilderment. “These are season tickets.”

  “Yeah. I remember you saying you wanted to go to the game.”

  “I can’t accept these Ryder.”

  “Yes you can. My friend’s brother just had a new baby and they’ll be going to waste. No one else in the family likes football so he gave them to me.”

  “Then you should keep them.”

  “Nah, you deserve them.”

  Tyler sighs out loud, holding the tickets close to his chest. “A man after my own heart.” He steps closer to Ryder, pressing a hard kiss to his cheek. “I think I’m in love.”

  Ryder laughs, rubbing his face. “If I wasn’t so secure with my sexuality that would definitely have me falling in love.”

  I laugh. “I don’t know who’s worse. You or Tyler.”

  Tyler tucks the tickets in his coat pocket and holds his hand out to Ryder. “Thanks man.”

  “No thanks necessary. It was the least I could do.”

  Ryder gives Tyler a wink, displaying the most mischievous smile I’ve ever seen on his face. Then I remember it was Tyler that sneakily set me up on a date with Ryder. “And by the way Tyler.” I say, lunging at him.

  Ryder grabs me by the waist, holding me back so I can’t reach my best friend. “Run. I don’t know how long I can hold her.”

  Tyler races out the door and I elbow Ryder in the stomach. “Whose side are you on?”

  I step away from him. Before I turn around I feel the heat of his body against my back.

  He slides his hand from my shoulder blade to the other, slowly positioning my hair over my breast. His lips brush over my nape as he winds his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

  He kisses the back of my neck, tickling my sensitive skin with his warm breath. “I’m on your side.”

  I attempt to shift out of his grasp, but he holds me tighter preventing me from going anywhere. “Ryder, what are doing?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “Ryder, we can’t.”

  He nips the back of my neck, soothing the spot with his tongue. “Yes we can.”

  “No, we can’t.” I say breathlessly. The hand around my waist roams over my belly up to my chest as he cups my breast in his firm hand. A strangled breath catches in my throat when I lean my head back against his hard chest and he squeezes me harder. A low moan escapes me, only it doesn’t reach my ears. I don’t know I’ve made a sound until I hear him whisper in my ear.

  “Shh, we don’t wanna wake the boys, now do we?”

  The fact that my kids are right down the hall hits me like a ton of bricks as I try to shake the drugging scent of Ryder from my brain. I start to pull away from him, but he holds me tighter and walks me over to the wall. He grabs my wrists, pinning me to the hard surface and leans into me. He presses his erection into the small of my back and a pool of liquid heat begins to form between my thighs. I’m so wet for him. I ache for him in ways I never thought possible, but can’t I do this. I just can’t. “Ryder, we have to stop.” I say without the least bit of conviction in my tone. “This is wrong.”

  He sucks my lobe into his mouth, gently tugging on the small diamond stud. “Then why does it feel so right?”

  I melt into him as he releases my hand. Bringing one arm over my chest, he lowers his free hand down my stomach and grips my thigh before roughly rubbing it. His hands on me feel so good and I don’t know how much longer I can withstand this incredible torture. All I have to do is say no. I’m positive he’ll stop if I just tell him to. I know he will. Yet my lips can’t form the words to do that. My brain is working on autopilot and right now I’m about to crash and burn from Ryder’s touch and whispered words alone.

  “Has anyone ever told you they needed you, desired you so much it physically hurt?”

  “Never.” He cups my pussy, grazing his thumb over my clit through the thin fabric of my panties. When he slides a finger under the elastic and slowly slips it inside me, I swear I see stars. My knees begin to buckle, my breathing becoming shallower with each passing second. No matter how hard I try, I cannot get a decent amount of oxygen to fill my lungs. I’m dizzy, weak, powerless.

  “I want you Madison. More than I have ever wanted any woman in my entire life. I want to taste every sweet inch of you, and when I’m finished, I’m gonna start all over again.”

  When he pushes his finger deeper, my resolve becomes a distant memory. I involuntarily cry out his name. “Ryder.”

  His hand flies to my mouth and he quietly chuckles in my ear. “Shhh, you’ll wake the boys.”

  He slides his finger out of me, then thrusts two back in. I moan behind his hand, over and over with each stroke until the pinpricks of light behind my lids become as bright as the sun on a hot summer day. The warmth that spreads through me has me overheating, boiling to the point of combusting. I don’t want it to end, but I know it’s going to.

  “That’s it Madison. Give me what I want.”

  And with those words I fall apart, releasing every bit of tension I’ve been holding in for the last two years.

  ******

  Ryder

  The wetness coating my hand has me near to bursting and her soft moans filling my ears are mind numbing. I have to find a way to tamp down the need to rip her clothes off and fuck her right here on the spot. She deserves so much more than that. She deserves someone who will take their time with her. Show her what it’s really like to be desired. I slide her panties down and lick her swollen clit with one long, languid stroke.

  She moans, threading her hands in my hair. “Ahh.”

  “Mmm, so good.”

  I stand and take her hand, pulling her toward her room. After locking the door behind us I saunter over to her, gently taking her face in my hands. I bend to claim her mouth, teasing, delving my tongue into her parted lips. My hands travel down her back reaching the hem of her shirt and I attempt to lift it over her head, but she stops me midway. Her hands hold mine in place as she looks up at me with a disconcerted expression on her face. I lift my hands higher and she put more pressure on my wrists to push them back down. Why is she so self- conscious? She’s absolutely gorgeous. There’s no reason for her to be embarrassed in front of me. “What’s the matter?” She averts her gaze, but I tip her chin up so she’s looking at me again. “Tell me what’s wrong. You can tell me anything.”

  “I haven’t been naked in front of a man in years.”

  “Why not?”

  She glances at herself then back at me. “I’m not exactly flawless. Mitch was sure to make me feel less than perfect as often as possible. After I had Aiden, I never got naked again.”

  A tear slides down her face and I wipe the salty drop off her face with the pad of my thumb. “Madison, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. Mitch was an asshole. He was too fucking blind to see how lucky he was to have a woman like you.” Turning her around, I usher her over to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. I stand behind he
r, our gazes locked in the reflection of the glass. She tries to stop me from pulling the shirt over her head, but I kiss her neck and whisper in her ear. “Let me.” With shadowy kisses, my lips glide across her nape as I make my way over to her other ear. “Let me show you how beautiful you are.”

  “Ryder…”

  “Shhh.” I lift the shirt over her head, exposing her lacey bra. I lean in, kissing the delicate skin of her neck as I unzip her skirt, letting it fall to the floor. She cups her breasts when I unfasten her bra, covering herself up, but I lower her hands. The fabric slides down her arms and I remove it from her body. I hook my thumbs into the elastic band of her panties and slide them down her legs, steadying her as she steps out of them. Winding my arms around her waist, I inch my way up her stomach to her chest and take her wrists in my hands. I place them at her sides before twisting her hair into a ponytail and let the long locks cascade down her back. She turns her head to the side as a blush begins to creep up her chest. I reach from behind her, placing my hand on her cheek and force her to look at herself in the mirror again. “I don’t know what you see, but let me tell you what I see. I see a woman whose smile is so bright she can light up the fucking universe. The love in her heart is so great she has the ability to change the world with every act of kindness she spreads around her. And her body…” I rub my palm over her nipple, staring at her in the mirror. Her heated gaze bores into mine as I cup her breast and give a light squeeze. “Damn. I see a woman whose body is so incredibly sexy she makes me hard just thinking about her.”

  She leans her head back against my shoulder and covers my hand with hers, squeezing it into her breast and moans my name. “Ryder.”

  I break our connection to take my shirt off and throw it on the floor. I press my chest to her back, my hand traveling down her abdomen to her pussy and I delve a finger into her wetness.

  She digs her nails into the back of my hand, pushing my finger deeper inside. “God Ryder.”