Page 48 of Ride

“Not perfect, but for you I will do anything. Take a seat.”

Pulling the chair out I sat down, took the napkin and laid it on my lap, gripped the knife, and cut into my food. I moaned at the different flavors hitting my tongue, the sauce I used came from a recipe my mother taught me when I was younger.

“How are we going to navigate our dating life? Plus, Kayne—I don't want him in the spotlight, getting hounded by reporters at his daycare.”

Laikin nodded in agreement and ate more of the steamed vegetables.

“At this point, fuck the reporters. No matter what I got you and Kayne.”

“I appreciate you, but we both know they will pry into my background. You’re already a high-profile athlete.”

“Do you trust me to take care of your heart?” I let him rub the top of my palm on the table.

“I do.”

“Then trust that any crazy shit written will get handled accordingly. I let the blogs run fake stories because it was only me, but I have you and Kayne to protect now.”

“If it becomes too much, will you let me know?"

“What do you mean?”

I laced my hands together. “Virgil will end up seeing everything in the papers and will probably make some statements. Hell, his parents might even try to hurt your career.”

“Virgil doesn't scare me.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, but he’s still my ex-husband, with a lot of pull.”

“Fuck Virgil and let him try to come for you again.”

Laikin pressed a kiss on my mouth, stood to take his empty plate to the sink, and started the water to clean. I ambled to the kitchen to stand next to him, bumping his shoulder. “Pinky swear.” My eyes were fixed on him as I smiled.

Laikin turned to stand with his back against the counter. “Come here.” Laikin pulled me into a hug, massaging circles around my back.

“The only way we work is by communicating, Pepper. Long as I have breath in my body you are not going anywhere. Let the media say what they want-- we know the truth.”

I placed a hand on his chest. “Okay.”

“Let’s go to bed. I want to show you something.”

“What do you have to show me?” I smirked as he took my hand, escorting me to the bedroom. Laikin took out his phone, typed in something, and waved it in my face. I glanced at his social profile and saw that the picture he’d taken of us earlier at the grocery store was posted, with a caption that said, “Me and my rider for life.”

“Laikin, you didn’t.” I grabbed the phone out of his hand, seeing all the comments. Some saying congrats, and other people asking where the hell did I come from.

“Either they get in line or get left behind. My woman, my life.” Laikin lifted my shirt over my head, while I continued to scroll through the comments.

“Let me guess @calliesexyone is your ex.”

“Ignore her.” Laikin unbuttoned my pants and slipped them down my hips.

“Get with a real woman and not a pick me.” I lifted my hands with air quotes.

“Baby, she’s jealous.”

“Obviously.”

In the blink of an eye, Laikin turned his phone around, grabbed my hand, and placed it on his chest.He snapped a picture, and stepped away from me.

“Laikin, are you serious? I'm naked.”

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