Page 22 of Rider

Griz stood up taller, regaining some of the attitude he always conveyed. “Now I know you’re really fuckin with me. Ink would skin me alive. He’s twisted up from that chick and they ain’t even together.” He flipped me the finger and walked off to go up the stairs. He hollered over his shoulder before he disappeared out of sight, “I’ll call you when I hear something.”

Rayleighn

I was absolutely freezing. It was two days before Christmas, and I was wearing a tartan green and red mini skirt that showcased my long legs. I paired it with black tights and velvet black ankle boots for more warmth and height. Rider was so tall that I could wear heels and get away with it. He was still several inches taller than me. My thick red turtleneck was the only thing giving me any kind of warmth. I had tried to dress accordingly, but I knew my outfit would probably be among the more modest in the crowd tonight. It didn’t matter that there were over two feet of snow on the ground, these women were dedicated to looking the best in the clubhouse.

The Mystic Venom were throwing a Christmas party and Rider said it was an event that couldn’t be missed. I was in such good spirits that I didn’t even mind heading out into the freezing cold and spending the evening at the clubhouse drifting inside and out. We had been spending more time; he wanted me to feel comfortable in such a place that meant so much to him and I was enjoying it. We hadn’t heard a peep from Grayson since the day at the salon and that was something to celebrate in and of itself. I was loving my new job at the construction company with Hammer, and I was feeling more connected and in love with Rider with each passing day.

I was even coming around to the fact that Rider was part of an MC. I had my doubts at first, but all of the guys had proven to be respectful and polite when they were around me or Colton. They had also gone out of their way to watch over us and ensure our safety during the last few weeks. I appreciated it and they knew that. I started baking and would take things into the office each day. It gave me the opportunity to interact with all the guys and get to know them better. I would tell them about Colton and me, and sometimes they would tell me stories of Rider when he was younger and his shenanigans. I’d come home and tell Rider the story and he’d feign annoyance and ask who told me the story and pretend like he was going to kick their ass the next day but he always ended up laughing it off by the end of the night.

Tonight was one of the only nights that MC members were allowed to drive to the event not on a motorcycle to allow the members to bring their families to the party. Rider and I had opted not to take Colton as Rider had said that the parties can get a little wild before families start taking the younger kids home. I agreed and thought it would be best to leave him at home. Mrs. Lopez had happily agreed to stay with Colton, make popcorn and watch a Christmas movie together. He was thrilled.

Rider and I hopped into his truck and made the short drive over to the clubhouse. Rider drove carefully in the snow and parked the truck inside the gates of the clubhouse’s lot. The party had been underway for about an hour. Some of the women with younger children were already walking out the door. They smiled and waved at me, and I recognized some of the faces. In all honesty, I was still getting used to the fact that a lot of them hang-around women viewed me as a threat because I was with Rider and he had made it clear to them that he had no interest. For the most part, the women were respectful but there were one or two that I could have easily done without. Especially Lucy, the girl I had seen kissing Rider at the bar.

Each time I was in the same room with her, she would watch us, tracking all of my movements. When Rider wasn’t near me, she’d slide up to me and make backhanded remarks about either my age or appearance. I clearly got under her skin, but my mom had taught me long ago that insecure women were the ones who would try to tear you down. I wasn’t insecure but she was starting to get on my nerves.

When we got inside, I wasn’t surprised to see how packed it was. Rider had warned me that it would be full of guys from surrounding chapters and Mystic nomads who were in for the holidays. I looked around for more familiar faces and they were scattered throughout with a healthy mix of people I didn’t know. The music was pumping, the drinks were flowing and the lights on the black twelve-foot Christmas tree in the corner of the room were glowing. Rider leaned down and told me that he was going to get us a drink. By now, he knew that I wasn’t a big drinker but on special occasions I would drink champagne if it was offered. As he made his way over to the bar, I headed toward the tree. I had heard all about it from the guys at the office and Rider but I hadn’t seen it yet in person. It had only been up for a few days, and I was dying to see it. The closer I got I could make out the silver ornaments on the tree. Up close, I could see that it was covered in miniature Harley Davidson motorcycles. I reached out and touched one of the ornaments, turning it around in my hand to take in both sides. I had never seen a tree decorated for a motorcycle club but if I had to bet this one would take the prize.

My shoulder bumped up against someone and I turned to apologize, coming face to face with Lucy. She had slid up beside me without my notice and I’m sure I was going to pay for that mistake. She noticed the ornament in my hand and smirked.

“First time at a real MC party? This tree was decorated by all the club hunnies. I guess you just misplaced your invite.”

I gave what I hoped was a patronizing look, not taking the bait. I knew she was lying. Rider had explained to me that only the members’ old ladies decorated the tree. They had to be either married to a member or have been given old lady status with a matching leather vest. When he explained it to me, I felt a pang of jealousy that I couldn’t decorate with them, but I understood club rules and tradition. He’d had a pained expression when he told me, possibly deducing that I’d wanted to be allowed to decorate

When Lucy realized I wasn’t going to take the bait her mood soured further. “You know this thing between you and Rider isn’t going to last.”

This was the first time she’d blatantly come out and said something to my face. I looked around the room to see if anyone had overheard her. The last thing I wanted was to make a scene on what was to be a fun and festive night. I also didn’t want to embarrass myself or Rider. I did what she least expected or maybe I played right into her hand because when I smiled my most sickly-sweet smile at her and said, “Is that so? Well from what I hear, I’ve lasted longer than you ever have. With Rider…or anyone” She huffed out a breath so loud it was as if I had slapped her.

Before she could respond, Rider came to my rescue. He took one look at my face and knew she had bothered me. His face turned from lighthearted to pissed in less than a second. His eyes lasered in on Lucy and I could almost see her tremble in her clear stripper heels. He bit out every word to her as if it was torture just to acknowledge her presence. “Get this straight. If I see you hassling Rayleighn or if she or anyone else tells me that her name ever crossed your lips again, it’ll be the last time you are ever allowed in this clubhouse again. Do you understand me?”

She vigorously nodded her head in understanding. Rider gave her one last hard look and then turned his back on her. I could hear her plastic heels clacking on the floor as she ran away. Rider handed me a large glass of champagne and when his eyes met mine all traces of his annoyance had vanished. “You ok, baby? Don’t let her bother you. She isn’t worth any of our time.”

I nodded reassuringly. “I know. She’s just hung up on you. I mean you were with her once so she figures she can make that happen again. She feels the need to always make me feel beneath her.” Before I even finished the sentence, he was already shaking his head.

“Ladybug, there’s not going to be anyone else. You’re it for me. You’ve got to know that by now. Have I not made myself clear?”

I looked down at my hands and stared at the bubbles in the glass. I knew that he cared for me, and I knew that we were good together. He had done so much for me and continuously showed his affection. “Yes, I know you do.” My voice came out small. Maybe it was my hormones or maybe it was the fact that I longed to hear him say those three words: I love you.

Rider reached out and took my drink and he quickly walked over to one of the high-top tables they had brought in for the party and set down both of our drinks. I watched him in silence as he walked over to the pool table and whispered into the ear of one of his club brothers I had yet to meet. He was older and as I was eyeing him, he looked over to find me in the crowd. I knew enough to know they were talking about me. They nodded their heads in unison and then Rider stepped back from the older member and shook his hand. He came striding back over to me like nothing had occurred.

“What was that all about? Can you get our drinks?”

He smiled at me. “No, not yet.”

By now I was thoroughly confused. I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t pick up our drinks and why he didn’t acknowledge his conversation with his club brother. We walked a few steps further into the center of the room and that’s when time stopped. It slowed down for me like you see in those movies, where the main character’s movements go into slow motion and you as the audience can see what’s happening, but she is completely oblivious until it’s all happening right in front of her. Yeah, that was me.

Rider bent down to one knee and took my hand in his. There was a hush that fell upon the crowd and all eyes turned to us. Was this what I think it was? He hadn’t even told me that he loved me. Rider appeared shy, and at that moment, I was caught in how beautiful he really was. His perfect tan skin, his styled and gorgeous hair, his chiseled jaw. His face was a masterpiece, and I was waiting with bated breath to hear his next words.

He cleared his throat and his eyes skirted to the side as if taking in the room, realizing that he had everyone’s full attention for the first time. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and when he opened them, his gaze bore into me as he spoke. “Rayleighn, I know that we’ve only been together a few months, but the night I first saw you, I knew that you were someone special. After talking to you just once, I was hooked. I wanted to know everything about you, be around you, and build on the instant attraction that I had for you. Then I fell in love with you and didn’t know how to tell you. I love you, baby. I love you so much in here.” He took one of his hands and placed it over his heart. That’s when I felt the first tear slip down my cheek. He was finally telling me the words I wanted to hear.

“I know that you haven’t always had the best luck with men, but that changes with me. I want to always be there for you and Colton. And I had something special made to prove it.”

My breath caught in my throat and my free hand flew to my mouth. I didn’t know what to expect but I was so blissfully happy that I was fighting to keep the tears at bay. My eyes zeroed in on the club member that Rider had just been talking to as he approached us. He handed Rider a large, white box, which Rider began to open beside him. When he pulled out a black, leather vest my mind went completely blank. Did this mean what I think it did?

“Ray baby, this vest represents me, the club, and the fact that you are mine. He flipped the vest over and I could see the patch of the club on the back. The green stitching of the Mystic Venom and their logo the ouroboros. Below it said Property of Rider in matching green script. I looked at the vest in his hands and it was smaller, my size. This was a vest for me. I kept my hand over my mouth because I knew what this meant.

“Baby, I want you to be my Ol lady. Whatda say to that?”

I shook my head and dropped my hand from my mouth. “Yes! One hundred percent yes. I love you.” I leaned down to crush myself against him and he stood us both up. He hugged me just as tight against him. He pressed his mouth against my temple, whispering for only us to hear. “I love you.”

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