Page 8 of Ryder

I noticed he was wearing black biker boots, a charcoal gray t-shirt, and dark jeans. His dark shades were pushed up over his black hair.

I wasn’t sure how you could make basic jeans and a t-shirt look like a million dollars, but Ryder sure did.

I tried to keep my eyes trained on the kids and not Ryder and his skin-tight shirt that definitely displayed those rock-solid abs, but clearly, I wasn’t doing a very good job.

“What do you think, Scarlett?” I heard Christian ask.

I had been so lost in Skyler, that I hadn’t heard what he had said.

“What,” I asked.

Allison gave me a knowing glance, and I nudged her leg with my knee.

Christian just rolled his eyes as he opened his mouth to ask me the question, I hadn’t heard the first time. “I was asking you what you thought about Ryder letting me ride on his motorcycle,” Christian repeated.

My head almost spun in circles as I turned my gaze on the young teen who had obviously lost his mind.

“Christian, we will talk about that later,” I say, narrowing my eyes on him.

Turning to Ryder, I held my composure. “While I appreciate you wanting to spend time with the boys, please run ideas by me when it concerns their safety and riding on your motorcycle,” I say, my voice ice cold.

The boys all look at me with wide eyes, and they can tell I’m pissed. Allison just smiles and falls back into the couch cushions.

Ryder stares at me for a moment, before leaning forward, his hands placed on his knees. “If you had been listening, Christian asked me about riding the bike. I told him to ask you first,” he said, his tone matching mine but filled with more cockiness than I could ever muster.

We sat there, having a stare off as the room grew silent.

“I think the boys are just really excited about having a celebrity around,” Allison broke in, busting the tension bubble.

Nodding his head, Ryder seemed to appreciate Allison’s interruption. “If it is ok with you ladies, I would like to talk with the boys before it gets too late,” Ryder offered.

I didn’t get a chance to respond, because Allison pinched my leg before she raced me to speak first. “That is wonderful, Scarlett and I will be in the kitchen,” she said, pulling me off the couch and then dragging me down the hall.

Once we were out of the room, I swatted Allison's arm away.

“What are you doing?” I asked her. “One of us should be in there monitoring them.”

Laughing, Allison just shook her head at me. “You are so dense sometimes,” she mused.

Shocked, my mouth dropped open at her insult. “What?”

“You heard me,” she stated, crossing her arms across her chest. “You and Ryder have some serious sexual tension going on,” she giggled.

You are out of your mind,” I said, rolling my eyes. That was a ludicrous idea. “He came here this morning with some cheap bimbo on the back of his bike. Trust me, he is not into me,” I said, and I couldn’t help the sting from my own words. That girl had more plastic and shine than his fancy motorcycle.

“Regardless, that boy in there would make for a great night,” she said, licking her lips.

I burst out laughing, and tears sprang to my eyes. “You are married,” I chastised her playfully.

“Doesn’t mean I’m dead,” she chuckled. “Look, I get that your last boyfriend really did a number on you. I’m not saying to go date Ryder. It’s clear he is wild, reckless, and a playboy. He would make for a great night,” she sighed.

Slapping her arm, I feigned offense as I contemplated her words. While I was sure Ryder would be great in bed, I wasn’t the type of girl who even considered one night with a guy. I had allowed one guy to break my heart once before, and I wasn’tabout to let it happen again with some cocky and arrogant tool on a bike.

“You go have all the fantasies about him you want, I am clocking out and going home,” I said, hugging my insane friend.

“Trust me. I will have loads of fantasies about him,” she called after me.

I went down the hall and stopped by the living room to tell the boys goodbye. Not one of them even blinked an eye in my direction. They were so in awe of Ryder.

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