Page 75 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

“I think I like it when you take charge. This is getting me really hot.”

“Excellent! Now, where’s that chain?”

“Right here, still attached to the bedpost.” Rider reaches up with one hand and jangles it with his fingers.

“Tempting,” I whisper, giggling as I lean down to kiss him again.

I feel like we have finally found each other, after years of searching. From the moment I saw Rider over a week ago, I knew he wasn’t the same person I met back in Delta. At first,that frightened me, and the longer we stayed together, the more certain I was that we were too different to reconcile.

But I still couldn’t let him go. Even as I told myself I had to leave for Caleb’s sake, I still couldn’t do it.

Rider reaches up and strokes my arms, pulling me down to him. I smile through our kiss.

“You’re being naughty,” I scold him. “I told you if you want kisses, you have to be good.”

“Stop me then,” he whispers. “God, I love you so much, Fiona.”

“I love you, too.”

My doubts and fears melt away as Rider holds me. I let it all go, embracing the love I thought I lost.

There is nothing but the warmth of his kiss, the thrill of his hands on me, and the knowledge that I am finally home, whole and complete.

Chapter 27 - Rider

Warm sun filters down into the clearing at the back of the hall, flickering through the branches of the tall trees. The cool breeze strengthens a little, reminding me of the harsh winters and painful struggles I’ve left far behind me.

As I watch the children play, I let the old memories surround me. There is pain in my soul, and a dark past that still lurks in my dreams, but none of it can affect the bright warmth of today. And the new hope that leads me into the future.

It’s been four months since my brutal battle with Tobias. That may have been the darkest day of my life—but it was also the day I met my son.

Every moment of suffering I endured led me here to this place of love and hope. I can’t regret a single day, no matter how harsh it seemed at the time.

“Whoa, boss, you gonna let those steaks burn or what?”

“Sorry,” I say, coming back to reality with a jolt. “I thought you liked char-grilled, anyway.”

“Yeah, but not ashes,” Ryan laughs. “Where did you go just now?”

I nod towards the field, where Caleb is playing football with the other boys and girls.

Ryan smiles, shaking his head. “I should have known. How about I take control of the grill, since you seem incapable of even simple tasks right now?”

“Watch it, buddy,” I say, frowning at him. “I’ll knock your ass right off that beta position if you don’t cut it out.”

“Yeah,” Ryan laughs. “You say that. But you need me. I know you do.”

I toss the spatula at him, and he catches it.

“Hmm. Okay. That was a good grab. I’ll let you keep your job for now.”

“You don’t scare me,” Ryan answers. “My spatula twirling skills are integral to the livelihood of this pack, and you know it.”

“If that’s true, why is the grill smoking?”

“Shit!” Ryan yells, hurriedly taking meat off the hot plate. “You did that on purpose.”

“And you had the hide to call me feeble-minded.”

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