Page 42 of Riding Danger

Okay, we might have to admit that we were in a relationship. Or at the very least we were starting one. But surely anything instigated by lust would never last. And we couldn’t deny that. There was lots of lust.

I shook off my thoughts and turned back to the table. Ryder had grilled burgers and I had enjoyed watching him teach Ethan what to do.

Ethan put the ketchup on the table and sat between Ryder and I. “Mom, it's Vince's birthday party next Saturday. I can’t find the invitation, but he invited me to his party.”

I smiled. I may believe he is mature and responsible, but he was still a little boy.

“I’ll call his mom and get the details. How did your book report go?”

“Mrs. Wilder said it was very well done.” He placed a burger on a bun and then proceeded to drown it in ketchup. “She even suggested some books that were like The Wild Robots that she said I might like.”

I loved listening to my son tell me about his day. On good days at work, I even shared some things with him. My gaze moved to Ryder who smiled as his eyes darted between Ethan and myself.

“And you?” I raised a brow at him. “What did you get up to today?”

He shrugged. “Rehearsals.” Then he smirked and his gaze dropped to my chest then back to my eyes. “Gym.”

My mind flashed to our time in the gym and I squirmed in my seat and concentrated on my food. Both of them had convinced me that burgers were a good idea. Even though Ryder made it clear that my rules weren’t always going to be honored when we were at his place, he did try to limit takeout on school nights.

Exceptions needed to be made though. He could only cook two things and he could fire up the grill. I was not always in the mood to start anything from scratch but he did allow me all the freedom I wanted in his kitchen. The grill was a good compromise on some nights. My son was subjected to burgers because orgasms made me lazy.

“Babe.” Ryder’s voice pulled me from that amusing thought. “Your phone is buzzing.”

I grabbed it from the center of the table. My body stiffened at the message.

Lilly:Body found in Walker Lake. Pick you up in ten

Dammit. She would pick me up at home.

Shiloh:I’m not home

Lilly:Okay. Pick you up at Ryder’s in seven.

I rose from the table. “They found another body. I need to go.”

The irritation on Ryder’s face was quickly masked. I knew he wasn’t upset I needed to work. It was that I would take Ethan to my mom’s. It was a sign to him that I didn’t trust him. And the truth was, I was starting to trust him more than anyone else. Did he do things the way I wanted them done? Not a chance, but that was something we could work on.

I turned to my son. “You have everything you need here. Is there homework you need to pick up in the morning before school.”

Ryder’s mouth dropped open at the same time Ethan’s eyes widened as he shook his head.

My son was the first to recover though. “I’ll make sure Dad follows all the rules.”

“No, you won’t.” I shook my head at my son. “But have fun.”

Ryder rose from the table and walked over to the safe where he allowed me to keep my weapon locked up when I was at his place. I put on my holster before clipping on my badge.

I stepped over to Ethan and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Don’t stay up too late. And I will see you after school tomorrow.”

“Night, Mom. Be careful.”

I smiled at the words. He started copying it when I was still living with Tess and she would say them before I left home. Now it was a habit, but I had no doubt he meant it.

Ryder walked me to the door. He looked over his shoulder. No doubt to check that Ethan was out of sight before he pulled me toward him and placed a kiss on my forehead. There was no mistaking the worry in his eyes. “Come back here when you’re done.”

“I don’t think —”

“Shi, I am not going to sleep until I know you’re safe in bed.” He held my face in his palms. “Preferably in mine.”

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