Page 72 of Ryder: Shadows and Desires
R Y D E R
* * *
My subconscious is already seeking out Jules once I’m done being the stud in Andrew’s marketing program, not seeing her anywhere.
The area is less interesting with her gone, anddamn,do I want to show that woman what I will do to her after those fucking comments to me. I can’t help myself with her. She just draws me in, and I should probably know better, but I couldn’t stop watching her tonight. She owns a freaking MMA gym, even if it’s through her brother.
That shit is hot to me. In my world, she’s rare. And I didn’t like her walking around like she’savailable.
I’ve got my sights on her. They have been for a while, if I’m being honest with myself.
And damn, the way that dress hugged that body of hers—shapely waist, perfect ass, tits that gently bounce as she walks, slender arms. Her rich, brown hair bouncing behind her made me want to fish it, bend her over, and roll up her black dress to witness what she teased me with.
A fighter named Ben Kennedy glares at me as he passes by, trying to establish some fucking level of superficial dominance. I roll my gaze away, not caring in the slightest about whatever peacocking these idiots want to engage in. Having a rival is basic fighting shit, not for Warlord.
Only tomorrow matters. Once tomorrow is secured, the real fight toward Hell Week can begin.
I don’t even want to think about how much pain that week is going to give me. But it won’t matter if I win.
Not if it helps Sarah.
I give Andrew five more minutes before I decide to go back to the hotel myself—I need a long shower, preferably alone. A few women strut by, eyeing me carefully. I look away.
Taking a small moment to pause and reflect, I find it fucking hilarious that I just ignore them. Back in the heat of the fight, I’d never lookawayfrom the gawking women. Life is fucking weird, as now I can only think about asingularwoman’s pair of underwear and if she’ll really not wear them next time she wears that damn dress.
Because she will definitely wear it for me again. Even if I have to take her somewhere extremely expensive. Flaunt her. Make her wear a toy that no one can see, one controlled by a remote in my pocket.
Clenching the inside of my cheek with my teeth, I try to force a little pain so my blood quits rushing south.
I mindlessly fidget with what’s in my pocket until I remember it’s the phone number I got from—I pull it out—Samantha. I smirk as I recall how crossed Julie had been.Jules catching feels on me...
I sigh. I’m not much fucking better. That damn woman is going to be on my mind all night, and I’m not even mad about it.I throw the number away and decide I should head back. If I’m not going to mingle or flirt the night away, then I need to rest and focus.
As I near the foyer, my body tenses when a blonde dressed in a blue dress locks eyes with me.
Motherfucker...
Without maintaining my gaze, I continue on. To my surprise, she doesn’t approach. That’s even more concerning. The fuck is she up to?
Once outside on the sidewalk, it’s clear that Heather is following me, her heels clicking on the concrete.
“Joey, can I get a minute?”
I turn around, the headlights and taillights of passing cars glinting off windows. With as much control as I can muster, not wanting to give her even my anger, I sneer, “I’m not talking to you in public where cell phones can take a picture of us. I’m not lettingthatbecome a rumor.”
She puts her hands into her coat pocket and shakes herself slightly to warm up. Heather gives a defeated sigh. “Then after the fight? McDaniels is hosting a winner’s party at his home after the fight tomorrow. I’m sure Legends will get through. I knowyouwill. So, we will both probably be there. It would be a good chance to talk.”
“Just go back to your hotel, Heather.”
She snorts. “We are staying at the same one.”
I give a mixture between a grunt and a groan, not needing this shit right now. I keep walking in the direction of the hotel, eyeing those passing me by. The night is chilly, but my blood runs hot, and I could use the fucking walk.
“Tomorrow, then,” she yells after me. “And Julie is cute, by the way. Can see why you picked her.”
Bitter thoughts slither into my mind, and I’m fuming that she’d evenconsiderstooping this low. I turn to face her. “The fuck you say?”
“Just chatted with her,” she says, shrugging, continuing to take slow steps near me.
