Page 71 of Unbreak Me
“Everything she should need is in there,” I point to the oversized black bag on the counter. I hear the door open and turn to see Ryder walk in. He must have showered and changed at work. He’s wearing dark grey slacks and a blue button-up. Sophia must have told him the color of my dress because we match perfectly. His sleeves are rolled up, exposing his tattoos, and he’s left some buttons open at the top as I catch a glimpseof his broad chest. His hair is getting longer now and slightly touches the collar of his shirt. A piece has fallen across his forehead, and my fingers ache to feel its softness.
His greys meet mine, and heat courses through my body as they blaze a trail all the way to the tips of my pink-painted toes. “Jesus, Eve.” His voice is low as his eyes finally meet mine again. He slowly walks over to me before bending down and seeking out my lips. “You look insanely beautiful tonight,” he breaks away and whispers in my ear. His hand cups the back of my neck firmly, and I love how wanted that makes me feel.
Jake clears his throat, and we both reluctantly return to reality. I feel the heat in my cheeks from sharing a private moment. Ryder winks at me before releasing his hold. He sees Ryland and reaches for her with a smile. I watch him give her kisses and ask her about her day even though he gets a two-year-old conversation back.
“Andthatis what I’m waiting for.” I look at Jake, who walks over to my side. “The way you two just looked at each other is what I want, and I won’t settle for anything less.”
“And you shouldn’t.” I place my hand on his arm and squeeze. “God, I can’t wait to meet the girl that finally gets you off that menu.”
“Speaking of menus,” he takes Ryland from his brother, “you guys are going to be late for your reservations if you don’t leave now. Say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy, Rybug.” He waves at us, and she copies him.
“Bye-bye,” she says with a toothy grin.
“We will have our phones on us if you need anything,” Ryder says as I kiss Ryland goodbye.
“We will be fine. Right Rybug?”
“I do,” she says, causing us to chuckle.
“See. My girl and I have got this. I don’t work until nine, so I’ll bring her to you around breakfast time.”
“Thanks, Jake,” Ryder opens the door for me to step outside.
“Anytime, brother.”
Ryder takes my hand, and I follow him around the front to where his car is parked. Grinning, he opens the door, and I slide into the leather seats of his Porsche. My dress hikes up, and I move to adjust the length as Ryder gets in.
“Oh no, you don’t. Leave it right where it is.” His finger pushes it up a little further, revealing my ivory lace panties. “Perfect.” His thumb goes across the front of my thong, and I suck in a breath of air. The corner of his lip lifts into a smirk. He reaches over me and secures my seatbelt. His scent fills my senses as I breathe deeply, inhaling the hint of spice from his body wash and pure male, which is all Ryder. He turns his head, and we are so close that I can feel his breath caress my lips.
A low growl escapes as he grabs the back of my neck tightly and crushes his lips to mine. His tongue dives in and finds mine as my hand weaves into his soft hair. He has a light scruff on his face tonight, and I moan as it rubs against my skin.
He breaks away as we struggle to catch our breaths. “As much as I want to haul you back inside and finish this, I want to get a nice dinner into you first. There’s two of you to think about now.” He rubs his palm over my stomach and places a soft kiss on my lips before securing his seatbelt and starting the engine. Shifting it in reverse, we back out of the driveway and head to the restaurant.
He shifts gears, and I watch his handsome profile as he drives. His eyes meet mine before returning to the road. Downtown comes into view as we pass Blue Haven’s grocery store. People are walking the sidewalks and enjoying the cute boutiques and local restaurants that line both sides of the street. I see Jake’s shop,Inked, lit up as we drive by. Some of his staff must be working late tonight. We pass Ryder's Restores when weget to the edge of town by the marina. I can’t help but smile every time we pass it.
I’ve ridden this same street so many times to get to Jimmy’s so I could see him. I remember how excited I was when I was able to sneak away on my bicycle. Every pedal closer to him would shed all the hurtful words that my parents had spoken to me that day and be replaced with his love that I knew was waiting for me when I got there.
We park at Molly’s, a historic hotel on the water, before getting out. The hotel has recently been renovated, with a restaurant inside and a rooftop bar overlooking the water. Taking my hand, Ryder leads me through the foyer.
The original hundred-year-old wood floors have a new shine to them as we bypass the front desk and head to the elevators. Antique crystal chandeliers hang from the white ceilings, which have the original molding and details carved into the wood. Soft music can be heard from the restaurant as the elevator doors close to take us to the rooftop.
“I need those lips again.” He backs me up against the wall as his mouth lowers to mine. He holds my hands above my head as he cages me in and kisses me so thoroughly, leaving me wanting so much more. I feel his hard body against mine, and all I want to do is wrap myself around him and never let go.
With the hotel only having ten floors, we are forced to break away far too soon when we hear the ding on the seventh floor. Two girls around my age step in, and you can tell they are a little tipsy by their giggling. They both have tight black dresses on and legs for days. The vibe I’m getting is they are looking for the next victim to pounce on.
Ryder’s hand on my waist tightens, and I feel him tense beside me. The brunette one looks at him, and her eyes widen in shock.
“Ryder?” I can’t tell if she meant it as a question or a sigh. Her eyes roam his body, and I want to shield him from her. It’s clear from the way she is looking at him that she wants him.
“This is Ryder?” Her blonde friend at her side whispers loud enough for us all to hear. “Damn, girl. When you said he was hot, you weren’t lying. I would have dropped to my knees for him, too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
RYDER
“Shit,” I mutter seconds before Eve tries to take a step forward. I grip her hip tighter, keeping her next to me. The elevator door opens, but none of us make a move to get off as the doors shut again.
I don’t even remember the girl’s name that’s undressing me with her eyes right now. I haven’t given her a second thought since I left the bar that night. She glances at Eve, and her devious smile has me holding my breath.
