Page 37 of Rescued

"Sure thing." The kid was more than happy to get lost. Ryder appreciated her discretion, helping to keep his identity under wraps, at least until he was ready to deal with the fallout of his appearance. Still, she didn't ignore the elephant in theroom.

"You're welcome here any time, you know that,right?"

"I'm not sure everyone feels that way," he countered, slipping the set of keys she'd handed him in the pocket of his leatherpants.

"He's changing. Mellowing. You need to at least stop in to say hi." His aunt's face look pained. "Even if you don't stop at your dad's, at least look in on Axel. We're all so worried abouthim."

Christ, he didn't need this guilt trip. The motel back on the highway was starting to look better, but he tried to appease hisaunt.

"I'll think about it," he conceded, anxious to get back out to Khloe for more than onereason.

He could see she didn't believe him. "So stubborn. Just likehim."

His aunt's eyes left his to focus on something behind him. The crinkles around her eyes returned as she smiled. "So who's the beautiful woman in the long gown headed thisway?"

Of course she didn't listen to him. He didn't need to turn to know Khloe had followed him into thelodge.

"No one. Just a job." Ginny had the audacity to grin at him knowingly, so he tacked on. "She's in danger. I'm protecting her, that's all." He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince his aunt orhimself.

"Uh-ha. If you say so." Her smile slipped. "Always looking for that adrenalinehigh?"

He agreed reluctantly. "Something likethat."

He turned to see Khloe making her way across the lobby. Seeing her here, in this familiar place was surreal-unexpectedly calming. Still, he didn't want her to get close enough to berecognized.

He turned to say goodbye. "Listen, I gotta go now, but I'll stop by to catch up before I leave town. Ipromise."

"Go." She smiled mischievously before adding, "I'm sure you're anxious to get Khloe Monroe alone to yourself." She patted his arm to reassure her nephew. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe withme."

He took off, meeting Khloe before she got to the desk. She'd taken the helmet off and her thick mane of blonde hair was a hot mess, molded to her head at the top with the ends that had extended outside of the helmet a tangled mess from whipping in the wind on the drivethere.

She's still fucking perfect. Well, other than not followingdirections.

"I thought I told you to wait for me outside," he admonished, grabbing her elbow, attempting to turn her in an abrupt aboutface.

She stood grounded, looking conflicted, but finally admitted. "It was really dark and spooky out there. I got kinda creeped out." Fear lingered in her voice. The night they'd met, he'd reveled in pushing her to her edge. Seeing her like this, vulnerable and afraid, by someone else's hand––that infuriatedhim.

For a city girl like Khloe, the remote resort probably was like visiting anothercountry.

Aunt Ginny came up behind him, scolding him and reminding him why coming here had been one of his more boneheaded ideas. "He never should have left you out there in the first place. He was trying to avoid having to introduce us." Khloe's eyes widened before his aunt took the plunge and added, "I'm Ginny Helms, Ryder's aunt. It's a pleasure meeting you, Ms.Monroe."

His hand had found its way to the small of Khloe’s back, snaking under the bottom of his leather jacket she was still swimming in. That hand ended up helping stabilize Khloe when his aunt rushed forward, pulling his protectee into a tighthug.

"Jesus, Ginny, what the hell?" His hands found Khloe's too-thin waist, trying to pull her back towards him, suddenly feeling like he and his aunt were playing a game of tug-of-war.

Ginny won when Khloe unexpectedly returned the older woman'shug.

"What the fuck?" he blurted infrustration.

Khloe didn't seem fazed as the women parted. "Nice to meetyou."

His aunt grinned before adding, "Don't let his bark scareyou."

"It's not his bark I'm worried about. It's hisbite."

He'd never seen his aunt blush before, but he enjoyed watching her fumble to answer, "Well... I've heard rumors about his... but... oh, nevermind."

He couldn't stop his chuckle. "Alright, that's about enough from you two. I can see coming here was amistake."

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