Page 48 of Nailed (Dad Bod Contracting 3)
I hear his motor roar again, more squealing tires, a downshift and the change in the tone of the engine. “Don’t apologize, Laurel. That’s what I’m here for.” He laughs. “That, and as many orgasms as you can physically tolerate, plus one extra.”
I’m shaking with fear and anxiety, but a small laugh escapes through the tears. “Not tonight, though. Tonight I just need—”
“To be held,” he cuts in. “I know. Tonight, I’ll hold you until you fall asleep.”
I hear him pull into the driveway and shut off his engine, and then the quiet thunk of his door closing. I go to the front door, and this time I peer out of the peephole to make sure it’s him.
I open the door and before he’s even halfway to it, I throw myself into his arms. “Ryder.”
He wraps me in his arms, easily scooping me up off my feet. I curl my legs around his waist and inhale him, shuddering and shaking. He carries me inside, pausing to deadbolt my front door. My bedroom door is the only one in the short hallway that’s open, so he carries me in there and around to my side of the bed. He sits down, kicks off his shoes, and rotates his legs onto the bed, all without letting go of me. Sliding downward, he props a pillow up behind his head, tucks me against his chest, and cradles me in his big, strong arms.
Immediately, I can breathe again, and he hasn’t said a single word since arriving.
“Ryder,” I breathe again.
“I’m here. I’ve got you. It’s okay.” He’s shirtless, clad in a pair of gym shorts and nothing else.
I snuggle against his warm, bare skin. “You didn’t even put a shirt on?”
He chuckles. “You were upset. I took off without stopping to think about anything. I’m not sure I even grabbed my wallet.” He smooths my hair back. “My only thought was to get here.”
I inhale deeply, hold it, and let it out slowly. “Thank you, Ryder.”
“Hey, what are boyfriends for?”
I tense. I twist my head on his chest to look up at him. “Boyfriend?”
He just grins. “Yep. I figure ‘beau’ is too old-fashioned, ‘lover’ is a little…dramatic, and I’m hoping I’m a lot more than a fuck-buddy.”
I tangle my fingers in his beard. “A lot more.” I touch my lips to his. “Boyfriend. I like that.”
“Me too.”
“And, you know what? I’m not upset anymore.”
“No?”
“Nope. The second you got here and put your arms around me, I was fine.”
“Makes me feel like I have a superpower or something.” He laughs, deepening his voice. “I am…comfort-man!”
I giggle. “You’re such a dork.”
“You know it.”
“Yes, I do, and I like it.”
“Well, that’s good, because it’s kind of in my DNA.” He tucks more flyaway hair behind my ear. “Just relax. Rest, okay? I’m here.”
I nod, and suddenly I’m overcome with fatigue.
Then, suddenly, a thought occurs to me. “Nate…if you’re here when he wakes up, he may be confused.”
“I’ve got it covered, babe. Sleep. I’ve got you. No more worries, okay?”
I nod. “He likes you, you know.”
“Nate?”
“Uh-huh,” I murmur sleepily. “He wants to play paintball with you.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Really?” I peer up at him with one eye open.
He rumbles a laugh. “Fuck yeah! I haven’t gone paintballing in forever.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to, Laurel.” He huffs another laugh. “In fact, I’m thinking…what about a Dad Bod Contracting paintball party extravaganza. We all take the day off, James brings his girls, and we have a big ol’ blow out. Followed by a pool party and a barbecue at my place.”
I open both eyes and gaze up at him. “That’s a lot to unpack.”
He arches an eyebrow. “What do you mean, a lot to unpack?”
“First, I tell you Nate wants to play paintball with you, and you immediately think, let’s go play with everyone? Also, you have a pool?”
He shrugs. “Yeah, I have a pool. It was a summer project for the guys and me. And as far as paintball goes? Paintball is a ton of fun, and I know all the others will be down with the idea. We’re all due for a good time, and I know from experience that paintball is best experienced with a bunch of people. We’ll rent out a place just for us. It’ll be great.”
My voice catches. “Oh.”
I sense his puzzlement even as I hear it in his voice. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. I just…” I exhale, toss my hair, and glance up at him. “You’re just amazing, that’s all. Finding someone who doesn’t just tolerate my son—”
He cuts me off. “Tolerate? What kind of bullshit is that? He’s a cool kid—who in their right mind tolerates a cool-ass kid like Nate?”
“His own father?” I blurt, and then immediately regret it. “That’s not true, and not fair of me to say. Paul loves his son. He just…he’s not the type to have fun with him. Nate was telling me the other day that Paul took Nate to play laser tag, but didn’t actually go in and play with him.”
