Page 48 of Savage Wild

By the time we pulled back into the parking lot of the compound, I was laughing in the rain, drunk on excitement.

Thrilled at being given a free pass to the club, one that would result in the academic achievement of my career.

And riding the high of Ryder’s undivided attention.

He was quiet, and soft spoken when he did have something to say. He didn’t strike me as the type to love ‘em and leave ‘em.

He also didn’t strike me as the type to waste his time and affection on a woman he wasn’t interested in.

Of course, he was doing a favor for Gate, so I couldn’t read too much into Ryder’s behavior.

But at least I felt safe with him. Like this man wouldn’t make a complete fool of me.

Done with my ladyscape, I stepped out of the shower and into a towel, wrapping my hair as well as my body.

Cassie emerged from my closet, both hands full of hangers and clothes. “You’ve got options.”

“Options for what?” Layla asked, joining us in the bathroom like she had an invitation. She checked the clothes. “Ohhhhh, somebody’s got a date.”

I did the lotion on my legs routine. “Not a date,” I said.

Cassie rolled her eyes, “Hottie had her on the back of his bike and asked her to the MC compound tonight.”

“Which hottie?” Layla asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

“NotTalon,” I said, starting on my face.

“There’s another hottie? Damn, I should have brought drinks. Do tell,” Layla said, jumping up to perch on the vanity beside me, her long legs swinging.

Cassie held up outfits for Layla’s inspection. “Red or blue?” Cassie asked.

“Blue,” Gabby said from the doorway.

“Are we having a convention nobody told me about?” I asked on a frown.

Cassie bit her lip.

“Good pick. That cobalt blue makes your tan lookhawt,” Layla said.

I shot Cass a look, “What did you do?”

“Don’t get mad, mamacita,” Cass said. “But I called in reinforcements.”

I laughed, “You thought I’d bail?”

Gabby crossed her arms and leaned against the shower. “We didn’t think you’d bail because this research is better than the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

Layla shrugged, “But we did think you’d pull your punches.”

I swiped on a thick cat’s eye in black liner.

Cassie grinned, “But we didn’t know about your date.”

“You’ve got another date?” Gabby asked.

“I know there was a bit of a dry spell, but I can get a freakin’ date,” I said, layering mascara. “And it’s not a date.”

“A bit of a dry spell?” Layla parroted.

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