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  Ryder

  Having her in my home brings everything into place for me. I bought this house two years ago with the idea that one day I’d start a family here. The house was a foreclosure that I got for an amazing deal. It’s a large two story with a detached four car garage. Being a bachelor, working as much as I do, the décor is lacking. The walls are bare and furniture is sparse, but I hope Dina can see the potential in one day making this our home.

  Earlier, she was quiet taking in each room. In my kitchen, that I have yet to cook even one microwave meal in, she had this twinkle in her eyes. I know she loves to cook; not only has she told me, but Brayden and Maggie constantly rave about her homemade meals for them.

  We didn’t get around to everything tonight because I wanted more time with her body rather than meandering around my empty house. There is still the laundry room, the downstairs bath, the back deck barbeque area, the hot tub and pool, and my garage to show her, but that can wait until tomorrow. There was no point in wasting time on the three guest rooms and guest bath upstairs, since they are completely empty.

  Having her laying in my space, in my bed, is like coming home. She stirs in my arms letting me know she’s once again awake. Unable to resist, I take my time being sure to treasure each and every glorious inch of her body. When I reach to my nightstand for protection, I pause momentarily, realizing in the car we had no barrier between us. Looking at her now, I can’t help but inwardly smile at the thought of her carrying my child. Truth be told, until this very instant, the thought of parenthood terrified me. Just the simple thought of being a dad has insured that, as much sex as I’ve had in the past, I made sure to wrap it up. Until Dina, I’ve never had unprotected sex.

  Being in the moment, I push the thoughts aside, cherishing the opportunity to make slow love with this woman. As I open the foil packet and roll on the condom, I decide that Dina and I will have a serious discussion on our earlier lapse in the morning. I have no idea how she feels about a future with me. I know she’s told me she wants to see where this goes, but how does she feel about living together, marriage, kids, the whole package?

  Now, having experienced the power of loving my partner with every part of my being I can attest to, the truth in there is a difference between making love and raw sex. For me, there was nothing before tonight; she is my beginning and my end. This is all that matters. She is my future, my everything, and I will gladly share all that I have and all that I am with her mind, body, and heart.

  After another orgasm for us both, I pull her close to me for a moment. Getting uncomfortable, I make a quick trip to the bathroom to dispose of the condom then climb back in bed beside her. Laying there with Dina in my arms, brings an inner peace to me. Knowing she’s here and she’s safe in my arms brings a calm I never knew I needed. Oh, how I love and treasure this woman.

  Dina and I definitely need to talk about things. I need to express my feelings to her. When I begin to speak, I realize she’s fallen back asleep. I can’t help but smile watching her so relaxed. We can talk about everything over breakfast. I look over at my clock; it’s after six in the morning now. Okay, so maybe it will be lunch. Yes, we’ll talk today no matter what, we must. With that thought, I drift into a comfortable sleep as a very happy man.

  Chapter Ten

  Morning Comes All Too Soon

  Dina

  What is that racket? I’m half asleep and slowly taking in my surroundings, which happen to include a very sexy Ryder wrapped up in me. I begin to untangle us, realizing the noise is Ryder’s phone vibrating against the night stand.

  I look at the clock; it’s not quite eight in the morning. I hear Ryder groan beside me as he starts to wake. He doesn’t answer the phone at first. Instead, he smiles, kissing my forehead. “Good morning, Sunshine.”

  The awful noise begins again. Looking at the caller ID, he makes a face, but answers “Hello.”

  I don’t know who is on the phone, but Ryder immediately sits up, and then climbs off the bed. Anger radiates off of him suddenly, as he is quickly sliding on boxers and jeans.

  From inside his walk-in closet, I hear him say, “Shut the hell up, I’ll be right there.”

  This is a side to Ryder I’ve never seen. He comes out putting on a red t-shirt. I start to get up; knowing our time together is over.

  He shakes his head at me, walking over and saying, “Oh no, baby, please don’t go. That was Brayden. I don’t know how long I’ll be at the shop, but he needs me there right now. Please, stay here and sleep. I’m so sorry I have to leave you, but Brayden is on a rampage and I don’t even know why or what’s going on.”

  He leans over, kissing me on my forehead. Running his hand over my cheek. “Seriously, Dina, please stay. I want to see you when I’m done at the shop. We still need to talk, and to be honest, I like having you here. I’ll call in a bit to check on you, for now, go back to sleep now.” With that he leaves and I’m too exhausted to do anything but fall back to sleep.

  I finally wake up. Taking a peek over at the clock, it is now a little after six pm. Getting up I feel delightfully sore in all the right places. I find a pair of Ryder’s boxers in a drawer and a t-shirt. Slipping them on, I listen for noise in the house trying to determine if Ryder is home. Since the bed is obviously empty and the house quiet, I know Ryder is still gone. It’s then it dawns on me, I left my phone in my car, all night.

  At the car, I retrieve my purse and phone. Twelve missed calls greet me, eight of which were Maggie and the other four from Ryder. Rather than listen to my voicemail, I call Ryder back first.

  He answers on the second ring. “Hey Sunshine, did you rest well?”

  I can hear the stress in his voice. “Your bed is like sleeping on a cloud. So yes, I slept absolutely, positively, blissfully unaware of the outside world, well!” I exclaim, hoping this will make him feel some better. “You, Misterman, on the other hand, haven’t had much sleep. Is everything ok at the shop?” I ask, not sure I want to know the answer.

  He sighs, tension radiating in his voice, “I wish I was there with you. Some of the deadlines that I was told were met, weren’t. I have some clients to make amends with. I was gone too long and apparently Brayden wasn’t being forthright with what he could handle without me. Jake is here to help me now, I’m going to hire another guy this week.”

  He hesitates, and then continues, “Brayden and I had a disagreement. He took off. I’m not sure if or when he’ll come back to work. I shouldn’t have been gone so long.”

  Shocked, I stutter, “What do you mean Brayden took off? Like he walked out on you, on the commitments he made on behalf of your business? He just up and left? I don’t understand. This is more than business, he’s your friend.”

  My heart is breaking for him. I couldn’t imagine not having my business with Maggie in it. And to have to face clients with someone else’s mistakes, that’s just added pressure.

  Not only do I hear the stress but I can feel it coming through the phone as he responds, “Baby, I promise to talk to you about it and a lot of other things, but not over the phone. Please understand.”

  Before I can stop myself, I ask. “When are you coming home?”

  It just rolls off my tongue naturally, as if we have been living together for years. Shit, I don’t know what his thoughts are about us, much less about me being here in his space, asking him to come home. God, I feel like a moron.

  There is a longer silence than I would have liked before he answers, “Sunshine, how I wish I was with you right now. My plan was to be back before you woke up. Honestly, though, I’ll be here for the next few days just getting sleep here and there on the couch in our lobby area. Things are a mess and I need to work.”

  I hear Jake in the background. I quickly get off the phone with Ryder, mainly so I could hide my disappointment. Since Ryder won’t be returning home, I gather my things, lock the bottom lock on the front door; without a key this will have to do, and leave.

  Once back at my own house, I decide to
soak in the bathtub. My muscles are sore and other areas are sensitive. What an amazing night! Part of me knows that Ryder really cares for me but the insecure side of me starts to wonder to the dark recesses of my mind. Maybe it’s not about our desire for one another. Maybe it is bad timing? Being self-employed requires a serious level of commitment and devotion. With his focus needing to be on work, maybe it is best if we not attempt to start a relationship. I don’t want to be an added stress. Maybe I should back off.

  Ryder owns the best classic car restoration and modification garage in the state. He has a waiting list over eight months long to take on new projects. Brayden always liked it just being the two of them, which is why Ryder limited his projects to only six or seven at a time. This way, as they wait on parts to ship in for one car, they could work on another. Usually the work is divided equally, with Ryder putting in extra time to do the books. It is, after all, his capitol that started the business. Although he not only pays Brayden hourly, he splits the profits with him, and even has a retirement plan and health insurance set up for him as well.

  I’ve heard Brayden talk about Jake. He helps when they need him and he’s in town. Jake is in the Army Reserves. He just got back from being activated and doing a tour in Iraq. He is Ryder’s childhood friend. I’m thankful Ryder has Jake to help right now.

  I get out of the tub, put on some comfortable sweatpants and tank top. Feeling like the worst friend for not returning Maggie’s call, I look at my clock; it’s now almost ten pm. I decide to listen to my voicemail before calling her back. I’m not sure if she knows what went down between Ryder and Brayden.

  My first message is Maggie, “Hey girl, how was last night? You better call, I’m waiting for details girlie. Love ya.”

  The second is Ryder, “Hey baby, I hope you’re still sleeping, I’m sorry I had to leave. Call me when you get up, Sunshine.”

  The last message is from Maggie again, “Dina, I know this is short notice, but Brayden wrecked his car, we had to go to the hospital. He has a broken nose, two black eyes, and he has two cracked ribs. They thought his jaw was broken but it’s just bruised badly. The car is totaled he said, because the frame is bent now. Anyhow, he’s taking it pretty hard. Ryder told him to take some time off and recuperate. He wants to go away for a few days. I know we don’t have any events going on this week, so I’d like to take a short vacation with him. If you need me that’s fine I won’t go. I know this is short notice. If I’m not needed though, I’d like to take the week off. Call me back when you can. Love ya.”

  I sit here even more curious as to what happened between Ryder and Brayden. Having watched, first hand, how hard Brayden has been working, and knowing he loved his car, and it’s now gone. I’m sure he needs this vacation. I don’t want to call and wake Brayden if he’s resting, so I text Maggie.

  Take the week off and take care of ur man. U both have been working hard. Go by the office, U know where the money bag for our tips and bonuses is at. Take it all to pay for ur trip. U’ve earned it. We’ll catch up when u return. Love ya, bestie, b safe and have fun.

  I know we have almost $8,000 in the file cabinet. I was saving the money to give Maggie a vacation anyways. It may not give them a trip to Paris, but it will give them a nice vacation in the United States. She immediately text me back.

  Oh, Dina, ur the best. I’ll find u a souvenir. Love u see u next Monday for girl time.

  With that, I climb into bed. My mind wondering exactly what is going on with Brayden and whether Ryder is missing me as much as I’m missing him.

  Ryder

  Today should be the best day of my life to this point. I’ve got the woman of my dreams in my bed. We’re going to make a go at this. I should be basking in the afterglow of the best sex of my life. No, today is not a day of relaxing in pure joy. I knew I shouldn’t have answered the call this morning from Brayden. The woman who holds my heart is in my bed and my phone is ringing. Oh hell no, I shouldn’t have answered. My conversation and resulting altercation with Brayden is playing on repeat in my head.

  I answer with a simple, “Hello,” and never make it further than one word before Brayden begins his rampage.

  “Now that your sorry ass is back in town do you think you could manage to get your dick out of Dina and bring yourself to work?”

  Anger and rage begin to boil inside me. He continues, “Ryder, it’s complete bullshit that you left for weeks, you come back, and are more worried about a piece of ass than your business.”

  Now I’m good and thoroughly pissed off, so I get up and begin to dress. He continues on, “Then again, you were more worried about going off with Valerie than business. Always chasin’ pussy. What, Val not good enough in bed for the long term? Or is a new piece of ass, like Dina, more appealing? Is that what brought you back?”

  Damn him for insinuating I’m still sleeping with Val. He fuckin’ knows why I had to leave. He’s now yelling into the phone at me, “Sitting back making all the money off my talents. You’re a true piece of shit, Ryder Davenport.”

  I can hear stuff being tossed around and I’m hoping he’s not at the shop trashing it. Taken aback by Brayden’s words and anger, I realize I need to go to the shop and get off this phone fast. If he’s not already there, he will be soon. Time to see what I can salvage of my business, my partner, and my friend.

  I quickly put on a shirt, telling him, “Shut the hell up, I’m on my way into the garage.”

  I hang up on him because I really want to bash his face in. Who the fuck does he think he is? Me making money off his talents. I pay him damn well for what he does. It’s my company and he’s replaceable. Although, he seems to think he’s not. Mechanics come and mechanics go, I’ll have someone new by the end of the week if he pushes me too hard.

  Looking over at my bed, Dina is sitting up like she is going to leave. My chest hurts at the thought of her ever climbing out of my bed. She’s beautiful, wrapped in my sheets, her hair disheveled and a glow bought on from a night of thorough satisfaction. Saying bye to her so suddenly is leaving me feeling raw. This is not how today should be going.

  After convincing Dina to stay, I go to my garage and decide to take the Harley so I can unwind before I get my hands on Brayden. I’m so full of rage, I need the release of the bike before I beat the shit out of my longtime friend.

  Pulling out of my driveway, I look over to Dina’s car. The reminder of last night flashes in my head. We went everywhere and nowhere all at the same time, sitting in that very car parked in my driveway.

  When I arrive at the shop Brayden is crazed. There is stuff thrown everywhere. The garage bays have cars worth more than his house. He has taken and bashed in the fenders and pulled out the lights on a 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. I’m stunned at the damage my own employee caused to a client’s antique car. I don’t even look at the other cars, afraid of what I might do to him. There are busted containers with oil leaking everywhere. Tools all over the floor, tool boxes turned over, the entire garage is ransacked.

  The rage inside me is at a boiling point. “What the hell are you doing?” I yell at him.

  Brayden doesn’t answer. Instead, the bastard swings out at me, his fist connecting with my jaw.

  “You have lost your mind, bro,” I say as I slam him into a wall. “Calm your shit man and let’s talk.”

  I release him, and he tries to punch me again. This time I’m prepared. I duck. I’ve had enough of this bullshit. My fist comes around hard and fast, connecting with his face. Blood pours freely out of his lip and nose. The crunch of bones let me know I broke his nose, to the point it will need resetting. He’s a persistent bastard, spitting out the blood in his mouth, as he’s still trying to hit me. The fight escalates. He manages to get in a few blows. Finally, I land a punch so hard in his side, we both hear his ribs crack. With that he stops coming at me, too busy trying to catch his breath.

  “I don’t know what the hell your deal is man, but you’ve crossed a bunch of lines today. I called you eve
ry fuckin’ day; you said you were busy but fine. Jake was here three days a week, sometimes more, he never said anything was out of hand. All you had to do was tell me, and I would have been home and you sure as shit know it, Brayden.” I’m attempting to shake off some of my steam, as I speak, but I’m failing to calm myself quick enough.

  “If this is about money, you know, Brayden, you get paid more here than you would anywhere else. As for talents, I can do all the work you can and you know that too. So take some time and get your shit straight. It’s my business at the end of the day, not yours. It’s also my money. Period, end of story on that one, bro.”

  I grab him by the shirt, looking dead in his eyes, “As for Valerie, you know damn well why I was there. Friend or no friend, let me make this next statement perfectly clear. If you ever talk about my relationship with Dina again, it will be more than a broken nose you’ll be worried about, are we clear?” I shrug his shirt as I release him.

  “Crystal.” He replies as he walks off breathing hard and leaving a trail of blood behind him.

  I call out to his retreating backside. “When you get your head outta your ass, call me.”

  I have a huge mess to clean up now, so there go any plans to return home to Dina. Man, the thought of going home to Dina, feels so right.

  I call Jake to come in and help me by filling in until Brayden and I can sort things out. I don’t know for sure what is wrong with him, but I have my suspicions and it’s not good for anyone close to him.

  Jake shows up within the hour. He and I spend most of the day cleaning up the shop. I try to call Dina, she doesn’t answer. Jake and his girlfriend, Kenna, live next door. Jake told me her car was still in my drive when he left. I hope she’s sleeping. Just thinking of her in my bed, wrapped in my sheets, makes my heart beat a little faster.