Wilde Ride (12 page)

“I’ve never felt anything like that before Ryder, it was beautiful. Thank you,” I say.

“Babe, don’t thank me, I gotta thank you, again.”

“Well….You’re welcome.” I roll over, putting my hands on his chest and feel the contours of his abs. I love them. I lean forward and kiss his chest, wanting to do more of what we did last night, maybe a little different. Ryder rolls over on top of me, taking my mouth in a feverish, passionate kiss.

“You have to get ready for work babe, or you’re gonna be late,” he growls in my ear. I know what that sexy growl means. I glance at the clock, hoping I have time for some before work. 7:30 am. Holy snappin’ assholes, I slept in!

“Why didn’t you wake me? I’m going to be late,” I say, jumping out of the bed and running to the bathroom. I take a quick shower and get ready for the first day of the week. Who doesn’t love Mondays? They are the worst day ever. I run into the kitchen to grab something quick to eat and see that Ryder is holding a plate full of breakfast food.

“Eat this,” he demands.

“I don’t have time. I am going to be late,” I say.

“You’re not leavin’ this house until you eat, Ella,” he says, with determination on his face.

“Can I eat it in the car?” I ask.

“Works for me,” he agrees.

“Thank you, handsome,” I say, taking the plate in my hands as I lean in and kiss him. I turn to walk away, but I am halted by Ryder’s steel arm around my waist.

“That’s not a goodbye kiss,” he says.

Oh My.

He spins me around, causing the plate to clatter on the island. Taking my face in his hands, he lays a big, fat, wet open mouth kiss on me, which leaves me wanting more, so much more.

“That’s more like it,” he growls.

“I can call in sick,” I say, knowing that I never would. The only thing that I love more than teaching is Ryder.

“Get gone or you’ll be late, babe.”

“Okay.”

“See you after work, babe,” he says as I am walking out the door.

****

My day is going wonderful so far. In my first class, we discussed the ending of
Romeo and Juliet
. The boys thought the ending was extreme and in reality that would never happen. The girls thought it was the most romantic thing they ever heard. I had to agree with the girls; I would do the same for Ryder if it ever came down to it. I wouldn’t be able to go on without him. Maybe that is the difference. I have found
the
one
, and I would do anything to be with him, even giving up my own life.

During my second class, we finished the book
To Kill a Mockingbird
. I thought it would be nice to watch the movie for comparison. That leads us to now. I am in between classes on a fifteen minute break, tidying my desk, when there is a knock on the door. I look over my shoulder and see a beautiful arrangement of red roses, with a head poking out around them, saying, “Are you Ms. Scott?”

“Um…Yes,” I say, dumbfounded. Who would send me these? He walks over and places the beautiful flowers on my desk and then holds a clipboard out to me.

“Can you sign here, ma’am?” I take the pen that he is holding out for me and sign for the flowers.

“Have a good day.”

“Thank you,” I say, as he walks out.

I admired the roses for a few minutes and then look for the card. Opening the card, I read:

‘I Love You’

Oh. My. God.

Ryder loves me! I have to see him. Shit, I’ve got to work. Oh, I will go see him lunch time. I can’t wait to tell him I feel the same. I pull out my phone to text him.

Thank you.

That is all I have the chance to write before the bell rings and my students begin walking through the door. I jump and put my cell phone in my desk drawer.

“Wow Ms. Scott! Someone’s gonna get lucky,” Ashley says, walking by and making the other kids whistle and clap their encouragement.

“Alright, everyone settle down and open your books,” I say.

The hour trudges by slowly, but not without some questions and comments about me and Ryder and the beautiful flowers that he sent me. When the bell rings for lunch break, the class files out the door and I take off for my car. I can’t wait to get to the bar and find Ryder to tell him that I love him too.

I pull up in front of the Wilde Ride and I run up to the door, throwing it open. I spot Ryder as soon as I step in and storm towards him. Once he notices me, he comes from around the bar with a worried expression on his face. When he gets close enough, I run and jump into his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, while saying loudly for everyone to hear.

“I love you too, Ryder. So much.” He pulls back.

“What?” he asks.

“Thank you for the flowers and I love you too.” I notice the confusion on his face. Oh God, were they not from him?

“What do you mean Ryder? The flowers and the card, they are so beautiful,” I say.

“Babe, what flowers?” he asks.

“The roses you sent me,” I state.

“What are you talking about?” he asks again, still looking confused.

“You sent flowers with a card that say ‘I love you’ to the school for me. Well, I thought they were from you.” I fall out of his arms and turn my face away from him.

“Babe, you know I don’t do flowers,” he reminds me.

“I know, but I thought after last night you might have.”

“No babe, like I said, I don’t do flowers.”

“Okay,” I push myself away from him, so I can go and wallow in my stupidity.

“Babe, who sent you the flowers?”

“I don’t know. That is why I figured they were from you. It said I love you so…” I let that trail off

“Are you fuckin’ kidding me?”

“No.”

“Ella, like I said before. I. Don’t. Do. Flowers. So they’re not from me.”

“Um, I have to get back to work. I’ll talk to you later Ryder,” I say, urgently trying to leave. I can feel the anger radiating off of his body.

“Who would send them, Ella? I bet it was that fuckin’ Brent. That goddamn douchebag!” he roars. “I thought I taught him a lesson, but I guess he needs some tutoring on that lesson.”

“No. Ryder. I don’t think it was him. He hasn’t been around since you paid him your little visit. No one has seen him. The new substitute is temporarily taking his place. I heard some of the teachers say his name was Mark or something like that.”

“Well, who else could it be then?”

“I don’t know, but I have to go Ryder. I’m going to be late.” I finally get out of his arms and make my way towards the door.

“We need to talk about what you said, Ella. Supper at home,” he demands.

I make it to my car with tears in my eyes. He never said it back. Oh God, he doesn’t feel the same as I do. I know the card wasn’t from him, but I thought after I told him how I felt that he still might say it because he felt it too. I am such an idiot. Why would a smoking hot, badass biker like Ryder love a mousy, scarred up, freak like me? Of course he doesn’t love me.

I make my way back to work and slowly go through the rest of my day doing the bare minimum. I think my kids notice something is up because they keep very quiet, looking at me with concern on their faces. The bell rings and everyone rushes out of the room to go home for the day.

“Ms. Scott, are you ok?” Ashley asks.

“I’m fine, thank you for asking,” I say.

“Are you sure? You look really sad. You shouldn’t look like that after your sexy ass man sent you those flowers,” she says.

“I know, but I found out that he never sent them. I am fine though, just tired that’s all.”

“Who sent them to you?” she asks.

“Um… I don’t know, but they’re not from Ryder.”

“Well, you don’t look too impressed. Do you want me to get rid of them for you?” she offers.

“Yes, please.”

“Okay,” she says grabbing the flowers and heading towards the door. “Hope your day gets better Ms. Scott. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, Ashley,” I say, exhaling with relief knowing the flowers are gone. I turn back to my desk to finish grading papers and to think about things.

God! How stupid could I be, to think someone like Ryder could ever love me? I made the biggest fool of myself. Who does that? Who runs into his bar and jumps in his arms, telling him you love him? I am so cheesy. I was acting like one of those bimbos in a romantic movie. I laugh to myself, wondering what world I live in. I mean it’s me, Ella Scott. I don’t get that kind of sweet. A knock comes at the door

“Hey, Ella,” Sandra says, she’s one of the high school’s mathematic teachers.

“Oh, hi Sandra, How are you?” I ask.

“I’m good, how are you?” she returns.

“Good. Just trying to get these papers graded,” I answer.

“Jumpins, are you planning on staying here all night?”

“Shit! What time is it?” I ask. At the same time I hear my cell phone, letting me know there is a text message. I pull it out and there is a message from Ryder.

R U coming home? Supper is ready!

Shit! What am I going to do? I feel like a frigging idiot. Can I do that, go to his place and pretend that I never said that and he never returned the sentiment? I don’t know. Fuck.

“It’s five thirty, why?”

“I’m late. I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say and storm past her.

I look at my cell phone, when it buzzes again with another message from Ryder.

Babe where R U? I’m coming 2 look 4 U!

Shit now I have to text him back.

Sorry Ryder I have a few things to do. I will see you later.”

He replies again.

If your sweet ass isn’t at my house in 20 mins, I am gonna come and get U and bring U here. Your choice G.I. Jane!

Well there goes my avoiding Ryder plan.

Fine see you in 20.

Ok.

I slowly get into my car and turn towards Ryder’s, driving the slowest I have ever driven. I’m not overly anxious to have ‘the talk’, where he tells me he doesn’t feel the same way I feel. I pull in his driveway and shut my car off. Resting my head on the steering wheel, I pull in a deep breath. I am hoping I find the courage to do this and get it over with, so we can move on from this and pretend it never happened.

I get out of the car and walk to the front door. I knock once and open the door. I am left breathless at what I see. I can’t believe my eyes. Did Ryder do this? It is beautiful. There is a walk-way leading down the hallway, made of two rows of burning candles on each side with pink peddles on the floor around it. It is like something you would see in a movie. Maybe my man can do romance after all. I finally get myself together and start moving in the direction of the candle lit walk-way.

“Ryder?” I call out.

No answer. Where is he? I follow the burning candles that lead to the bedroom. The door is open a tiny crack and you can hear music slowing to a stop, and a new song beginning. I push the door open and there he is, standing by the side of the bed with a single calla lily in his hands and votive candles burning on all available flat surfaces around the room. I am speechless and motionless.

“Babe,” he says, with a grin on his face.

The song changes and starts playing, “You and Me” by Lifehouse (one of my favorite songs). I stare a little more amazed at what is before me. Ryder puts the flower on the bed and walks over to me. He takes my hand, pulling me to his hard body.

“Baby, somethin’,” he says.

“I—I don’t know what to say,” I stammer with shock. Ryder chuckles.

“Do you like?” he asks.

“It is beautiful Ryder. Thank you,” I reply.

He leans down and takes my mouth with a soft, gentle kiss. Ryder wraps his arms around my body and lifts me up, carrying me over to the bed. He gently lays me down and stands at the end of the bed, just staring at me.

“Ryder,” I moan.

I want him so badly that my body gets so aroused I can feel the heat through my whole body. My cheeks flush. He takes his shirt off and puts a knee to the bed, leaning over and grasping my hips in his hands. He then runs them up my body, taking my shirt with them. Ryder pulls it up over my head and my shirt is gone.

I am wearing a lacey blood-red, demi bra and matching thong, wishing he was going to get to see them when I put it on that morning. Guess my wish came true. He puts his face on my chest and places kisses all along my body, paying extra attention to my scars that are across my abdomen. Our breathing gets labored with excitement. I grab his Harley belt buckle, rushing to get it off, when he grabs my hand.

“Hey what’s the rush babe?” he asks.

“I want you Ryder, in every way possible,” I say.

“I want you too, Ella. And I’m gonna have you. Just relax and enjoy what I’m gonna give you.”