Lucky Strike (17 page)

Ryder collapses on top of me, winded and dripping with sweat. I hold him in my arms, feeling complete bliss. It’s been months since I jumped out of my apartment window in Mexico and bravely took that step into my new life. I have experienced so many new emotions since I opened my heart to Ryder. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I don’t feel scared of losing myself or losing Ryder anymore. He’s teaching me how to love and how to be open to love. I know I still have a long road ahead of me, but now I know I’m strong enough to make it through anything life has to throw at me.

Ryder’s lips softly graze up along my neck, his breath hot against my ear as he whispers, “Marry me.”

“What did you just say?” Okay, maybe I’m not ready for everything that life can throw at me.

He rests his elbows on either side of my head, his eyes intense and sincere. “I said, marry me.”

“Are you seriously asking me to marry you while you’re still inside me? We have mind blowing sex, and you think… hey, this is the perfect time to ask my girl to marry me?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” he says trying to hide a chuckle under his breath. “I love you and you love me. We’ve managed not to kill each other while living together. So why not get married.”

I’ve never been one of those girls who imagined what their perfect engagement would be like, but I never thought anyone would ever ask me while his dick was still seated in my pussy. But Ryder has never been the conventional type, so I shouldn’t be surprised that he would ask me after making me come three times.

“Do you even have a ring? You can’t ask a girl to marry you if you don’t have a ring.”

“It just so happens that I do.” A big cheeky grin spreads across his face as he rolls off me.

I sit up in bed wrapping the sheet around me, watching Ryder digging in his dresser drawer. He pulls out a small green box then walks back over to the bed, sitting on the edge. “I found this a couple weeks ago at a vintage jewelry store and I just knew it was for you.” He slowly opens the box, my eyes widening when I see the silver and gold Claddagh ring. In the center is an emerald heart and three small diamonds are nestled in the crown. It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. “I had them engrave it.” He pulls out the ring and engraved inside the silver band is
My Lucky Clover.

“
Lucky Flanagan, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?”

My breathing deepens, the tears streaming down my face. For the first time in my life, the voices in my head agree with my heart. There is no doubt, no question if I’m worthy of Ryder. I know without hesitation I want to spend the rest of my life with him. “Yes, Ryder Michael Callahan, I
will
marry you.”

I sling my arms around Ryder’s neck pulling him on top of me as I lay back in bed. “Pinch… me,” I whisper between kisses, thinking this all has to be a dream.

Ryder reaches a hand between us and proceeds to pinch and pull at my left nipple, forcing me to gasp in pain.

“I meant pinch my arm not my nipples you ass.” I slap his hand away then push him off of me.

“You didn’t seem to mind when I pinched your nipples last night. In fact, you kind of enjoyed it,” he murmurs chuckling under his breath.

“That was in the throes of passion. This was supposed to be a sweet moment where you gently pinch my arm or my side,” I scold.

“I’m sorry baby, how about we try it again?” he says rolling back on top of me.

“No, the moment is ruined and besides I have to get up for work.”

“Or instead of that why don’t we call in sick and stay in bed all day,” he suggests as his lips trail down my neck.

“I wish I could, but I promised I’d help train the new barista that’ll be helping me when Lucy opens the new coffee shop.”

His hand finds its way between my legs, thinking that sex is going to change my mind, but I promised I would help Lucy with this and besides Ryder can’t call in sick during his first week on SWAT. “Ryder, come on. I need to get to work.” I push his hand away and wiggle out from beneath him. Before I can take my first step Ryder grabs my hand.

“I don’t want you going to work today.”

“I thought you weren’t going to keep me from working? What’s going on Ryder?” This is so unlike him. Sure we just got engaged but that is no excuse to miss work. Ryder has never missed a day of work in his life, so why is he starting now?

“I think I saw Jackson last night at the bar.”

I slump down on the bed next to him. My heart now in my throat and my stomach in knots. “What do you mean, you think you saw him?”

“As I was walking through the bar to join you in the bathroom he brushed past me. I could have sworn it was him, but the second I turned around to make sure he was gone. If he’s here I don’t want you going anywhere without me,” he warns.

“Ryder, are you absolutely sure it was him? It’s been months since I left Mexico. Why would he just show up now? I think your head is just playing tricks on you,” I lie. It’s just one of Jackson’s mind games. He wanted me to get comfortable before he came back for me, so he can fuck up everything I’ve worked so hard to get back.

“It doesn’t matter if it was my head or not. I don’t want you going anywhere without me.”

“Ryder you can’t miss work so you can babysit me on a hunch. I’m a big girl, who knows how to protect herself. You’re the one that taught me self-defense. And I won’t be alone, Lucy will be at the shop and so will Chad our new barista. If it makes you feel better you can pick me up from the shop after you get off from your shift,” I say giving him a reassuring smile. I know how to handle Jackson. Jackson talks a good game but he would never actually hurt me. I know Ryder is only being this way because he thinks I’ll run off with Jackson again, but that’s not going to happen this time. I know I’m strong enough to tell him no.

“I don’t like this Lucky,” he groans.

“I know you don’t but you can’t always protect me. I know how to handle Jackson, and if he tries anything I have a vicious brunette named Lucy who’ll happily help kick his ass for me.” I softly giggle.

“I want you to call me if he shows up, and you’re not to leave that coffee shop without Lucy or me with you. You understand me?”

“I promise I won’t. I will even call her right now and see if she will come pick me up.”

I walk as fast as my feet can carry me through the dark streets of Seattle. Lucy called me after Ryder left for work saying she was running late with some emergency at her new shop. The coffee shop is only a couple of blocks away from my apartment, so I decided to risk it and walk. I pull my keys out of my purse and unlock the dead bolt. Stepping inside, I feel an icy chill wash over my body and that’s when I see him… Jackson.

Ryder was right.

It’s been months since I left his ass screaming in pain. I mistakenly let myself relax when he didn’t come after me right away. Asshole must have fucked every vagina in Mexico before coming to get me.

“Long time no see, Nadine.” His lips curl into a smug smile.

“What are you doing here, Jackson? And where is Lucy?” So help me God, if he did anything to Lucy, I would beat him to death with that bat hiding behind the coffee counter.

“I didn’t touch that bitch. Someone just happened to break into her new coffee shop, forcing her to leave the store unattended.” He jumps off the counter and slowly saunters over to me. “Did you really think you could get away from me? I own you, Nadine.”

His words make me sick to my stomach. “Go to hell, Jackson,” I spit out. My fists clenching, body red hot with anger.

“Still so feisty.” He chuckles. “I see being with old what’s-his-face has given you the delusion that you’re happy. But you and I both know...” he walks around behind me “... you will never be happy with him. You and me are cut from the same cloth. We don’t do happily ever after. It’s just a matter of time until you would come crawling back to me.”

His words are like venom to my ears. Fitting since he’s a snake, a nasty evil snake. I spent years blind to who he really was, but now I see him so clearly and I’m not going to fall for his line of bullshit anymore.

“That’s not who I am anymore. I’m not your property, Jackson. So why don’t you run on back to your groupie whores and leave me alone.”

His dark, sadistic laugh echoes through the coffee shop. He presses his hard muscular body against mine, his rough hands take purchase of my arms. Gripping so tightly it feels like he’s leaving permanent hand prints on my flesh.

“I will never let you go, Nadine. You can run all you want but I
will
find you. Now just be a good girl and go get in my car. It’s a long drive back to Mexico.”

The old me would have caved. Being the sad pathetic girl who believed that Jackson was as good as I was going to get. Not anymore, I’ve seen what real love is. What a relationship is supposed to be like. I don’t have to settle anymore. I have a real man, who loves me, broken pieces and all.

I carefully raise my left foot up off the floor and then slam the heel of my boot down on Jackson’s foot. He screams out in pain, releasing my arms from his grasp. I ram my elbow into his sternum. The second he doubles over in pain, I bolt for the kitchen door. I know Mrs. Kim at the dry cleaners next door will let me hide out and call the cops. I reach my hand out for the door but Jackson roughly grabs a hold of my other arm and spins me around, slamming me against the wall. My head cracking the glass of the picture hanging behind me. His body is like a heavy rock tight against me, keeping me from kicking and squirming away.

His hand wraps around my throat, squeezing until I can barely catch my breath. I’m gasping for air, fingers scratching and pulling at his arm. I’ve never been scared for my life before, but the dark, frightening look in his eyes is telling me if I don’t leave with him, I’m leaving in a body bag.

“You’re not leaving me,” he growls, squeezing my throat harder. My breathing shallows, I can feel myself getting lightheaded.

I’m on the verge of passing out when I hear the clicking of a gun and Ryder’s voice telling Jackson to let me go. His hand drops from my neck. I take in a deep gasping breath as I fall to the floor, rubbing my hand along my neck. My eyes come back into focus and I see Dylan throwing Jackson to the ground, digging his knee into the middle of his back while he cuffs his hands.

Ryder kneels down in front of me. I let out a sigh of relief when I see his face. “Lucky, are you okay? Did that asshole hurt you?” He looks me up and down, running his hand along my neck.