The Beginning—A Duet: Ryder & Two Worlds Colliding (16 page)

I shot her a grateful glance. I wasn’t off the hook—I knew Sylvia Summers better than that—but she’d let me clean up and sleep first, so that I was up to the full-on interrogation that lay ahead.

“Dad called Harrison. Just thought you should know. All Marcus said after Dad finally got through to his phone is that you left on the back of a
motorcycle
. Is that true?” A small smile twisted the corners of her mouth. She was the one who’d taught me to always know the rules so that I could break them properly if need be.

I nodded. “Yes. But there’s much more to the story that I’m sure Marcus didn’t bother to elaborate on.”

She gave me a knowing smile. “As there always is. I’ll go make that tea now, and we can talk later.”

As soon as she left, I went for a shower. The sooner I washed the smell of Ryder off my body, the better. He’d covered every inch of my skin with his mouth, and as I touched myself while soaping up, I couldn’t help but remember the ecstasy all over again. I was sore, but it was a feeling I’d never known before, and something I definitely wanted to feel again.

With Ryder.

And there lay the problem. Now that he’d stoked my fire, it was going to be difficult to smother the flames. Just thinking about him made my heart beat that bit faster.

I needed to sleep. It was the only way my brain could process all of this and become clear again. I had to shake the sex fog, and become the practical woman I always was.

But it had felt so good to be free.

So good to give myself completely.

So good to be thoroughly fucked by a gorgeous, strong and virile man like Ryder Knox.

Thankful that Mom had just left the tea on my bedside table. I drank it and crawled between the sheets.

A smile came to my lips. I wanted Ryder messing on these Egyptian cotton sheets while fucking me into oblivion.

I needed to find my own place.

Soon.

I
rolled over and reached for her. How was it possible that it felt like Jade had always belonged here—in my bed? I couldn’t get enough of her. Everything about her turned me on: the taste of her skin, her mouth . . . and her pussy. But not only her body and the way she looked—I loved the way her mind worked too. And there was something sweet and caring about her that appealed to me more than I’d want to admit.

But what I loved most, was that my good girl could turn into a naughty girl when she was with me. Yeah.

I wanted to savor her all over again. Fuck, I was getting hard just thinking of where my mouth and dick had been.

Jade wasn’t in the bed.

“Babe?” I called out. I knew women went to the bathroom a lot after sex. And we’d been fucking all night long.

No answer. Was Princess playing tricks on me? Or maybe she’d fallen asleep in the bathroom? I wouldn’t blame her. It had been a night like no other.

I got up and sauntered to the bathroom, my half-mast dick swinging as I thought of what I was going to do to her when I got her back into the bed. Yeah. My Princess had a fire in her I didn’t think I could ever quench. Her greedy pussy just wanted more, no matter how much I’d given her. Next time we were together, I wanted to take her bare. Skin to skin. We needed to have a talk about that . . .

The bathroom was empty. OK. Maybe the balcony? No.

She’d left.
Fuck
.

I wanted to spend more time with her.

I couldn’t get enough.

S
pread across the bed, lying on my stomach, and paging through the newspaper, I was looking for rental apartments near Daddy’s offices. If I was going to move out, I wanted to be close enough to work so that I didn’t spend inordinate amounts of time in traffic jams.

A knock on my door had my head jerking up. Oh shit.
Daddy
. It was time for
the talk
.

“Morning, honey. Can I come in?”

I don’t know why he asked, because he was already standing by my bedside, peering over my shoulder at the newspaper. He didn’t say anything, he just coughed.

Daddy knows
.

He made himself comfortable on my dresser stool, looking very handsome in his tennis outfit. For a man of fifty-three, he was extremely fit. My father went to gym every morning before going to the office, because he believed that a healthy body housed a healthy mind. He also held the opinion that everything was easier if he took his stress out on weights and punching bags.

“Do you want to tell me what happened last night with Marcus? And explain why you went off on a motorcycle and didn’t come home until this morning?”

His eyes were hard, belying the smile on his lips. He made me feel like a small child. But this time I was standing up for myself. For far too long, I’d allowed my parents to steer my life.

I sat up, folding my legs underneath me. It was going to be hard to convince him to let me make my own mistakes and also that I needed the freedom to make my own choices—whatever they were.

Because I knew that part of living was to experience pain and loss and hurt. That was the only way to also know happiness and gratitude and live a full life.

As I relayed what’d happened, he sucked in a breath, his jaw setting as he clenched his teeth. Edward Summers was not a man anyone messed with. Both Harrison and I had inherited his tenacious characteristics. Right now, I wouldn’t want to be Marcus.

“Tell me about the man you left with—on the back of his motorcycle, no less,” he demanded. “How do you know him?” The sneer on his face got my hackles up immediately. He was judging Ryder without ever having met him, or knowing anything about him.

Strange how only a few months ago, I would’ve also pulled my nose up in disgust. But now I knew better. I knew not to judge a person by appearances alone.

“He’s the man I met at the agency. The one I told you had rented the house in Beverly Hills. He just happened to be there when I needed him. Kind of my knight on a rumbling horse.” I laughed, remembering the awkwardness of it all at the time.

Daddy was less amused. “The rude biker guy? Jade! And you actually got on the back of his motorcycle? I’ve always warned you about staying away from strangers, but this is even worse.” His eyebrows furrowed, and his lips thinned into a grimace.

I rolled my eyes. “Daddy, he’s not that bad when you get to know him. He’s helping out a friend’s family. That says a lot about a man’s character.”

“But Jade, you were the one who told me how unmannered he was. How you didn't trust his motives for renting the house. Now you‘ve done a flip on that assessment?” His eyebrows raised as he glared at me, not pleased at all.

“I got to know him a little during the house inspections. He’s a little rough on the outside, I admit, but underneath that exterior is a good heart.”

“Are you hearing yourself? Since when did criminals have good hearts? I don’t like this one bit, Jade. I’m not even telling your mother about this conversation—she’d lock you in your room. Besides, you’re a qualified lawyer now, you should know better than anyone that leopards don’t change their spots.”

“Ah, but what if he never was a leopard to begin with?” I countered.

“Don’t be smart with me, young lady. I'm looking out for your best interests. Bikers are not suitable for my daughter. It happened once, we’ll leave it at that, if you promise not to do it again.”

I sucked in a breath. “Daddy. Seriously?”

“Yes. And I know what happened with Marcus is distasteful. He should’ve been more discreet. But you aren’t formally engaged yet, so I will have a very serious talk with him and lay down the law for the future. It won't happen again, I promise you, sweetheart.”

My mouth went so dry, I nearly choked. I took a sip of orange juice and eyed my father carefully. “I'm not sure I’m understanding this. Let me see if I’ve got what you’re saying right. You’re saying what Marcus did is forgivable, and that you expect me to continue seeing and
marrying
him after your man-to-man talk?”

In all my years I’d never questioned my parents. I knew they had my best interests at heart, and only wanted happiness for both Harrison and myself. And now this? I couldn’t believe it.

“Oh, honey, no! The choice will be yours, but maybe it’s just a misunderstanding, and you can work things out. And if you still want Marcus, I’ll make sure he never repeats his despicable behavior.” Daddy leaned forward and placed his hand on my shoulder. His eyes had softened. “Masterton just seemed the perfect man for you. He’s going places, he’s smart, ambitious and . . . he can provide well for you.”

My breath hitched. “After what Marcus did, I expected you to want to cut his balls off.
Not
give him another chance. And no, I don’t want him. I’ve never been in love with Marcus. I’ll admit that he was everything I
thought
I wanted in a man. But he’s a cheater. He’s not loyal.”

I rubbed at the pain in my heart with my fist. Yet I was grateful I’d found out about Marcus before things got more serious. Before I gave him my body like I’d planned to do that fateful night—wanting to see if my heart would follow. But what I’d seen—his dick inside another woman—could never be unseen. If Marcus needed to fuck another girl, he clearly wasn’t that into me. Because if he was, he would have waited a few more hours—for me.

“I want a man who wants only me. I’ve learned that money and status and a pretty house with a white picket fence aren’t what I want, after all. I want love. And loyalty. I want to be the center of his universe. My man mustn’t even think of wanting another woman. So clearly, Marcus is not what I want.”

Daddy pursed his lips. He didn't like what I was saying. I think he’d hoped I’d forgive Marcus and move forward. But how could I be with a man who would only be loyal to me because my father threatened him? No, it had to be his choice to be faithful,
because he wanted to
. Because he had no need for anyone else.

“Jade, just think about it before you make up your mind. Your life can be great if you choose Marcus. He can give you everything you need.”

Solemn, I shook my head. “I'd always wondered which was more important.
To love, or to be loved.
Then I came across something that resonated with me. Asking that question is like asking a bird which wing it needs most—its right wing or its left wing.”

My father cocked his head and smiled, encouraging me to tell him more. I loved that he was willing to listen to my point of view. My voice was barely above a whisper, I was that choked up.

“The truth is that a bird needs both wings to fly. The answer is balance. That’s what I want—to both receive and give love equally. Unconditionally. Completely. Can you understand that?”

Finally I understood what I really wanted. A ‘shopping’ list of characteristics to tick off didn't ensure my happily-ever-after. It wasn’t my mind that had to choose which man I spent the rest of my life with. That was entirely my heart’s job. And the man that was making my knees weak wasn’t the one my mind would’ve chosen, not in a million years.

He nodded. “I understand, because that’s what Mom and I have always had. But, Jade, choose wisely. Who you decide to spend your life with impacts on many other levels, too. Once the romance dies, you have to still like one another if it’s going to last.”

“I get that, Daddy. Which is exactly why I can't be with Marcus. I’d never trust him again.”

“So, tell me about the motorcycle man. Is there something I should know?” The way he quirked his eyebrow confirmed that he wasn’t too comfortable with this development.

“There’s not much to tell. He saved me from Marcus and seriously embarrassing moments; that’s all. He’s not my type, nor am I his, so there’s nothing to worry about.” Even as I tried to assure my father, my stomach flipped. The little voice in my head was getting louder. Was I telling him the truth?

I hated telling lies, especially to the two people I trusted most in the world. But I hadn’t quite figured it out myself yet. I was still eager to find my own place, even if I never saw Ryder again. It was time for the next step into adulthood.

Were my feelings for Ryder becoming more than just rebellion and lust?

I hope not.

“G
et into the fucking wheelchair.” I nodded my head toward the contraption Cobra was refusing to get into. “I’ll wheel you out of this place and take you home. But first, you gotta follow the damn rules.”

Cobra’s eyes widened. “Fuck. Ryder, is this really you speaking? Since when do you, of all people, follow the rules?”

I winked at him. “Since it’s the fastest way to get out of this place that smells like antiseptic and is as sterile as Ox’s balls.”

He chuckled. “You got a point, brother. Get me the fuck outta here.”

Cobra leaned on both the nurse and myself as we lowered him into the wheelchair. He grinned like a fool up at the nurse. “Don’t go missing me too much, sweetheart.”

She swatted him with the clipboard. “Get your ugly mug out of here before you have another injury. And stay out of the way of bullets in future, will you?” She quirked an eyebrow at him.

I laughed. “Trouble is Cobra’s middle name. Follows him like a stench.”

The nurse placed a few containers of painkillers in Cobra’s hands and explained how he should take them. He listened patiently, and nodded his head. Fuck, was Cobra going soft after all this time in the hospital? The Cobra I knew would have chucked the pills in the bin, proclaiming to be a man, and not a pussy who needed pills to get through the pain.

We were inside the elevator when Cobra spoke again. “Mia?” His voice was so soft that I hardly heard it. I even detected anxiety. Yeah. When a woman had a man by the balls, there was no way he could pretend otherwise. He was fucked, whether he knew it or not.

“Mia’s at the house. Waiting for you. Don’t stress too much, she was dolling herself up when I left. She can't be that mad at you if she wants to look all pretty for you.”

“Yeah?” Cobra sighed. “Since when are you such a fucking expert on women? Thought you hated bitches, except for their pussies.”