“That’s right,” I tell them, moving my arms around Ryker’s neck. “Ryker is my boyfriend. So if you two could leave us alone so we can get back to our date that would be great. Our food is getting cold.”
“This," Sawyer scoffs, his finger moving between Ryker and me, "is not a thing, and it’s not going to be a thing, so grab your purse and let’s go,” he says, grabbing my arm.
So far, Ryker has mostly been pretty relaxed and just going with the flow of what’s happening, but as soon as Sawyer puts his hand on me, Ryker is up and off his stool, spinning me around so that I am shielded behind him.
“Touch my woman again, and we’re going to have a problem,” he says, his voice low and menacing. I wish I could tell you that it didn’t turn me on even more than I already was, but that would be a lie. Even though the protection isn’t needed, my brothers would never hurt me after all, I can’t help but enjoy the fact that my man is standing up for me.My man?Did I really just think that?
Sawyer drops his hands and sighs, looking over at me as I peek out from behind Ryker’s tall, broad form. “Lettie, can you please just stop with this little rebellion and come home. The girls are all worried sick about you being here and I just want to put them at ease.”
Knowing that I caused my sisters-in-law worry makes me feel a little guilty, so I step out from behind Ryker and nod my head. “Fine. I’ll come home.”
Ryker grabs a jacket off the stool next to him and drapes it over my shoulder. “I’ll drive you.”
Sawyer looks like he’s about to argue, but Wyatt stops him with a hand to his chest. I give him a grateful nod and fall in next to Ryker. “Fine,” my eldest brother sighs. “Just get her home in one piece or they’ll be finding pieces of you scattered all over the county.”
Ryker nods. “Believe me, this woman’s safety is my top priority,” he says before smiling down at me and kissing my forehead. By the look in his eyes, I think he means it.
Normally this is the type of thing that gets me riled up. I can take care of myself and don’t need a man taking care of me, but with Ryker, somehow it’s different. It doesn’t feel controlling, it feels more like he really cares about who I am and what happens to me. A warm feeling spreads through my chest as we walk out of the bar and Ryker leads me over to a motorcycle.
“Fuck no,” Sawyer exclaims. “You are not getting on a motorcycle, Lettie.” But his protests die off as Wyatt leads him over to the truck and practically shoves him into the driver’s seat.
When I turn back to Ryker, he’s got a helmet waiting for me and places it on my head, buckling the straps until it’s nice and tight. “You ever ridden a motorcycle?” When I shake my head, he smiles and helps me into his jacket. “Just hold on tight, and lean when I lean. You’re safe with me, Firecracker. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you go.”
As Ryker helps me onto his bike and kick starts the engine, I warp my arms around his warm middle and lean against his chest. I think over his words and smile because I’m pretty sure he means it.
Chapter Four
~Ryker~
Having a warm body pressed against my back as I ride my bike is a foreign feeling, but it’s also a welcome one since it means that I have my little Firecracker close to me. Her small hands are locked together at my waist and her legs are pressing against the outside of mine, and that paired with her large breasts pushed up against my back as me feeling all kinds of turned on.
I never realized just how hard it was to ride a bike while sporting a rock hard erection, and let me tell you it isn’t comfortable. Still, I can deal with it as long as I have my woman with me.
My woman,I think to myself again for the hundredth time since Scarlett walked into that dive bar. I have no idea what she was doing in a place like that and I don’t much care, all I know is that I am grateful that she was. The trip that seemed futile not hours ago is now the reason the best thing that ever happened to me is now in my life, so I am grateful for every mile I’ve traveled since it’s brought me to her.
Another sharp turn towards a town called Juniper Creek causes my Firecracker to hold on even tighter than she was. Myhand reaches down to pat hers in reassurance as we continue down the highway, following behind her brothers in their truck.
It was obvious from the moment they laid eyes on me that her brothers weren’t impressed, and I can’t exactly blame them. We were in a seedy bar and I am clearly a good deal older than their sister. Scarlett is young, beautiful, and brash. She deserves far better than an old, beat-up guy like me, but I saw the interest in her eyes and after the flirty banter we volleyed back and forth at the bar, there is now way I am letting her go.
No, this woman is mine and mine alone. It may take her a while to get used to the idea since she’s so strong-willed, but like I said, I am a patient guy and will give her as long as she needs to come around to seeing that we’re meant to be together. Her brothers will just have to deal wth that.
The truck turns off the road and down through a large metal gate with the words “Landry Ranch” burned into a large piece of wood at the top. After about half a mile, we come to a stop in front of a large homestead. Even in the dark, I can see that the bright yellow home looks cozy and welcoming, the ideal place for a kid to grow up.
My own home was small and dark, so I’m glad my Firecracker had a safe space to go to at the end of the day, though if I have anything to say about it, she won’t be coming back home here much longer. I don’t want to be apart from Scarlett any longer than I have to, so I’ll just need to work extra hard to make sure she’s on board with us as soon as possible. It’s fast, but this woman already owns my heart and soul.
After cutting the engine, I hop off the bike and turn to hold out my hand for my girl. Scarlett takes it, smiling widely up at me the entire time. “That was amazing,” she gushes, unbuckling the helmet and handing it over to me. “I’ve never been on a motorcycle before. It felt so freeing.” The emerald of her eyesgets brighter the happier she gets, and I make a silent vow to put that look in her eyes as often as possible.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Firecracker.” I pull her closer to me and wrap my arms around her waist. She’s still wearing my jacket, so I don’t get to feel as much of her body as I would like, but it’s chilly out and keeping her comfortable will alwaysbe priority number one. “Now. When can I see you again? I am your boyfriend after all.”
Her smile falters a little and she leans back to look up at me. “You know that was just for their benefit, right?” She nods to the right where her two brothers are standing on the porch, their arms crossed over their chest. “It was just pretend.”
My eyes narrow as I take in her expression. Her eyes are a little shifty and her shoulders are tense, but as soon as I pull her back into my chest, Scarlett visibly relaxes and she sighs happily. I’m guessing this is all a little new to her and she’s not sure what to do about it.
It’s all new to me to, but I’m more scared of losing this feeling of absolute rightness in my soul than I am about making a fool of myself in front of her. Everything about this take charge, no nonsense, stunning woman calls to me, and no way am I passing that up because I was afraid to make a move.
“If that’s how you need to play it, I will follow your lead…for now.” Scarlett’s questioning eyes met mine, and I lean down towards her and run my nose along her hairline, loving the scent of fresh cut flowers as I do.
After I place a kiss on her forehead, I lean back and gaze into her eyes so she will know just how serious I am about the words that are coming out of my mouth. “But Scarlett, this isn’t pretend for me. Everything I am feeling for you is very real. You’re it for me, Firecracker, but I’ll give you all the time you need in order to get right with it.”
