He steps back when I reach for pink peonies. “There’s a dance floor and music, so yeah, there’s dancing.Scarlettis one of the safest places for you. Feel free to do whatever you want as long as you stay inside the club.”
Whatever I want...
I wanthimbut that fantasy won’t come true. Maybe I could get laid in the men’s restroom. I wonder if that’s allowed or if Ryder has to screen the guy first.
That would be an awkward conversation.
Hey, Ryder? Could you check this guy out for me? I want him to fuck me senseless, but I figured it’d be best if you looked into him first. You know, make sure he won’t kill me or something.
I wonder how he’d react. Would he be angry? Would he fuck me senseless himself? Or would he open his laptop and screen whoever I pointed out?
The latter, probably.
“Will you dance?” I ask, a lilt to my voice.
My cheeks flare, the flirting more than humiliating when aimed at a man who hates being in the same room as me.
“I don’t dance.”
The door opens, and another customer arrives, saving me from more awkwardness. Ryder moves away, scrutinizing an older man eyeing the flowers lining the shelves.
I close early on Saturdays, but the last hour drags as if it’s a Monday. Mainly because Ryder’s back in silent mode and doesn’t say another word until we enter my apartment, the flower shop closed, cash from the till in my bag, ready to be deposited first thing on Monday morning.
Arthur’s waiting in the living room, suitcase packed, a smile on his face. “How was your day?” He aims the question at no one in particular, but he knows Ryder won’t answer.
“Busy,” I reply. “Good sleep?”
“You can chit-chat on the road. Go pack a bag.” Ryder drops his hand to my lower back, pushing me toward my bedroom.
Annoyance lights up my mind, but I swallow my pride and tame my usual outbursts. Maybe he’ll stop glowering if I do as I’m told without arguing for once.
***
Two hours later, the atmosphere in Ryder’s Jeep thickens further once we’ve dropped off Arthur.
Ryder makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end for two different reasons—I don’t understand either.
On one hand, my body craves his presence. His scent invades my senses, acting like a potent aphrodisiac. The hint of mint hidden behind a more masculine, woody note never fails to raise my blood pressure in the best way.
On the other hand, I struggle with taming my urge to clock his stupidly handsome face for making me so needy.
“What time are we leaving forScarlett?” I ask, averting my thoughts away from the pleasure he could give me before I soak the leather seat of his Jeep.
“You have about two hours to get ready,” he replies, pressing his foot down when the traffic light turns orange. “We meet at the club every weekend around nine, but I doubt you’ll arrive before ten. Hailey’s a little chatterbox, so she’ll talk your ear off before she lets you get ready.”
A cold sweat rushes down my spine and my stomach sinks. I didn’t put any thought into where I’d be staying over the weekend. I kind of assumed it would be with Ryder since he’s tasked with keeping me safe.
“I’m staying with them?”
His grip on the steering wheel tightens. “That’s the plan. Why? Where did you think you’d be staying?”
I swallow hard, shifting my gaze out the passenger-side window, a lump forming in my throat. It’s irrational, but the last few months were tough while I was tossed from one person to the next. I’d hoped the days of learning to trust someone new were behind me—at least for a while.
There’s no rational explanation why the thought of being separated from Ryder spikes my anxiety. I’ll be safe. Nothing will happen, but over the past week I’ve become used to him. I’ve gotten to know him a bit and... I trust him.
Carter won’t hurt me. I know he won’t. Hailey wouldn’t let him if her reaction last week is anything to go by, but still... staying the weekend with them is an unexpected turn of events. Another out-of-my-comfort-zone experience.
“Bianca,” Ryder prompts, snatching me out of my head.
