Arch

Chapter 26

He storms into the room. He's been gone all day, but he looks sweaty and filthy and hot, really, really, hot. I dive off the bed, and he starts to undress as my mind short circuits, and he drops his clothes to the floor. He scared the shit out of me, and my heart's racing and pounding out of my chest. My mouth dries, and I try to swallow around the lump in my throat. He shoves past me and into the bathroom, but he doesn't shut the door.

I turn and can't help but stand there and watch him, scrubbing every inch of his tanned skin. As he bends and twists, his tattoos dance like they're alive. His body flexes and his muscles bunch and tighten as he scrubs. I've no idea how long I stand there. I can't move. I can't breathe. I can't look away.

"Dude!"

"Pardon?"

He shakes his head and shoves past me to get dressed. He walks out into the hall and calls back, "You coming?" He keeps walking.

"Can you try to act like a normal person? I don't want people to think I might catch fucking weirdo from you."

I follow him down the hall as we head to the dining room.

One of the guys pulls the chair out at the side of Ryder, and I slide in. He gives me a glare, but I want to sit here. The guy sits across the table, and I think Ryder winks at him, and he blushes. I turn and glare at Ryder and then back at the other guy, I don't know whether there's something between them, so I scowl at the guy.

"Where were you?" I whisper at Ryder.

"Out."

"Out where?"

"Who the fuck are you, my wife?"

"Wife? No, I just… didn't know where you were."

"Arch, you're not my mum. You don't need to know where I am. Okay?"

I feel taken aback and cross my arms across my chest.

"Ah, don't fucking pout, princess." He taunts me, but the way he says princess makes my stomach tighten. It's meant as an insult, I think, but I kind of like it… I think I kind of love it, and although I'm pouting, I want him to taunt me with it again. It feels good. It feels fucking great.

We eat in silence. John walks past Ryder and squeezes his shoulder. "Good work today." He carries on walking. The smile that breaks out across Ryder's face… it's breathtaking, and I wish it was me who had put it there.

"Where were you? What did you do?"

He smirks at me and smiles again. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yeah." I nod. "That's why I asked."

He just gives me that smirk again that melts away all the anger in me and makes me want to look into his eyes and kiss him. I don't know where those feelings come from. I've never been with a guy. I've never wanted a guy. I'm not gay. I'm not even a little bit gay. I'm certainly intrigued by him. I'm drawn to him. I long to be nearer to him, and I can't help the way he takes my breath away with a single look. Maybe it's more infatuated than intrigued.

We finish the rest of the meal, and Ryder gets up to walk away, and the other guy jumps up.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Later, Mouse. I've gotta be somewhere."

Ryder walks away, leaving us both looking after him, but when he looks back, he glares at me, and I glare right back. We're caught in a stare-off, neither one of us wanting to give in, when John sits in Ryder's seat. "So, gentlemen, you all ready for tomorrow?"

I turn and glare at him, looking confused. "Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow." He nods. "The reason you're here, the track, the bikes, Mr Bartholomew. If you're not taking this seriously, then—"

I frown. "Of course, sir. I'm here. I am taking this seriously. I just thought I was missing something, but yes, I'm ready."

"Good. You need to make sure it counts. Later, gentlemen."

He pushes up from the chair and leaves. I look around. Ryder's nowhere to be seen, and when I look back across the table, the guys are gone. I spin around and can't see either of them. I head to the bar. I'm sure I will see Ryder come back from there.