12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Ryder

Chapter 11

Ryder

I knew it was wrong the moment I saw Scarlett walking into the restaurant with that asshole, but I just couldn't help myself.

I had gone out to get some dinner when I caught Scarlett walking with another man. He was eying her like she was a piece of candy and she looked slightly uncomfortable.

I felt like I wasn't in control of my body any longer. Parking my bike, I saw red as I stormed into the restaurant and interrupted what appeared to be a double date with her and Allison and a man who I assumed was Allison's husband.

Was she really on a date?

Without thinking, I asked Scarlett to have dinner with me. Sure, it was a bold and ballsy move, but I didn't care. I was on a mission to win over Scarlett and some asshole in a cheap looking suit wasn't going to get in my way.

Clearly I pissed the guy off, but when he nudged past Scarlett to get in my face, something deep inside of me snapped.

"What?" I scream, attracting more attention to us. "What do you want to embarrass me more? To keep me from dating someone else?" I throw out.

Ryder stops and looks at me like I have just bruised his ego. "Scarlett, that's not at all what I want," he begins to say, but I stop him.

Shouts and dishes crashing to the ground filled the evening air. Someone intervened and broke us up, but I have no idea who. It was like I was having an out of body experience. My vision was blurred with rage and my body shook from the extreme anger flowing through me like lava.

Once we are out on the sidewalk and my body and mind had time to calm down, I could finally see and think clearly again. However, Scarlett seemed to be even more pissed at me now.

Shaking her head, Scarlett was seething mad as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"Ryder, you are playing a game with me, and I don't do games. Look, I appreciate more than you will ever know what you are doing for the boys at All Our Children. But, that doesn't mean I will let you play me like a fool." Tears pooled in her eyes and seeing her hurting just about ended me.

Here I was trying to win her over, but instead, I just made her more furious with me and made her cry. I need to fix this.

"Scarlett, you have no idea what I think and feel," I say, stepping closer to her. My voice is deep but it shakes from my desire and proximity to her.

She looks stunning tonight and I hate how she was dressed up for another man. Instinctively I take a step closer to her, closing the space between us. I inhale her sweet scent and all I want to do is taste her body.

"Really?" she shoots back at me. "Because I have you pegged as the type of guy who just wants to take me home and fuck me, then forget I even existed the next day. Let me tell you something. I'm not that type of girl. I won't be a one-night stand for you."

Even after spending time together, she still sees me as this fuck boy who only wants to play her.

Doesn't she see how I look at her?

Can't she feel my desire when we are together?

"Let me tell you something, Scarlett," I begin, moving so close to her body that if I wanted to, I could kiss her right here. "You aren't the type of woman that should ever be someone's one-night stand. You are too good for that, and you better never let someone make you feel otherwise."

The thought of any man ever making her feel unworthy makes me want to punch every man in the world. She deserves to be treated like a queen.

She opens her mouth to say something, but then closes it quickly. I think I've stunned her into silence.

After a few seconds, she finally speaks, but instead of slapping me or yelling at me, she breaks out into sobs. Once I get her calmed down, I beg her to just let me take her to get food.

Maybe if I can show her that I am a better man, she will see me differently. I've never really cared about my image before. But when it comes to Scarlett, I want to be the best man I can be.