18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Scarlett

"So, you are leaving?" Lucas asks.

The hurt in his voice is almost my undoing. I bend down to my knees so that I am eye level with him. Grabbing his hands, I pull him in for a hug.

"No, buddy. I am just going on a trip," I say, smiling though I want to break down in tears.

This right here is why I haven't been on a vacation since I started working at All Our Children. These boys have been left behind, pushed aside, and forgotten about by everyone who they ever trusted. Just me mentioning a trip had Lucas thinking I was going, too.

"How long?" he asks again, sniffling as he fights back his tears.

"A couple of days. Guess who I am going with?" I ask, hoping if I mention Ryder, it might lessen his hurt.

"Who?" he asks.

I see Christopher enter the room, and he is eying me skeptically. I can tell he has overheard part of our conversation, and he isn't happy either.

"Ryder Raven. He invited me to go with him for an event he is part of," I say, making sure to add a big bright smile to my face.

"Ryder, really?" Lucas asks.

His tone is changing, and his pouty face is quickly turning into a smile.

"So, is Ryder your boyfriend now?" Christopher asks, now emerging himself in the conversation.

"Um...no...I…" I am fumbling over my words, and I can feel my cheeks flush.

"Not her boyfriend, yet ," a deep voice says from behind me.

I turn so fast. I lose my balance and fall onto my bottom. The room erupts into laughter as Allison, and the rest of the boys join us.

Great, I get to be laughed at by everyone. However, I am too focused on what Ryder just said to be embarrassed by my fall.

Ryder saunters into the room, and I can feel the spark between us ignite. "Boys, let me give you all a piece of advice. When the right girl comes around, you have to work to make her yours. The chase is the best part. I mean, I'm a racer, so I like to race after things I want," he says, his eyes boring into my soul.

The boys look between us, and the older ones seem to tune into what is happening between Ryder and me. I see the smirks grow on their faces, especially when I feel my face heat up like a burning fire.

"Well, I know I am happy to see you here today," Allison chimes in, breaking the awkwardness.

Ryder turns to face Allison and gives her his charming smile. "Great, because I'm here to give you boys your first lesson on working with motorcycles," he states.

The boys begin to chatter and ask a million questions at once.

Allison smiles and gives us a knowing look as she ushers the boys outside. "Come on guys, let's go outside and wait for Ryder to show you his lesson," she says, winking back at us as she leaves.

Once we are alone, Ryder turns his hungry eyes on me, and I feel my body heat up under the intensity of his stare. He takes two heavy steps toward me, and my heart beats in sync with his movements.

"So, I guess we need to discuss what we are," Ryder says, and I see that dangerous spark in his eyes light up.

"We don't need to put a label on it yet," I argue, even though my heart is telling me to shut up. This gorgeous man wants me against all the odds, and I keep opening my big mouth and arguing against it.

"Why not?" Ryder asks. I know he can sense my hesitancy at the topic. "You want me, and I want you. Unless you are seeing someone else," he says, pulling my waist into him.

Our bodies collide, and it's as though someone just poured fuel on our metaphorical fire. His hands held onto me firmly like he is afraid I may run away from him.

Shaking my head, no, I look at him and melt into a puddle. "No, I'm not seeing anyone else. I just don't want to rush this."

Ryder only nods as he observes me. Sometimes, I feel like he is trying to tap into my soul-- to read my thoughts and what my heart is saying.

"How about we make a deal," he proposes.

"Ok, what's that?" I ask.

"When we get back from Hollow Cove, we can have the discussion you keep running from," Ryder offers.

"I'm not running…" I go to say, but he places a finger to my lips, hushing me.

"You are running, and I get it. I do, but it doesn't mean I won't stop chasing. Remember, I like to ride fast, and I fall in love even faster," Ryder says, then places a kiss to the top of my forehead.

I stand before him speechless and frozen in place. He saunters away, and then the roar of his motorcycle fills the silence around me.

I know I am wrapped up in my thoughts, but did he just mention love? Is he falling in love with me? My mind begins to wander, and it isn't until Allison comes bustling into the room that I snap out of my daze. I know I am in deep trouble because the thought of Ryder Raven possibly falling in love with me makes me want that feeling more than anything else in the world.

Ryder turns on his heel and makes a beeline to the front door.

"Look who's running now," I tease.

He keeps walking, shaking his head, and I can just imagine the smug smile on his face.

He heads out to the street where the boys are already circled around his bike. I watch as they all bend down, and he begins talking about engines and sparks and all things I know absolutely nothing about.

Allison and I make small talk while they work, both of us admiring the fine ass man in front of us. After about an hour, Ryder stands and wipes his now dirty hands on his jeans. "Alright boys. I need to get out of here before I get in trouble with the ladies," Ryder teases, pointing over toward Allison and me. "We will finish this when I get back from Hollows Cove."

I glance down at my watch. It's still early in the day. When Ryder reaches me, I lean in and whisper, so the boys don't hear me, "You don't have to leave. It's ok. You can stay a while longer."

Ryder nods but shakes his head. "No, I need to leave. They need to know that I am coming back, that we aren't about to walk out of their lives with false promises."

As he speaks, I see tears glistening in Allison's eyes as she places her hand to her heart. I do my best to maintain my composure, but I realize at that moment, Ryder Raven may be the best man I have ever known.

Love.

That one word has consumed my every moment since Ryder left All Our Children. I spent the rest of the week preparing for our trip and trying not to act like a giddy schoolgirl. The truth is, I'm not the girl who falls fast and hard. It took me over a year to say I love you to my ex, and look at how that exploded in my face. I have never believed in love at first sight or soul mates. I always thought logically. That love was something that was built over time, and it took work to achieve.

Now, everything I thought I knew and believed was being tested by one man.

Ryder Raven.

Now, on the morning of our departure, I stand outside my apartment in the early morning hours, waiting for Ryder to arrive. I listen carefully for the familiar sound of his Harley Davidson bike engine, but it never comes. It isn't until a black, stretch limousine pulls up to my curb, that I realize the car is for me.

Rolling down the window, Ryder smiles at me with his delicious grin.

"Need a ride?" he asks.

There are so many innuendos hidden behind that question. I want to jump on them now, but instead, I smile and go to reach for my suitcase.

Ryder opens the door and stops me. He grabs my bag and throws it into the limousine.

I'm in awe of his chivalry. I swear, every day he surprises me-- and I like it.

I get into the car and am instantly impressed. The lavish vehicle has two rows of black leather seats, a small bar equipped with champagne, and blue and silver lights overhead. Just like Ryder, it is over the top, but amazing in its own right.

"So, do you like it?" he asks me.

"Of course, I do," I exclaim.

"A perk from my publicist," he grins.

We make small talk and watch as the sun begins to make its appearance in the early morning sky. We arrive at LAX around five-thirty in the morning. Our flight is scheduled at seven, but with security and how busy LAX typically is, we knew to arrive early.

The limousine drops us off, and we rush inside. Throughout all of the commotion, we made it to our gate in time to get on the plane and seated in our first-class seats. Traveling with Ryder is going to be an experience. From the paparazzi that chased us through the front of the airport, to the other passengers who are trying to sneak pictures of Ryder on the plane. All eyes are on him everywhere he goes.

Once situated in our assigned seats, Ryder turns to me.

"I know this is a lot, but I do want to thank you for agreeing to come with me," he says, and the sincerity in his voice is heartwarming.

Sitting back in my chair, I turn my head to face him. "Ryder, I wanted to go with you. This is all a lot to get used to, you know?" I say.

I know he can tell that I don't just mean the celebrity status he holds, but the lifestyle and my own demons that keep chasing me.

Taking my hand, Ryder interlocks our fingers. Such a simple gesture, but it holds so much meaning.

"As I told you before, Scarlett, I want you. And, when I want something, I know how to be patient."

I exhale a deep breath. This is so much harder than it should be. Why can't I just be normal and allow this amazing man to care for me? I hate my ex more than anything. He broke my heart, and now I have to work hard to mend it back together again.

"I just need time to figure everything out," I say through my yawn. The early flight is finally getting to me, and I can feel myself growing tired. This conversation is heavy, and we should both be more awake and alert. Plus, I need time to think. I don't want to keep running from Ryder, but I have to find a way to fix myself.

"I can wait," he says, then closes his eyes and pulls his earbuds on.

The flight begins to take off, and I close my eyes and hope that whatever comes next, I can be brave enough to tell Ryder how I really feel.