Chapter Fifteen
chapter fifteen
KIRA
“My feet hurt,” Violet whines as we walk toward the exit of the zoo.
Today has been a great but long day. Of course, Ryder wouldn’t let me pay for a single thing, using the excuse that it’s Mother’s Day, while he spoiled the girls with rides and treats and stuffed animals.
“Addie’s sleeping in the stroller,” I tell her even though she can see it for herself.
When she started to get tired, I told her to get in the stroller—it’s a double-seated rental from the zoo—but she insisted she was a big girl and didn’t need a stroller. Addie fell asleep, sprawled out across the two seats, and there’s no way I’m waking her up even if that means I have to carry Violet despite the long walk we have.
I’m about to ask Ryder to push the stroller so I can pick her up when Ryder says, “Wanna piggyback ride?”
“Yes!” She runs over, and he kneels so she can jump onto his back.
She yells, “Giddyup,” and he goes along with it, making the sounds horses make.
Violet giggles the entire way to the exit, and my heart that I’ve kept hidden and protected feels like it’s been removed from my chest and placed on my sleeve for all to see.
After we’re home and both girls are asleep in their beds, I take a quick shower to rinse the day off. When I get out, I find a text from Ryder, asking me to meet him in the garage.
When I walk outside, I immediately notice my SUV has been replaced by another vehicle.
“Hey, did you move my car?” I ask.
I wouldn’t dare drive it unless it was an emergency, but the thought of having no vehicle has me damn near hyperventilating.
“It’s gone,” he says, closing the gap between us.
“What?” I whisper. “Ryder …”
My vehicle is the only way for me to escape. I might have some money saved, but it’s nowhere near enough to buy a new car.
“I had it taken care of,” he explains like that will make me feel better when it’s only making shit worse. “Nobody will be able to find it, let alone your ex.”
“But …”
“This is for you.”
He takes my hand in his and guides me over to the gorgeous metallic-gray Mercedes SUV. I know nothing about cars, but even I know this SUV costs a cool six figures.
“I can’t afford this,” I choke out.
“It’s paid off,” he says. “And in your name. The insurance has been paid for the year as well.”
“What?” I whip my head around to look at him in shock. “Ryder, the purse was too much. This … this is …” I shake my head, unsure of how to voice what I need to say. “This car is a lot of money,” I whisper.
“Not for me,” he says matter-of-factly. “I’m worth billions.” He shrugs like he’s discussing the weather. “The truth is, I only work because I love numbers and wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I didn’t have a purpose.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to buy me a car that’s equivalent to the cost of a house!”
“Your safety is my priority, and this vehicle is damn safe.” He reaches out and rests his hands on the curves of my hips, pulling me toward him. “You don’t need to worry about how much it cost because you don’t have to pay a dime. It’s in your name, and it’s yours to drive. If you decide to quit tomorrow, it goes with you.”
“Why would you do that?” I whisper, having a feeling I know exactly why he did it but needing to hear him say it.
“Because you were reliant on your ex and that will never happen again. You hid out in fear of someone finding the vehicle. But now, you own it. Nobody, including me, can take it away from you. I also spoke to my attorney, and he recommended someone who can help you. We have a meeting with her next week.”
“Ryder,” I whisper, having no clue what to say to the man who swooped in and saved me and my daughter. Thank you is the right answer, but those two words don’t feel like nearly enough.
As if he can hear my thoughts, he says, “You don’t have to thank me, Kira. It’s the least I can do after the way you’ve helped take care of my little girl. There’s also a double stroller in the trunk for when you take the girls out, and a car seat and a booster are set up in the back seat.”
I frame the sides of his face and then lean in, pressing my mouth against his, hoping to convey without words how much he’s come to mean to me in such a short time. He’s not just my employer. Ryder Du Ponte has become my friend, and if I’m honest, I’d like for him to be more.
With his hands on my hips, Ryder pulls me toward him, his arms encircling my waist. His tongue finds mine, and we explore each other’s mouth, getting to know one another on a deeper, more intimate level. His lips are strong yet soft, just like him. And he kisses me the same way he approaches everything he cares about—passionately—giving me his full attention.
“Go out with me,” he murmurs against my mouth, making me back up slightly, breaking the kiss and our connection.
“What?” I ask, wondering if the kiss has gone to my head, leaving me out of sorts—because did he just ask me out?
“I want to take you out on a date.”
“Ryder, I don’t …” I shake my head, at a loss for words.
On one hand, I’m attracted to him, and I would love to go out with him, but on the other hand, I’m?—
“I know you’re scared,” he says, pulling my thoughts straight from my head before I can even think them, let alone voice them.
He tucks a wayward strand of hair behind my ear and then palms my cheek.
“I am too,” he admits.
His green-and-brown eyes bore into me. They’re particularly bright right now, reminding me of the grass and soil after a fresh rain, soaking up the nourishment and preparing for a fresh start. I can’t help but cling to that metaphor as he opens his heart and soul to me.
He backs up, giving me space, and I’m shocked by how much I hate it. I want back in the comfort and warmth of his arms.
“I don’t want to let my past win,” he says. “I don’t want to push you away, and I’m hoping instead of running, you’ll stay and fight our demons alongside me.”
He holds out his hand, and I get why he let me go. He wants me to come willingly.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Kira. In fact, I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you and Violet safe.”
I stand in my place, staring at his hand, thinking about everything that’s happened. Falling for Raymond and assuming he was right there with me. Rushing into things with Brian and realizing too late the type of person he was. Running when I knew he wouldn’t stop until he dragged me back.
My past might’ve caused me to think twice, to look closer and take things slower, but I won’t allow it to win, to ruin any type of future I can have. To prevent me from finding happiness. Ryder was in the same boat with his ex, but here he is, extending his hand and willing to put his heart back on the line for a chance at finding love.
And I’m willing to as well. Maybe in the end, he will hurt me—after all, we can’t predict the future—but I don’t believe for a second that he’s anything like the men from my past. Ryder has a good, pure heart, and I want nothing more than to be on the receiving end of his love. It’s scary, giving someone your heart and hoping they don’t break it, but Ryder is worth the risk.
Reaching out and taking his hand, I entwine our fingers and step closer to him. “I want to stay and fight with you,” I tell him, knowing he needs to hear those words.
His mom never fought for him, his dad—from what he’s told me—was barely around, and Addie’s mom didn’t give a shit about either of them. If my biggest fear is being hurt—emotionally and physically—then his is not being worth sticking around for.
I take another step into his space and glide my knuckles down his cheek, wanting all the connection I can get with him. “I want to go out on a date with you.”
The smile Ryder gives me is equivalent to fireworks going off on the Fourth of July. It’s beautiful and magical and breathtaking. It’s a smile he usually reserves for his daughter, but right now, it’s all for me. Because I’ve agreed to go out with him.
He tugs me into him, so our bodies are flush, and then his mouth descends on mine. And as our lips mold around each other, I can feel every one of his promises deep in the marrow of my bones. Now, I just have to hope that Ryder is a man who keeps his promises.
“C’mon,” Ryder says when the kiss ends. “Let’s go inside. We have a book to finish.”
When he sits on the couch, like the last several times he’s read to me, I snuggle into his side, resting my head on his shoulder. He opens to the page we left off on, where the heroine’s ex is causing problems for the heroine, and the hero’s promising he’ll handle it.
He reads page after page, and I stay awake, engrossed in every word. I feel like I’ve started on a journey with this woman, and I’m invested in finding out what happens, if she’ll get her happily ever after.
When Ryder reads the final page, happy tears slide down my cheeks.
“I always thought romance was cringy,” I admit, sitting up and wiping my tears.
“And now?” he prompts.
“I felt like I could relate to so much of that story. Being a single mom, wanting to find love … finding it in the wrong place and then being overly cautious when she met the right guy.”
“Oh, yeah?” Ryder shifts in his seat. “Does that mean you think you’ve found the right guy?”
“My heart is telling me it’s definitely a possibility,” I tell him honestly. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
“I guess we will,” he agrees.
He closes the book and sets it on the end table, and I sigh, already missing the couple.
“What’s wrong?”
“I feel like I know them,” I say, nodding toward the book with a laugh. “I’m going to miss them. I know that sounds crazy but?—”
“No, it doesn’t. I know exactly what you mean. When a book is filled with emotions, it’s easy to feel like the people are real. Their love and situations and heartbreak are real.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “Now that it’s over, I’m like, what do I do with my life?”
I bark out a laugh, and Ryder smiles.
“We start the next book.” He shrugs.
“There’s another book about them?” I whisper-yell, not wanting to wake the girls.
“Not them, but their kids. The first book is about their son. I picked that book for the book club next month.”
“Oh my God, yes! Where do I get it?”
“You’re in luck,” he says, pulling me into his arms. “I already own it.”
“Can we start it now, or do we have to wait until next month?”
“Technically, we should wait until after we discuss the first book, but if you don’t tell, I won’t.”
He shoots me a panty-dropping wink, and then after a tender kiss to my lips, he pulls out the book and starts reading.