Chapter 24 Hayden
Chapter twenty-four
Hayden
It’s hard not to grin like a loon when I look up to find Ryder leaning against my office door.
Especially this new version, which—while guarded—is no longer pissed at the world.
Still, I temper my own reaction. He’s still adjusting to these new feelings, and the last thing I want to do is overwhelm him by being clingy.
“Taking a break or are you done for the day?” I gesture to the snow pants slung low on his hips.
“Blake wanted to swing by Murphy’s for a late lunch with Kane.” He lifts a shoulder casually before pushing off the door and entering the room. “And my social battery doesn’t last as long as it used to, so…” Closing the door behind him, he turns the lock.
“What are you doing?” My voice cracks as my heartbeat starts to accelerate.
“Taking advantage of your private office.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good–Whoa,” I exclaim as he pulls me from my chair, sits down, and tugs me onto his lap, all in one swift motion. Okay, that was sort of hot.
“You were saying?” His lips ghost over my neck as his hands tease along my thighs.
“This room isn’t soundproof.” I protest even as I tilt my head to the side to give him better access. How does he turn me on so quickly?
“So.”
“So, you said you like the noises I make, and I can’t make any here.” A tiny whimper passes through my lips as he palms my bulge, proving my point.
“I’m game to try being quiet.” He pops the button on my jeans and works his way inside my briefs, giving my dick a lazy stroke.
Oh. My. God.
“What if someone comes in to ask about the program? I’m the only one here.” I shift my hips to give him better access, chasing the friction he offers.
“They’ll come back.” He continues stroking me, getting me slick with my own arousal as the firm ridge of his cock presses against my bottom.
“Just because I’ve already slept with you doesn’t automatically grant you access to a quickie while I’m working.”
“Agree to disagree.” His fist pulses along my shaft, causing me to gasp. “But your cock says you agree, doesn’t it?”
It really does, dammit.
I stand and drop my pants to my ankles as he withdraws a packet of lube from his pants, drizzling half on his rigid cock and the rest on my fingers.
I watch over my shoulder as he slicks his length, eyes glued to where I’m prepping myself.
Once we’re both ready he guides me onto his lap, and I moan softly as I feel him fill me.
Leaning my back against his chest, my eyes flutter shut as he fists my cock, pumping it leisurely while I do little more than just sit on his lap, impaled to the hilt.
“A guy could get used to this.” He circles his hips lazily as his fingers toy with me. “Taking a few runs in the morning and warming up in your tight hole in the afternoon. It’s the perfect day.”
I could get used to it too, sitting limp in his lap as he has his way with me. Feeling him tunnel deep inside while he pinches my sensitive nerves. The only thing missing is…
“Ahh,” I sigh as he presses his free hand against my abdomen, intensifying the sensation of his cock rubbing against my prostate.
“Found your spot again,” his throaty growl rumbles in my ear. “I’m gonna hit it good, but you gotta stay quiet.”
I can only nod as he starts to thrust deep, but not fast, so the chair doesn’t squeak beneath us.
Pinned against him, I feel his body within and around my core, and it takes only minutes before release finds me, and my ass spasms around his thick cock.
His arms contract around me as his dick starts pulsing deep inside, teeth sinking into my shoulder as he tries to stifle the moan that wants to escape his throat.
Another wave of bliss courses through me with the knowledge that my body can make him feel so good. I can make him shudder with pleasure.
As his release fades, his grip loosens, and his hands drift to my thighs. I release a shaky breath as my body sags against his, too spent to move.
“Silent sex is kinda hot,” he rumbles in my ear.
“Mmm,” I agree, as my eyes start to drift shut.
“We should do it again.” I feel him smirk against my neck.
“You’re a bad influence.”
“I’d say I’m pretty good.” He circles his hips, a final caress, before lifting me off him.
Plucking a tissue from the box on my desk, I eye him wickedly as I offer it.
“Nope.” He licks his lips as he pulls his pants up and tucks himself away. “I want to wear you the rest of the day.”
He plants a soft kiss on my mouth before I can react, and steps out from behind my desk. I clean up and get dressed as he unlocks but doesn’t open the door.
“Did that recharge your social battery?” I smile as I collapse into my seat.
He shrugs again and sinks into the chair on the opposite side of my desk with a smug grin. Damn that’s a good look on him.
“Did you have a good time riding with Blake?”
“Yeah.” He stretches his legs out in front of him, resting his hands on his stomach. “You were right about getting back on the mountain. It reminded me why I started riding in the first place.”
“Why did you?” I assume in a town like this it’s practically a requirement—at least to learn—though sticking with it and turning pro isn’t a feat most people can accomplish.
“There’s no feeling in the world like floating over the snow. And nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like speeding down the slope. Well, sex maybe.” He gives me a wry smile. I think he’s trying to share an inside joke.
Shaking my head at him, I return the smile, adding a playful eye roll. It makes him chuckle. “So, riding fast is your adrenaline fix? Does that mean you want to go back to racing?”
His chest rises and falls heavily before he responds.
“I’m not sure. On the one hand I think I could still do it—I wasn’t pushing myself, and I still went pretty fast—although that doesn’t mean I could jump into a race and really compete.
And while I’m curious how fast I could go, getting back on the circuit would mean I won’t have days like these, where I just get to mess around with friends.
I’ll be on the road, probably a different country altogether, just me and my coach, if he’s even still available.
And almost every run will be a training run.
Screwing around with friends on the mountain, having someone to hang out with once the lifts close…
I guess I could do that with the other riders, though that’s not really the same as having my people there. ”
“Is that important to you?”
“It didn’t use to be.” He runs a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t matter, though. It’s not like people can drop what they’re doing and follow me around the circuit.”
“Probably not,” I agree with a weak smile. “Maybe they could make a few events, though?”
He chews on his lip, studying me. “Would you?”
“Would I come to your events?” I feel my eyes grow wide. Though I’m flattered he’d even ask—okay, more like giddy—that’s a dangerous road. Even more dangerous than pursuing this… attraction, while he’s still figuring things out. “You can’t make your decision based on that.”
“I’m not.” He sounds so confident I’m tempted to believe him. “I’m just curious. Axel, Lennon’s boyfriend, still competes on the motocross circuit, and sometimes he goes to watch. They make it work even though he travels.”
Oh wow. Is he suggesting what I think he is?
“You want this to be something?” I bite my lip to keep my smile in check.
His gaze falls to his lap as he speaks in a softer than usual voice. “I’m saying I don’t want this to end before it starts. If I’m not here it can’t start,” his eyes find mine, “unless maybe you’re willing to come see me?”
Inhaling deeply, I take a second to choose my words since the wrong ones could erase all the progress we’ve made. “Being willing to come see you and being able to do it are two different things. I’d be very willing.”
“But not able,” he interrupts. “Not with this job, anyway.”
“I don’t know the answer to that,” I say softly. “If I’d been here longer, had things more established, I could probably afford to take some time off without risking my position. If I were to take time off now… I don’t know what Carter would say.”
“So, that’s a no.”
Dammit, that’s exactly what I didn’t want him to conclude.
“It’s not a no. I’d love to see you compete.
I’d love to support you in person if it’s what you want to do.
But I also don’t want to make commitments I can’t honor, and that means I can’t give you an answer without talking to Carter about the options. ”
“I’m not saying drop everything and travel with me.” His brows draw together darkly.
“And I’m not saying I won’t travel at all.
” I force my voice to stay level despite the rising panic in my chest. Please let him hear what I’m actually saying and not what he’s afraid I mean.
“What if Carter and I compare the racing schedule to the guest calendar, and we’ll find when it makes the most sense for me to go with you. ”
“Fuck the calendar.” He shoots out of the chair and starts pacing the room. “This isn’t about making a schedule, it’s about whether this is worth exploring.” He draws an imaginary line between us. “Now I know.”
“Ryder.” I stand cautiously, resting my hands on the desk for support. “It is worth exploring. That’s what I’m trying to do, by making a plan.”
“All I wanted was a simple yes or no, not a plan. I thought you were warming up, Frosty. Guess I was wrong.” With a flick of his wrist, he jerks the lock open and flings the door wide, so hard it slams against the wall it’s anchored to.
Then he stomps off without a backward glance, leaving me all alone.
I can’t even be pissed about that, since it’s a prime example of why getting involved with someone before you’ve tackled your own demons is a risky proposition. Unfortunately, I’m no less tempted to take that risk than I was before he stormed out.
***
“He can see you now.” Carter’s assistant tips her head toward his office door, indicating I can go in.