CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
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Ryder
SHIT, SHIT, SHIT.
My forehead crashed against Vesper’s as I struggled to stop my body’s natural motion and cease thrusting into her. “Is there or is there not someone at the front door?” I squeezed my eyes, hissing in frustration. “The bloody front door that we left wide open?”
Vesper pushed my shoulders, grabbing the hem of her dress as we disengaged.
My cock threatened to come.
It fucking hurt pulling out of her before I’d finished.
Whoever our impromptu guest was pinned us with their gaze. I felt that death stare right down to my unsatisfied balls.
“Unfortunately, your ears did not deceive you,” Ves whispered, quickly straightening her hair and wiping her kiss-swollen lips. “Put that weapon away.”
Turning to the side, so the damn visitor didn’t see my junk, I winced as I tucked away the throbbing-for-the-finish-line erection. There was no disguising it though. I made the executive decision to tuck the length beneath my belt to keep it flat against my stomach and made sure the tip was covered by my t-shirt. It would work until it deflated and then I’d have to do some subtle rearranging.
Vesper shed herself of sex before I did and waltzed from the shadowy corridor with her hand outstretched. “Hello, I’m Vesper. Can I help you?”
The visitor stood haloed in late afternoon sunshine; I blinked against the glare. Sticking both hands into my pockets, trying to be as nonchalant as possible, I joined the two women who were shaking hands.
“Hi Vesper. I was wondering if Ryder Carson was available?”
Me?
What the fuck?
“Who’s asking?” My voice was still gruff from being inside my woman. I cleared my throat. Anger that someone had trespassed on our relaxing day overflowed.
Then the woman sidestepped, blocking the sun and revealing my worst nightmare.
Michelle.
As in my ex -Michelle.
Michelle fucking Kaylan.
The same woman Rupert had been ribbing me about only moments ago. The same woman who’d shot into my thoughts for the first time in years when I told Ves we all had moments of dating mortification.
She was my mortification.
It’d been years. So many years. But she’d left an imprint on me and definitely not for the better.
This was the girl who took my V-card then shattered my heart with a can of whipped cream and lies.
Even after school finished, the rumours of STDs followed me around so much, I stopped going out. I preferred to renovate beside my dad and hang with my brother at the river. All because of her and her bullshit lies.
She might’ve ruined my fragile teenage ego, but no way in hell would she affect my present.
“What are you doing here?” I crossed my arms.
Vesper’s eyes widened, bouncing from Michelle to me.
Michelle still looked the same with brown shiny hair to her collarbones and calculating dark eyes. Technically, she was pretty (not that she had anything on Vesper). Realistically, she was manipulative and knew how to play victim.
I should’ve moved further away.
I hadn’t stopped to think that by moving back here, I might run into her again.
“I heard you have dogs that need rehoming. I saw your website. I’ve been messaging the past few days, but no one replied.”
“It’s the weekend. I don’t work weekends.”
“Oh well, we’re here now. Can we—”
I took a step forward, standing to my full height. “Just how exactly did you find me? My website doesn’t have my home address.”
“I know but—”
“The proper way to go about canine adoption is to fill in the form, give me a few days to do necessary background checks, and then I come to your place with the dog best suited and check out the offered home.” I barged past Vesper, pushing Michelle from the threshold and onto the stoop. “You do not come to my personal house and interrupt a very personal—”
“Shag?” Michelle smirked. “Does she have any idea of your little history, Ryder?” She dropped the stranger act, acknowledging that we knew each other. She looked nastily at Vesper. “You best go see a doctor. That’s all I’m saying.”
“That’s it.” My temper snapped. “Get out.” I pointed at the horizon, noticing a white sedan parked behind Vesper’s dinged up Honda.
A little boy climbed out, hugging a tatted teddy bear. “Mummy?”
Well shit.
Every profanity I wanted to hurl sucked back into my chest out of decency for innocent ears. However, Vesper didn’t take too kindly to another woman who obviously had a past with me making quips.
“Excuse me, Michelle, was it?” She smiled coldly. “Ryder and I were busy before your interruption. We have family waiting for us to return. I think it’s best if you do what he says and—”
“Well shit, if it isn’t Lies-a-Lot Michelle.” Rupert appeared from the lounge, nursing a fresh beer. “We were just talking about you. Funny how the cat drags in unwanted roadkill at the worst times.” His gaze landed on Vesper, then me, and finally on the little boy now pressed against Michelle’s leg. “Went and got knocked up, huh?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes.” Michelle cocked her chin. “This is my son, Nate.”
“Nate.” Rupe’s demeanour blared ‘leave’ but he grinned at the boy. “Hey, man. Want to go for another drive? Your mummy got the wrong address. Time to hop back in the car.”
“But she told me we were going to get a puppy.”
“Not from here, I’m afraid.” I kept my voice low and professional. “If you’re serious about adoption, go through the proper channels.”
Michelle’s face darkened. Pulling a few photos from her silver handbag, she shoved them at me. “Here. This is our home. The yard is fully fenced, and the dog would have full rein of the house with his or her own bed.” Patting her son’s head, she swallowed some of her pride. “Please, let us just see which one would work. You could always come and check on us in a few days and see if the dog is comfortable.”
“Please!” The little boy bounced. “Please, please, please . Mummy said I’d get a puppy. I can see them. Over there.” He twisted to point at the kennel-barn. “I want one!”
Rupe gave me the look that offered to take over, but I wouldn’t let him fight my battles for me. Michelle had no power over me. Not anymore.
And unfortunately, as much as I wanted nothing more than to kick her ass off my property, if she offered a good home for a dog and her son would benefit from a canine best friend, then I had to be the bigger man.
Glancing quickly at Vesper, I touched her hand. “Go with Rupert. I won’t be long.” Sighing heavily, I glared at Michelle. “ Fine. I’ll take you over there. But then you’re leaving. I have a party and unfinished important business to get back to.”