Chapter Four
~Ryker~
Having a warm body pressed against my back as I ride my bike is a foreign feeling, but it’s also a welcome one since it means that I have my little Firecracker close to me.
Her small hands are locked together at my waist and her legs are pressing against the outside of mine, and that paired with her large breasts pushed up against my back as me feeling all kinds of turned on.
I never realized just how hard it was to ride a bike while sporting a rock hard erection, and let me tell you it isn’t comfortable. Still, I can deal with it as long as I have my woman with me.
My woman, I think to myself again for the hundredth time since Scarlett walked into that dive bar.
I have no idea what she was doing in a place like that and I don’t much care, all I know is that I am grateful that she was.
The trip that seemed futile not hours ago is now the reason the best thing that ever happened to me is now in my life, so I am grateful for every mile I’ve traveled since it’s brought me to her.
Another sharp turn towards a town called Juniper Creek causes my Firecracker to hold on even tighter than she was. My hand reaches down to pat hers in reassurance as we continue down the highway, following behind her brothers in their truck.
It was obvious from the moment they laid eyes on me that her brothers weren’t impressed, and I can’t exactly blame them.
We were in a seedy bar and I am clearly a good deal older than their sister.
Scarlett is young, beautiful, and brash.
She deserves far better than an old, beat-up guy like me, but I saw the interest in her eyes and after the flirty banter we volleyed back and forth at the bar, there is now way I am letting her go.
No, this woman is mine and mine alone. It may take her a while to get used to the idea since she’s so strong-willed, but like I said, I am a patient guy and will give her as long as she needs to come around to seeing that we’re meant to be together. Her brothers will just have to deal wth that.
The truck turns off the road and down through a large metal gate with the words “Landry Ranch” burned into a large piece of wood at the top.
After about half a mile, we come to a stop in front of a large homestead.
Even in the dark, I can see that the bright yellow home looks cozy and welcoming, the ideal place for a kid to grow up.
My own home was small and dark, so I’m glad my Firecracker had a safe space to go to at the end of the day, though if I have anything to say about it, she won’t be coming back home here much longer.
I don’t want to be apart from Scarlett any longer than I have to, so I’ll just need to work extra hard to make sure she’s on board with us as soon as possible.
It’s fast, but this woman already owns my heart and soul.
After cutting the engine, I hop off the bike and turn to hold out my hand for my girl.
Scarlett takes it, smiling widely up at me the entire time.
“That was amazing,” she gushes, unbuckling the helmet and handing it over to me.
“I’ve never been on a motorcycle before.
It felt so freeing.” The emerald of her eyes gets brighter the happier she gets, and I make a silent vow to put that look in her eyes as often as possible.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Firecracker.
” I pull her closer to me and wrap my arms around her waist. She’s still wearing my jacket, so I don’t get to feel as much of her body as I would like, but it’s chilly out and keeping her comfortable will alwaysbe priority number one.
“Now. When can I see you again? I am your boyfriend after all.”
Her smile falters a little and she leans back to look up at me. “You know that was just for their benefit, right?” She nods to the right where her two brothers are standing on the porch, their arms crossed over their chest. “It was just pretend.”
My eyes narrow as I take in her expression. Her eyes are a little shifty and her shoulders are tense, but as soon as I pull her back into my chest, Scarlett visibly relaxes and she sighs happily. I’m guessing this is all a little new to her and she’s not sure what to do about it.
It’s all new to me to, but I’m more scared of losing this feeling of absolute rightness in my soul than I am about making a fool of myself in front of her.
Everything about this take charge, no nonsense, stunning woman calls to me, and no way am I passing that up because I was afraid to make a move.
“If that’s how you need to play it, I will follow your lead…for now.” Scarlett’s questioning eyes met mine, and I lean down towards her and run my nose along her hairline, loving the scent of fresh cut flowers as I do.
After I place a kiss on her forehead, I lean back and gaze into her eyes so she will know just how serious I am about the words that are coming out of my mouth.
“But Scarlett, this isn’t pretend for me.
Everything I am feeling for you is very real.
You’re it for me, Firecracker, but I’ll give you all the time you need in order to get right with it. ”
Her brow furrows slightly as she blinks up at me. “Why?”
“Why what, darlin’?” I ask, cupping her heart shaped face with my hand and running my thumb along her cheekbone.
“Why me? No one has ever tried this hard with me before,” she confesses, looking more confused by the minute.
For all the spark this woman has, not nearly enough of it is directed towards believing in herself.
“Hmm. How can I put this?” I ask as I rest my forehead against hers.
“I’ve spent twenty years traveling around the world, going to different places and meeting all kinds of different people, but not one of them has ever made me feel as whole as you do. ”
When she lets out a small gasp, I chuckle. “I know we don’t know all that much about each other yet, but that will come with time. Besides, everything I need to know I found out the minute I saw you.”
“Really?” She asks, her eyes wide and a smile coming across her face.
“Really,” I say, brushing my lips across her forehead before I lean back.
“You are gorgeous, I mean, this body was made for me,” I tell her as I give her hips a squeeze.
“And you’re feisty, not afraid to go after what you want, and willing to tell it like it is.
Everything about you is perfect for me. I just hope I can be the same for you. ”
Scarlett surprises me by reaching her arms around my neck and lifting up on her toes to kiss my cheek. The warm brush of her lips against my skin has my heart swelling in my chest. “Well, you’re off to a pretty good start,” she says, smiling up at me.
A throat clearing over on the porch has me drawing back.
I would shoot a glare at her brothers, but I hope to be related to them soon enough, so I don’t want to start any trouble.
“Now, while I would love to give you a very real kiss, I also don’t want to cause any trouble for you with your family.
” Scarlett pouts up at me and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Don’t worry Firecracker. When we do kiss, it will be well worth the wait. ”
“That’s pretty big talk,” she says as she unzips my jacket and tosses it at me. “You’re going to have a lot to live up to now. I put my number in your pocket. You better use it.” With a wink and a smirk, she sashays away from me, putting a little extra swing in her steps just to torture me.
“Trust me honey, you are going to be my first call every morning,” I call after her, earning a giggle as she waves over her shoulder at me and climbs the steps to her home. Her brothers shoot me one last glower before following her inside.
My instinct is to stay and protect her from whatever grief they are going to try and give her over me, but my little Firecracker can handle herself.
Besides, now that I know the name of the town my girl calls home, it’s time for me to start finding a place to hold up until we can make things permanent.
***
The Juniper Creek motel isn’t a five star establishment, but it will serve its purpose well enough until I figure out how to best woo my woman into making a lifelong commitment.
My back aches as well as the rest of my body from the stiff mattress that I’m lying on, but it isn’t the lack of comfortable accommodation or the soreness of my body that kept me up all night.
It was thoughts of my Firecracker that had sleep eluding me.
Picturing Scarlett in her barely there outfit, hearing her breathy voice in my mind, and imagining all that smooth skin underneath my fingers had me rock hard for hours.
I jerked myself at least three times, coming with her name on my lips, and still I was ready to go for another round.
It seems like nothing will satisfy me until I’m buried deep in her pussy, shoving my seed so far in that we make a baby right then.
Forever with this woman is what I’m aiming for, so a baby isn’t out of the question. I would love nothing more to see Scarlett round with my child, her teaching our kids to be just as strong-minded as she is.
Fuck, just thinking about making a family with her has me hard again, so I take myself in my hand with hard, rough strokes until I’m shooting rope after rope across my stomach, shouting her name as I imagine myself inside her.
After a quick clean up, I pull on some trunks and sit on the bed.
It’s only six in the morning, which is pretty early, but I can’t wait any longer.
Grabbing my phone, I open a text thread to my girl and type out a message.
I programmed her name in my phone the minute I had the chance and have been resisting the temptation to call her every minute since I did.
Ryker: Good morning, Firecracker. Were your dreams of me as sweet as mine were of you?
What little sleep I did get was spent dreaming about Scarlett, how much I already love her, and how I can’t wait to build a life together. I know it’s fast, but when you know, you know, and I’ve been around long enough and had too many close calls to waste any time.
Firecracker: Good morning, honey bear. And no, my dreams of you were not so sweet, but much more spicy.
A groan comes out of my mouth and I run a hand down my face. Thinking about her dirty dreams has me needing another round of jerking off already.
Ryker: Damn, darlin’. You can’t say shit like that when you aren’t around to deal with the consequences.
A text reply comes almost immediately, and I smile down at the words on the screen.
Firecracker: Then I guess you’ll just have to come bring me lunch so that I can see the effect I have on you for myself. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll even give you a hand with it. ;)
Goddamn, this woman is going to be the death of me, but what a wonderful way to go.
Ryker: I’m going to hold you to that. See you soon, Firecracker.
After placing my phone on the nightstand, I head on into the shower to get ready for the day. I’ve got to start making plans for the future, but first, I need to take care of myself yet again. Yup, definitely going to be the death of me, and I couldn’t be happier.