The door to the recording booth opened and I heard Jude’s voice say, “What about me? Where’s my kiss?”
Everleigh giggled and smiled. Stepping away from me she wrapped her arms around Jude’s torso and hugged him. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and said, “You were good too, big guy.”
“Thanks, sis.” He kissed the top of her head and let her go.
Kris and Beau joined us and Everleigh said, “Seriously, you guys, that song was so incredible. You are all so talented. I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve heard you all play since the concert in Cincinnati.”
“Hey, that’s right,” I said. “So, is it safe to assume you are a Bad Blooded Rebel fan now?”
She smiled at me and answered, “For the rest of my life, rock star.”
Two hours later we’d hammered out two more songs and we all decided at that moment to break for lunch. It was perfect timing because when I checked my cell phone I had a text message from Danni letting me know that her cab had just pulled up and she was on her way inside the studio. She also told me that she was bringing a surprise of her own for Kris. It just so happened that she’d run into Jessie at the airport once she got off the plane and they were coming together.
“So, where do we want to go for lunch? We can try that deli on the corner we had last week,” Jude suggested.
“Or we could have Chinese,” Kris said.
“What about you, Everleigh? What are you in the mood for?” Beau asked, seemingly more chipper now than he’d been since we came here.
Everleigh smiled at him and said, “Um, I don’t know. Whatever you guys want is fine by me. I’m not picky.”
I wrapped my arm around her waist and made sure her back was turned away from the door so she really would be surprised. “Come on, baby, there has to be something you are in the mood for.”
I looked up and at that moment the door opened as Danni came walking in with a bright smile on her pretty face. “Well, personally, I think Italian sounds good,” she said.
Everleigh’s eyes went wide and she gasped. Smiling at me, she spun around to see her friend standing at the door. “Danni?” she squealed. “Oh my god, girl, what are you doing here?” She broke away from my embrace and ran to hug Danni.
“Ryder flew me in early to surprise you, Ev! Isn’t that awesome?” Danni answered excitedly. I noticed that she seemed to be struggling not to sneak a glance at Beau, who was standing in the corner of the room looking anxious.
“That is so awesome! I’m so glad you are here, I’ve missed you so much,” Everleigh said. After she broke apart from Danni she came quickly back to me and threw her arms around my neck. “I can’t believe you did this! It’s amazing, Ryder, thank you,” she said, smiling so brightly that I thought the lights in the room would dim.
“Well, I know you’ve been lonely here and you’ve missed her so I just thought I’d fly her here early. Are you surprised?”
“Very surprised. Thank you, Ryder.” She pulled my head to hers and kissed me, quickly sliding her tongue past my lips and touching it to mine.
“Ugh, God you two, get a room,” Jude joked and our lips broke apart. Everleigh backed away with a smile as Jude turned to Danni. “Hey, Danni, nice to see you again.”
Danni smiled at him and said, “Nice to see you too, Jude. Beau,” she said politely, “it’s good to see you as well. You look good.”
Beau swallowed hard and said hoarsely, “You too, Danni. You look amazing.”
“Thanks,” she said timidly. They stared at each other for a second, their eyes full of a mixture of both desire and confliction. After a quiet moment her eyes reluctantly left Beau’s and she looked at Kris. “Kris, it’s nice to see you too. How have you been?”
Kris grinned at her. “I’ve been okay. You know, doing the drummer thing and waiting for Jess to get here. I can’t believe I’m actually jealous of this fucker over here, having his girl here with him every day,” he said, smiling at me and giving me a playful shove.
Danni and I both glanced at each other and she smiled at me. “Oh, hey, that reminds me. I left something in the hallway. Hang on,” she said, and opened the door. She motioned her arm inward and said, “Look who I ran into when I got off the plane.”
The door opened wider and Jessie stepped through smiling. Everyone grinned at her but Kris immediately shoved past me, taking a few wide steps to her. Before she could get out, “Hey baby,” he pulled her into his arms and planted his lips on hers in a very steamy kiss.
Smiling, I chuckled as they were kissing and moaning. “And you said me and Evie needed to get a room,” I joked to Jude.
Kris flipped me off as Jessie pulled away from him, smiling. “You surprised, babe?” she asked him.
“Hell yes I am. I’ve missed you so much,” Kris said, pulling her into another kiss. Breaking from her only for a moment, he said, “Um, I think we are going to skip lunch today. You guys go ahead,” he murmured, pulling her out into the hallway.
Jessie giggled and called out, “Hi Everleigh! Bye Everleigh!” as Kris dragged her down the hall.
Laughing, Everleigh yelled back, “Bye Jessie!”
I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “Okay, well, how about just the five of us head out to lunch?”
Hugging me around my torso she said, “That sounds like a plan.” Then she kissed my neck and whispered into my ear, “I can’t believe you did this for me. Just wait until I get you home, rock star.”
I felt my cock twitch at her words…I couldn’t wait to get her back to the apartment and let her thank me properly.
Chapter 4
Everleigh
“So, Danni, how’s everything been back home? Is the diner still standing?” I asked, taking a bite of my lasagna.
“Everything has been great. It’s been busy, but not as busy as it was when these guys first showed up in town,” she said, taking a sip of her wine. “It’s kind of died down lately.”
There was something I was dying to ask her about but I knew Ryder would try and stop me because he didn’t want me to worry. I figured I was safe in a group of people so I took a deep breath and just bit the bullet. I squeezed Ryder’s hand and smiled at him before asking, “And what about Scott?”
Ryder’s head snapped to mine but I couldn’t look at him. “Evie…”
“Come on, Ev, we don’t have to talk about him. That asshole is back in Indiana and we are here away from all that crap,” Danni said.
I shook my head. “No, I need to know what’s going on. Ryder has Trish watching my house and after what he did I don’t feel comfortable knowing she’s there unprotected with him out on bail. Please tell me.”
Ryder shot Danni a warning look and now I was even more suspicious. “Ryder, she needs to know what’s going on.”
“Danni, don’t,” he warned.
Fear shot down my spine and I turned to Ryder and glared at him. “What happened? Ryder Matthews, you better tell me what’s going on right now or I’m leaving.”
He exhaled sharply and ran his hand through his hair. “Damn it, Danni,” he said, looking frustrated at her. “Fine. About a week after Trish came to the house to watch it Scott tried to break in. She wasn’t hurt but he threatened her and it scared her enough to call the police. We have security watching the house now around the clock.”
I tossed my fork down on the table and turned to face Ryder. “He tried to break into my house two weeks ago and you didn’t tell me?” I questioned, my voice loud.
At that moment Jude scooted his chair from the table and stood up. “Listen, maybe we should give these two a minute. Danni, Beau, you guys want to come with me?”
“Sure,” Beau said, standing and immediately moving toward Danni and pulling out her chair. “We’ll be right outside,” he said, motioning for Danni to follow him.
Once they were out of sight, Ryder spoke. “Evie, don’t be pissed at me, okay? I didn’t want to stress you out any more than you have been
.”
“And you thought keeping something like this from me wouldn’t stress me out? Did you think I wasn’t going to find out?”
“I knew you would find out eventually but you’ve been more relaxed and you’ve seemed so happy here that I didn’t want to do anything to mess that up. Nothing else has happened since the incident and I have people watching Scott too. He’s not come anywhere near Trish or the house since that happened.”
I knew Ryder was trying to protect me and make me feel better but if anything I felt even more terrified. Not only had Scott tried to break into my house, he obviously had been looking for me and now he knows that I’m gone. I nervously ran my hands through my hair. “Ryder, did he hurt her?”
“No, he didn’t. Ever since Scott attacked you at the club,” he paused, sucking a harsh breath through his gritted teeth, “Trish decided to keep a gun with her and as soon as he saw it he freaked and took off like a little bitch. My guys that are tailing him check in with me every day and he’s laying low now so he won’t get arrested again. I promise you he’s not going to do anything to hurt her and he can’t get to you. Do you trust me to keep you safe?”
“I do trust you, but-”
“No buts, baby. I will do anything I have to do to keep that cock sucker away from you. He will never hurt you again, okay?” he said, taking a strand of my hair and twirling it in his fingers.
I nodded my head, still uncertain that I was truly safe. I think until Scott was permanently behind bars I wouldn’t be able to relax and feel at ease no matter how hard Ryder tried. “Okay.”
“Listen, I think our recording session is pretty much finished for the day. Do you want me to take you and Danni home so she can get settled?” he asked me.
I nodded again. “Yeah, that sounds fine,” I said with a frown.
“Okay,” he said, tossing a few large bills on the table. “Let’s go tell everyone we’re going to head back home.”
I scooted out of the booth and as soon as I stood, I felt a cold chill race down my back again and the hair on my neck stood on end. I quickly turned my head around, looking for what could have caused that reaction but I found nothing. It almost felt like someone was watching me but I didn’t see anyone. I was getting paranoid…I needed to calm myself down.
After Ryder helped me into my coat, we walked outside where Jude, Beau, and Danni were all standing in a group. “Hey you two,” Danni said, “everything okay?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Listen, we were going to head back to the apartment and get you settled in. Are you ready to go?” I asked her.
Beau looked like he obviously didn’t want her to go and looked at Jude, almost pleading for a reason to keep her out. “Actually, since this is Danni’s first time in the city, I was thinking maybe Beau and I can show her the sites while you two have some alone time,” Jude said, winking at me.
“Come on, we have alone time every night. I’ve missed my best friend!” I whined.
Danni smiled at me. “Ev, you look tired and I’m guessing that no matter what Ryder said to you in there you’re still worried. Go back with him to the apartment and let him take your mind off of everything,” she said, nudging me. “Jude and Beau will make sure I get back to you both safely.”
“Well, let us take your luggage for you then so you don’t have to lug it around all afternoon,” I said and she nodded.
“Okay, thanks, Ev. I won’t be gone long, okay? I’m sure we have a lot to talk about and I still want to see that tattoo of yours,” she said, grinning.
Jude’s eyebrows shot up. “You got a tattoo? Virgin skin isn’t so virgin anymore, huh? What did you get? Where is it?” he asked.
Ryder flipped him off. “Somewhere you will never see, ass wipe. You have fun today,” he said, nudging Danni on the arm. He turned to Beau and said, “Make sure she gets to the penthouse in one piece.”
Beau looked pointedly at him but before he could answer, Jude interrupted. “Yes sir,” Jude said, saluting Ryder. He held out his arm and Danni weaved her arm through it. “Let’s go, little lady. We’ve got some sightseeing to do.”
Looking thoroughly annoyed, Beau tapped my arm and gave me a wave. “See you later, Everleigh,” he said before walking after Jude and Danni.
Ryder turned to me and held out his hand. “Are you ready, baby?”
I furrowed my brows together and reluctantly placed my hand in his. “Yes, let’s go,” I said, letting him lead me to find a cab.
As soon as we were at the penthouse, I walked through the door then Ryder closed and locked it behind me. I had barely unbuttoned my coat before I felt his big warm hands sliding it off my shoulders. “Evie, you haven’t said anything since we left the restaurant. Please talk to me, baby,” he said, kissing my hair as he took my coat the rest of the way off.
I shrugged my shoulders and said, “There really isn’t anything to say.”
“I know you are upset with me for keeping the break in from you, but-”
“Upset?” I said, my voice a little more shrill than I had intended. “I’m not upset, Ryder. I’m terrified,” I admitted, my bottom lip quivering. “My friend who has become a second mother to me was at my house when my ex boyfriend broke in. If she hadn’t been carrying a gun he might have attacked her and done God knows what to her and you felt like you didn’t need to tell me just to keep me happy. Well, news flash, rock star. I’m not happy.” Angry tears started to fall down my cheeks.
Ryder moved closer to me and tried to wipe my tears but I backed away. Frowning, he said, “Everleigh, I was only trying to protect you. I know I should have told you but in the past month you have lost so much and I didn’t want you to lose anything else. I only want to make you happy.”
“Ryder, if we are going to be together, you have to know that you can’t keep secrets from me, no matter how big or small they are. I would never keep something like this from you,” I said.
“I know, baby, I know. I’m so sorry if I hurt you by not telling you. I promise I will tell you everything that happens with Scott from here on out, I promise,” he said, sounding a little desperate. “Please forgive me, gorgeous?” He took a step toward me again and instead of backing away, I stayed still.
As he closed the distance between us I whispered, “Don’t lie to me again, Ryder. Please. I love you and I will always be honest with you. Please give me the same respect from here on out.”
Wrapping his big, strong arms around me, he pulled me as close as he could and leaned into my lips. With his lips barely touching mine, he murmured, “I will. No more secrets.” Then he softly covered my mouth with his own.
As scared as I still was and as much as I wanted to resist him in that moment, my body gave me away and I just couldn’t fight him. Ryder was so intoxicatingly sexy that I had no strength around him. He owned me, body and soul. I opened my mouth to him, inviting his tongue inside. I whimpered as his hot, sweet tongue danced with mine and I felt myself melting into him.
“Evie,” he groaned, breaking our kiss for just a moment, “let me make love to you?”
Panting, I nodded. “Please,” I answered him, gripping his shirt with my fist. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to forget about Scott, at least for a little while.
He swallowed hard and in one swift movement, he lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom. As soon as we were inside, he carefully placed me on the bed. Gently nudging me back, he covered my body with his hot heavy one and placed his lips on mine again.
Our sex life had become very hot and vocal lately but the way Ryder was being with me right now, so sweet and loving, was already making me drenched. It was like he was apologizing not only with his words but with his body as well.
As his fingers slowly traced the curve of my breast, I felt my nipples pebble beneath my bra. It was suddenly very confining and I couldn’t think of anything but getting it off. I let go of Ryder and started to pull my shirt up but he stopped me.
“Let me,” he said, his voice anima
listic. He leaned up and I automatically raised my arms. He slowly pulled my top off and tossed it to the floor. I reached back and unsnapped my bra and quickly tossed it to the floor next to my shirt. I started to pull him roughly back to me but he laughed softly and said, “Slow down, gorgeous. We have all afternoon.”
“I know, but I want you. I appreciate that you want to take your time with me, Ryder, but my body is screaming for you right now and I can’t stand it. I need you,” I moaned.
He smiled a crooked smile at me and sighed. “Okay, I think we’re at an impasse here, so I say we compromise.”
I blinked at him in confusion. “Compromise?”
“You want this fast and hard and I want to go slow. How about we both get what we want and experiment with something new? Something we’ve never tried before?”
Tingles shot down my spine and I felt like I was going to start drooling. “Like what?” At this point I was so turned on and wanted him inside me so badly that I would probably agree to pretty much anything.
He smiled and walked to the nightstand. “I bought a few things when we first got here and I’ve been waiting to ask you if you might want to try them. Do you trust me?”
“You know I do, Ryder,” I answered quickly. “I know you would never do anything that would hurt me.” Taking a deep breath, I asked, “What did you want to try?”
He pulled out a little black bag from the nightstand and brought it back to the bed. Sitting beside me, he took each item out of the bag one by one while I studied them. There was a bottle of personal lubricant, a black silk blindfold, a pair of handcuffs, something that looked like a massager, and something else that looked like a silver bullet with a handle on the end. “What…what is all of this?” I asked, my mouth watering at the sight of everything. I squirmed in my seat, my body already burning with desire.
He picked up the one thing I didn’t recognize and said, “Well I’m pretty sure you can figure out what most of this is but this,” he said, holding up the little bullet-looking toy, “is an anal plug. I know that you are very inexperienced in most areas of sex but I will admit to you that this is something I really want to ease into trying with you.”
Renegade (Bad Blooded Rebel Series) Page 4