by MK Moore
Ryder gets out of the truck and walks over to my side helping me down. I start wringing my hands together and my whole body is shaking. For some reason I can’t bring myself to move.
“Suzy look at me.” When I look up he caresses my cheek. “I love you baby, it’s going to be okay.”
I straighten my shoulders. “You’re right. I got this. I’m not going to let that motherfucker get away with this.”
“That’s my girl. Come on.” He grabs my hand and we walk over to the doors Eddie has just opened of us.
“You ready for this sis?” I nod my head and walk inside.
Linda, the receptionist, looks up when we walk in and her eyes go straight to Ryder, getting that hungry look in them. I want to claw her fucking eyes out for even looking at him.
Ryder leans down so his mouth is right next to my ear. “Easy tiger, no one gets me but you.”
I growl a little and he chuckles before kissing the side of my head. I wrap my arm around him and lean my head on his arm, staking my claim on my man.
I’m caught off guard when I hear Eddie say “holy fuck” under his breath. When I look up at him I see him staring at the sheriff’s ass.
As if he can feel someone staring at him he turns around and locks eyes with Eddie. Linda clears her throat.
“How can I help you guys?”
Ryder nods his head towards the Sheriff. “We are here to see him.”
That seems to break whatever spell was going on with my brother and him because he walks over to us and sticks out his hand for Ryder to shake and then mine.
“Hi Suzy, I’m not sure you remember me from yesterday with everything that happened, but I’m Zane Lawrence. Let’s go talk in my office.”
“Okay.” My voice comes out weaker than I want it to, irritating me a little.
“I’m coming to.” Ryder and Eddie say at the same time. Zane turns his head and looks Eddie up and down slowly before asking “and you are?” Eddie arches a brow “I’m Eddie, Suzy’s brother.”
Zane just nods his head and starts walking to the end of the hall where his office is. When we walk in he gestures to the two chairs in front of his desk and then the couch next to the far wall.
“Go ahead and have a seat.” I pick the chair and go to sit down only to have Ryder sit down first and then pull me down, so I am sitting across his lap. Zane raises a brow but doesn't say anything and goes behind his big wooden desk and sits down. Eddie stands by the door for a minute before sitting down in the chair next to us.
“Okay, I am just going to get to the point, we pretty much have an air tight case, however Dr. Howell has some pretty good lawyers and they are going to try everything to make this go away. Cole will be pressing charges against Ryder for assault but says if you drop the charges on him he’ll drop those charges.”
I feel Ryder stiffen and his grip on me thigh tighten. He is practically shaking with fury.
“Are you fucking kidding me!” Eddie hollers.
“Eddie, calm down. You going all caveman and beating your chest isn't going to solve anything.” I say in a calm voice.
Zane looks at me in surprise like he wasn't expecting me to be this calm. Hell, I didn't either.
“As I was saying, I'm confident in this case, we just need to cross our T's and dot our I's. To make sure everything is set up for your lawyer and hopefully we can make this an open-and-shut case. However, in Ryders case, I am not sure what will happen.”
Ryder takes a deep breath.
“Okay let’s do this, there is no way we are letting that fuck face out of jail and I will do whatever needs to be done.”
It takes longer than I thought it would at the police station. After they took pictures of me, they put me in another room away from Ryder and we made separate statements.
By the time everything is done it’s five pm and I am emotionally exhausted. All I want to do is go home and have Ryder hold me. As if reading my thoughts, he puts his arm around me and looks over to Eddie.
“Do you think you can take care of the pub tonight?”
“Sure thing, boss.” Eddie walks over to me and gives me a hug.
“I will call you later, okay?”
“Okay.” He walks away getting on his bike.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get you a bath and have an early night. It’s been a bitch of a day.” Ryder says as he opens my door for me. I turn around to face him wrapping my arms around his waist.
“I really love you, you know that?” He cups my cheeks and kisses me softly before resting his forehead against mine.
“And I love you, Anamchara, you know I would do anything for you, right?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Good. Let’s get you home, baby.”
We get in the truck and he drives us to his house. When we get there, he picks me up and takes me straight to the bathroom and starts the tub. He slowly takes my shirt and bra off before dropping down to his knees. He slides my pants and underwear down my legs and when I step out of them he grabs my hips and kisses my pussy once before standing up.
Before I know it, we are in the bath and my back is resting against his chest. We sit there in comfortable silence until I start to yawn.
“Let’s get you into bed baby, then I will go make us something to eat.
“Mmmkay.”
I say with another yawn, not even bothering to open my eyes. He kisses my neck and chuckles before standing up. He grabs us a couple of towels and wraps one around me when I get out. After I am dried off he picks me up and puts me on his bed. The last thing I remember is him telling me he’ll be right back before my eyes close.
Chapter Eight
Ryder
The hardest time in my life is finally over. If it was hard on me, I can’t really imagine how hard it was on Suzy. A month of never ending meetings with lawyers and court dates finally ended up in our favor. Several other nurses came forward with allegations about Cole. One even had proof. Physical proof in the form of a security tape from the hospital. According to all of his victims, his MO was getting them alone in the locker room and attacking them. This video was so eerily accurate to all accounts, the jury found him guilty. Unfortunately, I was also found guilty.
After spending five days in jail for misdemeanor assault, I was released. Originally, I was sentenced to thirty days, but once the other victims came forward, my lawyer got my conviction overturned. I left Eddie in charge of Shamrock’s while I was gone.
Cole was sentenced to five years for his assault on Suzy and twenty-five years each on two counts of rape. We won’t have to worry about him anymore. Suzy and who knows how many other women are safe because that using, disgusting, piece of shit is behind bars, for what essentially adds up to a life sentence.
When Cam came to pick me up at the Dallas County jail, I was so ready to see my girl. We made a quick stop at my place, so I could shower and change into a suit, but no tie. That is where I draw the line. I grab the ring I bought a few weeks ago and put it in my pocket. Grabbing my cell phone, wallet, and keys, Cam and I head back out.
“Thanks for picking me up, bro. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. The bar was packed when I left earlier, but Eddie was closing it down at seven.”
“That sounds good.”
It’s gonna be a long night. Since tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, I won’t be able to find my bed soon enough. The day starts early and ends late, especially with it falling on Saturday this year.
Tonight, I am not worrying about that stuff. Tonight, we party. On the Shamrocks is hosting a “Ryder is out of jail” party. Suzy deserves to relax and hang out with our friends. When I enter the bar, I nod to the guys, but they are not who I need to speak to right this second.
Glancing at Suzy, the amount of love I feel for this woman cannot be measured. Teagan is sitting on Marc’s lap. He has barely left her side since she inadvertently set her parents’ house on fire. That was a fun Thanksgiving. I think, chuckling to myself.
&n
bsp; Suzy is laughing with Teagan. I am too far away to hear what they are saying, but her head is thrown back and her hair is curly and cascading down her back. She hasn’t seen me yet, so I can take the time to appreciate her beauty. Just the sight of her has me getting hard, but now is not the fucking time for that. Though it soon will be. I love this woman.
She looks amazing in her skin tight black dress. Her tits are spilling out and the sight makes me groan. I don’t want other people to see them, but looking around at this private party, everyone else is either gay or taken.
Well, everybody except Gage and Donnie, but I am not too worried about those guys stealing my girl. Gage and Lorelei are arguing in the corner, as they usually are. When that thing happens, it’s going to be explosive. Really, everyone should watch the hell out.
What has me pausing is two things. If Donnie stares at my little sister, Verity, any harder, he is going to bore a hole into her skin. She is Victoria’s nanny, but I know from several conversations with my sister that she is nuts about that little girl as well as her father. I know she is too shy to do anything about it, but if Donnie has his way, she is done for. He’s got the look. The look literally every other man in this room has for their girl.
Speaking of men, the other thing that is throwing me through a loop is Sheriff Lawrence and Eddie. Well shit, I never thought the resident bad boy and the cop would hit it off. They are sitting on the leather couch over in the dart board area. They seem pretty comfortable with each other. At the moment they are making out. Full on like teenagers. It is much more than I want to see of my girlfriend’s brother and my best bartender, but I am happy for them.
Making my way toward Suzy, I stand beside her. This is the first time I’ve seen her in five long ass days.
“Baby! I’ve missed you so much!” She jumps up from her seat and into my arms. She grips me so tightly, I almost can’t breathe. She puts little kisses all over my face. Eventually, my inappropriate hardness gets the better of me. When she almost rubs against the ring box in my pocket, I angle my pelvis away from her. Reaching up and gripping her hair in my fist, I tilt her head back and kiss her deeply.
The feeling of her back in my arms where she belongs is like a euphoric drug. One I need to hit again and again. The immediate sense of home is all around me. I will do everything in my power to never leave her alone again. We kiss for an extremely long amount of time. The catcalls and the applause bring us back to the present.
While I was in jail, though I know it was only five days, I did a lot of thinking. Suzy not being tied to me in every way, is no longer an option.
“I missed you too Anamchara.” I kiss her again and let her slide down the front of my body.
“Was jail horrible? I have seen Jail on tv. It looks hellish.” She asks as I grab her hand and lead us toward the bar.
“It was just county lockup, Suzy. No big deal.” I say. Actually, it was disgusting, but she was already feeling terrible when I left. I tried to tell her that it wasn’t her fault, but I couldn’t make her see reason.
At the bar, I pour myself a shot of whiskey and offer her one. She shakes her head and reaches for a beer instead. She links her arm in mine. I down the shot and grab a beer for myself. We mingle around, being sure to talk to everyone. As I look around at all my friend’s girls, I realize every damn one of them is knocked up.
Candy is almost five months pregnant. Evan looks at her like she hangs the stars. Evan has gone back to work at the hospital in the last month. They had an opening. Candy is working with Tiffani at Tiff’s Treats, at least until the baby comes.
Moving along, Sam and Kristy are also pregnant. Kristy and Teagan are roughly at the same point in their pregnancies, but they are both knitting something. Who the hell knits at a party?
“What are you grandmas making?” I ask taking a drink of my beer.
“Booties.” They say in unison.
“Booties?” I say almost choking.
“Of course. There are about to be a fuck ton of babies in Kissing Junction. Aren’t you up on all the gossip?” Teagan replied, giggling.
“Right babies.” Lots of babies. I say looking over at Suzy, who has moved over to the buffet table. It’s mostly chicken wings and pizza, but it looks good. I immediately picture her belly round with my baby, knitting little blue booties, while I rub her feet.
She brings out the cave man in me. Marc and Sam are talking construction, so I excuse myself and move over to Tiff and Cam, who are freshly in a relationship, but their chemistry is crazy. Before I reach them, they get up and move over to the dance floor. I change course and go behind Suzy, my hands resting on her luscious hips, so I can lean in close enough to place little biting kisses on her neck.
“Wanna dance, baby.” I ask her in between kisses.
“That’s sounds good.” She sets her plate down next to her beer and I set my beer there too. I turn her and pull her into my arms. Nineties pop has been playing since I walked in, but as soon as we get out there, Boyz II Men’s “On Bended Knee” comes on. How appropriate. Someone sure has an eclectic playlist. The dance floor is full of couples at this point. Thomas and JoJo, Matt and Jules are also dancing close.
Suzy is weirdly tense in my arms.
“What’s wrong.” I whisper into her ear.
“I missed you so much. I could barely survive five fucking days. I feel like I would have died not seeing you, touching you, for thirty. I can’t live without you.”
“So, don’t.”
“What do you mean?” She asks. When I look into her eyes, she has tears in them.
“Move in with me. Now. Tonight. Wake up with me every day.”
“Yes. I want that so much.” She says without hesitation.
“Are you sure, baby? You move into my house and I will never let you go.”
“I’m sure. I gave my two-week notice, so I will have to find something else to do now.”
“How about working here with me? If that isn’t being with me too much, on a daily basis. You know, just until you figure it out.”
“I would love that. Before you got here tonight, I discussed the possibility of writing a book with Jules.”
“You want to write a book?” I ask. I love that I can still learn something new about her every day.
“Well, I had never really thought about it before, but I do love to read. She mentioned wanting to do a collaboration with someone and the idea interested me. More than I can say really.”
She smiles and rests her head on my shoulder. I haven’t trimmed my beard in five days so it’s looking rough, but she runs her fingers through it like she always does.
An idea comes to me for the little tiny room I had Sam wall off when he built the cabin. Originally, it was going to be a mud room, but I am not fancy like that. I’ll make it into an office for her. We have three other bedrooms to use as well.
Pulling her back to me, I take in the scent of perfume. It drives me fucking crazy.
Maneuvering us back over to the bar, I pull us each a Guinness and a ½ shot of Bailey’s and ½ shot of Jameson’s. Once the drink is made, I slide it down to her. She looks over at me with a raised eyebrow.
“What the fuck is this mess?” She asks laughing.
“It’s an Irish Car Bomb. Drink up, baby. It’s good for you.”
“Yeah right. You trying to get me drunk?”
“Maybe.” I say, laughing.
“You know I am a sure thing for you, right. No need to get me drunk, but I might be halfway there anyways.”
“That’s funny. Drink your car bomb. We got a busy night ahead of us.” I drink mine as it’s meant to be. Really fast.
“Busy how?”
“Just busy” I shrug my shoulders and smirk at her. I lead her back around the bar and sit her on a stool.
I am ready to do this. It’s time to make her mine. There will be no doubt of my love for her or the lengths I will go to keep her happy. I tap the side of my glass with a spoon that was sitting on the bar.
I drop down to one knee in front of her.
Chapter Nine
Suzy
Oh my God, Oh my God! Is this really happening? I feel tears roll down my face as I see the man that I love down on one knee in front of all of our friends looking up at me with so much love in his eyes. He is holding the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.
“Ryder?” My voice comes out all shaky. He gives me a smile and grabs my hand.
“Suzette St. James, you are the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. Every day I thank God that you came into my life. I love you more than words could ever describe. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Anamchara, will you marry me?”
I just stand there not knowing what to say. I want to say yes, scream it from the rooftops, but I can’t get my mouth to work. So instead, I just stick my finger out for him to put the ring on, nodding my head. He chuckles and slides a ridiculously beautiful rose gold Claddagh ring with the diamond heart on my left ring finger with the crown facing out. It’s going to let everyone know that I am engaged. It’s the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen, but it could be non-existent, and I would still love it.
“I’ll take that as a yes?” He says as he stands up, bringing me into his arms.
As soon as his strong arms close around me I get my voice back. “I love you so much Ryry. I can’t wait to be your wife and make lots of little Ryders.”
He growls and picks me up, causing me to squeal and wrap my arms around his shoulders. I hear cat calls and whistling as he carries me to the back of the bar and straight to his office. When we get to his office he slams the door and sweeps all of the paper work off his desk before putting me on it my dress riding up my thighs.
I sit there stunned for a moment. When look up at him his eyes are blazing with primal need and desire. I feel my pussy flood with arousal at just the thought of him fucking me on his desk.
“I’m going to fuck your tight little pussy until I fill you full of my cum, baby.” He says in a gravelly voice.