Love and Repair Series Box Set

by Chelsea Camaron

  After cleaning up, ordering the parts for the Rolls-Royce, inspecting the damage to the other cars we have in the bays, Jake and I get started on a 1957 Cadillac restoration because we have the parts in for it. My jaw is sore and tight from the handful of hits Brayden managed to get in.

  When Dina calls me later, I have to fill her in. The disappointment laced in her voice adds to my already terrible day. Smiling hurts, but hearing her voice I can’t stop the grin showing on my face. I can’t hide the stress or tension in my voice and I don’t even try. I know she can tell something is going on. Oh how I wish I was there with her instead of in this mess. I give her a basic run down leaving out a lot; especially the physical altercation with Brayden. This situation is not something I want to discuss by phone with my sort of girlfriend.

  Chapter Eleven

  Brayden Happened

  Dina

  Maggie calls to tell me she and Brayden decided to go to Miami for vacation. I wish her well, hoping whatever is going on with him would be resolved through this time away. Having nothing to do, I spend my Sunday relaxing at home.

  Ryder is still working. I’m tempted to take him coffee and dinner, but I don’t want to crowd him. We do chat briefly on the phone and send a few text messages. It’s nice to know he’s thinking of me as well.

  Monday arrives and with no Maggie here for girl time, I decide to go into the office for a bit. Before heading to work, I stop at the coffee shop to pick up some coffee and cinnamon buns.

  Smiling to myself, I pull into Ryder’s Restorations. Knowing he’ll be surprised, I mentally pat myself on the back. I see Jake’s truck and I’m glad I bought extras of everything.

  Walking in my smile fades as I see Ryder’s face. His jaw is swollen and purple in color. I look over to see the cars, that just last week, were almost finished now with dents, and some even disassembled. Damn, what the hell happened here? I think to myself.

  Ryder walks over taking the coffee and pastry box from my hands. He sets them down and kisses me so wonderfully and thoroughly that I go weak in the knees, forgetting all thoughts of the chaos surrounding us in his shop. He holds me up as he ends the kiss; I’m left wanting so much more. Resting my head on his chest, I can hear the rhythm of his heart beating. Being like this, in his arms, nothing has ever felt so right to me. I could spend forever just like this.

  When we finally separate, I look up seeing his bruised face, and ask, “Ryder, babe, what happened to your face?”

  He sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair, in a clear attempt to stall. His answer is short and stern. “Brayden happened.”

  “What?!” I practically shout. He laces his fingers into mine, guiding me into his office.

  I sit in his chair while he leans against his desk. He informs me of Brayden’s temper tantrum and the resulting altercation. I can feel the tears running down my face before I can even acknowledge that I’m crying. Just thinking of what Ryder is going through, wondering what has gotten into Brayden, and now my very best friend is on vacation with a clearly hot headed, angry man.

  Ryder reaches out pulling me to him, “Baby, please, don’t cry, I didn’t want you to see me like this.”

  I sniffle as I try to compose myself. “Ryder, Brayden told Maggie he wrecked his car and that’s how he got hurt. That’s not the truth is it?”

  Ryder snaps quickly away from me, realizing what I’m asking. I can see the distress on his face as he answers, “No, Dina, his injuries were not from wrecking his car. Please, baby, please know he hit me first. He destroyed my shop, my client’s cars, and I gave him plenty of opportunities to back off. He just wouldn’t. I promise you, Dina, I don’t have that kind of anger in me to lash out normally. I don’t have it in me to ever hit a woman. Dina, you’re safe with me. Please, baby, don’t let this change us.” He seems utterly broken.

  I make my way over to him, realizing that he thinks my tears are from my past situation. I wrap my arms around his waist, looking up into his eyes.

  “Baby, you are my safe place, always. Not for second do I worry that you will hurt me like that.”

  Emotionally, he could crush me worse than any physical pain because I’m so in love with him, but I refrain from that admission.

  He relaxes, embracing me. I continue, “My concern is for Maggie. He lied to her, asked her to go on a vacation. Ryder, I gave her money to go away for a week with him.”

  I cry harder, “Maggie is all I have, what have I just sent her into? I don’t know what’s gotten into Brayden as of late. I don’t want my best friend hurt.” Unable to stop sobbing into his chest, “She’s my family, Ryder.”

  He kisses my forehead, “Brayden loves Maggie. His anger is towards me over money. He won’t hurt her and maybe this vacation is just what he needs.”

  Then he leans down, brushing his lips ever so gently over mine and whispering to me. “You’re wrong, Dina. Maggie is not all that you have. Baby, you have me, every part of me from the moment we met, and for always. That’s a promise.”

  I cry as he holds me, knowing I have found my safe place. I am so in love with this man, he is my companion, my lover, the half that makes me whole.

  As the week goes on, I get into a routine of taking dinner to Ryder’s after I finish at the office. We eat in the lobby of his garage.

  Jake is now working there full time and a couple of nights he and his girlfriend, Kenna, join us. The guys are working super long hours, but Ryder refuses to miss any deadlines, even the ones Brayden took on without Ryder agreeing. I’m pretty sure he is sleeping on the couch here and only going home to shower and change.

  Ryder looks exhausted but determined. I help where I can, enjoying being back in a garage. Even if I’m just handing him tools, I cherish being able to spend time with him. My body aches for his touch. The schedule he’s keeping is out of hand. There is no way to fit in anything else and the last thing I want is to be an extra demand.

  Maggie calls or texts at least once a day. She sounds relaxed and happy for the most part. On Thursday, she seems a little off so I ask if she’s ok. She simply states that Brayden went to town without her and she’s disappointed thinking he would have proposed by now. When she said she was ready to come home, I offered to get her on the next plane. It was then she laughed a genuine Maggie laugh, saying no there is still time for Brayden to propose and she isn’t going to miss that.

  I know, in her heart, she really thought this was the opportunity he was waiting for to take their relationship to the next level. She has talked about getting engaged more than enough times that Brayden has to know she wants it.

  Inwardly, given his recent behavior, I’m glad he hasn’t proposed yet. I want my best friend happy, but I want the old Brayden back so I can feel secure in their future together. I can’t help but wonder if maybe the pressure is some of Brayden’s issues with money. Buying a ring, and being prepared to provide for someone else long term is a big commitment. He may love her and be ready for the commitment, but stressing over the financial aspect of it.

  I’m really missing Ryder, my body wound tightly in such a need for a release only he can provide. Friday night, I stop by the shop. He smiles when I walk in.

  He kisses my forehead, “Hey baby, you want to order pizza for dinner?”

  I give him a wink, and pull him down to me whispering, “No, baby I don’t want dinner tonight. What I want is simply dessert and that dessert is you. So, I’m just here for a moment to ask you, that tonight, when you get ready to leave to go home and shower, rather than going to your house, why don’t you come to over to my house? You don’t have to stay long, I know you have to work, but I have a shower and would enjoy having you naked at my house for a bit.” With that, I kiss him and walk away so I can hurry home, knowing he won’t be too far behind.

  Ryder

  The caddy need to be complete in just fifteen days to be delivered to the Cruisin’ the Coast car show in Mississippi for the owner to be able to enter. I will not miss this deadline, e
ven if it means no sleep for two weeks.

  When Dina whispers that she just wants me, not dinner; I’m ready to take her in my office. I want her as much as I want my next breath. I’ve been sleeping here and there at the shop, but nothing substantial. My time with Dina has been so limited. Her proposition tonight is so unexpected and happened so fast, I almost thought it’s a dream. Watching the swish of her hips as she leaves, I realize, it’s far from a dream.

  I go over to Jake, “Hey man, lock up when you get ready to go. I need to take off ok.”

  He smiles a knowing grin and nods. Yes, I’m pussy whipped already. Yes, I’d follow that woman any time, any place. She owns me and doesn’t even know it.

  I get on my bike heading to my house first for quick shower and change of clothes. I know I’m exhausted, but just the thought of Dina wanting me, has my body alert and wide awake now. I park the bike inside of my garage, deciding to take my 1971 hot rod truck over to Dina’s. The only stop I make on my over is to buy some condoms and a little surprise. She asked for dessert after all.

  Chapter Twelve

  Dessert

  Dina

  A soft rumble of exhaust alerts me to Ryder’s arrival, and not on his motorcycle. Anxiety fills me, causing butterflies in my stomach. I know our time is limited, and I want to make the most of it. Dressed in a black bra and panty set, a matching garter belt, sheer black stockings, ending with black high heels, all straight out of a Fredrick’s of Hollywood catalog. For a moment, as I dress I think back to the time I tried this with Michael. Knowing Ryder is nothing like Michael, I quickly push the negative thoughts away.

  I boldly answer my door after he rings the doorbell. Ryder steps inside, wrapping one hand around my waist pulling me in for a deep, passionate kiss. With his foot, he kicks the door shut. He begins trailing kisses down my neck.

  I mutter, “Hello, handsome.”

  He grunts, still kissing, licking, and nipping at my neck. I feel him smile against me. “You’re full of surprises baby.”

  I take him by the hand to lead him to my room. When I notice the plastic bag he’s carrying, I ask as curiosity builds inside me. “What’s in the bag?”

  He licks his lips seductively. “You said dessert, baby.”

  I slide onto my bed as he takes off his shoes and shirt. He stands over me, just taking in the sight before him. He sits beside me, reaching into the bag. One by one, Ryder slowly begins setting the items from the bag on my night stand. He pulls out condoms, strawberries, whip cream, and a jar of chocolate sauce. Anticipation is coursing through my veins, making me hot with need.

  Ryder takes a strawberry and opens the chocolate sauce. Tipping the jar of chocolate sideways to dip the berry in, he purposely dribbles some chocolate onto my stomach. Ryder slowly feeds me the strawberry, teasing me with the chocolate over my lips. As I chew the berry, he kisses his way down to the chocolate and begins a delicious tease, as he cleans me with his expert tongue. He continues feeding me strawberries, each time leaving chocolate on a new part of my body. It is a slow, deliberate, delicate, and appetizing form of torture. My body is so eager for release. I pull his face to mine, kissing him hard.

  “Ryder, make love to me now. Please, baby, please.”

  “Oh, baby, yes I plan too, but I’m not finished with my dessert yet,” he says smiling.

  And with that, he ravishes my mouth in such an assault of passion, need, desire, and deep longing. He removes my bra, massaging my breasts, giving equal attention to both. When he tugs gently on my nipple, I arch my back, rising up off my bed, calling out his name in pure ecstasy. Then he slowly pulls off my panties, leaving me laying there in just a garter belt, stockings, and heels.

  As I reach for his jeans, he pulls my hand away, “Nope, I haven’t finished my dessert yet.”

  He picks up the can of whip cream using it to draw around my breasts, down my stomach, my hips and the v of my legs. Once again, he begins a slow, delicate torture with his tongue. He thoroughly licks off all the whip cream on my body. Before I can resist, he pulls my legs apart letting his tongue graze over and in between my pussy lips. I begin to feel the familiar tightening in my stomach, as he begins to moan against me; sending vibrations through my very core. My entire body begins to shake as the orgasm over takes me.

  He gently kisses all over my stomach, breasts, collarbone, and neck, giving me a chance to recover and ride through the aftershocks.

  I’m in pure bliss, as I hear him say, “Baby, you, by far, are the best dessert I’ve ever tasted.”

  I pull him to me, kissing him fiercely. As amazing as that was, my body aches to be one with Ryder. I remove his jeans and boxers. He reaches over to the nightstand getting out a foil packet. After he sheathes himself, he enters me and slowly makes love to me.

  We lay together, quietly, while we come back down. Then Ryder says, “Baby, I made you a sticky mess, let’s go take a shower so I can wash you.”

  I smile up at him. “Yes, please.”

  We go to my bathroom and start the shower. Laughing, I step out of my heels and stockings, “I’ve never had sex with my shoes on before. That was hot.”

  He smiles at me, pulling me to him. We shower together, enjoying the intimate act of washing one another. We finish, dry off and dress. Making our way into the kitchen, I begin to make us some sandwiches. With our food in hand, we head to the living room to rest on the couch, chatting casually while we eat.

  After cleaning up our dishes, I sit down cuddling up against Ryder. He holds me for the longest time, both of us just quietly embracing one another.

  Breaking the silence, he says, “Dina, I want you to know I care about you. I want a real relationship with you. I don’t know if you’re ready for that or what you’re really looking for from this. I understand if you aren’t sure, I’m not going anywhere, I’ll be here when you know what you want. I just want you to know, Dina, for me there is no one but you.”

  At his words, my heart swells, “Ryder, for me there is no one but you either. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I want a relationship with you, and I’m more than ready to see how far this can go.” Emotions consume me as I kiss him.

  After a few minutes, he pulls away. As he kisses my forehead, he whispers almost as if he’s afraid to say it, “Dina, I’m so in love with you.”

  Unable to hold back I just blurt out, “Ryder, I love you so much.”

  He lifts me off the couch, carrying me back to my bedroom. We take our time sharing our bodies once again, bringing to life the connection of words we have just proclaimed. Ryder and I stay wrapped in each other all night, even though I had expected him to leave and head back to work.

  Feeling feather like touches over my back, I slowly wake to having him with me. I could get used to this. He’s gently rubbing my back as I fully come to.

  “Mmm, good morning, Misterman.”

  He leans over, kissing me between my shoulder blades, as I lay on my stomach. I roll over to face him. He seems off in his own thoughts.

  “Ryder, what’s going on in your head? What are you are thinking about so hard? Talk to me.”

  He sighs. “Dina, I should have said something sooner. I don’t know if you remember or not, but we didn’t use protection when we were together in your car.”

  Dumbfounded, I don’t know what to say. Suddenly, he begins ramble, “I’m wondering if you’re on birth control? We need to talk about all this. I know I have a history, but I want you to know, I’m clean. I was tested after I decided to stop sleeping around and wait for you. It’s just I don’t know how you feel about kids.”

  I’m in shock that I didn’t think of any of this. I planned the night in my car. Granted, I didn’t expect us to have sex in my car, I thought we’d be in a bed. I guess, in the back of my mind, I assumed Ryder would take care of that, then we got caught up in the moment and neither of us thought of anything.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Made Out Of Love

  Dina

  O
h me, oh my, I can’t believe myself. How do I tell Ryder? I’m a complete idiot and now I may have messed everything up.

  I can only manage a whisper, “Ryder, I haven’t been on birth control since Michael. I haven’t been with anyone since him so I’m clean. Since I only wanted to be with you and I didn’t think it would actually happen, I didn’t see the point in continuing my pills and dealing with the side effects.”

  I begin crying. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I’ve waited so long and wanted you so badly, I just wasn’t thinking.” We sit together in silence for a few minutes.

  He pulls me close, holding me tightly. “Dina, it’s going to be okay. If you’re pregnant, it may not have been planned, but that baby was made out of love.”

  I sigh, still crying. “Ryder, I don’t know how I feel about having a kid right now. That’s something I only wanted if I was married. If I am pregnant, I don’t want us to feel forced to get married for the baby. Marriage, for me, is about love and it’s a lifetime commitment. I also, don’t want you to feel obligated to me. I can do this alone. What I can’t do is have an abortion; please don’t ask me to.”

  Ryder lifts my chin to look me in the eyes. “Slow down baby. First, we don’t know if there is a baby. Second, I know this wasn’t planned, but I would never ask you to have an abortion. I want you to be the only woman to carry and help raise my children with me. Let’s be clear… I. AM. IN. LOVE. WITH. YOU. As for marriage, baby, when you’re ready, you will be my wife. Don’t ever doubt where I want us to be. Dina, you are my future, you are my everything; for now and forever.”

  My phone rings, its Maggie, but I choose to ignore it. Taking in all that is going on between Ryder and me, I don’t want to have any interference in this moment. We really are going to be together. After all this time, I’m getting a chance at real unconditional love.