Blinded by Fate (The Ugly Roses Book 3)

by Harlow Stone

  I shake my head through my tears. “He’s smart like his owner, Matty. Just like you, he’s very smart.” I try to keep the deep emotion out of my voice as well as the tears but it’s impossible.

  Matty shrugs as he nears. “He’s Rydelle! He’ll catch anything!”

  Rydelle?

  Bending down he scratches behind the Pyrenees’s ears before looking at his new friends. “Did you see that, Denny? Cabe? Did you see?”

  My man’s men get up from where they lean and scrub a hand through Rydelle’s fur and pat Matty on the back. “We saw it bud, good job. You’re a natural trainer.”

  I watch as Matty’s eyes light up, never having acceptance or praise like he’s gotten from these men. I watch it settle into his eyes then his body like a warm blanket on a cold winter day.

  “Thanks, friends,” he says in a small quiet voice. Because that’s what we are, friends, and Matty feels the need to verbalize it because he’s never had any true ones.

  I never introduced all these men to Matty, but here they are. With him, supporting him, being his friend. It means so fucking much to me and I can’t help but reach out, putting my arms around Matty, letting him know no matter how many friends he has I will still be his first. I will always be his first and I will never leave him alone or let him go.

  Naturally, he laughs when I hug him. He’s used to my hormonal tendencies now. I want to laugh too but I can’t. “It’s okay Gina, Norma’s been good but I need my own dog now.”

  I let him believe that my tears fall because Norm will be coming home with me today. Matty asked to have her for a sleepover at his new home and I couldn’t say no.

  He smiles at me letting me in on the secret of how he got his dog. “That’s why Ryder and all my new friends took me to the dog place for my birthday,” he says. “I wanted to name him after a strong superhero, and Ryder told me the toughest superhero he knows is ‘Elle’, but that’s Ryder’s nickname for you so I told him my dog’s name was gonna be ‘Rydelle’. Because he’s the most baddest superhero guy I know. Like GI Joe, and he calls you Elle and you’re the most toughest superhero girl I know who helps people. Is it okay, Gina?” he rambles, “that I use your nickname for my dog?” He never stops to take a breath, and I have a hard time answering.

  Rydelle.

  Toughest people he knows.

  Named after superheroes.

  Matty gets distracted and before I know it I’m in the middle of a group love. Ryder holding me to his chest, Denny’s hand on my shoulder and the rest of them hold a hand to my back

  “H-ehe-he’s too good. He only deserves good and you guys gave that to him. You gave him what he’s never had. Do you realize what this means to him? I feel like he’ll finally be okay.”

  I pull out of Ryders embrace and take in the stoic faces of the men around me. Their misty eyes don’t linger on mine too long before they revert to their usual badass and drift toward Matty.

  It’s impossible not to.

  His affection is contagious.

  We watch him run along the patio edge with his new dog that’s a spitting image of Norma. He giggles like a child when the puppy jumps up to lick him. Norm knocks the puppy out of the way so she can seek her attention.

  Ryder’s lips find mine and his hand cradles my pregnant stomach as he responds, “it’s not just okay beautiful, it’s perfect.”

  ***

  After hot dogs, as per Matty’s request, I balled my face off like a whiny bitch for the rest of the afternoon while I watched him interact with the men from Callaghan Security and some of the other residents at Willow Beach.

  I wish there was a pill I could take that would stop the water running from my eyes. If I’m not crying, I’m bitching at someone. It’s usually Ryder, but like a trooper he takes it. When he doesn’t take well...let’s just sum it up and say my ass gets his handprint.

  I don’t complain.

  Ever.

  That man’s hands are magic and so long as they are on me you won’t hear me bitching.

  We all pile into our vehicles, the men in their badass trucks and SUV’s, and Ryder, Matty and I into my kickass car. I told Matty I would take him wherever he wanted to go for his birthday and he asked, very politely, to go to the place he rides past on his bike that has the fish tank in the window.

  After a quick cleanup of my face, I re-applied my mascara and fixed my loose plum colored tunic top over my little baby bump and called myself good to go.

  Ryder puts his arm around me, ever the protective one and we walk behind the crew toward the restaurant. I ignore the hussies who can’t walk in heels, drooling over my fine group of men as we enter Hook and Sinker. I hear Denny tell the hostess about our reservation. She says it will just be a few minutes.

  Matty walks over to the fish he was dying to see, naming each one because he researched what they were when he first became intrigued with them. I listen as he tells Cabe how long some of them live and what their purpose in the sea is, until the hussy’s conversation from the parking lot grabs my attention.

  “What is he, like twelve?” asks tan in a can.

  “I bet you he’s gay,” replies wannabe Elvira. And that’s a compliment coming from me because everyone knows Elvira had kickass, black hair, not dried out and teased poorly like hers.

  Yes, you can tease poorly.

  I breathe in through my nose, knowing I’m back and I feel fucking good about it because for once I’m not crying.

  I breathe out at the same time Ryder says, “fuck me,” and Denny says, “shit.” Hunter says, “this is going to be fucking good,” with a shit eatin’ grin on his face.

  Standing a little taller in my fuck-me black boots, I turn to face the useless hussies with a smile, albeit a condescending one.

  “You know it’s unfortunate when people like yourselves are so uncomfortable in their own skin they need to pick on others. He can’t stand up for himself, but I’m happy to admit that I have enough balls and comfort in my own skin to do it for him.

  “You see, he can’t go home and change who he is like you can go home and change the shirt that’s two sizes two small, or the size of your love handles that are falling over your jeans. Because, let’s face it sweetheart, they are fixable.”

  I allow that to sink in. “My Matty can’t change a lot, but that’s perfectly fine because we all love him just the way he is. So while you’re standing there, judging and thinking you’re better than him, I’m going to give you some advice,” I wave my hand out, “words of wisdom actually, to help you navigate adulthood since you clearly haven’t progressed from being a child.”

  “So here are three things: first off,” I say facing tan in a can, “if you can’t own ‘em, don’t wear ‘em. I watched you weave your way in here. Clearly stilettos aren’t for you since you had the whole tipsy teenager thing going on. My advice is to wear flats and work your way up.”

  Smiling, I turn to Elvira wannabe. “Second, check your judgments and attitude at the door. Nobody in this place wants to hear it and it won’t get you good service.” I eye the hostess and what I assume is the manager who have joined the impromptu hussy roast. “Not because this establishment isn’t capable of providing good service, it’s because us decent people came to eat or work here, not to listen to your childish yap while we pay top dollar for some of the freshest seafood off the coast.”

  Pausing, I allow all that to sink the fuck in because they still look like two dollar hookers in the headlights before I continue. “The third, is if you can’t do the first two, then take your tipsy teenager, judgmental, ignorant hussy asses somewhere else where you might fit in. But word of advice, sweetheart.” I lean in closer. “Fill your tank before you go, ‘cause you’ll be driving a long fucking time before you find it.”

  I ignore the tears gathering in tan in a can’s eyes as I head to the hostess station. “I believe our table should be ready now?”

  She’s flustered, fighting her smile and shaking off what she just witnessed
when she stutters, “y-yes, right this way.”

  “I fucking love pregnant women,” says Hunter.

  “You want to live to look at them, you’ll shut your fucking trap,” says Ryder.

  I ignore them both and grab Matty who thankfully was oblivious to what went on because he was too engrossed in checking out the fish.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  “Thanks, friend!” Matty exclaims as he studies the dog brush and toys that Hunter and Finn gave him for his birthday. I’m happy they didn’t do something Hunter and Finn’ish, giving him a stripper and a porn mag.

  Small miracles.

  Denny got him a cordless drill. I’m happy he paid attention when we were helping Matty decorate his home. He was uncomfortable when we kept driving to the store for small things that he needed, even something as simple as a hammer to hang a few animal prints on the wall. Matty likes to be prepared, and now he has one more thing to make him feel that he is.

  “Here buddy,” I say, handing over mine and Ryder’s present. I know Ryder bought him his dog, but this is still from us.

  Matty eagerly tears the bright blue paper off the box before he lifts the lid. In true Matty fashion, he handles each gift with care as he sets them on the table. I put my arm across his back, watching his sweet face as he takes in all that’s inside.

  There are ten photo frames in total, along with the pattern to place on the wall to hang them.

  “How, Gina?” Matty asks.

  I control my pregnancy sobs and explain. “Every year you were in school Matty, they took your picture. Do you remember that?”

  He nods his head so I continue. “I noticed you didn’t have any of those pictures, so Ryder and Cabe helped me get them and I put them in the frames for you.”

  I watch as he slowly takes out a few photos he did have, of him and Miss Marion. I framed the best ones I could find and they’re beautiful. Folding over the last layer of tissue paper he sees the last photo of himself, Ryder, Norma and I. It was taken by a fisherman when Ryder and I took him to the docks a few weeks ago. The sun is setting in the background and we all have happy smiles on our faces, my arm around Matty, his other hand on Norma and Ryder’s hand resting on my baby bump.

  His voice is deeper, more mature, and full of emotion when his tear-filled eyes meet mine. “Thank you. Just...thank you.”

  Don’t just survive.

  Live.

  “You’re very welcome Matty.”

  ***

  “Ryder don’t you dare fucking tease me,” I warn. He got home last night from a job up in Virginia. He was only gone for two nights but being pregnant makes me hornier than a hooker. The three orgasms he gave me last night were wonderful, and needed, but this morning is a whole new day.

  I can’t get it enough.

  I can’t have him enough.

  “Ryder!” I reach out and tangle my fingers in his hair, pulling it tight to the roots just the way he likes it. He’s been going down on me for the better part of the morning, but every time I get close to the edge, he pulls me back.

  That devious smirk is on his face. “It’s payback.”

  I shake my head. “What in the hell are you talking about? This isn’t payback, it’s torture! There’s a big fucking difference, Callaghan!”

  He plants a kiss on my thigh. “You going to listen to me now?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I huff, laying back on the bed. Frustrated he’s not looking after me I move my hand over my baby bump prepared to finish it myself.

  “Ah ah, not happening,” Ryder growls as he grabs my wrists and pins them beside my head. Leaning over me he keeps his lips, wet with my arousal, inches from my face.

  “I asked you to do one thing, Elle. One thing.”

  I ignore him, lifting my hips hoping to gain some friction but he pulls further away. “Dammit, Ryder!”

  He shakes his head. “Not this time, Elle. I fucking asked you, then I told you because you didn’t listen when I asked. You’re still not listening!”

  A growl comes from somewhere in my throat. I was a bit of a miserable bitch before who lacked patience. Being pregnant amplified both of those traits and now I have no patience at all.

  “For fuck’s sake Ryder, just tell me what it is. I’ll say sorry and then you can fuck me.”

  Clearly still pissed at me he remains where he is and says, “I fucking told you Elle, if you need help with the security system call any one of the guys. If you need help around the house call anyone but Hunter. Why couldn’t you do that?”

  I’m confused and ignore everything he said except the last part. “Why can’t I call Hunter?”

  He purses his lips and scowls. “Because good looking pregnant women get his dick hard.”

  I can’t help it, I laugh. “I thought every kind of woman got Hunter’s dick hard?”

  He tightens his hold on my wrists and leans closer to my face. “Don’t talk about Hunter’s dick in our bed.”

  I scoff. “You just did.”

  “Ya, I did and if you don’t stop doing it you’re not getting mine.”

  I soften my eyes, sighing his name in a way I know gets him hard. “Ry, please.” I even add an eyelash flutter but sadly, it doesn’t work.

  “Not fallin’ for that shit, Elle. I told you if you needed help to call for it. You didn’t and that pisses me off.”

  “What the hell did I need help for?”

  He scowls. “What’s with the tools on top of the washing machine?”

  “The hot water line was leaking again so when I was at the hardware store I bought a new clamp to put on it. No big deal, it’s fixed.”

  He’s not happy it’s fixed because he’s still scowling at me. “What about the truckload of plants that are sitting on the deck, and the multitude of planters?”

  I sigh. “I told you a long time ago you needed some landscaping and curb appeal. So when I was at the hardware store I picked up the red planters and they had a sale on annuals so I picked up some plants. What’s the big deal?”

  “Who loaded all that heavy shit into the truck, Elle?”

  I frown. “The dude at the hardware store and the chick who worked the garden center.”

  Leaning down so our noses are touching he says, “and who unloaded it all when you got home?”

  I bite my cheek. “I did.”

  Without any help from his hands because he’s hard as a rock he surges forward, entering me in one quick thrust.

  “Gah! Thank you!”

  He pounds into me, once, twice. I’m so worked up I nearly blow.

  But he pulls out.

  “What the hell?”

  He smirks. “Tell me you’ll call one of the guys for help next time.”

  I shake my head. “I’m fucking pregnant, Ryder. Not handicapped!”

  He puts his hand down between us, circling my clit with his thumb. “Tell me you’ll ask for help.”

  “I can’t sit on my ass all day, Ryder.” I sigh, loving his magical fingers until he takes those away from me too.

  “You don’t sit on your ass all day, and you work yourself too hard.”

  “Dammit Ryder, the only thing I can do is jog and Pilates. You know I can’t sleep unless I physically exert myself.”

  “You sleep just fine when I’m home,” he says.

  “That’s because you fuck me to sleep, Ryder,” I tell him.

  His face turns serious. “You telling me you don’t sleep when I’m gone?”

  I shake my head. “Not well. I manage I guess but it’s always better when you’re here.”

  His eyes soften and I’m happy to say that does the trick as he surges forward and presses his lips to mine.

  “Ask for help, beautiful.”

  I sigh, not wanting to give in but knowing Ryder won’t stop until he wins. Since I have no patience and want an orgasm more than my next breath, I agree. “On one condition—two actually.”

  He smirks, rolling his hips into mine. “What are they?�
�

  My eyes roll back into my head. “Two orgasms before we leave today, and you have to get me those cream-filled pastry thingy’s that Cabe brought me last week.”

  Warm lips devour mine and I have no doubt he will make good on both of my requests.