by JA Lafrance
A soft tap on the window made me jump.
Frank, another resident who lived on the main floor of the building, gave me one of his genuine wide smiles.
Killing the engine, I left the car and shut the door behind me. “Frank, how are you?”
“Good.” He searched my face. “I was out for my afternoon walk and saw you pull in and sit there for a few minutes. Thought something was wrong. So, I came to check on you.”
My heart warmed. “Thank you. I’m fine though. I have a date tonight and I’m nervous.”
Frank’s eyes lit up. “That’s fun!”
I laughed. “Yes, but it’s been awhile.” It wasn’t like I had guys lined up at the door to take me out on the town or anything.
“You will have fun and if the guy hurts you, I’ll kill him.” Frank shrugged. “So, it’s a win-win really.”
I shook my head. “He’s sweet. And he’s leaving on Monday. He’s in the military.”
Frank stood taller at the mention of the forces. “Do you know what he does?”
“No. It’s all hush hush I guess,” I told him. “But he’s nice.” He had to be nice since he was in the military right?
“Just be careful, sweetheart.” Frank started walking away. “Remember what I said.”
“I’ll remember.” I grabbed the bags from the back seat before kicking the door closed. “Thank you,” I called after him and rushed to the building.
It was pushing four in the afternoon. I wondered why Ryder set the date so late. Not that eight was overly late but I hadn’t eaten much during the day.
I sighed. I was stressing. I didn’t like stressing.
Taking a breath, I mentally counted to ten and headed up the stairs to my floor.
When I finally reached my apartment, I shut the door behind me, clicked the lock into place and began stripping. Gathering my clothes, I went to my bedroom and changed into workout clothes. Maybe doing a round of yoga for an hour would help me feel better. No. Punching something would probably be better but unfortunately for me, I had nothing to hit. Not safely anyway. There was a gym at the center I volunteered at, but I never had the courage to actually work out in it.
After doing a hard round of yoga, I took a shower, did my hair and the next thing I knew, it was pushing seven. I was standing in front of my closet in a towel. At least I was showered.
With a glass of red wine in my hand, I went through my closet and hated everything I owned. Who needs eight black dresses? This girl apparently. And black leggings? Way too many.
Taking a step back, I began pacing when something caught my eye.
A dress that I couldn’t remember when I last wore it, hung in the middle of the closet. It was black with tiny red polka dots on it. It buttoned up the middle and would sit just past my knees. It was short sleeved and classy and the comfiest dress I had ever worn. I could sex it up a bit and wear something hot beneath it.
Happy with my choice, I pulled the dress off the hanger and laid it on my bed. Ripping off the towel, I grabbed a red bra and panty set from my drawer.
Finally getting dressed, I did a quick turn in the mirror and unbuttoned the top two buttons of the dress. It showed off some cleavage but left enough to the imagination that I wouldn’t feel like Ryder was staring at my tits the whole time. Or maybe I would be lucky, and he was an ass man instead.
I sighed, applied some lip gloss and gave myself another once-over. It would have to do.
My phone dinged, indicating a new text message.
Ryder: I’m here.
I smiled, my heart speeding up.
Me: On my way down.
Grabbing my small purse, I threw my phone in it and slipped my feet into a pair of wedges.
Locking up the apartment, I quickly made my way downstairs. As soon as I stepped outside, I was thankful with my choice of outfit. It was a warmer evening. I was almost tempted to throw my hair up into a ponytail but when I caught Ryder standing by his truck, his dark eyes on me, I changed my mind.
A slow grin spread on his face the closer I got to him. “You look beautiful.”
My cheeks heated. “You look handsome.”
“Ready?” he asked, opening the passenger door to his black truck.
I took a breath and nodded. “I am.” But it didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous.
He stepped to the side, letting me enter the vehicle and helped me up onto the seat.
When I was inside the truck, I turned to him. “Thank you.”
Ryder winked, closing the door and headed around the vehicle to the driver’s side door. Once he was sitting beside me, he turned on the engine and pulled us out of the driveway.
“How was your afternoon?” I asked, needing the sound of our voices to drown out the nerves rushing through my belly.
“Not too bad.” He passed a glance at me. “Took me forever to figure out what I wanted to wear. I tried asking my sisters, but they were no help.”
I laughed. “Really? You had a hard time deciding too?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, babe. Believe it or not, guys can get nervous too.”
“Oh.” I wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs. “I knew that, but I just never had a guy be nervous when it comes to going on a date with me.”
“How come?” Ryder grabbed my hand, holding it tight in his.
That single touch eased the nerves racing through me. “I haven’t dated the best guys. Or the guys I was supposed to date ended up being in love with someone else.” I grimaced at the memory rushing through me.
“Explain that part to me.”
I thought a moment. “You actually may know them. Ashton and Aidan Donovan.”
Ryder grunted. “I do. And Zach and Luna. I know them all.”
“I forgot you all grew up together.” I was an outsider looking in. “Ashton set me up on a date with Zach, but never told me that Zach had said no because he was in love with Luna. It was a hot mess, but I like to think I gained a friend out of it.” Zach, Luna, and I had gone on several dinner dates together. Even though it had only been the three of us, they never made me feel like a third wheel.
“I heard something about that. My sister, Meadow, likes to keep me in the loop.” Ryder chuckled, his big body shaking.
I laughed. “Yeah. If you want to know something, just go to her. But she doesn’t spread shit. She says it how it is. I can appreciate that,” I told him.
“Are you close with my sisters?”
“Not really. I’m not close with anyone.” I wasn’t sad about that either. I was focused on school and my career. Much like Ryder and his need to serve our country, I had a need to save children from monsters.
“Well.” Ryder brought our joined hands up to his mouth. “You can become close with me.”
My heart stuttered.
He placed a soft peck on my knuckles, winked and dropped my hand back in my lap.
My stomach somersaulted. Oh yeah, I could definitely see myself becoming close with him.
“So, tell me, Ryder. Why did you really ask me out on a date? Did you want to sow some oats before being shipped away?”
His jaw clenched, a gruff laugh leaving him. “I’m not like any of the guys you’ve ever dated, Clara. If that’s what you’re wondering.”
“Oh? And how do you know what the guys I’ve dated were like?” I turned toward him, linking my fingers in his. “You only just met me today. Officially anyway. You ask me out on a date and then tell me that you’re leaving on Monday. Why me? What makes me so special?” I didn’t want to second-guess his motives but after having some bad luck with guys and being considered a second choice, it made me question…well, everything when it came to dating and the opposite sex.
“Who the fuck hurt you, baby?”
I let go of his hand and crossed my arms under my chest. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Well, it must matter enough for you to question my motives.” He sighed. “Listen, I saw you. I watched you for a few minutes before I actually got the balls to approa
ch you. Yes, I’m shipping out on Monday, but I won’t be gone forever. I wanted to go on this date and see where things went. I’m not looking for a random fuck. I want to get to know you, Clara. That’s it. If after tonight, you just want to be friends, that’s fine too. You just let me know.”
“I’m sorry.” The back of my neck heated. “I’ve had some bad luck with guys, and I guess you asking me out on a date surprised me.”
Ryder leaned an elbow on the windowsill, scratching his jaw. “I get that. I don’t date a lot. I won’t lie and say that I’ve never had a one-night stand. I’m not home a lot, so it’s hard to keep a relationship. I have to do what I can to take the edge off. But if we’re both happy with how tonight goes, that ends. I promise you. I’m not a cheater or a player. I know the twins tried setting you up with Zach.”
“Yeah, that backfired and was embarrassing,” I mumbled.
“I’m sorry that happened to you but I like to think it actually worked out in my favor.”
I looked at Ryder.
He winked, waggling his eyebrows.
I laughed, the heaviness in the air, dissipating. “I’m glad it didn’t work out. I like Luna. I wouldn’t want anything to ruin what little friendship I have there. I don’t really hang out with the girls, but I do like them.”
He gave me a small smile. “How’s school going?”
“It’s hard but I’m determined,” I said honestly, thankful for the change in subject. “I’m more of a hands-on kind of person. It’s the in-class shit that stresses me out.”
“I get that.”
“Where are we going?” I asked when I realized that we were no longer in town.
“You’ll see.” Ryder winked.
That small movement sent a nervous flutter racing through me. Nervous because I knew that I could fall for him and dangerously so. He was different. Raised well. Good head on his shoulders. And he had a single mission on his mind and that was to fight for his country.
Ten minutes later and we were pulling down a gravel road.
“Nervous?” Ryder asked.
“Yeah, I’m wondering if you’re going to leave me out here by myself.” I sat forward, seeing a clearing at the end of the road. It overlooked…my eyes widened. “Wow.”
He chuckled. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It is.” I had heard of a stunning view that overlooked our town, but no one had ever brought me here.
Once we reached the edge of the cliff, Ryder turned the truck around and backed it up. “We’ll be able to watch the sunset from here.”
My heart warmed that he had thought of that. I wasn’t overly girly, but I did enjoy dressing up from time to time and just being treated like a Queen. What female didn’t? It had always been the little things that mattered most to me.
Ryder killed the engine and slipped from the truck. “Coming?” he asked before shutting the door.
I took a breath and left the vehicle, not overly sure what I had gotten myself into but excited to see where this night went just the same.
Much to my surprise, Ryder started rolling back the cover on the bed of his truck. When he was done, I just stood there, staring at what laid before me.
He chuckled. “Surprised?”
“Uh…I really have no…I just…” My heart warmed and I think I swooned a little bit.
Ryder came toward me, a satisfied smile sitting on his face. “Did I do okay?” He took my hand, bringing it up to his mouth.
I nodded, chewing my bottom lip.
He winked. “I think we should test it out.” He kept hold of my hand and helped me up into the bed of the truck. I kicked off my wedges and sank my toes into the plush feather bed. There were two pillows sitting at the head of it. A bucket with a bottle of wine and two bottles of water sat to my right.
Ryder snapped two ends of wires together, a row of lights turning on that sat around the edge of the bed.
It was beautiful, romantic, and damn near perfect. No. Correction. It was perfect. No other guy had ever done this for me before.
“Do you like it, Clara?” Ryder asked, his brow scrunching in the middle.
“Oh God.” I shook my head, my eyes welling. “Yes. I can’t…I have no words.”
He joined me in the back of the truck and sat beside me. “I didn’t mean…” He reached out, wiping a tear that had fallen down my cheek.
“Oh…” I laughed, my face heating. “I’m such a romantic but no one has ever done this for me before. Thank you, Ryder. I really have no words.”
His grin grew, his shoulders dropping with relief. “I’m glad you like it, but I can’t take full credit. Gigi came across a picture on Facebook and both her and Meadow gave me ideas.”
“You planned this all today?” I asked, taken aback that he would be so damn considerate and do this with such short notice.
He nodded slowly. “I wanted to impress you. I know we don’t know each other and it’s hard to trust anyone these days. But thank you for putting your trust in me and letting me take you out tonight.”
I leaned forward and placed a soft peck on his cheek. “Thank you for this.”
“I told the center where you are, so if you end up feeling uncomfortable and want to leave, someone can pick you up.”
As if on cue, my phone dinged. I pulled it from my purse and found a text from… “It’s your mom.” I looked up at Ryder.
Jay: I know you’re out with my son tonight and that you don’t know each other really but if you need anything, you don’t hesitate to call me. Understand?
Me: Yes, Ma’am.
Jay: And don’t call me Ma’am.
Jay Rodriguez had set up The Dove Project with friends years ago. It was a place for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence and more. I had been volunteering there for the past several months. It also looked good on my application when I applied for college. Ryder’s mom had been nothing but supportive.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I said to Ryder. “You told your mom where I was in case I didn’t feel safe?”
Ryder shrugged. “Why not? I like you, Clara. I wouldn’t have asked you out if I didn’t. And I know a lot of people don’t start dating until they actually know each other. But when I saw you today, I wanted more. Do I know exactly what that is? No. I need to focus on my career.”
“Me too.” I looked down at my lap, picking at a random fuzz on my dress. “But for one night, I don’t want to think about school or careers.”
A wide grin spread on his face. “Good. Because neither do I.” He leaned forward and pulled the bottle of wine from the bucket. “Did you want a glass?”
Ryder
I never expected my romantic gesture to actually bring out any sort of emotion in Clara. My sisters had been right in saying that she would love it. Unless she was a good fucking actor and was just saying she loved the surprise just to make me feel better about myself.
I chanced a glance at her.
She sighed every so often, a small smile splaying on her face as she sipped her wine.
Nope. She definitely loved the surprise.
“So, tell me, Clara.” I reached out, brushing my thumb along the back of her arm, my cock jerking at the tiny goosebumps dancing along her skin. “What would you have been doing tonight if I hadn’t taken you out?”
She barked a laugh. “Drinking wine by myself and watching Netflix.” She turned toward me. “I live a very exciting life.”
“Sounds like it,” I teased. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, my life is even more exciting. I would be babysitting my nephew or better yet, hanging out by myself. But drinking beer instead.”
Clara giggled. “Would you be watching Netflix too?”
I scoffed. “Of course.” I tapped her nose. “What else is there to watch?”
She licked her lips. “Porn.”
I grinned. “Porn doesn’t really do it for me. I’d rather the real stuff.” I glanced down at her mouth, itching to have a taste. Even just a small one.
Could she feel this connection? Was it just me? Maybe it was all in my head. Either way, I wanted her. We didn’t have to do anything tonight, but I did want to spend the night with her. Even if it was just to talk.
“Interesting.” Clara took a sip of her wine. “Anything on Netflix you’re currently obsessed with?”
We spent the next hour or so discussing our favorite shows and eating the assortment of cheese and crackers I had packed. It wasn’t a full course meal, but Clara seemed to appreciate the food. We also talked about what we could watch over and over again. I learned that she loved zombies and was hooked on The Walking Dead. I had also come to understand that she looked forward to finishing school but that was all she would say about it. She closed up rather quickly when I asked her about her career choice. She was going to be a social worker. I couldn’t imagine that would be easy but volunteering at The Dove Project would definitely give her some experience.
“Oh, I’m out of wine.” Clara pouted, a rosy glow hitting her cheeks.
“Actually.” I reached into a bag and pulled out another bottle. “I didn’t want you thinking I was taking advantage of you or anything, so I kept this hidden until you asked for it.”
“Well, aren’t you sweet.” She grabbed the bottle from me and twisted off the cap. “Cheers.” She clinked it against my glass and took a sip right from the bottle itself.
I chuckled. “So classy.”
She laughed, shrugging and took another sip.
Before she could get drunk on me, I grabbed the bottle from her, took a sip of my own and put the cap back on it.
“Ryder.” She reached for the bottle.
“No.” I put it away and cupped her cheek. “I want…”
“What?” she breathed, her eyes darkening. “You want to kiss me?”
“I want to do more than that, but a kiss is a good start,” I told her, my voice low.
“Well, then I think you should kiss me, and we can go from there.”
Moving my hand to the back of her head, I tilted it back, giving me access to her throat. “You know.” I kissed her neck, licking up the length of it to her jaw. “I wasn’t planning on doing this. I wanted to take it slow. I was trying to be a gentleman for you. But you’re beautiful, sassy, and so fucking hot.”