Another Monday
Dina
Three Years Later…
There is just something about a strong man with broad shoulders, a few tattoos peeking out from his shirt, and that air of confidence that screams: I don’t care what anyone thinks. I am me.
Here I sit, in my favorite spot at the local coffee shop, waiting for Maggie to arrive, when in walks the one man who takes my very breath away. The funny thing is, at this point, I haven’t spoken more than a handful of words to him.
Three years ago, Ryder Davenport had my back when he didn’t have a clue who I was or the hell I got myself into. We met by chance when Maggie started dating his roommate Brayden.
Since the night when I learned a hard lesson that love is pain, a lot of things have changed for us both.
Ryder opened his own garage, and Brayden works for him. They mainly focus on custom Hot Rods, but will work on the occasional maintenance job.
Maggie and I graduated college. It was a big decision whether to stay in Charlotte or head back to the coast. In the end, she’s in love with Brayden, so we stayed here.
The Lawsons and the Hellions MC still check in on us and visit regularly, but we have started our event planning business and are doing well. Part of me wonders if we should have returned to the coast to give Roundman and the Hellions a chance to help us.
My dad was an original in the club, but without my parents, it just doesn’t feel right to engulf myself in that lifestyle. I want to make my own path and see what I can do without them … and without my parents. It has been a slow process to get back on my feet without them.
Ryder walks to the counter, not noticing me, so I use the moment to take in the sight that is uniquely him. He’s in black boots; slightly loose, light denim jeans; and a snug, black T-shirt that not only hints that the man is clearly full of toned, tight muscles, but also sporting some serious ink.
Lost on my own Ryder cloud nine, I totally miss my very best friend joining me.
“Hey, girlie,” Maggie says as she sits and begins to sip the caramel latte I have waiting for her, snapping me back to the start of my Monday morning.
Margaret Rose Lawson, my very best friend since freshman year of high school, my sorority sister in college, my business partner and, until recently when she moved in with her boyfriend, my roommate.
Maggie is the girlie one of our duo, the confident one, the outspoken one. She has beautiful, just below the shoulder, jet black hair; dark brown eyes; a golden tan; and a body that is every man’s fantasy. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but Maggie has a heart of gold and is the most loyal person I know. She is everything I wish I could find in myself again.
Our typical Monday morning routine begins with lattes, followed by a trip to our favorite spa before lunch for a mani-pedi. This has been our every Monday treat since college graduation. We are simply two girls from a tiny coastal North Carolina town who are loving our independence and city life.
Maggie and I own the most popular promotions and event’s company in the Charlotte area. She uses her marketing degree to promote and plan events, and I used my business degree and inheritance to start the company and make sure we keep our books straight. It didn’t take long before the business was holding its own financially and no longer surviving off my inheritance. We don’t consider it work since we get paid to party and promote some great events.
We both have benefited from our talents. Our job doesn’t force us to work the typical nine-to-five weekday hours like most, so we choose to start our week with some pampering and girl time.
Here we are now, discussing our Saturday nightclub event review from the bar Whiskey Alibi, when Ryder strides over to our table.
As he stands next to us, I can’t help inhaling the scent of Perry Ellis Black mixed with Ryder, creating heaven in my nose. Oh, dear Ryder, if only you knew what you do to me …
“Hey, D, how’s it going?” he asks me before turning to Maggie. “Hey, Maggie. Is Brayden on his way to work?”
And with those few words, I lose all ability to think, much less speak.
I quickly drop my head and drink my latte while Maggie talks to Ryder.
God, his voice. It’s smooth as silk. Ryder has always carried himself confidently. Since starting over after Michael, he has always checked in on me. If Brayden and Maggie are out of town, he stops by.
There isn’t a single doubt in my mind, if I need help or anything at all, Ryder will be there for me. I don’t know how to explain the connection I feel with him, but it’s unlike anything I have ever felt before. Given my mistakes in the past, I struggle to trust myself with anyone.
Day by day, I’m getting stronger. I took to heart what Ryder said to me about starting over. It’s taken time, but I finally see a future, a happy one, for myself.
“Brayden was heading in right behind me,” Maggie explains with a smile.
One day, I want a love like hers. One where, the moment I think of my partner, I automatically smile.
I feel Ryder’s eyes burning into me, and when I look up, sure enough, he is staring right at me. Our eyes meet, and I feel like I can’t blink. The way he watches me isn’t like he’s the hunter and I’m the prey. No, there is a passion inside his eyes that draws me in. The emotions between us are unspoken, but they run deep. Like a kaleidoscope of colors, we share our own mixture of feelings and experiences together.
He suddenly shakes his head to break the trance between us and says to Maggie, “I’m heading in now, myself. Slow go this morning. Catch ya later at the shop.” He turns to walk away, then looks over his shoulder at me. “You should stop by sometime, D. Don’t be such a stranger.”
Before I can do anything more than give a slight nod in agreement, he walks out. It’s something he says to me on a regular basis. Brayden, too. They always tell me to come around. They want to include me because Maggie and I are so close. It means a lot. I just have to get myself to that place where I can casually hang out. I gave Michael too much trust and getting back to “normal” is taking me some time.
Just like now, another opportunity wasted. I didn’t even manage to stutter a “hello” or “sure.” I have to get my shit together and quick.
This is ridiculous. Ryder is a good guy and incredibly handsome. Still, nothing should keep me sitting here like a mute when he’s around. It’s the way he looks at me, with hunger, desire, and compassion. I can’t help wanting to be devoured by him. Yet, I don’t trust myself and my decisions. Therefore, I clam up and say nothing.
Maggie just gives a quick giggle and gets right back to our business conversation, never missing a beat.
After a morning of pampering, I head to the gym for my favorite kickboxing class. I’m just finishing up when my phone rings. Looking at the screen, I see it’s my bestie.
“I know you don’t miss me already, so … what’s up?”
Maggie laughs. “I always miss you, babe, but can you please save me from a day at the oil and tire smelling garage by picking me up?”
I can’t help laughing at my very girlie friend. “Sure thing. But I’m at the gym and need to shower quickly first.”
With thanks, she tells me Brayden wants to work on her car this afternoon while it’s slow. We then hang up, and I go take my shower, wondering why she needs a ride when Brayden has a car. Not to mention, he works for Ryder; he could change her oil anytime. Oh well, she will be waiting outside. It’s not like I will have to go in and see Ryder. God, he gets me all twisted up.
I pull up in my newest car, a canary yellow Ford Mustang Cobra with black racing stripes and black rims. It’s the flashiest car I have had in quite a few years. Growing up with my dad, a master mechanic, I have always had a love and passion for a fast ride. As I have been rebuilding my life, I couldn’t resist having this car. She called out to me from the lot.
There was a time when I wanted to blend in, be lost in the crowd to everyone, including myself. The complete opposite of this car. I was skittish, always waiting for him to show up somewhere.
Slowly, in the last three years, after him, I have begun to put the pieces back together. I’m not nearly as carefree as I once was, but I’m breaking free of the ties of my past with each and every passing day.
I park my car, only to have to catch my breath.
It’s not Maggie out front, but Ryder, who is talking on his phone. Soon, he will notice me, especially in this car, which means there’s no hiding today. I will have to get out.
No turning back now. He’s staring right at me. It’s time to face him.
I shut the door then look up and watch as he hangs up the phone. Great, we have already established I’m not good at small talk when it comes to him, though there should be a casual flow between us, seeing that our best friends have been dating for what feels like forever. However, whenever Ryder comes around, I can’t form a complete thought, too consumed in my Ryder haze.
Dammit.
I muster a tiny bit of control and courage. “Hi, Ryder,” I say, releasing the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. My inner diva is high-fiving me for the mere fact I spoke to him.
He smiles, and in his oh-so-sexy, deep voice, responds, “Dina, looking amazing, as always.”
I keep walking, entering the shop as he holds the front door open for me, managing not to stutter when I say, “Thanks. I’m here to pick up Maggie.”
He runs his fingers through his short, spiky dark hair. “Ah, today is turning out to be a really good day. I’ve seen your beautiful face twice, and now you’re saving me from listening to her complain about the lack of organization in my office.” I laugh, which prompts him to say, “Oh, that smile could stop a man’s heart.”
With my five-foot-four, hourglass frame, my golden-brown hair with blonde highlights, hazel eyes, and a slight tan that pales in comparison to Ryder, there is no way to hide my blush from his six-foot-two frame. I know I’m ten shades of red as I think to myself, No wonder he has so many women dropping their panties for him, which reminds me that this is just how Ryder operates.
Over the years, Maggie has told me about Ryder’s revolving door of women. He’s young, attractive, and hard-working, so I can’t imagine he would have any issues dating.
Before I can respond, Maggie approaches us with Brayden, and Ryder turns to walk away, saying, “Seriously, don’t be a stranger, D.”
Every time he says it, I want to find reasons to hang around, but I never do.
Maggie grabs my hand and guides me out of the garage and back to my car without a chance to think of a reply.
She gets in the passenger seat with a serious face and asks, “Okay, Dina, I’ve spent way too many years watching you lose all composure around Ryder. When are you going to do something about it?”
My short reply is simple. “I’m not.”
Then begins the lecture from hell, the one I have been avoiding for years.
“You know, D, the breakup with Michael was almost three years ago. Stop letting him control you. Get him and all that negative shit out of your head. He took enough away from you in the time you were together. You’re strong, you’re absolutely gorgeous; it’s time to get out there. Don’t let him continue to break you anymore.”
She starts to cry as she looks me in the eye and continues, “Seeing you with not one ounce of self-worth or confidence is harder for me than wiping the blood off your face, or taking you to the emergency room when that bastard broke your arm, or helping you find makeup to hide all the bruises. Take the inner strength to fight your way out of the dark place he left you in. Find a way to take a chance and be happy.” She sighs, fighting her emotions, and I have to close my eyes to keep my own at bay.
“Ryder is a great guy. He has straightened up and turned in his player card. I don’t want to watch life pass by my closest friend, and neither would your parents. If they were alive, you and I both know you never would have dated Michael.”
I start my car and pull away from the garage, saying nothing, only letting the tears freely fall. What can I say? She’s right. But bringing up my parents is too much.
When we arrive at Maggie and Brayden’s house, she leaves, telling me, “I love you like the sister I never had. I want to see you find your other half who makes you whole, like I have with B. It’s time to face the demons in your head that were left by that asshole. It’s time to fill the loss of your family. I’m always here for you. Anytime, day or night.”
All I can do is nod and sob as she walks away and into her house.
***
Ryder
Brayden and I have been working way too late and living off caffeine more than we should. Making the pit stop for coffee this morning, I ran into Serena working behind the counter. She was pushing her breasts out at me every chance she could as she made our drinks, which is an annoying reminder of how things used to be.
There was a time when I would have told her to take a break and meet me in the bathroom, all because I knew I could start my day with a bang.
Yeah, a quick bang in a public restroom with the barista at the coffee shop. It’s easy for me like that. A smile, a wink, and an invitation are all I need to have their panties on the floor and their thigh in my hand as my dick pounds furiously into any of the willing women.
None of that is enough anymore, not since meeting Dina. Meaningless sex is just that—meaningless. The satisfaction and fulfillment are long gone.
With Dina, there is so much more hidden in the depths of her hazel eyes. There is something absolutely sexy about a woman who doesn’t realize she’s gorgeous. There is strength inside Dina that has kept her going through all the bad that life seems to deal her. She’s a woman who has been through so much, yet she doesn’t get angry or out of control. No, she simply takes the cards life deals her and keeps moving forward.
In the last few years, I have been there as she finished school, moved on, and rebuilt. She is everything my mother wasn’t. Dina has this strength, drive, and passion that I’m not sure she even sees in herself.
Maggie tells me she used to be vibrant and outgoing. I don’t know if it’s just me or if she’s still dealing with her past issues, but she can’t seem to speak whenever I’m around. The fear and insecurity still show in her eyes, her features, and the way she carries herself.
I have waited for her to get herself in a better place, not wanting to come in and be a rebound, or mess some shit up and make things harder for her. Maggie shared some stories about Michael coming between her and Dina. I knew she needed time to herself. Michael gave her a head trip that no woman should have to go through.
Part of me wonders if it’s me. Do I intimidate her? Am I not her type?
I know I don’t match up to the pretty, golf playing boys. Maybe she doesn’t like the tattoos. I have seen her car collection, though, and her dad was a mechanic, so I know my job isn’t an issue. Then, when I met Maggie’s family on a visit, her dad, a biker, said Dina’s dad was, too, so I don’t think my ink or lifestyle is an issue for her. Then again, maybe it’s her way to rebel against what she grew up in.
Even though we have seen each other in passing, we have this strange connection. I don’t know Dina well enough, though, not as much as I would like to. Still, she intrigues me. I see her beauty, intelligence, and strength, and I want to know more. Trust. There is this piece of me, deep inside, that craves her trust.
Looking out the lobby door to my garage, I shake off the swirling thoughts as I watch her climb into her car and pull away. Maybe I scare her. Fear is not something I want to draw out of Dina, but given her history—our history—maybe that’s the problem. She knows I beat Michael to a bloody pulp and threatened him if he ever dared come near her again. Do I stir up too much of those memories in her?
My agitation grows as I think of her ex. Things with Dina won’t be easy. Anything worth having is worth the effort and work to make it mine. That’s what my life and my business has taught me.
I don’t know why Dina rattles me so much, but I don’t intend to let her insecurities, or my own, keep us from seeing what we can be together when the time is right.
Very soon, I’m making my play.
I want a chance. One single chance to show her how good things could be.
Get ready, Dina Fowler, I’m about to show you how a real man treats a woman.