Chapter Thirteen
Madison
Watching Ryder play with Aiden and Caleb at the arcade this afternoon brought tears to my eyes several times today. The way he watches over them, making sure they’re having fun and are happy warms my heart in a way I could never explain in words. His free spirit and loving nature makes him the perfect role model for any little boy. Ryder may look hard and rough on the outside, but he’s the sweetest, kindest man I have ever known. Any woman would be lucky to have him, yet here he is, sitting next to me as we watch the boys play in the ball pit. I haven’t seen my kids this happy in a long time and my eyes begin to well up at the sight of them laughing. I blink back the tears when a gentle hand rests on my knee.
“You okay Peaches?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.” I swallow hard and clear my throat. “It’s nice to see the boys having fun for a change.” I turn my head to face him. “Thank you Ryder.”
“It’s my pleasure. They’re great kids. I love spending time with them.” He sweeps a few loose curls away from my face and slides his thumb over my cheekbone. “I love spending time with you.”
A familiar flush creeps up my chest to my cheeks. That unique feeling only he brings out in me. I place my hand over his. “I like spending time with you too.”
“Just like? You didn’t just like it last night when…”
I slam my hand over his mouth before anyone hears what he’s about to say. “Ryder!”
He moves my hand from his face. “That’s what you said.”
I cover his mouth again. “Stop!”
He laughs and pushes my hand away. “Now that you didn’t say.”
I stand. That’s it. I’m going to sit over there.”
“Okay okay wait.” He grabs my wrist, pulling me into his lap. “I’ll behave. I promise.”
I try to wriggle out of his grasp, but he holds me tighter. My heart nervously races when I feel his erection pressed up against my ass. “Ryder, that doesn’t feel like you’re behaving.”
Sweeping my hair off my shoulder, he leans into me, whispering softly in my ear. “I said I would behave. I have no control over what goes on down there. Especially when it concerns you. He seems to have a mind of his own around you.”
“Ryder, I…” I lift my head and notice that some of the other mothers and passersby have their eyes glued to us. “Ryder?”
“Yeah?”
“I think we have an audience.”
His eyes follow mine and he laughs, he laughs out loud, the sound echoing throughout the entire room. “They look sexually frustrated. Maybe we should give them a show.”
I elbow him in the chest and sit next to him on the bench. “Not in your life.” I playfully shove him. “You’re so bad. I’m beginning to have second thoughts about you taking care of the boys next week.”
“C’mon, I was just kidding.”
“No you weren’t.”
“Okay, so I wasn’t. Sue me.”
I nod toward the kids. “The boys are getting tired, we should go home soon.”
“You wanna pick something up for dinner on the way or do you want me to cook instead?”
“Ryder, you’re spoiling us.”
“You deserve to be spoiled.”
“You just may be the sweetest man I have ever known.”
“Shh, people will hear you.”
“Afraid of ruining your bad boy image?”
He stands, placing a tender kiss on my lips. “For you, no.”
After dinner Aiden asked if Ryder was able to stay and watch a movie before bed. How could I deny my son’s request? Truth is, a tiny part of me didn’t want Ryder to leave so soon either. Things are moving fast between us, but him being here feels so right. I never thought in a million years I could be happy again. Ryder changed that for me. Now, I don’t think I’ll ever let him go.
I wash the last dish in the sink, dry it, and place it in the cabinet. It’s been quiet for the last fifteen minutes with only the movie playing in the other room. I haven’t heard a word out of the boys or Ryder since they put it on. I quietly pad into the living room, only seeing the back of Ryder’s head leaning to the side. When I round the sofa my heart swells at the sight him snuggled up with my boys. Aiden is laying on a pillow in Ryder’s lap, while Caleb is settled on Ryder’s chest. The baby’s face is nuzzled in the curve of Ryder’s neck and Ryder has his head resting on Caleb’s. His arms are around both the boys, cuddling them close. I have never seen a more beautiful vision and my ovaries may have exploded watching Ryder sleep so comfortably with my sons. If I didn’t want to have any more children before, this sight sure has me changing my mind.
I grab my purse from the counter and take out my phone to snap a picture of them. I need to capture this moment as proof that there are good men in this world with big hearts who are willing to go out of their way to make others happy. Not all men are self-centered, uncaring bastards like my ex-husband.
Placing my phone on the coffee table, I take one last look at them and lift Caleb. Ryder’s arm hugs Caleb tighter and his eyes flutter open. I put my finger over my lips so he doesn’t wake the boys. “I have him. I’ll go put the baby to bed.” He relaxes his arm, allowing me to take Caleb and I have to suppress a giggle when I see Ryder’s shirt. “The baby’s left his calling card on you.”
Ryder wrenches his neck, pulling his shirt away from his skin to see the damage. “It’s a good thing tomorrow is laundry day.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“Do you want me to put Aiden to bed?”
“No, I’ll come back for him. You did enough today.”
Ryder closes his eyes again and when I come back to the living room he’s fallen asleep again. When I pick Aiden up, Ryder doesn’t wake, he doesn’t even move. After getting Aiden to bed, I put on a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt. On the way back to the living room I stop at the hallway closet, pulling a blanket and pillow off the shelf. Ryder is still in the same spot where I left him, his breathing now slower and more relaxed. I watch his chest rise and fall with every breath he takes and I’m mesmerized by how gorgeous this man is. His hair is sticking up in every angle, the scruff of his beard a little thicker than it was yesterday and I’m melting into a puddle where I stand.
I place the pillow on the couch and gently pull Ryder to lay on it. He turns on his side, grumbling something I don’t understand and falls into a deep sleep again. I untie his boots and place them by the side of the couch. I also unfasten his belt and pop the top button of his pants open, making him more comfortable. Covering him with the blanket, I debate whether I should slide in next to him or go to my room. It doesn’t take me long to come to the obvious decision. I’ll just set the alarm on my phone to go off an hour earlier before the boys usually wake up. Then I’ll have plenty of time to get rid of any evidence that Ryder spent the night.
I place my phone on the arm of the sofa above my head so it’s easily accessible in the morning and then slowly slide onto the couch next to Ryder. I fidget a little and he moves back giving me room, then does something that transports me right onto cloud nine; he wraps his arm around my waist and draws me closer to his warm body. Even in slumber, this man finds a way to steal my heart.