Chapter Fifteen
Ryder
I sit up in bed and for the first time in my life I feel lonely. Waking up without Madison in my arms has me feeling empty inside. I had to come home last night to do laundry, check the mail, pay some bills. You know, all the boring shit no one wants to do, but has to. I miss the way the smell of her floral shampoo permeates my nose before I open my eyes. The way her long, blond curls fan across my skin when she lays her head on my bare chest and the way her sweet peach scented skin tastes on my tongue. I’ve slept at her house every day this past week. I told Madison that it was easier to spend the night at her house since I had to watch the boys and it would be a pain to go back and forth since I live clear across town. For some reason she’d bought the whole cock-and-bull story I dished out. Truth is, I could have drove back and forth. It really wouldn’t have been that big of a deal. It was just an excuse I used so I could be closer to her. We had discussed me staying in the guest room and even fixed the bed up with fresh linens, but I never did sleep one night in there. We either wound up in her bed or fell asleep on the couch from pure exhaustion.
The only good thing about being alone last night was all the quiet time I had to think. Aiden had caught me off guard yesterday when he asked if I was his dad. It got me to thinking that maybe my relationship with Madison was progressing faster than it should be. But then again I’ve never been one to follow the rules; and who said there had to be rules to follow in a situation like this. Why can’t we just jump in head first, take a leap of faith, and go after what we want? I want Aiden and Caleb in my life. I want Madison in my life. There’s not a minute that goes by that I don’t think about them.
Madison is different than every other woman I’ve been with. She’s the first person I’ve given a second thought to and the first woman I’ve ever considered spending the rest of my life with. I knew from day one that a drastic change in my life was in store. One look in her eyes told me that. She fills a place in my heart no one else has come close to touching. When we’re not together it physically hurts me. It really makes me appreciate the time we spend together. I never thought I could be this happy. She makes my heart soar to places I never knew existed. She makes me think of all the things I’ve been missing out of in life. Screwing around with women who mean nothing to me seems so juvenile to me now. It’s time to start growing up.
Madison was right when she said I was scared to go after what I wanted. I quit culinary school because it got too hard when being a chef and restaurant owner has always been my dream. Instead, I chose to cop out and took a job as a delivery man because it was the easier route. Well, I don’t intend to take the easier route with Madison. I plan to forge ahead and run full force into what could be the best relationship I’ve ever been in, the only relationship I’ve ever been in.
I should do something special for Madison. She doesn’t think I can be serious, well, all that is about to change. The main reason for me cracking jokes all the time is to keep her in a positive mood. Her bright smile lights me up and I want to see it as often as possible. She’s had enough heartache in her life, some laughter will do her good. Tonight, I want everything to be about her. I don’t want her to worry about the kids at all today. Although I know she will, I’ll do my best to make sure her pretty little head stays occupied.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and grab my phone from the nightstand and dial my partner in crime for some help. No, not Quito. Quito is the last person I’d be calling right now. He thinks I’m just going through a phase and I don’t blame him for thinking that because I have never given him any reason to take me seriously. But I have never been more serious than I am now.
The phone rings on the other line a few times until Tyler picks up; his sleepy tone barely audible. “Ryder?”
It dawns on me that it’s Saturday and I just woke him up at seven o’clock in the morning, on his day off. I’m so used to getting up for work, I have no off switch on the weekend like other people do. I start the conversation off with an apology. He deserves that much. “Shit Tyler, I’m sorry. I didn’t notice the time man.”
He yawns into the phone, but is still his playful self when he speaks. “You’re so lucky you’re gorgeous, otherwise I’d be hella pissed. What can I do for you?”
“Do you have any plans for today?”
“Why? Are you taking me on a date?”
I chuckle. “Maybe another time. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”
He yawns again. “Shoot.”
“Do you think you can keep Madison and the boys busy today and away from the house for a few hours this afternoon and maybe keep the boys for the night.”
“And what do I get in return?”
“My never-ending love and devotion?”
“Sigh. You sure do know how to charm the pants off a man Storm.”
I chuckle. “We’ll have to save that for another day too.” I say jokingly.
He laughs. “Don’t tease me.”
“Thanks Tyler.”
“No problem. Let me call Madison now so she doesn’t decide to do something with the boys.”
I’m sitting in my car with the engine off and no heat to keep me warm. It’s a quiet neighborhood and having the car running will only draw attention to myself. I’m on the corner of Madison’s block waiting for them to leave. I feel like a fucking stalker, but this is necessary for what I have planned tonight. Tyler sent me a text earlier saying they’d be going soon and would leave the door unlocked for me.
Now that I’ve waited over twenty minutes in the freezing cold and my fingers are completely numb because I forgot my gloves at home, I finally see Aiden run to Tyler’s car. Madison exits the house looking every bit of beautiful that she is with her long hair blowing in the blistery wind. Tyler follows behind them, holding Caleb in one arm as he types on his phone. Not two seconds later I get a text message.
Tyler: We’re leaving now.
Me: I know. I can see you.
Tyler: Stalking me now? (winky smiley face)
Me: Definitely.
The last couple of hours that Madison’s been gone I’ve spent cooking and setting up the surprise I will reveal to her later. Tyler’s been texting me throughout the day to give me updates on what they’re doing, and he’ll be dropping Madison off in an hour. When I read his last text, my palms become sweaty and my heart rate speeds up knowing I’ll get to see her soon. It doesn’t matter that we’ve spent almost every waking moment together for the past week or that we’ve already had sex. When it comes to her, the nervous excitement that builds in my stomach never ceases. Tonight, I want everything to be as perfect as it can be. I want Madison to remember this day for a long time. I want to start making memories with her. Ones filled with fun and laughter.
I take a quick peek out the patio door to check the weather and to my dismay, it’s snowing. It must have started a while ago while I was busy cooking. I now feel like crap because I have Tyler driving around in this mess with Madison and the boys. Guilt creeps into my chest at the thought of them getting into an accident. Shit, I should have checked the weather this morning.
I pull my cell out of my pocket, pacing the floor as I wait for Tyler to answer. After a few rings it goes to voicemail. I hang up and dial a second time. This time it goes straight to voicemail. I leave a panicked message for Tyler to call me back before I call Madison.
She answers and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Oh thank God.”
“Ryder?”
“Yeah, are you guys okay?”
“Uh, yes. You sound panicked. Are you okay?”
I clear my throat, making sure the contents of the lunch I had earlier is now safely back in my stomach. Note to self, go rinse with mouthwash after this call. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Is Tyler there with you?”
“Yeah.”
“Can I talk to him for a sec please?”
“Okaaay.”
A slight shuffling sound echoes in the phone and Tyler answers. “Hello?”
“Did you not hear your phone ringing?”
“Hold on a minute.”
I hear Tyler ask Madison a question, but I can’t hear exactly what he says. “Tyler!”
He comes back on the line speaking in a hushed tone. “Dude, why are you calling me? You’re going to blow your own cover.”
“It’s snowing outside.”
“Well, thanks for the update Mr. Meteorologist, I can see that.”
“You guys should come home before it gets too bad to drive.”
“Relax. We’re in the mall. It was just a light storm blowing in. It’s already starting to slow down. How long have lived here? Don’t you drive for a living? You should know this weather by now.”
“I was…” I inhale a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I was just worried about Madison and the boys.”
“Only Madison and the boys? And here I thought you were in love with me. I guess I can be replaced that quick, huh?”
I laugh. What else could I do? Tyler’s unpredictable statements definitely make for an interesting conversation no matter what the situation is. The anxious knot in my gut is starting to loosen and I realize I may have ruined everything I worked so hard on today. “Where’s Madison? Is she there?”
“No you moron. I sent her to get me coffee. A coffee I didn’t want and now have to drink because you had to call instead of waiting a few minutes for me to text you.”
“All right. I’ll let you go.”
“Well thank you.”
Forty minutes later I stare out the window in the foyer, looking for any sign of Tyler’s car driving down the street. I glance at my phone to check the time, then back out the window. I repeat this process several times until I see the faint glare of a pair of headlights slowly coming toward the house.
As the car nears, I shut the lights off and quickly light the candles I have strategically placed around the house. When I open the front door, Madison is getting out of a cab carrying several packages. I walk over to the car to help her, startling her in the process because her back is still turned to me.
“Fuck, Ryder.” She pays the cab driver and slams the door. “What are you doing here?”
Her tone is gruff and I hope it’s only due to me scaring her and not that she doesn’t want to see me because then my whole night just went to shit. “Well, it’s good to see you too.”
She presses a kiss to my lips. “I’m sorry. You scared me.” She smiles. “It is good to see you though.”
I take the bags from her hands and follow her inside. She takes off her coat, hanging it neatly on the rack by the door as I set the bags down on the floor. She starts to walk away from me, but I grab her wrist and pull her into me for a deep kiss. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to change because my socks are drenched. The boys decided to play in the snow in front of the mall and I had these on.” She points to the soaked sneakers on her feet.
“You can change in a second, right now I want to discuss how sexy you sound when you say the word fuck. Say it again.”
She nips the tender spot beneath my ear and whispers. “Fuck.”
My cock instantly stands at attention hearing a dirty word come from such a pretty mouth. “Damn Peaches. Why don’t you say that more often?”
She pulls away from me, taking a few steps back. “Because I have two little kids walking around the house. I can’t say fuck whenever I want to. But believe me, I want to say it all the time.”
I step back and close the front door. “Well, the boys aren’t here now. Why don’t you get it out of your system while they’re out of earshot.”
“Hmm. I should, shouldn’t I.”
“I think it will do you a world of good.”
“Fuck. Oh, you’re right that does feel good. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuuuck...” Her voice trails off when she finally turns around and notices the flickering lights of the candles dancing on the walls. “Ryder, did you do all this?”
I stand behind her, placing my hands on her shoulders and whisper into her golden locks. “I did.”
“Fuck.”
I laugh. “Now you’re getting carried away.”
“One fuck too many huh?”
“You can never have too many fucks.”
She bursts out laughing. “True.” When she quiets down her voice is soft and sweet. “Ryder, why did you do this?”
“Why ask why? Am I not allowed to do something nice for my girlfriend?”
She turns around, her voice hoarse as she tries to find the words she wants to say. “I’m your girlfriend?”
I chuckle at her surprised expression. “Yeah Madison. What the hell do you think we’re doing here?”
“I don’t know. I thought…”
I place my hand over her mouth. “Please don’t think anymore. Go get changed and we’ll talk when you get back.”
******
Madison
I peel the cold, wet clothes off my body and stand in the closet doorway looking for something nice to wear. Okay, so I’m only in my house, but Ryder went out of his way to make this night special, the least I can do is look nice for him. I scan the rack and all I see are my work outfits freshly dry cleaned and neatly lined up side by side. I can’t wear any of these. All Ryder ever sees me in are what I wear to work or oversized pajama pants and t-shirts. No, none of this will do at all. I’m about to break down and give up until I see the light blue dress I bought three years ago that I’ve never worn. I had purchased it for a black-tie party Mitch’s company was having, but one look at the dress and he forbid me to wear it. He said it was way too flashy and looked more like lingerie than a dress. He also said I would look foolish wearing it and made me feel bad enough that I decided to put on a plain, ordinary black dress instead.
Granted, the glittery blue dress wasn’t something I’d normally wear, but I’d felt sexy when I tried it on in the store. It wasn’t every day I got to go out, especially after having Aiden. Why not live a little right? Wrong. Every decision I made was wrong according to Mitch. Well, Mitch is no longer here to tell me what to do, what to say, or what to wear.
I yank the dress off the rack and unzip the clear protective garment bag. I take it out and smooth the soft fabric of the dress, then hang it on the back of the door. I take a quick shower because I’ve become an expert at speed bathing having two kids, only I don’t wash my hair. I washed it this morning, so I don’t need to do it again. Besides if I washed it now it would take twelve years to dry since it’s so thick and sitting at the dinner table with wet, drippy hair, ruining my brand-new dress is not my idea of a good time.
I pull the dress over my head and smooth it down my body. Looking in the full-length mirror, I turn side to side and see that it fits more snuggly than when I first bought. I contemplate changing until I remember Ryder’s words the first night we slept together. He said I should embrace my curves because they’re the result of having the most beautiful kids in the world. Until I heard those words from him I never thought of it that way. Mitch never made me feel sexy; especially after I had the boys. Add in all the countless affairs and my opinion of myself was very low. Although my confidence level has risen since I met Ryder, the old me always seems to find her way to the surface, and now I’m second guessing myself.
I turn away from the mirror before I have the urge to change and twist my hair into a messy bun on top of my head, leaving a few curly tendrils to frame my face. I opt not to wear shoes but to quickly paint my toenails a pale blue to match my dress. Inhaling a deep breath, I walk down the hall and into the kitchen where Ryder is sitting at the table. His back is facing me as he looks out the window, watching the light snowfall.
The house is dark, except for the various candles placed around the room. There are flowers in the center of the table and the fancy ceramic dishes I never use are set. I don’t think I’ve used the plates once since I received the gift as a birthday present from my boss Mr. Clark six years ago. With a small child running around the house, it wasn’t convenient to eat with such fancy dinnerware. It was either paper or plastic dishes that were easy for me to clean up. Much easier than worrying about the baby hurting himself with broken pieces on the floor.
I stand there smiling at Ryder. The moonlight gently touching his scruff covered jawline is nothing other than breathtaking. My heart races and the familiar scent of his spicy cologne has my mouth watering for a taste of his smooth tatted skin. I clear my throat, letting him know I’m in the room. He snaps his head in my direction, his steely gray eyes gleaming in the candlelight like a thunderstorm ready to wreak havoc. His gaze is warm, his smile smoldering as he stands, sauntering over to me.
He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips for a sweet kiss, then looks down at himself. “I suddenly feel way under dressed for dinner.”
“Please.” I huff. “You could wear nothing at all and you’d still be the sexiest man alive.” I quickly curse myself. Shit. That did not come out the way I had intended at all.
He flashes me a coy grin. “That can definitely be arranged.”
My face begins to flush at the thought of him sitting at the table completely naked throughout dinner. I can feel my nipples come to stiff peaks under the silky fabric of my dress and I fold my arms over my chest, hiding them from Ryder’s view. “That’s not what I meant to say.”
“No, but maybe that’s what you really thought. Are you sure you don’t want me to strip down?” He reaches for my arms, lowering them to my sides and circles my nipple with the tip of his finger. “Maybe we both should get naked and forget about dinner altogether.”
I playfully smack his hand away. “Ryder!” He laughs and the lighthearted sound sends a thousand tingles skating over my chilled skin.
“I was only making a suggestion. I think we’d have a lot more fun my way.”
“And we wouldn’t eat a thing.”
He waggles his brow, displaying the most mischievous grin I’ve ever seen. “Oh, I’d definitely be eating something.”
“I’m going to kick you out if you keep it up.”
Closing the distance between us, he takes my face in calloused hands and whispers into my parted lips. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
“I have tried you and you are irresistibly delicious.”
I laugh and hit him in the chest. “Don’t you ever stop?”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No, but I’m hungry.”
He lifts my hand to his mouth, rubbing his lips over my knuckles. “Then I should feed you. But first…” Stretching out his hand, he reaches for the small clip holding my hair in place and releases the long tendrils. My hair falls to my back and he separates the strands, fanning them over my shoulders. “There. Much better. You look gorgeous Peaches.”
His raspy tone makes me shiver excitedly; sex appeal oozing from every pore of his body. Heat floods my cheeks. “So do you.”
He clears his throat. “Well, we should eat before dinner is ruined.”
Guiding me over to the table, he pulls the chair out for me to sit and slides it under me. I thank him as I set a linen napkin over my lap. Where did he even get these? I don’t recall having any in the house. It seems he thought of everything to make this night special and a smile tugs at the corner of my lips. No one has ever gone to such lengths to do anything remotely as wonderful as this for me. Ryder is definitely making up for all the years I felt neglected as a wife and all the attention I wish was showered upon me. “Ryder, this is beautiful. What’s the occasion?”
He pops the cork of a fancy looking bottle, but at a second glance I see that it’s nothing more than sparkling cider. He pours some in the crystal flute in front of me. “No occasion. I just thought you could use a night to relax. Maybe spend some time alone together.”
“This is really nice and whatever you have in the oven smells heavenly. What are we eating?”
“Rosemary chicken, candied yams, brussels sprouts, and for dessert…”
“Hold it. Stop right there.”
He gives me a quizzical look. “What?”
“I really do appreciate everything you did, and you know I love your cooking, but who in their right mind eats brussel sprouts?”
“They’re pronounced brussels sprouts, with an s, and I promise you’ll like them.”
“I don’t care how they’re pronounced. They’re still dee-sgusting.”
He laughs. “Just try them. You don’t have to eat them if you don’t like them. I found a great recipe, and take it from a man who hated brussels sprouts as a kid, they’re pretty damn delicious.”
I furrow my brow. “Hmm. There’s only one way I would enjoy them.”
“How’s that?”
“In the trash.”
The loud boom of his laughter fills the quiet room. “You’re too much.”
I smile. “But for you, I’m willing to risk life and limb to try them since you went to so much trouble.”
“Well thank you.”
I’ve eaten all the chicken off my plate along with the yams and drank several glasses of cider. Now, I’m staring down at the last remaining item of food on my plate; the brussels sprouts, with an s, that I’m supposed to love. My stomach churns and bubbles looking down at these little green balls of vegetables absolutely no one likes to eat. My mother forced me to eat them. I used to hide them in my napkin until my mother found out I was doing that. Then I found another way to get rid of them. For a while I thought I was so smart to feed them to the dog under the table, only I was caught because the family dog never ate them either. He just took them out of my hand and placed them underneath my chair. Even he hated them. I can’t blame him though; my mother was a terrible cook. Which is why I’m not a great cook myself. I only know enough to get by and make sure my kids are fed and healthy. My food is good, but it doesn’t come close to Ryder’s expertise in the kitchen. His skills surprise me every day and I think he’d make a fantastic chef.
“Well, are you going to try them or not?”
Ryder’s voice startles me. “I’m working up the courage.”
Stabbing one with his fork, he holds it to my lips. “Would it help if I fed it to you.”
“I don’t know.”
“Open.”
I turn my cheek to him. “I really don’t want to Ryder.”
“You’re being a baby Madison. Just put it in your mouth.”
“No. I don’t want…”
With lightning fast reflexes, he pinches my nose, causing me to involuntarily open my mouth. He then shoves the brussels sprout in my mouth and lets go of my nose. Placing his finger under my chin, he forces my teeth together to close around the vile vegetable.
“Now chew.”
I roll it around my mouth and the flavor is not what I was expecting at all. I smash it between my teeth and a burst of savory goodness spreads over my tongue. A few more chews and I swallow, picking up another piece with my own fork. “Ryder this is so good. What’s in it?”
He folds his arms over his chest. “Oh now you want to know my secret?”
“C’mon, tell me.”
“The secret is to roast them with apples and bacon. That way you get both the sweet and salty flavor. What did you think, I was going to give you some boiled, unseasoned, boring brussels sprouts like our mothers used to make?”
I laugh. “Your mom used to make them like that too?”
“The smell was awful.”
“Agreed.”