Page 64 of Ryder’s Storm

Ryder stirred and felt Scarlet snuggling against him. They’d finally fallen asleep shortly after his parents had returned home. Vanessa had returned shortly after them, but he hadn’t heard Ethan coming home.

Making love to Scarlet half the night had been the most satisfying thing he’d ever done in his life. To know that his future mate enjoyed sex with him, and couldn’t get enough of it, was more than just thrilling. The way she’d tempted him to take her again and again, had nearly made him lose complete control. In the shower, his fangs had extended, and he’d been close to biting her, and drinking her blood. It had taken all his remaining willpower, not to give in to the urge.

But next time, he wouldn’t be able to hold back. It made one thing crystal clear: he had to confess to her that he was a vampire. Before they had sex again—which meant it had to happen within the next twenty-four hours, most likely much sooner. Because one thing he couldn’t allow to happen: him biting her without her permission. It would scare her off and destroy all the trust they’d started building between them.

Ryder pressed a kiss in Scarlet’s hair. “How did you sleep?”

She sighed, exhaling deeply. “Like a log. What time is it?”

Ryder glanced to the clock on the nightstand on his side of the bed. “Just after five in the afternoon. Sun’s still up.”

“Damn!” She sat up.

“Something wrong?”

“Yes and no. I really need to do some work on the notes my professor gave me the other day. He’s expecting an update.”

“No problem. I can occupy myself while you study.” It would help him keep his paws off Scarlet until he’d worked out an approach about how to tell her what he really was.

“But there’s a problem. My computer is still in my room at home.”

“That’s not a problem. You can use mine, and just download your work from the cloud.”

Scarlet frowned. “That’s very sweet of you, but my stuff isn’t in the cloud.”

“You don’t back up your computer?”

“I do, but I’m old-school. I back up on a physical drive.” She shrugged. “I don’t trust the cloud. With all the hacking, ransomware, and stuff, I’d rather have it where I can access it without having to go online.”

“Well, then let’s get your computer from home. I’ll drive us.”

Scarlet shook her head. “I don’t wanna go home.”

“You won’t be staying. We’ll just get your computer and a few clothes, and we’ll be outta there.”

“But what if Claudia is there?”

Ryder shrugged. “So?”

“I don’t want to face her right now. She’s probably annoyed that I told Dad what her nephew did.”

“Okay then.” He thought about it for a moment. “How about I go there on my own, get your computer and some clothes, and you’ll just wait here?” As long as his parents and Vanessa were home, Scarlet would be safe here.

“But what if she sees you? I mean you punched Derek.”

“I don’t care. He’s lucky he got away that easily. Besides, I can get in and out of your house without anybody noticing me. She won’t even know that I’m there. Okay?”

Scarlet put her arms around him and kissed him. “Thank you. You’re the best.”

He freed himself from her embrace and grinned. “You can thank me later.”

“How?”

“Oh, I leave that up to you.” He winked, and jumped out of bed. “When I’m back, we can have dinner if you want.”

“Do you mind if I cook something for us?”

“You don’t have to, but if you insist, just check the fridge and the pantry. There should be plenty of options. Just promise not to leave the house. If there’s any ingredient you can’t find, text me, and I’ll swing by the store before I come back.”