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As they got to the curb, they discovered her limo had not arrived yet. Jaxson raised his hand, ready to flag a passing cab in the crawling traffic. Before a taxi could weave to the curb, a rumbling Harley Davidson motorcycle came barreling through the street, weaving between the gridlocked cars, limos, and SUVs. It was the only vehicle making any progress at all. As it neared the theater, the roar of the engine temporarily doused the chaos as everyone stopped to watch the lone rider drive the heavy bike up onto the sidewalk. The crazy driver barged through the throng, prepared to mow over anyone who got in his way until he ground to a fast halt directly in front of Khloe andJaxson.
Her heart almost stopped with fear. This was it. This had to be her stalker making his move–riding in to whisk her away on his two-wheeled, powerful chopper. She suspected if he got her on that bike, there would be no saving her as only another motorcycle could cut through the traffic on Hollywood Boulevard to pursuethem.
She held her breath, shrinking away from the motorcyclist to burrow into Jaxson's embrace as the driver stood, holding his ride upright between his leather-covered legs. Fight or flight instincts had Khloe wiggling in Jaxson's arms, willing him to move his feet in the opposite direction–away from the danger. But instead, he moved forward, almost as if he was ready to hand her over without a care. Regret mingled with her fear. Regret at trusting the wrongmen.
They were only a few feet away from the motorcycle when the cyclist removed his helmet. Time ceased, paralyzing her with shock. Khloe was figuratively knocked silly as the driver's identity becameclear.
"Hi,Princess."
It was Ryder. The man she'd dreamt of almost every night since they'd parted. The man who had mastered her–body andsoul.
The man who had left her, telling her they would never see each otheragain.
She was speechless, but Jaxson didn't suffer from the same affliction. "I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind, Helms, and had decided that taking care of Khloe wasn't yourjob."
"Fuck you, Davidson. It's no one else's job but mine." He turned his piercing blue eyes on her again, this time demanding, "Hop on,Princess."
She somehow found her voice. "Are younuts?"
A loud bang cut through the air. It was probably a car backfiring, but to an inexperienced ear, it could easily have been a gunshot. She frantically searched the crowd, relieved to see Trevor still on his feet, detaining several photographers. He glanced her way, worry on his brow, but too far away to be of any help toher.
Her heart had restarted and now banged hard in her chest, a combination of adrenaline and the appearance of Ryder Helms its fuel. When Trevor realized the motorcycle was next to her, he started pressing through the crowd, desperate to get to her. Another loud clap and sheflinched.
Jaxson set her feet on the ground, but thankfully kept his arm wrapped protectively around her. She realized too late he was moving them forward, closing the last few feet until she was only inches away fromRyder.
He was more handsome than she remembered, dripping dominance as he dared to look her up and down, examining her as if to evaluate her for injuries. She didn't like hisassessment.
"Jesus Christ, you're fucking starvingyourself."
His words woke her from her trance. "What's it toyou?"
His hands clamped onto her bare upper arms, yanking her so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. "I don't take kindly to anyone harming what's mine, and that includes self-harm."
"Yours?" she scoffed. "You're delusional. You left, making it abundantly clear you couldn't wait to slink away after you'd had your fun debasing a celebrity." She was practically shouting to be heard over themotor.
He flinched, but didn't apologize. "I came back as soon as I could. We don't have time for a chitchat. Let's get the hell out of here.Now."
He really was crazy. Even if she wanted to go with him... as if every fiber of her being wasn't already drawn to him like a powerful magnet... how was she supposed to ride on a motorcycle in her ten-thousand-dollar satin, beaded gown? Unaware she thought he was crazy, Ryder pulled a second helmet from the back of the bike, reaching out to jam it over her coifed hair that Randy had spent an hour on, effectively smashing it to herhead.
If she thought Jaxson would help her, she was wrong. On the contrary, he was helping Ryder fasten her helmet and then scooped her up to place her on the back of the bike, leaning down to bunch up her flowing skirts and lifting them to her waist, exposing her long, thin legs to the screaming crowd. He pressed the wad of fabric between their bodies, using his left hand to press her forward, closer to the man she'd never thought she'd seeagain.
Jaxson yelled against her ear to be heard, "It's getting out of control. I'll tell your bodyguard who you're with and let him know you're safe withHelms."
Their eyes met as she questioned him. "Am I?" She couldn't stop the words from spilling from her mouth. "Am I safe?" she pressed her friend, truly not knowing who to trustanymore.
Jaxson looked her in the eyes and answered with what she recognized as confidence. "I never would have told him where to find you if I didn't trust him. He has the right skills. He's the best man to protect you rightnow."
He didn't give her a chance to argue, lowering the smoky visor on her helmet before taking a step back towards the curb. Behind Jax she saw the flash of cameras taking her photo as fans pushed and shoved against the line of security, trying to get to her like a rabidmob.
She forced herself to look away from the chaos as it made her want to puke. Ryder had put his own helmet back on. Just before he put the motorcycle in motion again, he leaned back, shouting to her over the roar of the engine. "Hang on tight,Princess."
As the bike jutted forward, ready to weave through the cars moving at a snail's pace, she did as she was told, clutching at him to avoid falling off and finally hugging him so tight she heard himchuckle.
"I missed you too,baby"
Chapter 10
Ryder wasgrateful that it was impossible to have a conversation over the roar of the powerful motorcycle beneath them. He'd need every minute of their trip to get his head on straight. Driving up to find Khloe surrounded by the out-of-control crowd, cradled in Davidson's arms, had affected him in ways he was afraid to examine tooclosely.
