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“I’m not sure if a baked good will cover it,” Ryder said, giving her a sidelong glance. “You of all people should know what an hour of my time costs, oh great Contract Drafter.”
A soft blush crept up Nita’s cheeks as she playfully swatted his arm. “And I’m telling you right now, don’t underestimate the true value of a Millionaire Bar. The combination of chocolate, caramel, and shortbread are Captain Marvel levels of powerful.”
He laughed, but when his eyes locked with hers, his expression turned serious. Something almost physical passed between them. His presence beside her, emanating unwavering strength for her instead of at her, reassured her.
She took a deep breath to settle the weird energy flowing through her body.
“Even if I don’t need your services tonight, I’m glad you agreed to come with me,” Nita admitted, her voice shaky. But she felt she owed it to him to be honest. “I’m just... nervous about seeing Luke.”
His gaze softened, and his expression filled with understanding. “It makes perfect sense that you’re nervous about facing him alone. And I’m glad I can be here for you.”
A mixture of relief and vulnerability washed over her. A small part of her was ashamed that she still felt the need for a shield against Luke, but it took such immense strength to break away from his grip she sometimes felt like she didn’t have the emotional gas to face him. Diesel might have said he wasn’t at the last few practices, but she was certain he would have showed up tonight to gloat about kicking them out.
Ryder pulled the Millionaire Bar out of the bag and examined it. The thick chocolate top was half as thick as the dark caramel middle. The buttery shortbread crust was the guilty component that soaked into the bag.
“This actually looks fucking delicious,” he admitted, and fit half of it in his mouth in one bite.
She smiled at the ecstasy that spread over his face, nodding when he started groaning.
“I told you,” she said smugly.
His eyes drifted closed as he chewed slowly, swallowing the mouthful with another groan.
“Christ, you might have bought a lot more than just a bodyguard with that,” he said, his voice low and husky.
She laughed out loud, her nervousness at Luke mostly forgotten. It was easy to be swept away by Ryder’s combination of humor and toughness. The way he made her feel was unique, and she never let herself feel any way about men. She fucked them, she wrote about them in the Fuck Book, and she walked away. She had a feeling Ryder wouldn’t easily fall into that category.
“You should use your edging technique on the rest of that,” she advised. “You know. To draw out the satisfaction.”
He leveled a sarcastic look at her.
“Make fun of edging all you want. When I introduce you to it, I challenge you not to cry in amazement.”
“Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it,” she said, then she flinched when a truck pulled into the parking lot. All thought of sex with Ryder, prolonged or otherwise, fled as she tried to see the make of the truck.
A white Ford 250. Not Luke’s white Dodge.
“Diesel’s here, and I’m sure Casey is with her,” she told Ryder, reaching into the back seat for her skates and bag. “I’m way behind in her skating lessons.”
“If Diesel’s anything like her name, I like her already,” he said, carefully folding the last of his Millionaire Bar into the bag. He tucked it into his shirt pocket and got out of the car.
“She is,” she agreed, climbing out of the car.
He got his jacket out of the trunk and met her around the front of the car. He scanned the parking lot and took a position between her and Diesel, as if to protect her in case Luke might turn up.
The familiar knot of excitement twisted in her stomach as she tapped Ryder’s shoulder.
“Diesel would never give Luke a ride, if that’s what you’re thinking,” she commented, standing beside him and waving as Casey jumped down from the passenger seat.
“Let me do my job and I’ll let you do yours,” he said, but didn’t argue when she took a step in front of him. She paused and looked back at him.
“By the way, if a lot of women come up and punch me, that’s normal,” she murmured.
Ryder’s brow furrowed in concern, his gaze fixed on her face. “How hard will the punches be?”
“Not as hard as the body checks. It’s roller derby, remember?”
Ryder’s concern disappeared, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Right, I forgot.”
