Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Standing on the sidewalk, bleeding from my face in the middle of the night.
Fantastic.
“Are you upset with the way I handled that? You know me, I’m not one to jump into a physical fight, but he…” Ryder shrugged as his gaze settled on my bleeding lip. I’d have a whopper of a bruise on my cheek if the throb were any indication of what tomorrow morning would bring. “Everything’s different when it comes to you, Alex. The thought of someone hurting you makes me insane, even if it’s your brother. I’m not sure I could have reacted any differently.”
Yeah. I got it. I’d lose my mind if I witnessed someone punch Ryder. I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him close. “I’m not upset. I don’t like that you could have gotten hurt, but I’m not mad at you for protecting me.” Had Kenny harmed him in the scuffle, I might be singing a different tune. Actually, I’d probably be sitting in the back of a police car for homicide.
When he didn’t look convinced, I winked. “You’re hot when you’re in beast mode.”
That had him huffing a half chuckle, but then his gaze lifted to my left cheek, and he frowned. “I saw red the second his fist collided with your face. Does it hurt?” he asked as he stroked the gentlest finger along my sore skin.”
Despite the discomfort, I leaned into the touch. “I’m okay, but yes, it hurts like a sonofabitch right now. Can’t imagine how spectacular it’s going to look tomorrow.”
His frown only deepened, but he slung his arm across my shoulders and guided me toward the walkway. “Come on. Let’s go inside and get some ice on that handsome face of yours. Maybe a steak. Isn’t that a thing? Slapping a steak on a black eye?”
Finally, I was able to laugh. “Maybe in the movies, but there’s no way in hell I’d waste a good steak on my busted face.”
“Hmm, that’s a good point.”
Smiling despite the ache, we strolled toward the house with our arms around each other. The front door swung open, and Gladys came rushing out. “Alex, my goodness, are you okay? I saw the whole thing from the window.” She wrung her hands as she met us halfway between the road and the house with her floral housecoat flapping at her sides.
“I’m good, Gladys, promise. Might be a little uglier, but I’m good.”
“Nonsense,” she said, shaking her gray head. “You are too handsome for your own good. A bruise will only make you more rakish. If I were a few decades younger…”
My face heated. So much for my sweet, unassuming neighbor.
Ryder winked at her with a damn smirk. “You are right about that, Miss Gladys. He is one fine-looking man.”
He was dead. If he thought I’d tortured him earlier, he had no idea what was coming for him. “All right. That’s enough of that, you two. I’m going inside.”
“Gladys, may I escort you home?” Ryder held his arm out.
Shit. On a typical night, I’d have offered, but my head wasn’t screwed on straight after the altercation with Kenny. Thank God for my considerate boyfriend.
“Oh my, you are a gallant gentleman, aren’t you?” She patted Ryder’s arm. “But no, sweet boy, I’m just a few steps that way, and I can make that on my own. Been doing it for years. You take care of this man of yours.” She patted him again, then cut across the grass to her house while we lingered.
Once we were sure she’d made it safely inside, Ryder fell in step with me. “How come you never tell me I’m gallant?” he asked as we reached the open door.
I burst out laughing, only to wince when my face scrunched, which had Ryder scowling all over again. “Okay,” he said as we stepped into the living room to find my mom stretched out on the couch with worry contorting her face. “You sit while I grab some ice.” He nudged me toward the couch, where I squeezed in between my mom’s swollen feet and the armrest.
Ryder disappeared for a few seconds. I could hear the freezer door open and close, followed by the ice trays cracking. We weren’t blessed with a fancy refrigerator with an ice-maker. When he returned less than a minute later with a baggie with ice wrapped in a dish towel, he found me resting my eyes with my head tipped back on the couch. I’d yet to speak to my mom, who I’m sure worried, but speaking required energy I no longer had.
“Here, hold this on your face.” Ryder settled the cold bundle on my cheek with such a gentle touch that it didn’t even hurt.
My eyes fluttered open, and I found him standing over me with a concerned frown, so I grabbed his hand. “Thanks. I’m okay, I promise.”