Fighting Dirty

  Cracking a smile, Ryder shot back, “You’re damaging my self-esteem. You know that, right?”

  “You are the most arrogant little snot I ever met, so I know that ain’t true.” Ringing the doorbell, Ven seemed surprised when Hickory answered.

  “Come on in. Sarah’s finishing up dinner.”

  Ryder inhaled, and suddenly he was starving. Stepping over the threshold, he murmured, “It smells delicious. Where should I put the cake?”

  Hickory couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “Follow me. We got a little surprise for you.”

  “The normal response to that statement among the brothers is I hope it’s a stripper, only I ain’t interested in stripers no more.”

  A soft, feminine voice said, “I’m glad to hear it. How about errant girlfriends? You got any interest in those?”

  Ryder almost dropped the cake as his eyes shot around the kitchen looking for her. He’d recognize the voice of his favorite nurse anywhere. The second he spotted her, someone jerked the cake out of his hands, and he was moving across the room.

  Tiffany looked even better than he remembered. She eagerly met him halfway. The next thing Ryder knew, they were in each other’s arms, and she was pulling him close and kissing him back.

  He didn’t know how long they were at it, but his father’s embarrassed voice interrupted their moment. “You’ll have to excuse my son, Sarah. His mother and I did our best, but none of the good manners seemed to stick.”

  Ryder pulled back slightly and rested his forehead against Tiffany’s. “Do you hear that? My old man thinks I have no manners. Whatcha think of that, baby girl?”

  Refusing to remove her arms from around his waist, she murmured, “I think when two people are broken in opposite ways, it makes them perfect for each other. Come, let me introduce you to my mother.” Turning, she grabbed his hand and pulled him forward.

  Looking up at the older woman for the first time, Ryder realized she was almost a slightly older copy of his old lady. Without thinking, he mumbled, “Wow, you two could be sisters.”

  Laughing, the older woman stepped forward. “You were right, dear. He’s a keeper.”

  Reaching out, Ryder gave her a gentle hug and a kiss on the top of the head. “It’s real nice to meet you, Mrs. Donovan. Thanks for inviting us to your nice home.”

  “It’s the least I could do since you’ve been taking such good care of my daughter.”

  “Well now, that was my pleasure, ma’am. Your daughter is a fine lady, and I’m honored that she chose to spend time with me.”

  “I understand that beef roast is one of your favorite dinners?” she asked him.

  He covered his growling stomach with a hand. “I’ll eat anything that doesn’t eat me first, but I’m real partial to a nice roast.”

  “Well, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried mine,” Sarah said confidently. “Have a seat in the dining room, and it’ll be ready in a bit.”

  Tiffany led him into the next room. Ryder grabbed a seat and pulled her into his lap. “I missed you, baby. Thanks for letting me back in.”

  “Sorry I panicked like I did,” she apologized, her expression tight. “It took me a few days to get my head straight about the club, whores, and my ex.”

  “We can talk about all that after we solve the Stuart problem. I hear you’ve been giving him a run for his money.”

  Her face lit up. “About that. Messing with that man is proving to be much easier than I thought.”

  “Did you really write him a gigantic note in purple crayon? My old man said he freaked the fuck out.”

  She grinned. “When we were in grade school, he used to trade all the crayons in his box for different shades of purple. He’s weird in a lot of ways. In the note, I reversed everything he ever demanded of me. I told him that he was to stop looking at me as his property, trying to find me when I leave town, calling me, e-mailing me, sending me gifts, and about a dozen other things. The purple crayon was a reminder of how the other kids used to tease him. I guess my little reminder must have hit the mark.”

  “Oh yeah, he took the stupid thing to the police, and they basically laughed in his face.”

  “Good, because when they find him trying to contact me, they’re gonna know the extremes I went to in order to get him to stop.”

  “That’s real smart, baby girl. What other stuff have you been doing to him?”

  “Anything I can think of,” she said with a lift of her chin. “Let’s see, I sent him a picture of a gingerbread boy with a message written on the back. He would have had to put it together to read about how I’m finished running from him.”

  “That was bold,” Ryder said approvingly.

  “I sent him an envelope of gingerbread men with all the heads cut off just for funsies,” she continued. “I sold his mail, steamed open all his letters, and wrote I’m not running across the front of all the pages. Then I glued them shut again and shoved them in his box.”

  “Shit, woman, you aren’t taking any prisoners.” Ryder had to admit, he was impressed.

  “I mailed a dog chain to his office with a picture of a man wearing it, too. Then I paid some neighborhood kid to drop cut-out pictures of birds all over his front porch, you know, to remind him about the dead birds his crazy security guy left on our porch. Then I picked up a bunch of stray cats and leashed them all the way down his front fence along with a poster proclaiming crazy cat lover willing to part with beloved pets.

  “I sat in a tree across the street eating an apple while about a hundred people beat his door down complaining that he had them in the cold and what a horrible person he was for tying up animals that way.”

  “Jesus, Tiffany.”

  “Don’t worry, baby,” she said, reaching out to cover his thigh with her warm, soft hand. “I called a no-kill shelter and had them all picked up. They’re safe and sound.”

  “I meant, you’re pushing the crazy fucker too far,” he reprimanded lightly.

  “Maybe the crazy fucker needs to be pushed.”

  Tiffany and Ryder swiveled their heads around at the same time to find her mother standing there with a pot roast.

  “I mean it,” Sarah said as she entered the room. “Sometimes fuckers need to be taught a lesson.”

  Tiffany pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “Well, Mom, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you drop an F-bomb. You say the word like it’s part of a foreign language or something.”

  She set a large platter on the table before speaking. “To be quite honest, I just felt like trying something new. Not sure how I feel about it, but the fact remains that Mr. Chamberlain does need to be taught a lesson. Tell him about the other day with the water guns, Tiff. That was really funny.”

  Ryder cursed under his breath. “When in the hell do you have time to sleep, princess?”

  Grinning, Tiffany scooted her chair closer. “I picked up a case of super soakers from the local warehouse club and handed them out to all the kids in the neighborhood. Don’t look at me like that,” she snapped. “They were a really good deal because it was the end of the season. Anyway, every year we have a block party for the kids. I sent Stuart a specially engraved invitation.”

  “Let me guess, when he showed up, they swarmed him,” Ryder deadpanned.

  Nodding, he could tell that she was trying not to smile. “He such a pompous jerk, I didn’t even have to encourage them much. Even the high school bullies got a piece of the action.”

  Ryder covered her hand with his. “I don’t even feel sorry that you’re turning the table on the stupid fucker.”

  “Me either.”

  Glancing up at Mrs. Donovan, Ryder realized she’d filled the table with food. His father and Hickory slid into empty seats after Hickory held out Sarah’s chair like the gentleman Ryder knew he wasn’t. Shooting the man a dirty look, Ryder decided they were going to go a round or two if he tried anything with Tiffany’s grieving mother.

  “Mister Hickory, would you carve the roast?” Sarah
requested sweetly.

  “I’d be happy to, ma’am.”

  Shoveling food into his mouth like a starving man, Ryder didn’t realize how hungry he actually was. He vaguely realized that Tiffany was slipping food onto his plate. Barely looking up, he mused out loud, “I’m worried the stupid fucker is going to pop. I don’t want you alone where he can get to you.”

  “Here, have another corn muffin.” Tiffany dropped one on his plate. “I’ve got three plans for how to handle him when the time comes.”

  Tossing her a lopsided smile, he stated sternly, “Stop trying to distract me with your mother’s fantastic home cooking. That ain’t a nice thing to do to a starving man.”

  She dazzled him with a million-megawatt smile. “You caught me out on that one. If it’s any consolation, you’re nowhere near as easy to get one over on as Stuart, babe.”

  “You know something, Tiff? I love that you’re coming into your own on this whole Stuart thing, but these kinds of situations never go down quite like we think they should when we’re face-to-face with someone. Especially not an unbalanced psychopath like your ex. I want you to stay in lockstep with me on this one. Understood?”

  She lifted her eyebrows but didn’t try to argue. Openly, anyway. “Yes, sir, I surely do. So, are you ready for that fantastic cake your father picked out for us?”

  “Sure thing, Tiff. As a matter of fact, I’ll help you fetch it from the kitchen.”

  Her mother sighed. “For crying out loud, Tiffany, just take the man upstairs and spend some time talking this thing out. You’re both on opposite sides of the page right now, and it’s making me nervous.”

  Tiffany scowled, dropping the sweet act. “Fine, but we don’t do much talking in the bedroom.”

  Ryder stammered, “That’s not true.” Gaping at her mother, he tried to look innocent. “I promise, it’s not.”

  The woman rolled her eyes as Ven and Hickory tried not to laugh.

  ~ Tiffany ~

  Not even taking time to get curious about the bedroom she grew up in, Ryder immediately began pulling off his clothing at the speed of light. “I don’t know why you had to tell her that. Now she’s going to think I’m some kind pervert.”

  Straddling his lap wearing only her panties, Tiffany teased, “You are a pervert, so it’s not exactly a lie.”

  Pulling her down, Ryder wrapped his arms around her slim waist. “I am? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

  Wiggling to get comfortable, she sighed. “God, I missed you.”

  Peering up at her, his eyes were dancing with mischief. “Really? How about you tell me all the things you missed about me.”

  “Everything. I missed every single thing about you.” Scratching his neck gently with her nails, she leaned in for a kiss that slowly turned heated.

  Ryder pulled her hair, tilting her head back so he could get to her throat. The tiny bite of pain made her nipples hard and her clit throb in tune with her heartbeat for him.

  Suddenly, his hot mouth closed over the column of her throat. He kissed, nipped, and licked his way to her collarbone. A soft moan escaped her mouth.

  “That’s what I like to hear. I missed hearing all those sexy little noises when you’re under me.”

  Purring her contentment, Tiffany answered in kind. “I missed every damn thing you do to provoke those sounds. I swear every single minute was a struggle not to come running home to you.”

  Pulling her back, he gazed down into her eyes. “You consider being with me home?”

  Nodding, she felt her hair pull in his grasp. “Home is wherever you are. You’re all I want, baby.”

  “Say it.”

  “What?”

  “You fucking know what. Don’t tease me, Tiff. I’m too close to the edge.”

  “I love you.”

  “And?”

  “I belong to you and no one else.”

  Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her and just held her. One large, rough hand slid gently up and down her back. “I thought I was losing my mind without you, Tiff. It taught me what that crazy ex of yours is probably feeling and makes me think he’ll never quit coming after you.”

  Pushing against his chest, she scooted back to look into his eyes. “Stuart is not feeling what you are, babe. Don’t think for even a minute that he is. Everything with you feels different, and it has since day one. Stuart doesn’t love—not like you do.”

  “I don’t get what you’re laying down, sweetness.”

  “You dominate and love. Stuart dominates and abuses. Those two things are worlds apart. I don’t think he even has the capacity to really care about another person.”

  Ryder took a deep breath and offered the one thing he truly didn’t want to give. “If you want me to leave you alone, it’ll kill me, but I’ll do it.” Seeing her shocked expression, he quickly explained. “I mean after the deal with Stuart Chamberlain is over. When you’re free and clear of any danger from him, I’ll let you be if you want to start over with some banker or lawyer. I know that I ain’t—”

  Placing her hand over his mouth, Tiffany leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Don’t finish that sentence, babe. I want you like I’ve never wanted anything before in my whole life. You are more than I ever dreamed possible in a man. The only way you’re getting rid of me is to throw me out and lock the door.”

  Tugging her close once again, he murmured, “That ain’t never happening, baby girl. You’re my one. I knew it all those months ago when I met you in the hospital. You were beautiful, kind, and so fuckin’ strong. You respected me when no one else did and were there when I needed you the most. I knew right away that you were something special.”

  Rolling her eyes, Tiffany responded playfully, “You’re taking my mother’s instructions about talking a bit seriously, aren’t you?”

  “Don’t try to make light of how I feel about you. I'm serious.”

  “Sorry, babe. Let me just say that I felt something pulling me to you almost from the beginning as well. I’ll never forget how you were drugged and in pain, but you still tried to protect me. You were stubborn and persistent, but your self-effacing sense of humor really got to me.”

  “And you liked sucking my dick,” he reminded her with a smirk. “Don’t forget that part.”

  Slapping him playfully on the arm, she chided, “I thought we were being serious here?”

  “Ain’t nothing in this whole world more serious to me than you sucking my dick.” Grabbing her under the arms, Ryder turned and tossed her onto her back on the bed. “Well, there’s one thing more important than you sucking my cock.” Grabbing her panties, he ripped them off and quickly positioned himself between her legs. “Relax. I’m gonna take good care of you, sweetness.”

  Before she could comment, he exhaled warm breath against her tender flesh. Pulling her open slightly, his talented tongue swiped against her sensitive clit. She’d forgotten exactly how good he was at oral sex. Tangling one hand in his hair, she urged him on. That tiny bit of encouragement was all he needed for his devilishly clever tongue to bend her to his will.

  Oral with other men had been inconsistent, embarrassing, and at times they’d been oddly reluctant. Ryder seemed to crave it, never rushed the process, and seemed to take great pride in making her come more than once. Tonight, she was too needy to allow that. She needed his cock in the worst way. The moment he tipped her over into the first orgasm of the night, she urged him up.

  “I need you inside me. Please, babe, don’t make me wait.”

  Crawling eagerly up her body, he whispered seductively, “I do love it when you say please.”

  Taking himself in hand, he covered his rod in her excitement before positioning himself properly for entry. Peering down at her, he asked teasingly, “Any chance of fucking you into submission tonight, baby?”

  Skating her hands lightly down his chest, she slipped one hand around the base of his cock and cupped his balls with the other. Giving them both a firm tug, she answered breathlessly, “A
nything’s possible, babe. Give it your best shot.”

  Without further comment or hesitation, Ryder slid in partially. The stretch of taking all of him reminded her of exactly how well-endowed the man was. Rocking back and forth, he practically had to bully himself the first half of the way in.

  “I’m not liking that tight little pussy so much. Think you could relax a little, sweetness?”

  Taking a deep breath, Tiffany intentionally forced her body to go soft for him. It allowed that last bit of accommodation, and he finally bottomed out.

  “Fuck, you are perfect.” Staring down at her, he frowned. “You gotta know that what we have is nothing like fucking a whore.”

  Shock tore through her as she gazed up at him. “Where the hell did that come from?”

  Rocking back and forth a little, he glanced away. “Me having my fill of fucking whores all those years is part of the reason you left me. I just want to be clear that whores are sex. It’s like scratching an itch that won’t go away otherwise. You and I are something totally different. Since I met you, I don’t even think of other women. I don’t have the urge to talk to them or wonder what they’d look like naked. If I’m being honest, they’re a bit of an annoyance to me. I’d be happy if they all disappeared tomorrow.”

  “That is not a nice thing to wish, baby,” she said in a hushed tone, even though she secretly enjoyed hearing those words.

  Smiling, he continued. “I crave what we have together. I need it like the air I breathe or riding my bike on the open road at sunrise. You’re critical to my well-being and happiness.” Glancing away again, he murmured, “I just wanted you to know that.”

  Tiffany’s heart melted a little for her big, rough biker who clearly wasn’t used to talking about his emotions. “That’s the nicest thing a man’s ever told me when he had his dick in me.”

  A slight smiled played around the edges of his mouth. “Always trying to be funny, ain’t you? Well, you’re on notice, sweet cheeks. I plan to take you back to our home, put a ring on that pretty finger of yours, and make a little Tiffany with you the very first chance I get.”