Broken Love (Broken #4)(15)

My interest was piqued. “Why did your father want him to date Destiny?”

Dani shrugged as if not giving it much thought. “I dunno. Maybe thinking someday the two ranches would merge or something. Who knows why my father does anything he does. He loves his kids, but he has always put the ranch first before any of us.”

Turning to look at Dani, I wanted to ask her more, but decided to let it go. Ryder showed no interest in Destiny, and I knew there was nothing there for me to worry about.

As the evening dragged on, I grew more and more anxious to be alone with Ryder. Images of my dreams replayed in my head. Ryder had been talking most of the evening with Walker and Jase, while my father and Layton spoke with Nate, Sr.

Needing to at least be closer to Ryder, I made my way across the room as Ryder headed toward me. The moment our eyes met, I couldn’t help but smile. It felt as if the entire room full of people faded away, leaving just the two of us.

Stopping in front of him, Ryder’s smile nearly knocked me off my feet. “Hey,” was the only stupid thing I could manage to say.

“Hey, back at ya.”

“So, I’ve been thinking.”

Ryder’s eyes looked over my body in a hungry way. “About?”

“Tonight.”

“What about tonight, Ava?”

The way his voice vibrated throughout my body had me wishing I hadn’t made my way over to him. My body was now aching to feel him. To learn every little thing that turned him on. His lips were begging to be nibbled on.

Feeling flushed from my thoughts, I shook my head. “I need some fresh air.”

Ryder held his arm out for me as I laced it through his while we made our way through the living room and toward the front door. Once outside, the cool night air hit my face and cooled off my desire some.

Ryder wrapped his arms around me and buried his face into my neck.

“I want you so badly, Ava.”

My head dropped back to his chest, allowing him easier access to my neck. His lips moved across my skin, leaving a burning trail in their path. “Ryder.”

“We have three days before you leave to head back to Texas. I want to spend every minute with you.”

Ugh. The reality of our future hit me right in the face. I couldn’t forget Ryder was moving to Montana. I was about to sleep with a man who I knew I might not be able to have a future with. That scared the hell out of me.

The night sky caught my attention. It was then I saw how massive the sky was and the amount of stars you could see.

“Wow,” I whispered. “Look at the stars.”

Ryder chuckled. “Hell, this is nothing. I’ll take you somewhere tomorrow night and show you what a true Montana night sky looks like.”

A bubbling feeling of excitement filled my chest. “I’d love that.”

Turning, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “For now, though, I need you to kiss me.”

Ryder’s eyes lit up. “My pleasure.”

The second his lips touched mine, I was lost in the perfect blissful moment. Ryder moaned softly into my mouth and my stomach clenched with desire as I tightened my arms around his neck. He slowly lifted me off the ground as his hard length pressed against my body.

I wasn’t sure how long we kissed for before I felt my feet touch the ground again. Ryder slowly pulled his lips away from mine, and I fought with everything I had not to beg him for more.

His hands cupped my face as our eyes locked. “I’ve never in my life felt like this, Ava.”

My heart dropped in my chest as I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling like an idiot. “Me either,” I finally said as I felt my cheeks heat. “I’m so glad we bumped into each other.”

Ryder grinned and was about to say something when the front screen door slammed shut. “Ryder. I hate to interrupt you, but I really do need to talk to you.”

Looking over Ryder’s shoulder, I saw one pissed off Destiny standing there with her hands on her hips. Ryder sighed and dropped his hands to his sides. “Do you mind if I talk to her?”

“Of course not. I’ll just head back in.”

As I walked past Destiny, she gave me the fakest smile I’d ever seen. I reached for the door and glanced over my shoulder. Ryder was watching me as I walked into the house. I wanted to gag when I heard her start talking. She obviously knew I could still hear her when she busted out with, “Ryder, I’ve missed you so much.”

Walking into the foyer, I made a gagging motion as someone busted out laughing. To my surprise, Jennifer, Ryder’s other sister, was standing there looking at me. My face turned red with embarrassment.

“Don’t worry about Destiny. Ryder won’t even look twice at her. I’m pretty sure everyone in the room tonight could see the way my brother was looking at you.”

I swallowed hard and placed my hands on my cheeks to cool my face down. “Well, I um, I’m not really sure how to respond.”

Jennifer laughed. “No need to. I have to say, though, I’ve never seen my brother so caught up in a girl before. Granted I live here and he lives in Texas, so I’ve never really seen him in a serious relationship before. Oh my God. I’m rambling on and on.” Shaking her head, she scrunched her nose up. “Tell me how you met.”

“Well um, I had just been dumped at the cake store by my fiancé and was walking down the street on the phone with my mother when we ran into each other.”