Dirty Ride (Wind Dragons MC, #3.5)(9)

I curse myself for letting this happen and ruining the night. Ardan has handled everything so well, though, and I’m glad he’s here with me. Something inside me is telling me to give him a chance, that he’s worth it. Maybe I could keep myself a little detached just in case it doesn’t work out? I wish I could be like that, but I know I can’t. If I’m giving him my time, it’s because I like him and I think that there could be something between us. I’m drawn to him, and although a tiny part of me is very flighty right now, most of me wants to be near this man. Darren never looked after me when I was sick. In fact, if I were still with him, I’d be sitting in this room alone right now. I don’t think Ardan knows how thankful I am that he’s here, looking after me. It’s not something I’m really used to, and something I won’t be taking for granted.

He’s back in a few moments, opening a bottle of water and handing it to me.

“Thank you.”

He cups my cheek. “You know, even sitting here in the damn hospital, I’d rather be with you than any other woman I know.”

I lean into his palm, enjoying the feeling of a man touching me like that, so tenderly. I haven’t had a man’s touch like this in so long, and I didn’t realize how much I crave it until right now. “I’m glad you’re here with me too,” I admit softly. “I don’t really have any friends here yet, so if this happened somewhere else, I’d be sitting here alone.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” he says, taking my phone from me. “Putting my number in your phone. You need me anytime, day or night, you call me, darlin’. From killing spiders to fixing your car, I got you.”

“I like spiders,” I say, smiling at his kind offer. “Thank you, Ardan.”

He hands back my phone and looks down at me on the bed. “Of course you like spiders. Now move over.”

I scoot over and he sits down on the bed. He tries to slide onto it, but only half his body fits.

“How tall are you?” I ask him, feeling amused.

“Six three. Why?”

“Just asking,” I say, laying my head on his shoulder. He wraps his arm around me and I smile and close my eyes. “This is the weirdest first date in the history of first dates.”

“Normal is boring,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

“They said I don’t have to stay overnight; I can go home after they do a checkup.”

“We’ll have to go to the restaurant and get my bike, then go and get your car from the bar,” he says. We took a taxi from the restaurant, because Ardan didn’t want me on the bike, just in case. “And then I’ll follow you home.” He pauses. “Or should I just take you home and we can get your car tomorrow?”

“I’m fine to drive,” I say, yawning. “I could go for some coffee, though.”

“I’ll get you some,” he says gently. “If you’re tired, you can have a nap until the nurse comes to check on you, if you like.”

“You’re comfortable,” I say, burying my face in his neck. “And you smell good.”

“Yeah, you should probably stop that,” he says in a husky tone, shifting in his spot. “I don’t think the nurse is going to appreciate walking in and seeing my hard-on straining against my jeans.”

Lifting my head, I look at him. “You’re probably right.” I take a deep breath and ask him, “What’s Ireland like?”

“Beautiful,” he says, turning animated. “You’d love it. The people, the views. The history. It’s all there to explore.”

“Hmmm,” I murmur. “Sounds perfect. I’ve always wanted to travel the world, but I’ve never even left the country.”

“Really?” He sounds surprised. “You should do it—see what’s out there, you know?”

“Yeah,” I say, moving even closer to him.

“Sleep.”

I sleep.





FIVE




“I DON’T like you staying here,” Ardan announces, looking around my motel room. “Especially not alone.”

I put my bag down on the couch, then turn to him and cross my arms. “Don’t care what you like. I’m staying here until I sort myself out. It’s really not a big deal.”

He goes and fiddles with the locks, scowling and muttering something about toddlers being able to break through them.

“No one is going to break in; it’s fine. Now I need to shower and go to sleep. And you need to go home.”

He straightens and turns, staring me down. “Fine. I’ll be here Friday evening to pick you up.” He closes the space between us and pushes one of my errant curls behind my ear. “You have my number. Anything happens, you call me. I’ll be here faster than the police ever will.” He grins. “And I’m scarier than them too.”

I grin at that.

“Nothing will happen,” I say, feeling a little flustered at his close proximity. “But I’ll call you if anything comes up.”

In the hospital bed, I’d been vulnerable and I let him in. But now, back in reality, I realize how stupid I was. I barely know this guy. He is so nice, though. So sweet. No one has ever fussed over me like that, and he’s seen me only twice.