Claimed By The Biker King

Chapter 11

Ryan

I honestly didn't know why I agreed. The moment the words race me had left her mouth, I should have shut it down and walked away.

Instead, here I was. Standing beside my bike while Rhea adjusted her gloves like she hadn't just spent the last hour getting on my nerves.

Maybe it was because I wanted to prove a point. Or maybe it was because there was something about her that kept pulling a reaction out of me.

It wasn't arrogance. At least, not entirely.

I had met plenty of arrogant people. Rhea was different.

She carried herself like someone who refused to be underestimated. Like every challenge thrown her way became something she had to conquer simply because someone believed she couldn't.

And after seeing her beat Luke? I wanted to know exactly how good she was.

The engines roared to life beneath us. The familiar vibration settled through my body instantly.

I glanced at her and she was already smiling. I lowered my visor. "Ready?"

She smirked.

"More than ready."

The road stretched ahead as the engines screamed beneath us. I immediately pushed forward, taking the lead.

She stayed close. The first curve approached.

I leaned into it smoothly. Rhea followed.

Where the hell did she learn that?

She wasn't riding like someone who had picked up a bike a few months ago. Her movements were natural.

Instinctive. Confident.

The second turn came. Then the third.

I increased my speed. This time the gap widened.

I heard the distant growl of her engine behind me as she tried to close the distance.

She was good. Better than good. But experience mattered. And that was where I had her.

I knew these roads. Knew every corner. Every incline. Every dangerous stretch.

By the final lap, I was comfortably ahead. The finish line appeared. I crossed it first. Seconds later, Rhea followed.

The race was over. I killed the engine and removed my helmet. The cool night air hit my face.

Rhea pulled up beside me and climbed off her bike.

I waited. Expecting some frustration or at least some bruised pride. Instead, she simply removed her helmet and ran a hand through her hair.

Completely calm.

"You know," I said, "I thought you'd be furious."

She looked over. "Why?"

I laughed.

"Because I beat you."

A small smile appeared on her face. "Not everyone throws a tantrum after losing."

"Could've fooled me."

She rolled her eyes.

I leaned against my bike. "After what happened, I figured you'd be foaming at the mouth right now."

That actually made her laugh. "I challenged you because I wanted to see your skill."

My brows pulled together.

"Your brother always brags about being the best rider here."

"He'd love hearing you say that."

"Unfortunately for him," she said, crossing her arms, "I noticed something during the race."

I looked at her. "What?"

She tilted her head. "You're better."

Well....that wasn't the answer I expected.

"You handled every turn with confidence. No unnecessary risks. You're actually very good."

I lifted an amused brow. The compliment came strangely.

"But this challenge isn't over. I'd like a rematch someday."

I shook my head. "You just lost."

"And?"

I almost laughed. Only Rhea could lose a race and immediately start planning another one.

She stepped forward and suddenly held out her hand.

I looked down at it. Then back at her.

"What is this?"

"A handshake."

"I know what a handshake is."

"Then why are you staring at it?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Is this some kind of peace offering?"

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. Come on."

"If you get on my nerves, there's absolutely no reason I shouldn't get on yours too."

A laugh escaped me. The kind I hadn't had all day. Rhea immediately looked victorious.

"See?"

"What?"

"Proof that you actually know how to smile."

I shook my head. Unbelievable. And somehow, despite all the trouble she caused, I found myself reaching forward and taking her hand anyway.

I released her hand, and we started walking back toward the clubhouse.

"You do realize that if the guys find out you're responsible for delaying their dinner, they're going to lose their minds." I started breaking the silence.

She chuckled. "Oh, that's the whole point. Because like I said earlier, I wanted to test their patience."

I looked at her, and despite myself, she looked completely sincere.

"In a race," she continued, "a lot of things can happen. Sometimes another rider does something reckless. Sometimes someone bumps into you intentionally. Sometimes something unexpected happens."

"The way you react determines everything. If they can't handle a delayed meal without losing control, how are they supposed to stay calm when something bigger happens during a race?"

I hated admitting it. But the logic wasn't entirely flawed. Annoying.

She glanced at me. "Do you know who I actually expected to show up?"

I raised a brow. "My brother?"

She laughed. "No."

"Then who?"

"Travis."

That answer didn't surprise me nearly as much as it should have.

I snorted. "Why Travis?"

"Because he's the hot-blooded one."

That was probably the most accurate description of Travis I'd heard all year.

"He reacts first and thinks later."

"Exactly."

She pointed at me.

"See? You understand."

Unfortunately, I did. A little too well.

By the time we reached the kitchen, Rhea pulled the keys from her pocket and unlocked the door.

Every plate was still sitting on the counter. Cold.

I folded my arms.

"Okay..the food is cold. How exactly are you planning to handle this? Because I'm pretty sure the guys aren't going to eat cold food."

She looked around the kitchen.

"Hmm. We can reheat it."

I rubbed a hand over my face.

She sighed. "Honestly, Anne almost ruined the whole thing anyway.

I folded my arms tighter.

"You're seriously funny. Because tell me who does that."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh please."

"No, seriously. What if Anne lose her job?"

"She wouldn't."

"How do you know?"

She pointed at me. "Because you wouldn't fire her."

My expression didn't change.

Neither did hers. For a few seconds we simply held each other's gaze.

She looked ridiculously confident. Like she already knew she'd won that argument.

And annoyingly... She was probably right.

Before I could respond, voices echoed from somewhere outside.

I immediately recognized one of them. Travis.

"Why the f**k hasn't dinner been served yet?!"

Rhea smiled. "They are finally here."

More voices followed.

"What is taking so long?"

"I swear if that girl forgot about dinner—"

My eyes shot toward Rhea. The guys were seconds away from discovering exactly who was responsible. And she doesn't look a least bit nervous.

Judging by Travis's mood, that conversation wasn't going to be pleasant. Without thinking, I grabbed her wrist.

"What—"

The storage room was only a few feet away. I opened the door and pulled her inside with me and backed her against the wall and covered her mouth with my hand.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"Mmff!"

"Quiet."

The words had barely left my mouth when the kitchen door burst open. A loud bang echoed through the room.

Both of us froze.

I could feel her breathing against my palm.

Then Travis's voice exploded through the kitchen.

"What the hell?"

Another rider cursed.

"Why is the food just sitting here?"

I closed my eyes briefly. Those boys are being aggressive. Rhea was right they don't have patience.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" Travis barked.

"Where's Anne?"

"No clue."

"Did she seriously leave our food here and disappear?"

I looked down at Rhea. The i***t was trying not to laugh. I narrowed my eyes at her. Damn this woman is crazily stubborn.

"I thought boss said he was going to check on what's delaying, why is he not here. Honestly, this is getting me angry." Travis let out an irritated groan.

A few more complaints followed before footsteps started moving away. Gradually, the voices faded. Then the kitchen door slammed shut.

Finally.

Before I could think of getting back at Rhea, she kicked my shin making me to yank my hand away from her mouth.

"What was that for?" I hissed.

"What was that for?" she whispered back, mocking me. "Why did you drag me in here?"

I blinked. "You seriously have to ask? You were about to walk straight into a mob."

She crossed her arms. "I was supposed to see them."

"And tell them what?"

"The truth."

I rubbed my face. "Rhea. I'm sure you heard what Travis was saying."

She shrugged. "So?"

"The best-case scenario is that they all start yelling at you. And-"

"They can't gang up on me."

She planted both hands on her waist.

"And did I ever tell you I was scared of them?"

I opened my mouth. She didn't let me answer.

"Did I?" Her chin lifted stubbornly. "You know very well I can handle them."

I sighed. Unfortunately, she wasn't wrong.

She could probably handle Travis. And Luke. And half the riders if she really wanted to. Which somehow wasn't comforting.

"I know you can do more than handle them," I admitted.

That seemed to surprise her.

"But?"

I met her eyes.

"But I don't want you getting into trouble."

For a moment she just stared at me. Something flickered across her face. Gone before I could identify it.

Then she rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You just spoiled my mood." She spun around. "I'm leaving."

I watched her head toward the door.

Then immediately realized she didn't look at where she was going.

"Rhea—"

Too late. Her foot caught on a crate.

"Ah!"

Instinct took over. I lunged forward and grabbed her.

One arm around her waist. The other catching her wrist. For half a second, I thought I'd stopped the fall. Then my own foot slid.

"s**t!”

Her eyes widened. My balance disappeared. The world tilted. And suddenly we were both going down.

Hard. I crashed backward onto a stack of potatoes. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs.

Before I could even recover, Rhea landed on top of me. Everything happened too fast.

One second she was falling. The next, her lips was on mine.