Ride Or Remember

CHAPTER 23

RYDER

I bought the Porsche for formal occasions.

Back then, I figured there would eventually be business dinners, charity events, or meetings where showing up on one of the club's roaring bikes wouldn't exactly send the right message. So, I ordered the car, picked the specifications myself, and then promptly forgot the damn thing existed.

Bikes were more my speed.

Always had been.

But today, I stood in the garage with the key fob resting in my palm, staring at it longer than necessary before a rough chuckle escaped my throat.

Never thought I'd actually drive this thing anytime soon.

Especially not for a date.

The thought alone had me shaking my head.

My phone vibrated inside my pocket. Pulling it out, I glanced at the screen.

Logan.

I debated ignoring the call because, if Logan was calling, it meant Kane had opened his big mouth.

With a curse under my breath, I answered.

"What?" I grunted.

"Please tell me it's a f*****g lie!" Logan screeched the second the call connected.

I pulled open the driver's door and slid into the Porsche.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I growled, pressing the ignition button. The engine purred to life, quiet compared to the beasts I usually rode.

"Kane just told me you're taking her on a date."

I rolled my eyes.

"Dinner," I corrected flatly. "I'm taking her to dinner."

The gates to the compound slowly parted ahead of me.

"And Kane should learn when to shut his f*****g mouth. Just because the two of you share blood doesn't give him permission to run around spreading shit."

Logan snorted. "Don't blame him. We were supposed to meet a client this evening before he suddenly rescheduled."

I frowned. "What does that have to do with me?"

"What does it have to do with you?" Logan barked out a laugh. "The man had to reschedule because you ordered him to reserve an entire restaurant."

I said nothing.

"You're driving a car instead of your bike."

I remained silent.

"You reserved an entire restaurant."

Another silence.

"You've got armed men positioned around the building."

"Club security," I corrected automatically.

"Same damn thing."

"Get the f**k out of my phone," I muttered before ending the call.

Shoving the phone back into my pocket, I leaned back against the seat and took a deep breath.

A few seconds later, the back door of the house swung open.

Liora rushed out, her entire focus fixed on the purse in her hands as she struggled to fasten it shut while walking.

The sight had me stepping out of the car, my lips stretching into a smile.

The red dress.

I had known the moment I saw it displayed in the store that it would look incredible on her.

I just didn’t expect it to look this good.

"I thought you were leaving already," she said, slightly out of breath from hurrying toward me.

With my hands tucked into my pockets, I let my gaze drift over her.

From the unmistakable red-soled Louboutin heels peeking beneath the hem of her dress...

To the elegant Versace piece that hugged her figure in all the right places...

Up to the soft shade of red painted across her lips.

My eyes lingered there longer than they should have, longer than they ever did with anyone else.

I found myself wondering what it would be like to kiss her.

Whether her lips were as soft as they looked.

Whether…

Get your damn head out of the gutter, Ryder.

Clearing my throat, I forced my gaze upward until it settled on her face.

"You look beautiful," I said quietly, taking another step closer.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she glanced down for a brief moment before meeting my eyes again.

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiti_”

"I don't mind waiting," I interrupted.

Liora blinked at me in surprise and I almost laughed at myself.

Logan would have a heart attack if he heard me say that.

The same Ryder who hated delays.

The same Ryder who had once walked out of a meeting because someone had kept him waiting for ten minutes.

Yet somehow, waiting while Liora got ready didn’t bother me in the slightest.

“With a dress that beautiful… something’s still missing,” I murmured.

Her brows lifted slightly as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Opening it, I revealed a necklace, fine chain with small diamond cut catching the light.

Liora’s eyes flicked to it immediately.

I stepped closer, moving behind her.

Gently, I swept her hair aside so it wouldn’t get in the way, my fingers brushing the exposed skin of her neck.

Soft.

Too damn soft.

The contact was brief, but a sharp inhale escaped her, and I knew instantly I wasn’t the only one reacting to this.

There was something between us.

A pull we both may not be able to resist for long.

Exhaling slowly, I licked my lips as I fastened the necklace around her neck, my fingers lingering for half a second too long before I forced myself to step back.

“Now the outfit is complete,” I said roughly.

She turned around, a small smile already forming on her lips.

Her hand lifted immediately to the pendant, fingers brushing over it. “Thank you.”

I should buy her more things.

“Come on,” I said finally, clearing my throat.

I walked to the passenger side, opened the door for her, and waited.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second, like she didn’t believe this was happening… then slid into the seat.

I didn’t move until she was settled properly. Only then did I close the door and round the car to the driver’s side.

**********************

Inside the restaurant, my fingers stayed wrapped around hers as I guided her through the entrance, ignoring the subtle glances from staff who clearly recognized me.

One of the waitresses rushed forward, smiling too brightly as she offered greetings and poured wine at the table.

I barely acknowledged her.

I pulled out her chair for her, and she sat slowly, still looking around the space like she was trying to understand what she was seeing.

Her brows knit slightly. “Where is everyone?”

I adjusted my jacket as I took my seat across from her.

“Dining elsewhere.”

She blinked, her eyes widening slightly. “You rented the whole space for us?”

I nodded, watching the way her eyes lit up at the gesture.

She reached for the wine glass and took a slow sip, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks behind the rim.

“That’s so sweet of you,” she murmured, finally lowering the glass. “Thank you.”

Sweet?

If only she knew.

Reserving the entire restaurant had nothing to do with romance or sweetness. It was control. Security. Reducing exposure. Keeping her face and this night out of the wrong mouths for as long as possible.

In my world, attention was a weapon and Liora without my property cut made her an easy target.

I gave a small nod instead of saying any of that.

“I didn’t know it was your birthday two days ago until you mentioned it over a text, so I’m making up for it.”

Her lips curved instantly, a light giggle escaping her as she leaned back into her chair.

I forced my attention back to my glass, swirling the wine slowly as I made an effort not to let my gaze drop where it wanted to.

I took a sip, then set the glass down.

“Tell me more about yourself, Liora.”

Her nose wrinkled immediately, that little expression I was starting to recognize like she was deciding whether my question was worth entertaining at all.

“My life is as boring as it gets,” she replied. “There’s really nothing to tell.”

Nothing to tell?

That alone made my quipped my interest.

Boring people didn’t usually carry that kind of energy. That kind of pull.

I leaned back slightly, studying her.

“That makes it even more interesting,” I said, voice low. “Tell me anything. Doesn’t matter how small. Your favorite meal, your habits… I’ll find it interesting.”

Her brows lifted a little, as if she was trying to figure out if I’m telling the truth.

I meant it anyway.

Because for some reason I couldn’t explain, I wasn’t just trying to pass time with her.

I actually wanted to know everything.