HIS HEART,HIS RIDE

CHAPTER 16:TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

“HE did what?”

I stared at Rachel, wondering if I had heard her correctly.

She smiled as though she hadn't just dropped a bomb in the middle of the meeting. “Ryder agreed to have you as his partner for the campaign.”

I slowly turned toward him.

Ryder was leaning against the edge of the table, his arms folded across his chest. He looked completely relaxed, like this conversation had absolutely nothing to do with him.

“You decided that without asking me?” I demanded.

He raised an eyebrow. “Would you have said yes if I asked?”

“That isn't the point.”

Then what is?

The point is that you don't get to make decisions for me.

He gave a small shrug. “You talk too much, camera girl.”

I opened my mouth, but Rachel quickly stepped between us before I could respond.

“Can we please focus?” she said, laughing nervously. “This campaign is important. The festival organizers loved the livestream, and the response to the two of you was much better than expected.”

“That's because people enjoy watching him annoy me,” I muttered.

Ryder smiled. “At least you understand your purpose.”

I shot him a look.

Rachel continued explaining the campaign schedule. There would be promotional pictures, short riding demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes footage. I would be responsible for capturing most of the content, while Ryder would be the main rider featured.

Apparently, the organizers also wanted a few shots of me riding behind him.

Again.

I sighed.

“Fine. I'll do the photography, but I don't want anyone turning this into some romantic advertisement.”

Ryder pushed away from the table. “Nobody asked you to fall in love with me.”

“Trust me, that isn't something you need to worry about.”

His smile widened.

Rachel shook her head, clearly entertained. “You two are going to give me a headache.”

After the meeting, Rachel received a phone call and hurried outside to answer it. Daniel had already left to attend to something at the garage, while the other staff members were busy preparing equipment.

I remained in the small campaign room, checking the photographs on my camera.

Ryder was still there.

Unfortunately.

I pretended not to notice him as I adjusted the settings and reviewed the pictures from the previous shoot.

“You're going to wear that camera out.”

I didn't look up. “And you're going to wear my patience out.”

“Didn't know you had any.”

“Clearly, you don't know a lot of things.”

He chuckled.

I moved to the next photograph, concentrating on the screen. It was a picture of him standing beside his motorcycle, one hand resting on the handlebar. The lighting was perfect, and his expression was exactly the kind that made a photograph look effortless.

Annoyingly, he was good-looking.

That didn't mean I had to tell him.

“That's a good picture,” he said.

I glanced at him. “You can recognize a good photograph?”

“I'm full of surprises.”

“Most of them unpleasant.”

He laughed under his breath and moved closer.

I stepped slightly to the side, still looking at my camera. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you standing there?”

“Can't I stand wherever I want?”

“Not when you're blocking the light.”

He moved, but instead of walking away, he came around to my other side.

I gave him a suspicious look.

“What are you doing?”

“Talking.”

“Then talk from there.”

He ignored me.

“Your problem, Bella, is that you always assume I'm trying to annoy you.”

“Because you usually are.”

“Maybe I just enjoy your company.”

I almost dropped my camera.

I looked at him, waiting for the punchline. His expression was difficult to read, but there was a familiar amusement in his eyes.

“That's a terrible joke,” I said.

“Didn't know I was joking.”

I turned away and pretended to adjust the camera strap. “Can we just finish this campaign?”

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, I noticed him moving closer again.

I took one step backward.

He took another forward.

“Ryder.”

“What?”

“Why are you coming closer?”

“Am I not allowed to?”

I stepped back again until my shoulders met the wall.

He stopped in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head slightly to look at him.

My fingers tightened around my camera.

“Ryder, what are you doing?”

He looked down at me, a small smile appearing on his face.

“What does it look like I'm doing?”

I blinked.

For a second, I couldn't find the right words. He seemed perfectly comfortable standing there, watching my reaction like this was some kind of entertainment.

I placed my palm against his chest and pushed him away.

“Move!”

He stepped back, laughing.

“Relax, camera girl.”

I straightened my shirt and gave him an irritated look.

“I'm here to work, not for all this nonsense. If you want to play games, find somebody else.”

His laughter grew louder.

“Somebody else?” he repeated. “You make it sound like I'm begging you for attention.”

“You're the one standing in my personal space!”

“And you're the one making a big deal out of it.”

I shook my head and picked up my camera bag.

“Honestly, you're impossible.”

He watched me for a moment before gesturing toward the door.

“Come. Let me teach you.”

I frowned. “Teach me what?”

“How to ride properly.”

“Didn't we already do that?”

“You learned how to hold on without screaming. That's not the same as knowing how to ride.”

“I did not scream!”

“Almost.”

“I hate you.”

He laughed again and started walking toward the garage.

I remained where I was.

“Are you coming?” he called.

“No.”

He turned around and looked at me. “Scared?”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I'm not scared of you.”

“Then prove it.”

I hated how easily he could get under my skin.

I grabbed my camera bag and followed him, determined not to give him the satisfaction of thinking he had won.

Outside, the afternoon sun was still bright. Ryder walked toward his black motorcycle and picked up a spare helmet from the seat.

He tossed it toward me.

I caught it against my chest.

“Put it on.”

I examined the helmet. “I thought you were teaching me to ride.”

“I am.”

“Then why are you giving me a helmet?”

“Because I'm not interested in explaining to Daniel why his photographer ended up in the hospital.”

I rolled my eyes but put it on.

Ryder climbed onto the motorcycle and started the engine. The familiar rumble filled the garage entrance.

He looked over his shoulder.

“Get on.”

I approached the bike cautiously. “You're not going to laugh if I make a mistake?”

“No promises.”

“Ryder!”

He grinned. “What? You want honesty or comfort?”

I climbed onto the motorcycle, adjusting my position.

“Hold on properly,” he instructed.

“I know.”

“Then stop sitting like you're waiting for a bus.”

I reluctantly placed my hands around his waist.

He glanced down at my hands, then looked ahead.

“Ready?”

I nodded.

The motorcycle moved forward slowly.

For the first few seconds, everything seemed fine. I was concentrating on keeping my balance when Ryder suddenly turned into the practice area.

I shifted awkwardly.

“Ryder!”

“What's wrong?”

“Warn me before you turn!”

He laughed. “That's what riding is about, Bella. You have to learn to react.”

“I thought you were supposed to teach me, not scare me!”

“I'm doing both.”

He brought the motorcycle to a stop and turned his head slightly.

“Again?”

I took a deep breath.

“Again.”

His smile returned.

“That's my girl.”

I immediately frowned.

“I'm nobody's girl.”

He laughed, revved the engine, and started moving again.

After a few more turns, he brought the bike to a stop. I climbed off, feeling slightly more confident than before.

“Not bad,” he said.

I raised my chin. “I told you I could do it.”

“I said not bad. Don't start celebrating.”

He climbed off and stood beside the motorcycle.

“Your turn.”

I frowned. “My turn for what?”

He pointed at the seat.

“I'm getting off. You're going to ride it yourself.”

My eyes widened.

“Ryder, you're joking.”

He folded his arms, looking far too pleased with himself.

“Go on, Bella. Show me what you've learned.”

I stared at the motorcycle, then at him.

“You expect me to ride this thing alone?”

“It's a motorcycle, Bella. Not a monster.”

I swallowed and slowly reached for the handlebars.

Ryder stepped closer, his teasing expression disappearing for a moment.

“Listen to me. Don't panic. Keep your hands steady, and I'll be right beside you.”

For once, he sounded serious.

I nodded and climbed onto the seat. He adjusted the controls and showed me where to place my hands.

“Easy with the throttle,” he warned. “Don't rush it.”

I took a breath and followed his instructions.

The motorcycle moved.

My eyes widened as I slowly gained control, keeping my gaze fixed ahead. Ryder walked beside me, watching carefully.

“Good,” he called. “Keep going.”

A small smile crept onto my face.

I was actually doing it.

Then I heard him shout, “Bella, slow down!”

I tried to ease my hand, but the motorcycle suddenly moved faster than I expected.

“Ryder!”

He immediately ran after me.

“Brake! Bella, use the brake!”

I squeezed the handle, but the front wheel began drifting toward the stack of tires at the edge of the practice area.

My heart dropped.

And just before I could reach them, Ryder shouted my name again.