HIS HEART,HIS RIDE

CHAPTER 14:LIVE AND LEARN

Bella Rose had one question when she woke up the following morning.

Why had she agreed to work with Ryder Black?

She could have become a photographer anywhere. She could have chosen weddings, birthday parties, fashion shoots, or even those adorable baby photographs people paid ridiculous amounts of money for. Instead, she had somehow ended up working with a man who considered irritating her a full-time profession.

And now she was expected to sit behind him on a motorcycle while the entire festival watched.

Worse, they would be livestreaming it.

"Absolutely not," she muttered, staring at the schedule on her phone.

Aunt Clara looked up from the kitchen table. "What isn't?"

Ryder Black.

Clara laughed. "What has he done now?"

"He's about to ruin my life."

That sounds dramatic.

Bella stared at her aunt. "I'd rather argue with a wall. At least a wall doesn't talk back."

Clara laughed harder, leaving Bella to finish her breakfast in disgust.

By nine thirty, Bella had arrived at the festival grounds with her camera bag, two lenses, and a determination not to embarrass herself in front of strangers. The place was already busy.

Bella immediately felt better once she began working. She photographed the registration desk, the motorcycles lined up beside the track, and the riders checking their equipmentShe knew where to stand, what to capture, and how to make an ordinary moment look interesting.

Then Ryder arrived.

He rode through the entrance on his black motorcycle, attracting several admiring looks from people nearby. He parked beside the garage team's area, removed his helmet, and ran a hand through his hair.

Bella lowered her camera.

Of course he had to make an entrance.

Ryder spotted her and walked over, carrying his helmet beneath one arm.

"Morning, camera girl."

"You're late."

He glanced at his watch. "I'm seven minutes early."

Then you should have arrived fifteen minutes early.

"Is that your professional opinion?"

"It's my opinion that you talk too much."

He grinned. "You missed me."

Bella stared at him. "I have been here for twenty minutes. Unfortunately, the peace ended when you arrived."

Ryder laughed. "You really need a hobby."

"I have one. It's called photograph."

"Sounds boring."

"That explains why you don't have one."

Before Ryder could answer, a woman wearing a headset approached them. She introduced herself as Rachel, the festival's promotional coordinator.

"Good, you're both here. We're ready to start the demonstration briefing."

Bella followed Rachel toward the production tent while Ryder walked beside them.

The demonstration would be simple. Ryder would ride a short, controlled route around the practice area, while Bella sat behind him and the production team captured footage for the festival's promotional campaign. The livestream would include the demonstration, followed by a brief interview about the upcoming races.

Bella listened carefully, then raised her hand.

Can we discuss the passenger part?

Rachel smiled. "Of course."

"Is there a reason I have to be the passenger? I'm the photographer. I can film Ryder riding without actually being on the motorcycle."

Ryder leaned against a nearby table. "She's afraid."

Bella turned so quickly that her camera strap slapped against her arm.

I'm not afraid!

Then what's the problem?

The problem is that you're the one driving!

Ryder shook his head. "She's always this pleasant in the morning."

"And you're always this irritating," Bella replied.

Rachel looked between them, clearly amused. "The organizers specifically requested that the photographer participate. They think it will make the promotional video more engaging but if you're uncomfortable, we can discuss an alternative."

Bella hesitated. She needed the assignment. This was a chance to build her portfolio and establish herself as a reliable photographer. She wasn't going to let Ryder's personality ruin an opportunity.

"I'll do it," she said finally. "But we're practising first, and I want to know the route before we start."

"Reasonable," Rachel replied. "Ryder, please make sure she's comfortable with the procedure."

Ryder gave Bella a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

She narrowed her eyes. "I can still change my mind."

"Of course you can, princess."

"Call me that again and I'll change your face."

Mason laughed so loudly that Rachel had to tell him to calm down.

For the next thirty minutes, Ryder walked Bella through the demonstration. He showed her where to place her feet, how to hold on, and how to shift her weight when the motorcycle turned. He explained the hand signals the crew would use and reminded her not to make sudden movements.

To Bella's surprise, he was serious about the instructions.

He didn't tease her when she asked questions. He didn't rush through the explanation or pretend her concerns were stupid. He answered everything patiently, occasionally demonstrating a movement so she could understand it properly.

Bella found this deeply inconvenient.

"Any questions?" Ryder asked when he finished.

"One."

"Go ahead."

Can you promise not to do anything ridiculous just because there are cameras watching?

He smirked. "I never do anything ridiculous."

Bella looked at him.

He sighed. "Fine. I'll stick to the planned route."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, camera girl."

The crew called them over for the demonstration. Bella secured her helmet and climbed onto the motorcycle behind Ryder. She positioned herself carefully, then placed her hands around his waist.

"Comfortable?" he asked.

"No."

"Good. At least you're honest."

"Ryder."

"Right. Serious face."

He started the engine, and Bella tightened her grip.

"Remember what I told you," he called over his shoulder. "Relax your shoulders and move with the bike. Don't fight the turns."

"I remember!"

"Then stop holding me like you're trying to keep me from escaping."

"Just drive!"

Ryder laughed, but when the crew gave the signal, he moved off smoothly.

The motorcycle rolled into the practice area.

At first, Bella concentrated on everything Ryder had taught her. She kept her posture steady, followed the movements of the bike, and resisted the urge to close her eyes whenever they approached a turn. The route was short and carefully controlled, and Ryder maintained a steady speed.

Gradually, her nervousness faded.

The motorcycle leaned gently through a wide turn, and Bella shifted her weight as instructed. When they straightened out, she realized she was actually enjoying herself.

"This isn't terrible!" she shouted.

Ryder turned his head slightly. "What was that?"

I said you're not completely useless!

"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Don't get excited!

He laughed, and they completed the final section of the route.

When Ryder brought the motorcycle to a stop, the crew applauded. Bella climbed off and removed her helmet, breathing out in relief.

Rachel hurried over, looking delighted.

"That was excellent! You both worked really well together."

Bella smiled. "Thank you."

Ryder removed his helmet. "I told you she could do it."

Bella gave him a suspicious look. "You told me I was afraid."

"Both things can be true."

She smacked his arm with her helmet.

He laughed and stepped away before she could do it again.

The crew gathered around a monitor to review the footage. Bella joined them, eager to see whether the photographs and video had captured the demonstration properly.

The first few clips looked great. The motorcycle was framed beautifully, the background was clear, and Bella's movements were steady. She was already thinking about how she could use the experience in her portfolio.

Then Rachel played the final clip.

It showed Ryder slowing the motorcycle at the end of the route. Bella leaned forward slightly, said something near his ear, and Ryder turned his head toward her with a broad grin.

The moment lasted barely two seconds.

Unfortunately, it looked much more personal on camera than it had felt in real life.

Mason started laughing.

"Oh, this is going to be good."

Bella frowned. "What's good?"

Rachel replayed the clip.

The camera angle made it look as though Bella had whispered something private to Ryder, and his grin made the moment seem like an inside joke between two people who knew each other far better than they actually did.

"That is not what happened!" Bella protested.

Rachel smiled. "It looks natural. That's what makes it good."

It's misleading!

"It's promotional footage," Ryder said casually. "People like seeing riders having fun."

Bella turned on him. "You are enjoying this far too much."

Obviously.

Before she could respond, Rachel's assistant hurried over with a phone in her hand.

"Rachel, we have a problem."

Rachel looked up. "What happened?"

"The livestream clip is already circulating. Someone has posted it on the festival's official social media page, and people are commenting."

Bella's stomach sank.

"Commenting about what?"

The assistant turned the phone toward them.

The clip showed Ryder smiling at Bella while she held him around the waist. Beneath it, the festival's account had added a caption:

**RYDER BLACK AND HIS MYSTERY PASSENGER! WHO'S THE GIRL BEHIND THE RIDER?**

Bella stared at the screen in horror.

"Delete it."

Rachel looked uncertain. "I don't think we can remove it without approval from the marketing manager."

Then get approval!

Ryder leaned over to read the comments.

One person had written, *Since when does Ryder let anyone ride with him?*

Another said, *Look at the way he's smiling at her!*

Bella snatched the phone from Ryder's hand.

Stop smiling!

"I'm not smiling."

You are!

He leaned closer to look at the screen again. "They're asking if we're dating."

Bella nearly dropped the phone.

WE ARE NOT DATING!

Several people nearby turned to look at her.

Ryder burst out laughing.

Rachel quickly retrieved her assistant's phone and walked away to deal with the marketing team.

"This is your fault," she told Ryder.

How exactly?

Because you smiled!

Am I supposed to look miserable every time a camera points at me?

"Yes!"

He laughed again, and Bella decided that if she ever photographed him smiling in the future, she would charge double.

Then Rachel returned, her expression more serious.

"The marketing manager has seen the response. He likes the engagement, so he wants us to keep the clip online."

Bella's mouth fell open. "You're joking."

"I'm afraid not. He also wants a follow-up video with both of you answering a few questions about the demonstration."

"No."

Ryder looked at her. "You haven't even heard the questions."

"I don't need to. I'm not participating in a video that makes strangers think we're together."

Rachel sighed. "Bella, this is a professional assignment.l,you can explain that you're colleagues.

Bella looked at Ryder, expecting him to agree that the whole thing was ridiculous.

Instead, he shrugged.

"I don't mind doing the interview."

"Of course you don't," Bella snapped. "You'd enjoy having the entire town discuss your personal life."

"Correction. I enjoy getting paid."

That silenced her for a moment.

He had a point, and she hated it.

Rachel checked her watch. "The interview is in twenty minutes. Please be ready."

She hurried away.

Bella turned to Ryder, pointing a finger at his chest.

"Listen to me carefully. During that interview, you will tell everyone we're colleagues. Nothing more."

Ryder looked down at her finger, then back at her face.

"Relax, camera girl. Nobody thinks you're my girlfriend."

"Good."

He slipped his helmet under his arm and walked toward the interview area.

Then he glanced back with that infuriating smile.

"But if they ask whether you're single, I'm answering for you."

Bella's eyes widened.

Ryder Black, don't you dare!

He laughed and kept walking.

Bella hurried after him, already preparing the argument of her life.

But when they reached the interview area, the host greeted them with a bright smile and announced that the audience had sent in questions.

The first question appeared on the screen behind them.

**"RYDER, YOU'RE KNOWN FOR NEVER LETTING ANYONE GET TOO CLOSE TO YOU. SO WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BELLA TO RIDE WITH YOU TODAY?"**

Bella slowly turned toward Ryder.

He looked at the screen, then at her.

And with the cameras rolling, he picked up the microphone and smiled.

"Well, that's an interesting question..."