His Innocent Temptation

Safe With Me

Chapter 6: Safe With Me

The motorcycle cut through the morning traffic like a blade.

I had never been on a bike before.

The speed.

The wind.

The way my heart pounded against my ribs...

It was terrifying.

Without realizing it, I tightened my grip around Ryder's waist.

He didn't say anything.

But I felt him relax ever so slightly.

After several minutes, he turned into an abandoned parking lot behind an old shopping complex.

The bike came to a stop.

I quickly let go of him and climbed off.

"What was that?" I demanded.

"The SUV."

"You knew they were following us!"

"I suspected."

"You suspected?" I threw my hands in the air. "You could've told me!"

"And made you panic?"

"I wasn't panicking!"

"You would've."

I opened my mouth to argue...

...then closed it again.

He wasn't entirely wrong.

Ryder removed his helmet and leaned against the motorcycle.

"They're gone."

"Who are they?"

"I don't know."

"You're lying."

His jaw tightened.

"I'm not telling you everything."

"Why?"

"Because the less you know, the safer you are."

I scoffed.

"That's not your decision to make."

"No," he agreed quietly.

"It's mine."

His answer caught me off guard.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The silence felt... different.

Less hostile.

More uncertain.

Finally, I sighed.

"Why are you doing this?"

He looked at me.

"I've asked myself the same thing."

"What does that mean?"

"It means..." He paused. "I usually don't care."

"But you care now?"

He looked away before answering.

"I don't like seeing innocent people dragged into my problems."

"So this is your fault?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

A flicker of guilt crossed his face before it disappeared behind the cold mask he always wore.

His phone buzzed.

He checked the screen.

"It's my club."

"The bikers?"

He nodded.

"I have to go."

"And what about me?"

He looked around the parking lot before meeting my eyes.

"I'm taking you back to campus."

"How do I know I'll be safe?"

He stepped closer until only a few inches separated us.

His voice was calm.

Steady.

"As long as I'm breathing..."

His eyes locked with mine.

"...no one's going to touch you."

For the first time since meeting Ryder Knight...

I believed him.

Neither of us noticed the figure standing on the rooftop across the street, watching us through the lens of a camera.

The stranger snapped another photo.

One of Lily.

One of Ryder.

Then smiled.

"Perfect," he whispered.

"Now let's see how long your little love story lasts."