Chapter 47 47

Chapter 47 47
  ~TESSA~
    My man was the best you could ever find on the planet. 
    No wonder it had fallen so hard for him.
    He is... and would always be my everything... and if I was given another chance at life, I'd choose him over and over again...
    Without thinking twice. 
    Ryder was the perfect match for me...
    ~
    “Okay,” I said, staring at the beast of a bike like it might grow teeth. “So you’re telling me I... won’t die if I touch this thing?”
    Ryder stood beside me, arms crossed, grin permanently installed on his rugged face. “You’re not going to die. You’re going to learn.”
    I narrowed my eyes. “You say that like you weren’t a full-grown biker when you were ten.”
    “I was eleven,” he corrected. “And I crashed into a garden shed on day one. You’ll do better.”
    I gave him a look.
    He winked.
    I swung my leg over TB—Tessa Bishop, still made my chest flutter... and tried not to show how ridiculously nervous I was.
    It felt solid between my thighs. 
    Powerful.
    Like it could take me somewhere I’d never come back from. 
    And maybe that was the point.
    Ryder stepped behind me, one hand on my hip, the other gently moving mine to the handlebar.
    “Clutch. Brake. Throttle.” He guided my fingers like he was reading braille.
    I swallowed hard. “Why does this suddenly feel very not educational?”
    “Because I’m good at multitasking,” he murmured.
    Oh no. Oh yes.
    His chest pressed lightly against my back as he leaned closer. I could feel the warmth of him through the top I was wearing...
    His warm presence... it made me feel safe.
    “What’s next?” I managed, voice barely steady.
    “Start her up,” he said. “Twist slowly. Just the ignition. Feel the hum first.”
    I did.
    The engine purred under me, and something electric shot through my spine. 
    He noticed. 
    Of course he noticed.
    “Good girl,” he whispered, right in my ear.
    My hands tensed on the grips. “Ryder.”
    “Yeah?”
    “If you keep talking like that, I’m going to run over your foot.”
    He laughed, stepping back as I sat upright, now in full control.
    “Try the throttle. Easy.”
    I gave it a small twist.
    The engine growled louder. And so did Ryder’s smirk.
    “See? You’re already better than half the guys I ride with.”
    I looked over my shoulder. “You just like the view from back there.”
    “I really, really do.”
    I shook my head and gunned it just a little more.
    The bike didn’t buck or jerk. It moved. Smooth. Responsive.
    Just like he’d built it to be.
    For me.
    “You’re amazing,” I said.
    He grinned. “I know.”
    I rolled my eyes and parked it.
    When I climbed off, he met me halfway and caught my waist like I was still balancing on two wheels.
    “You’re mine, you know that?” he said softly.
    I nodded. “Yours. And TB’s.”
    Before he could kiss me, a voice rang out from the garage door.
    “AHEM.”
    We both looked up to see Debbie leaning casually on the frame, sunglasses perched on her head.
    Those sunglasses... same position... just like always. Haha.
    “I hate to break up the flirting-and-bike-seductions, but I booked you two a dinner reservation. Fancy. Romantic. And not in a garage.”
    Ryder groaned. 
    But... I beamed.
    She tossed me a shopping bag. “I even bought you a dress. Try not to let him rip this one.”
    ~
    The dress in the bag was… not what I expected.
    I pulled it out slowly, half-expecting something flirty and bright... Debbie’s usual style. 
    But what I found was deep emerald green, soft as silk, with thin straps and a back that dipped low enough to make me stare for a second.
    “Oh wow,” I whispered.
    Debbie had taste. 
    Or maybe she just had the intention of shutting Ryder up with one look.
    Either way… she was about to succeed.
    ~
    THAT EVENING...
    I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the neckline, slipping in gold hoops, and checking my lipstick for the fifth time. 
    A light knock sounded at the bedroom door.
    “Come in,” I called.
    Ryder stepped in, still tugging at the cuffs of his black shirt. 
    The top buttons were undone, sleeves rolled to the elbows, tattoos peeking out just enough to make my stomach flip.
    He looked me up and down... and froze.
    His jaw didn’t drop.
    He didn’t say anything stupid or corny.
    He just… stared.
    And for once, I was the one who smirked.
    “Well?” I asked.
    He blinked slowly. “Turn around.”
    I raised a brow, but did it anyway.
    And when I turned back, he was standing closer.
    “Yeah,” he said. “I’m definitely going to end up ripping this dress.”
    I burst out laughing, covering my face with my hands. “Ryder!”
    “Hey,” he said, voice low, “I warned you. That color? That back? That thing you're doing with your hair? Unfair.”
    I stepped up, smoothing a wrinkle from his shirt. “You clean up nice too, biker boy.”
    “Hmm...”
    I leaned up, kissing the corner of his mouth. “You’ll survive one dinner. And maybe afterward, I’ll let you unzip the dress very slowly.”
    He groaned. “You trying to kill me?”
    I took his arm, smug. “Let’s see how long you can behave.”
    We headed for the stairs, and just before we reached the bottom, I heard Ryder mutter under his breath.
    “What?” I asked.
    He looked over at me with that half-smile that always melted me.
    “Guess I’ll have to name the next bike after the dress.”