Whack. My ass stung. He’d spanked me again, harder this time.
Ryder’s eyes were blazing, his lips curled into a snarl. “Princess, you’re a smart girl. How long is it going to take you to learn? No fucking arguments.”
I pushed away from the mattress. “Fuck you, Ryder. This isn’t fun anymore.” I shoved at his chest.
Seething, he pushed me back against the bed, gripping both my wrists above my head. His eyes flared. “Bitch, don’t ever speak to me like that again.” His voice was hard. Clipped. He hadn’t called me bitch in a while. “I'll gladly pull you over my knee and spank the living shit outta you for being a disobedient girl. Don’t. Test. Me."
I closed my eyes, unable to move. I was completely at his mercy. Angry Ryder wasn’t a man to mess with. His muscles flexed and I felt his rage roll off him in waves.
A few moments passed before he spoke again. “Look at me.” His voice still had an edge to it, but was somehow softer. “Jade, open your eyes.”
My eyes fluttered open. Afraid to witness his anger, I peered at him though my lashes. I gasped for air, not because of his rage, but because all I could see in his expression was love. Looking into my eyes, he stroked my cheek.
“I fucking love you, woman. When are you going to realize I’d give my last fucking breath for you?”
I couldn’t speak. I blinked fast, trying to keep the tears in check. What he said was true. He was trying to protect me.
After a long pause, Ryder spoke softly. “Anyway, Rebecca is going to be in New York too. We can catch up with Max—I want to introduce you to my brother.” He sighed. “Babe, if you want to be a part of my life, you have to realize that I know what’s best for us, okay? You have to trust my decisions. You are my woman, and I have to make sure that you are safe at all times. So let me do that, okay? Take care of you in every possible way?”
I nodded. “I trust you Ryder.”
“Good girl. New York is going to be a blast. We’ll have the days to ourselves—to do whatever we want.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Okay. But I hate flying. I always get sick. So that part won’t be fun,” I warned. If he wanted to whisk me away, he had to know what was waiting.
Ryder lifted a brow and smirked. “If you think that’s going to put me off taking you with me, you’re wrong.”
“Well . . . I must admit, meeting Maxwell will make it worthwhile. I’ve heard so much about him from both you and Rebecca that I’m dying to meet the man.”
“You’ll like Max. He’s a good man.”
“Ha-ha. If he’s anything like you, he’s an enigma. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Of course he’s not as good looking as what I am. Nor as smart,” Ryder joked, but I could see the pride in his eyes whenever he spoke of Max.
Chapter Thirteen — Jade
Because Rebecca was going to New York, it had been a lot easier to convince my father that I needed a break. He was reluctant to give me time off work at first, but then he relented—probably thinking that because I was going with Rebecca, that I’d be leaving Ryder behind.
This was the second time this week that I’d come to my parents’ house for a meal. I only hoped it would go better than the last one where Harrison had informed them all about Ryder. We’d had an unpleasant family lunch the day after my birthday, with my brother ranting about Ryder and how I was throwing my life away. My parents added their disapproval, urging me to be sensible.
“What happened to my smart girl? The one who was going to be the best lawyer in the state?” Daddy had said before he took a huge sip of red wine from his glass. He’d been holding so tightly onto the stem, I was waiting for it to snap at any moment.
My mother had pinched the bridge of her nose and then peered at me over her glasses. “You’ve worked so hard, Jade: don’t give it all up now. You’re so close, honey, just keep going a little longer. No man is worth throwing your future away for. I thought I taught you that?”
Even though they’d had my best interests at heart, they were going about it completely wrong. My stubborn streak set in, making me more determined than ever to make up my own mind about dating Ryder.
Now, we were sitting around the same table, but tonight Rebecca and Lexi had joined us for dinner since it was Becca’s last night in L.A. The atmosphere was a lot lighter, but I couldn’t get myself to drink the wine Daddy had poured into each of our glasses. Lexi eyed my full glass and I nodded, so she quickly swapped our glasses, smiling at her good fortune.
My stomach churned as I pushed the food around my plate. I’d completely lost my appetite, even though my mother had cooked my favorite dishes. Nausea rose up in my throat and I had to excuse myself to use the bathroom.