Free Faith’s Temptation (Dueling Dragons MC Book 1) by Angie Sakai Page B

spectacular outfit ever—a red halter-top sundress with black, two-inch heels, a medium-sized opal necklace, and matching earrings. She does my makeup and hair. She promises to leave before Ryder shows up so things won’t be awkward.
    “Oh, baby cakes. You’re so beautiful, Faith.” She has tears in her eyes, but she doesn’t let them fall. “I really hope he sees what’s standing in front of him. I’ve been against this in hopes that I could protect you from being hurt, but you’re stubborn and so is Ryder.” She blots her eyes with a tissue. “So, I’ll step back and let fate take its course.”
    I walk over to her and give her a big hug. For someone that doesn’t want Ryder and me together, she sure is putting it on thick.
    “Thank you so much, Layla. For everything you’ve done, the place to live, everything in it, the job, helping me get ready for this dinner. The clothes and helping me with my hair and makeup.” I give her a small smile.
    “You’re more than welcome. Now, let’s make sure you have everything just right for tonight,” she says with a smile and wink.
    ***
    I waited ‘til 4:15 p.m., and so far he’s a no-show. That’s why I’m here, walking down the stairs. I am halfway down when I look up and see Ryder standing there.
    “You’re late,” I say to him and look down at my watch. “I thought you always kept your promises and are never late.”
    “Well, you seem to be late, also.” He is being a snide-ass this evening. “But I will say that you look…great.”
    That’s when I catch his eyes. They’re fixated on mine, and a little grin crosses his face. And there are those dimples again.
    Keep it together, Faith. You’re not falling for him in any kind of way. Bad people, remember. Bad people, I scream to myself on the inside.
    “You know something, Ryder?” I cock my eyebrow up, tilt my head, and place my hand on my hip with a sassiness that I just discovered in the past five seconds. “You truly are an asshole, and you know how to spoil a good thing even before it starts. I’m going to the bar. Bye.” I finish climbing down the rest of the stairs when my heel gets stuck and I am flying forward.
    I land right in Ryder’s arms. He has one arm around my back and the other on my backside. “Umm, excuse me?” I wiggle out of his arms. And I notice his lingering look.
    “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He almost looks like he’s blushing.
    “Well, whatever. I am outta here.” I push past him and head for the diner.
    All of a sudden, I’m being picked up around my waist and hoisted over Ryder’s shoulder. “What the fuck! Ryder! Put me down. God damn it, you’re an asshole. I am in a fucking dress, dickwad!” I scream at him while I beat his back with my fists, but it doesn’t faze him at all and he keeps sauntering toward the car.
    “Oh, baby. Faith, you have a dirty mouth for such a beautiful girl. Why are you so angry?” His voice is soothing, almost like a caress against my skin.
    I start to fight again, but I give up when I realize— Faith, you dumbass. You’re in a dress. Cover your ass! I reach back and smooth out my dress as best I can so that no grubby trucker has a view of something he shouldn’t, and then takes a picture to put in their spank bank . Eww. Bad mental picture. I shiver with the thought and block it out.
    “Say please and I’ll think about putting you down.” A tone of desire edges his voice.
    I let out a huge sigh and realize that his shoulder is digging into my bladder and I have to pee now. “Ryder, will you please put me down?” I err on the side of a sweet tone, hoping that he will buy that I’ve calmed down some. “Please....” I sigh again. “Pretty please,” I add for good measure.
    Even with my desperate need to pee, my core is aching for him to just touch me or kiss me. God, anything would be amazing right now . I haven’t had this ache in so long. It's lust, that's all it is, just lust.
    Yeah, right, you keep