Protecting Her (Alpha Security 1)

“Yeah, but I planned to get one from the pawn shop or something. It will take me forever to pay you back,” she says, deflated now when she was so happy a few minutes ago.

It kills me that she would have been happy with a computer from the pawn shop. She has already proven to me that she is not vain or materialistic and she works hard for everything she has. It makes me want to give her everything she wants or needs.

“You are not paying me back. I wanted to do this for you. Just accept it and say thank you. Please. It’s a gift. You can’t say no without hurting my feelings.” I give her my most innocent look.

She hesitates even longer, looking between the bag and me until finally she gives in. “Okay. Thank you, Ryder. I do appreciate this. And everything else you’ve done for me.” She leans over the console to kiss me on the cheek. I stop her from pulling back and bring her lips to mine. I wanted to give her time to get used to me, but I can’t resist kissing her when she’s this close to me. Her lips open softly under the pressure of mine, but I refrain from deepening the kiss. I have no control when it comes to Sierra. She had me hooked even before this kiss.

As I pull back from her, her eyes are closed and she sticks her tongue out and swipes it along her lower lip. I brush a hair away from her face and hold her cheek in my hand. When she opens her eyes, we sit there looking at one another.

My face is in a full grin and with her brown eyes looking back at me, I lean in one more time to kiss her. Even with that brief touch of our lips, I want more.

Pulling back, I lean over and buckle her seat belt for her. Then, kissing her on the nose, I go back to my seat and take off toward her work. When I drop her off, I let her out of the truck, give her a quick kiss and make her promise me she will call me if she sees Johnny.

Chapter 3

Sierra

I worked all morning and then walked to class. Campus is less than a mile from my work. Sitting through a whole class of statistics makes my mind wander to Ryder. He’s almost too good to be true. Just thinking about him makes me slide my legs together to feel the friction. I know my panties are wet and they have been since I met him yesterday. Yesterday! That’s crazy I only met him twenty-four hours ago.

My phone vibrates in the pocket of my skirt. I look up at the professor and he is still going on and on about math. I pull my phone out and can’t stop the smile from forming on my lips. It’s Ryder.

Will you go out with me tonight?

My heart starts pounding in my chest; I swear I can see the movement in my shirt. I know I just met him, but I feel like I can trust him.

Yes, I type and push send before I second-guess myself.

The little bubble shows up telling me he is typing me back. What time do you get out of class?

I look up at the professor and he is still writing problems down on the board. In 30 minutes. I will be home in an hour.

I will pick you up from class. See you soon.

After class, I walk out of the math building and straight into a strong pair of arms that wrap around me. He kisses me briefly on the head, then tugs me toward his truck. I can see some women from my class eyeing me, and I can’t help but beam proudly at having Ryder by my side.

He helps me into the truck. Once he’s in and takes off down the road, I ask him, “Do I need to go home and change?”

Looking down at my bare legs, he grasps the console between us, like he’s stopping himself from touching me. I still have on my black skirt, and it has now ridden up my thighs. I’ve removed my button-down and just have a white T-shirt on.

“You look perfect, Sierra.” He grabs my hand and laces his fingers with mine.

He pulls into a new steakhouse. I’ve heard it’s really good, but I haven’t eaten here before. I would never been able to afford it.

Once we are seated and have ordered, he holds my hand. He had me sit next to him in the booth, instead of across from him, only telling me that he liked having me close.

We eat and laugh. He tells me about his company and I tell him about my parents, my brother and that I’m studying accounting in school.