----------------------------------------

Isobel grabbed her bag of clothes and a few other things, trailing behind Ryder to his trailer.

"Why don't you take the bed? I'll sleep down here."

"You don't have to, Ryder."

"I want to. It's getting really hard for me to keep my hands off you." Ryder gently brushed his knuckles next to the bruise on her face, then looked into her eyes. "Are you alright?"

Isobel nodded with a grin, "I'll be just fine, Ryder."

"Any pain? Need more painkillers?"

"No, not much. My face is tender but better than last night. Wren, on the other hand, will need a lot of relief."

"Yes, he will." Ryder swept her hair back, held her face, and kissed her passionately. His arms wrapped around her as his hand pressed against her back. He released her and stepped back, "See? Can't keep my hands off you. I think I’ll shower."

Ryder unzipped his chaps and hung them in a wardrobe cabinet. After retrieving his hat from Isobel’s head, he placed it on the hat rack above the door. Boots came off next, lined up neatly beside his others.

Isobel quietly sat on the couch, watching him as he put everything in its place.

He unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it into a cabinet for dirty clothes. Isobel's eyes traced his back muscles with each movement. Absentmindedly, Ryder unbuckled his belt and started pushing off his pants but stopped midway. He turned slowly towards Isobel with a grin.

"I think I'll finish this in there," he said, pointing to the small bathroom.

Isobel pouted, "Oh, alright. But I was enjoying the show."

Ryder walked over to her with pants hanging low on his hips. Isobel's gaze roamed over his chest and six-pack abs.

Ryder gently lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger, their faces aligning. He kissed her deeply as he pushed her back until she lay on the couch under him. His kisses deepened as their tongues entwined.

Her arms wrapped tightly around his back, fingers pressing into his shoulder blades pulling him closer. Ryder moved against her rhythmically while one hand tangled in her hair and the other slipped under the small of her back to pull her up toward him. Isobel's hips instinctively lifted to meet him.

Ryder paused to search her face before kissing the tip of her nose softly again.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"And now my shower just turned icy cold." He smiled as he lifted himself off her body, letting his hand glide down her arm, across her hip, and along her leg as he stood up. She watched him adjust the front of his pants before turning to walk away, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle with cheeks flushed with desire.

Ryder emerged from the bathroom freshly cleaned, shaved, and donned in a pair of shorts. Isobel stood holding clothes and her toiletry bag. "Any hot water left?"

Ryder grinned and nodded. "Oh, yes. All of it."

Isobel's cheeks warmed as she passed by him into the bathroom. Before closing the door, she noticed Ryder watching her intently, his eyes roaming over her body until they locked onto hers. He exhaled deeply through his nose, shook his head, and turned toward the couch.

By the time Isobel came out of the bathroom, Ryder had set up the couch with sheets and a blanket. He lounged back on it, arm behind his head, watching a movie. Isobel found an empty cabinet and stored her things.

"I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed," she said, leaning down to kiss him.

"Do you need anything? There are bottles of water in the fridge."

Isobel grabbed a bottle from the fridge and returned to kiss Ryder again. "Good night. I love you."

Ryder cupped her face and kissed her once more. "I love you too."

Isobel climbed into bed and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, Isobel awoke to the scent of Ryder's cologne. She blinked against the sunlight streaming into the trailer and turned to find Ryder lying beside her, head propped on his elbow with a smile. He reached out to brush hair from her face.

"Good morning, beautiful." He leaned down for a kiss.

"Good morning, handsome."

"We need to get going soon. Want some breakfast?"

Isobel smiled and nodded before stretching her arms out. Ryder kissed her nose then slipped out of bed and down the steps.

She rolled onto her side and dozed off again until the smell of bacon coaxed her awake. Sliding to the edge of the bed, she straightened the covers before climbing down from it.

"Need some help?" she asked, trailing her hand across his back as she walked behind him.

"There's some orange juice in the fridge. Could you grab it and pour four glasses?"

"Sure," she replied, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek.

Bella Rose and Wren joined them, and the four gathered around the table for breakfast, chatting about the highlights of their weekend.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Ryder asked Wren.

"Very sore, but I'll survive," he replied, pressing a hand to his chest.

After cleaning up, packing the trailers, and pulling in the slide-out, Isobel waited by the truck while Ryder double-checked everything. She observed as Bella Rose loaded Samson into the trailer and Wren placed the last items into the truck’s bed.

Ryder returned to Isobel’s side just as Officer Miller arrived in his patrol car. He exited and approached them, with Wren and Bella Rose quickly joining.

"I wanted to inform you that we caught the attack on security camera footage. There's enough evidence to put those men away for a long time."

Ryder wrapped an arm around Isobel's waist, pulling her close.

"We've arrested all four men. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled in a couple of weeks. I'll keep you updated."

Ryder extended his hand to shake the officer's. "Thank you very much for your assistance."

"My pleasure, Ryder. We don't tolerate this kind of behavior here. Those men are locals and have been troublemakers before—never to this extent—but they will face justice."

"Thank you, sir," Isobel said as she shook his hand.

"Yes, ma'am." The officer's eyes held kindness as he shook her hand. "I'm very sorry for what happened."

He returned to his car and drove away. Ryder pulled Isobel into a hug and kissed her on top of her head.

"Let's get out of here. Are you guys ready?"