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Isobel stepped into the expansive bathroom and gently closed the door behind her. She meandered through the room, gliding her fingers across the sleek granite countertop with double sinks. Spotting a bottle of cologne in the corner, she picked it up, twisted off the lid, and inhaled deeply; the well-known scent was a heady blend of masculinity, richness, and earthiness that sent shivers down her spine. Reluctantly placing the bottle back in its spot, she made her way to the shower.
Opening the door, she stepped inside the spacious area that rivaled her walk-in closet in size. She turned on the water, which poured down from a centrally-located rain shower head. Testing the temperature with her hand, she waited for it to warm up. Once ready, she stepped under the cascading water, reveling in its soothing warmth as it streamed over her body.
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Ryder stepped into a pair of blue and white plaid lounge pants, pairing them with a blue short-sleeved t-shirt. He was in the kitchen seasoning two steaks when he heard Isobel coming down the stairs. As she entered, Ryder glanced up to see her clad in green shorts adorned with white stripes around one leg, matched by a crop shirt with striped sleeves.
Distracted, Ryder scattered seasonings across the countertop. Isobel giggled and pointed at the mishap, "Um, you're missing them," she chuckled.
Ryder looked down, startled. "Oh, shoot." He quickly gazed back at Isobel with wide eyes. "I'm so sorry about that. I'm working on it."
Isobel shook her head with a smile. "Ryder, don't worry about it. It's fine."
He returned to cleaning up his mess, continuously glancing up at Isobel as he wiped the countertop with a wet washcloth.
"You look amazing. Do you usually walk around the house in that?" he asked.
Isobel glanced at her clothes. "Um, yeah, sometimes." She met his eyes again. "Is something wrong with it?"
"Nope, not at all."
Ryder tossed the dishrag into the sink and walked around the island to where Isobel was standing. He slid his hands along her waist, feeling her warm, soft skin before leaning down to kiss her.
"If you wear this after we're married, it won't be on you for long," Ryder grinned and kissed her neck before returning to the steaks.
Isobel's cheeks flushed as she trailed him around the island. "Need help with anything?" she offered.
"Sure," he pointed to an upper cabinet. "The plates are up there," then gestured towards a drawer in the island. "Silverware is in there."
Isobel took down two plates and grabbed the necessary silverware. She knew where the glasses were stored and filled two of them with ice and water.
Together they prepared supper; Isobel assembled a salad while Ryder grilled the steaks and sliced potatoes.
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After loading the dishes into the dishwasher, Isobel found herself wrapped in Ryder's arms on the couch, scrolling through movie channels. She chose Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn and Kristen Bell. The duo chuckled throughout the film, with Isobel leaning comfortably into Ryder's side.
As the movie ended, Ryder grabbed the remote and turned off the TV.
"We should probably head to bed," he murmured, running his fingers through her hair.
Isobel stood up and helped Ryder to his feet, holding his hand as they climbed the stairs. At the top, Ryder embraced Isobel tightly and kissed her tenderly.
His lips were soft and warm against hers, his tongue lightly tracing her top lip, tasting remnants of their dinner. Isobel's heart raced as her knees weakened.
Ryder pulled away, gently caressing her hair and cheeks before resting his forehead against hers. "Good night, Isobel."
"Good night, Ryder."
Ryder walked towards the guest room, pausing at the doorway to smile at her as she entered his bedroom. She turned, placing her hands on both door handles, smiling back as she slowly closed them.
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Ryder burst open his bedroom door and sprinted down the hallway, nearly tripping in his haste. Another scream echoed from the bedroom as he flung open the double doors to find Isobel sitting up in bed. Her knees were drawn to her chest, her head buried in her arms, trembling.
Ryder hurried to the bed and carefully sat on the edge.
"Isobel?" he asked softly.
She didn't respond.
"Isobel," he said a bit louder.
Isobel lifted her head, saw Ryder, and clung to him desperately, sobbing uncontrollably. Ryder held her close.
"Baby, you're alright. I have you," he whispered soothingly while stroking her hair. He rocked her gently back and forth. "You're safe now. You're with me. I'll protect you."
Isobel pressed her body tightly against Ryder. Despite her efforts, he could still sense her trembling, a mix of fear and tears. Without letting go, Ryder shifted further up the bed, resting his back against the headboard, pulling Isobel closer to him. She buried her head into his chest, tightening his arms around her as though trying to merge with him. He held her until her body relaxed and her breathing steadied. Then, he slid down until his head rested on the pillow, turning to his side. He pulled Isobel close so that her back was snug against his chest and held her tight as he drifted off, soothed by the rhythm of her slow heartbeat.
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A few hours later, sunlight filtered into the room, casting a warm glow. Dust particles floated in the beams of light moving across the floor. Isobel woke up disoriented until she felt Ryder's arm around her. She scooted back closer to him and tightened his arm around her. Ryder murmured softly in his sleep and tightened his hold on her. Feeling safe, Isobel soon drifted off again.
Ryder woke up to a tingling sensation in his left arm from the weight on it. Seeing Isobel peacefully asleep beside him, he carefully freed his arm and shook it to restore circulation. Once the feeling returned, he draped his right arm over her, watching as a small smile formed on her lips and twitched slightly. He gently touched her bottom lip with his fingers before leaning in to kiss her cheek. Isobel stirred and let out a soft moan as he kissed her cheek again and then trailed kisses down her neck.
Isobel stretched out and turned to face Ryder.
"Good morning, Baby," Ryder said before kissing her mouth.
"Good morning, Ryder." She rolled onto her side, placing a hand on his face. "Thank you."
Ryder smiled and nodded. "I love you."
"I love you too," she replied.
Isobel nestled into his arms with her head resting on his chest and laid an arm across him. In that moment, she felt safer than ever before in his embrace. She took a deep breath filled with the scent of his cologne and listened to the rapid beat of his heart as it responded to her touch.
Ryder's nose nestled against her hair, inhaling the fruity blend of her shampoo mixed with her perfume.
"Are you asleep?" he whispered softly after a few minutes.
Isobel raised her head. "No."
"Want to talk?" he asked, glancing down at her.
"About what?"
"Anything." Ryder reached over to brush a stray lock of hair from her eye.
"Okay. You start."
Ryder pondered for a moment before asking, "Do you want to keep teaching after we’re married?"
"Absolutely. I adore my job."
"Alright. Just know that if you ever want to stop working, you have that option."
"Got it. But I love what I do and intend to keep at it for a long time."
"Okay." Ryder smiled.
"What else do you want to talk about?"
"When do you want kids?"
"Not anytime soon." She stretched up and kissed his lips. "I want to enjoy us for a while."
Ryder grinned, "Me too." He paused for a moment. "Are you on birth control?"
"Um, no. Not yet."
"Is that something you’re thinking about?"
"Yes, most likely. I have an appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks to discuss my options."
"Oh, okay."
Isobel rolled onto her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows. "What do you want me to do?"
"Isobel, that's your decision. But if we both want to wait on starting a family, we need a plan." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Because I plan on spending lots of time in here with you." His voice was low and seductive as he spoke.
Isobel felt a flush rise to her cheeks and she dropped her head, laughing.
"I think I'm going to retire from bull riding."
Her head snapped up, eyes searching his for any sign of a joke. "Are you serious?"
Ryder nodded solemnly.
"Why?"
He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly before beginning. "When it was just about me, it didn’t matter as much. If I got hurt, there wasn’t anyone in the stands worrying. But now it's different, Isobel." Ryder gently cupped her cheek. "I have you to think about now."
Isobel's heart raced, her stomach churned. "I can't ask you to do that, Ryder. You love bull riding. It's your whole life."
"You’re not asking me. And it's not my whole life—you are."
She gasped softly, "Oh, Ryder. But you can't just give it up."
Ryder nodded again, thumb brushing her cheek tenderly. "I've been considering this for a while now. I want to do it. I'm not getting any younger and I can't bear the thought of you worrying every time I get into that chute. It's time."
"But you love rodeos."
"I’ve talked with Wren; we might give team roping a go."
"Really? That’s amazing." Isobel’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"We've done it around the ranch for fun and we're actually pretty good at it. This way we can still be part of the rodeo scene and it's a lot safer." Ryder leaned down for a kiss.
"Rose will be thrilled too. Wren's last injury really frightened her."
"Yeah, it shook him up as well. He called me yesterday before you arrived and said he's all in for team roping."
"What about Vegas?"
"That'll be my last ride."
"So soon?"
Ryder nodded, “Yes, I just can’t put you through that.” Ryder paused and looked at the wall across the room. “I can still see my mom’s face when my dad was killed. I don’t ever want you to feel that way.”
“But what if you don’t get your third world title?”
Ryder returned his gaze to Isobel, “If I win, I win. If I don’t, I don’t. I’m not going to let that dictate my future any longer.”
“But what if you start to resent me for your decision to quit?” Isobel asked with worry in her eyes.
Ryder wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up, bringing her face to his. He was laying on his back and Isobel now rested on his chest. He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her very passionately.
“I will never resent you, Isobel. Not ever. This was my decision. I want a long future with you and I am not promised that if I keep riding.”
Isobel lowered her face to his, covering his lips with hers.
“Alright. My turn.” Isobel slid back down onto her elbows. “Do you want to have a honeymoon?”
“Oh, yes. For sure. I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you about that.”
“Yes?”
“I have World’s two weeks after the wedding, and I was wondering if you would mind if we took our honeymoon after?”
“That would be just fine, Ryder. Where do you want to go?”
“Well, I have some ideas on that.” Ryder ran his hand down her back. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Will you let me plan the honeymoon?”
A smile grew across Isobel’s face, “Yes, of course. ”
“Do you have a passport?”
Isobel’s heart began to race at the thought of getting out of the country again. “Yes, I do. Do you?”
“No, but I have already sent in all the necessary documents and application.”
“Do I get any hints?”
Ryder nodded, “But only one.”
“Okay.”
“We will have to take a plane to get there.” Ryder grinned, his dimples showing and his eyes glistened.
“Ryder,” she exclaimed and slapped his arm. “That’s not fair.”
“You need to learn to be patient.”
“You have enough patience for the two of us.”
Ryder continued to gently massage her back. "So, would you be alright with spending our wedding night here?"
Isobel had always fantasized about being with Ryder in this exact room; just the thought of it sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. "Yes, Ryder. That would be perfect."
"Good." Ryder ran his fingers through her long hair. "Anything else on your mind?"
"I don't know. You go."
"Will you trust me with one more thing?"
"Anything, Ryder."
"I'd like to choose our first dance song."
A broad smile illuminated Isobel's face. "Of course."
"Thank you," he said, leaning in to kiss her. "I promise it will be perfect."
"I'm sure it will be."
"Do you want to stay here again tonight?"
"If it's alright with you."
Ryder slipped his hands under her arms and pulled her on top of him, wrapping his arms around her and bringing their faces inches apart. "I don't mind at all, Isobel."
His hands moved up to cradle the back of her head, her hair sliding like silk through his fingers. He pulled her down until their lips met, kissing her passionately as his hands roamed over her body. They slipped under her shirt to rest on her lower back, the touch of her soft skin against his rough hands sending him into a frenzy. Slowly and reluctantly, he withdrew his hands from beneath her shirt and let them fall beside him, exhaling a long breath.
"Alright then, how about we get up and go downstairs for some breakfast?"
Isobel giggled and rolled off Ryder, adjusting her shirt as she did so.