It’s another night with very little sleep, with too many hot dreams about a certain man. I decide to head to the gym early.  I arrive around 5am and immediately hit the tread climber. I put my earphones in and my iPod on loud.  Time to get lost in a good workout. The gym is jam packed this morning, which normally feeds my insecurities, but not today. I am just consumed in my workout. An hour later, I am feeling motivated and sweaty. My phone starts ringing, and I see its Maggie calling.  She needs a ride to work this morning.  That’s my cue; my workout is over. I step off the tread climber wiping my face with my towel. I turn around and directly hit a very hard, sweaty chest. As I look before me, I see the waistband of black baggy basketball gym shorts, hanging low on his hips; showing a bit of that trail of dark hair that leads to pleasures of all kinds. I see this set of rock hard abs, which should be illegal to be on display.  Before I have time to take in all the tattoos along his ribs, arms, pecks, and shoulders, I hear the all too familiar voice of Ryder. “Well, good morning Sunshine!  Tsk! Tsk!  Even at the gym you are gorgeous and brighten my day.” He starts to walk away, but instinctively I reach out and grab his completely toned arm. This man spends some serious time at the gym perfecting his body. “Ryder, I just want to say thank you for checking on me Sunday night. I hope I didn’t ruin your evening with the red head, by boring you with my drunken ramblings.” He laughs, “No need to thank me, and nothing about you ever bores me. I enjoy your company, even the drunken ramblings. And, Valerie, the red head, is just a friend who needed a ride home.” We both stand there silently for what seems like forever, when I finally stammer, “Well I appreciated the company.  So, to say thank you, how about dinner?” Before I can stutter my way back out of the invitation, he leans over, kisses my forehead and says, “Great I will pick you up at 7pm tonight, wear jeans and boots.” And with that he walks off, leaving me breathless; while my inner diva is doing her happy dance. I shower and change, ready to start my Friday. I arrive at the office, only to realize I totally forgot to pick up Mags. She gets in the car laughing at me, “Ok Dina, what gives? You are never this distracted.” Grinning from ear to ear I give her the play by play of my morning.

She squeals in delight as she adds, “In that case, can I borrow your car for the

He laughs, “No need to thank me, and nothing about you ever bores me. I enjoy your company, even the drunken ramblings. And, Valerie, the red head, is just a friend who needed a ride home.” We both stand there silently for what seems like forever, when I finally stammer, “Well I appreciated the company.  So, to say thank you, how about dinner?” Before I can stutter my way back out of the invitation, he leans over, kisses my forehead and says, “Great I will pick you up at 7pm tonight, wear jeans and boots.” And with that he walks off, leaving me breathless; while my inner diva is doing her happy dance. I shower and change, ready to start my Friday. I arrive at the office, only to realize I totally forgot to pick up Mags. She gets in the car laughing at me, “Ok Dina, what gives? You are never this distracted.” Grinning from ear to ear I give her the play by play of my morning. She squeals in delight as she adds, “In that case, can I borrow your car for the Delany dinner party tonight since you won’t be attending with me?” Oh my!  I totally forgot about work, “Do you need me there? I wasn’t thinking, I can cancel my plans with Ryder.” She nudges me as she protests, “Hell no!  Girl, you will go tonight.  I have work all covered, I just need a car.  Brayden needs mine.” I don’t question why, even though I was curious as to why Brayden isn’t driving his 1970 Dodge Charger. The day passes quickly and before I know it, Mags is pushing me out the office door and dropping me at home. I dress in jeans, a charcoal gray V-neck shirt, and my favorite, no heel black knee high boots.  Just as I’m putting on a pair of plain diamond studded earrings, a gift from my father, I hear the distinct rumble of a Harley Davidson motorcycle approaching. I smile at recognizing the engine sound. A few moments later, my doorbell rings, I open it to face Ryder in a pair of jeans, a snug navy blue t-shirt, and black boots. He smiles a half smile, kisses my forehead as he says, “You look amazing.” All I manage to stutter is, “You have a Harley Davidson Night Train?  Wow.” He looks at the bike, then replies, “If you don’t want to ride, we can take your car. Mags said you used to drive a sportster.  So I, ummm, thought…..well anyway we can take your car.” Without thinking, I grab him off my porch and into my living room, where I leave him as I dart through the kitchen, and into my garage. I come back to him, helmet in hand, and smiling my biggest smile. He’s standing there as I braid my hair, “Ryder, I haven’t been on a bike since the last time I drove mine on a poker run with my dad and his friends. I would love to ride with you.  Let’s go!” He grabs my helmet and helps me lock up.