It had been difficult seeing Ben so weak and out of it. The pianist had encouraged Ryder’s interest in pursuing his music more than once. Ryder guided his car into traffic, glad that his presence had at least seemed to brighten Ben’s wife’s spirits. He’d assured her that Ben would have a job at The Cove when he was ready to come back. The visit had reminded Ryder that life was fragile and time was short, not unlike his run in with riff raff in Vegas had. He wanted to live it to the fullest, share it with someone that truly mattered…like Ari. Ryder tightened his grip on the wheel. The woman kept him on his toes and his cock hard. Ari wasn’t the first woman he’d spanked but she was the first one who hadn’t wanted it in the beginning. He’d never anticipated her asking him to punish her or his intense reaction to doling it out. She was his match, creatively and sexually. Last night had proven that to him, made him wish he’d never accepted their present deal. Pride had been the only reason he had.