Ryder (Resisting Love #2.5)(16)

“I’ll see you this evening, my queen of hearts,” he whispers against my lips, leaning in for a slow kiss. When he's done, I’m more than ready to head back into the bedroom.

“Don’t look at me like that, Lexi,” he warns in a gravelly voice.

“Like what?” I ask innocently, my eyes wide. I may or may not bat my lashes at him.

“You’re such a temptress,” he mock growls, ravishing my lips once more before heading for the door.

I exhale deeply.

Only Ryder could leave my pulse racing with just a simple kiss.

*****

Tee walks in about an hour later, a knowing smirk on her gorgeous face.

“You’re a screamer. I wish I didn’t know that about you, Lexi,” she says with a smirk. I choke on my coffee. The woman has no filter.

“What’s that you have?” I ask, purposely changing the subject. She's carrying a box of something that has ‘Eat and Die’ written on the side. Tee glances down at the box and laughs. “Oh, this. I was at Layla’s and found this box of chocolates, so I thought I’d help Layla out by taking them,” she says with a shrug. I walk over and peer into the box. It’s filled with Twix bars, about twenty of them.

“How are you helping Layla by eating all her chocolate? You’re taking chocolate from your own sister now?” I say in a surprised and slightly horrified tone. Tee chuckles evilly. “Nah, I’m pretty sure it’s Chase’s.”

*****





Chapter 9


Lexi

I stare around at our new apartment and grin. Tee and I have officially been moved in for five days now, and the place is already starting to feel like home. Luckily it was already furnished, so we didn’t need to do much besides add our personal belongings and stock up on food. We also had to buy bed sheets, towels, cleaning products, and other household items.

Ryder wasn’t too happy when I moved out. In fact, he sulked for a little while, saying there was no rush to leave. I’m not too far away from Ryder’s apartment, maybe about ten minutes, so it’s no big deal. I love the feeling of having a place to call mine, the freedom to do whatever I please.

I started my job at the bar yesterday, and so far, so good. I’m only working every Tuesday, because I got offered another job as a receptionist at law firm. The manager at Steele is a really nice girl named Payton. She's covered in tattoos and has thick jet black hair, the woman could be a pin up model. I love the fact that I’m earning money again, and that I can stop pulling money out from my savings account.

Tee's gone to visit her parents and calm them down after they finally found out she was in town and hadn’t told them. She'll be gone for two nights, so I thought I’d invite Ryder over for dinner. I’ve baked chicken with garlic bread, corn, and salad; everything is ready and waiting.

There's a knock on the door and I quickly glance down and check over my outfit. I had decided on black skinny jeans with a thin yellow belt and a black top that was all covered in front, but very open at the back. I walk to the door and open it, my heart thumping in my chest when my eyes land on Ryder.

“You look beautiful,” he tells me huskily, stepping in and capturing my lips in a searing kiss. Then he walks forward, our lips still connected, and closes the front door with a push of his foot.

“I’ve missed you,” he says against my lips.

“Me, too,” I whisper, pulling back, my gaze still on his sinful mouth.

“It’s been so boring at home, it’s so damn quiet now,” he adds with a crooked grin.

“I’m sure you'll survive,” I say playfully. Ryder grunts, shaking his head. “Something smells amazing,” he says, wandering into the kitchen.

“I’m not sure what I want to eat first,” Ryder muses suggestively, as he glances between the food and me. My face goes a little red, and Ryder chuckles throatily.

“I think that blush answered that question,” he says, walking over to me and lifting me in his arms. He carries me to my room and to my bed, laying me on the red and black skull comforter. He gets down on his knees and pulls me down the bed so my legs are dangling. Then he undoes my belt and the button of my jeans, pulling my pants down. He makes a sound at the back of his throat before he nuzzles the inside of my thigh, slowly heading upwards.

“You smell so good,” he says gruffly, “I’m going to take my time with you.”

And he does.

In fact, we eat dinner four hours later.

*****

I’m home alone, and bored. I pull out my guitar and start to play a few random songs. I play ‘Underneath Your Clothes’ by Shakira. I sing the last line, already thinking about which song I want to practice next, when I hear someone clear their throat behind me. I spin around, and my eyes widen when I see Ryder standing there watching me, his eyes glimmering with emotion. He's leaning against the door, his posture casual, but his eyes are heated and intense.

“You are so f*cking amazing, Lexi,” he rasps. I open my mouth, and close it again, still in shock. I don’t usually let anyone hear me sing, unless I'm extremely comfortable with that person. The only other person I have sung with is my ex, and that once wonderful memory is now tainted.

“Play me another song, please,” he begs quietly, walking into the room and sitting down on the bed next to me. I open my mouth to decline but he says, “Please, Lexi,” once more and I break.