More Than Just a Bad Boy

Chapter 16

"Sure thing, sugar pie," Pearl gave Ryder a knowing smile. I had grasped his sides so I could attempt to hold my my torso up. Just as Pearl was about to walk out, she called over her shoulder, "And don't worry. I called you in sick. You should be thankful you have an such an awesome aunt like me who'll let you skip without telling your mom." I could feel him slightly tense up at the word "mom". Unconsciously, I rubbed my thumbs on his hard stomach in a soothing, circle motion. He tensed even more, but then relaxed under my touch.

Once the door closed I started thrashing around. "Put me down!" I screamed. He walked over to the chair that Pearl had cleaned off for him and gently placed me on it. I attempted to get up, but his hands on my waist made me freeze. I let him slowly push me back down. I let out a shaky breath as he brushed away the hair that had fallen in my face.

"Brooke," he whispered.

"Ryder," I said just as loud.

"You took what I said the wrong way," his eyes were pleading, but I looked away. I don't want to talk about this. I know I should still be mad at him, but no matter how hard I try, I can't anymore. I guess I'm just disappointed. "Look at me," the command came out more as a question, but I flicked my eyes to his anyways. "I never said you were ugly or fat." I looked down. "Brooke," he groaned. "Please, just look at me."

I reluctantly did. "I don't want to talk about it," I said in a monotone voice.

"But I do." Without breaking eye contact, Ryder picked up my legs that were resting on the stool so he could sit down. He scooted it as close as he could towards me, and then put each of my legs on either side of him. Ryder then grabbed my hips and pulled me onto his lap.

My heart was pounding.

"I'm too fat to do this," I tried scooting off of his lap but his hands snaked to my lower back and he wouldn't let me move. "I seriously don't want to do this. Let me go."

Ryder ignored my protests. "I did not call you fat. I did not call you ugly. You took what I said the wrong way."

"You keep saying that, but I didn't! You said, and I quote, 'At first I thought you'd be a good lay. I like a little challenge. But after I got a good look at you in your underwear and bra, I'm glad I didn't go with my original plan.' I'm pretty sure that's not calling me anything good," I ended sarcastically.

He sighed and leaned his forehead against mine, but I didn't move away. He closed his eyes. I studied his face. He was too attractive for me anyways. His dirty-blonde wisps of hair fell across his forehead. I fought the urge to touch them.

I swear my heart skipped a beat when I looked back to his eyes and they were already looking at me. His lips were pulled into a slight smile. "You don't understand what I meant by being glad that I didn't go through with it." His eyes bore into mine like he was trying to tell me that way.

"Then what!? What did you mean!?" I watched as his mouth opened and closed multiple times. He looked away nervously. "See? I knew you meant it."

His face dropped. "Look, I can't tell you why, not yet at least."

"Bullshit, Ryder. Bullshit." This time I managed to get off of his lap and slide onto the chair. I should leave. I really should get up and walk out of that door, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. For some stupid reason, I didn't want to leave. He was sort of addicting.

Ryder stood and kicked the stool to the other side of the room. He ran his hands multiple times through his hair. He walked briskly to the door and kicked it as hard as he could. "Ouch," he grunted. I just sat there and watched him. I should be afraid, right? I should be afraid of a 6'1", pissed off, muscular, 17 year old. I should be afraid of this man who was now towering above me with determination on his face. But I wasn't and I had no idea why.