So This Is Love?

Part 3: When A Call Spoils It All

*** December 24th 2018***

They had taken longer than expected to film the beginning of the second season. Freema wanted to fly home for the holidays, but the storm and late schedule had stopped that from happening.

Now, she is left to celebrate Christmas alone- in a city that is still foreign to her somehow.

Knock knock knock!

Glancing at the door, she feels odd. No one visits her. At least- not mid evening before Christmas. Going to the door, her slippers padding against the wood floor, she tightens her fuzzy robe around her pajamas and opens the door.

"Ryan?" Standing at her door in his own pajamas and winter jacket- Ryan holds up two steaming take out cups and a bag of take out.

"Thought you could use some Christmas cheer." Stepping aside for him to come in, she closes it behind him and looks him over oddly. Heavy snow flakes glitter his hair and beard, while his nose and ear tips are pinked from the chill of the frosty outside world.

"I thought you flew home to LA to be with family?"

"Well...I have family here too." He winks and walks passed her to the kitchen. "Didn't know what you'd want- so I got a bit of everything. Burgers, wings, fries, onion rings, cheese sticks and for dessert- New York Style cheesecake....oh and a hot chocolate to warm you up."

He looks back at her as he removes the many styrofoam boxes from the two grocery bags after setting the cups down.

"Y...you didn't have to do all this." She meekly says as she takes his jacket to put in the closet.

"Well, I just thought you might like some company." He comes over to her and wraps her in his arms. Resting her head against his chest, she closes her eyes and takes him in. His hands slide up and down her back- a nice rub to calm her nerves he knows she has at the moment- and just quietly sways them from side to side for a bit.

When she looks up at him, she feels her stomach twist and turn. Her eyes search his and the heat grows and swells inside her.

"Why ya blushin'?" He smiles cockily at her and she comes back to reality.

"It's...it's just hot in here—that's all." Pulling from his body, she goes to sit at her kitchen island and he softly smiles and shakes his head before joining her.

****Present Day***

It took everything she had to pull herself from his body and remove herself from his home.

She's dreamt of that moment for years and now that it arrived- she hates it.

She knew if she would've continued- it wouldn't be out of adoration or love: but lust. Ryan would have taken what he wanted without an ounce of guilt or love for that matter.

If he wants her heart, she's going to make him work hard to earn it.

Walking onto set this morning, hair already done and make up on- she heads to her dressing room to set her things down and get changed. Upon opening the door, she finds a single stemmed white rose in a vase with a black ribbon around it. A smile rises to her face and getting closer, she finds a small card underneath the vase.

Freems ,

Hope your first day back goes great. Glad to be back and storming the trenches again with you!

Ry ❤️

Her smile grows wider on her face and she can't stop the burning in her cheeks.