But Why Not

Chapter Fourteen

Ryder pulled away from the kiss, "Ready to go inside?"

"Mmhm." I nodded. I climbed off of Ryder's lap and got out of the car. Ryder grabbed my bag and I followed him inside.

He dropped my bag then turned to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "So. Does this mean I get to call you my girlfriend?"

I bit my lip and nodded. Ryder leaned down and gently kissed my forehead where my stitches were.

"Why don't you go in the living room and pick out a movie while I go take my medicine."

I nodded. He kissed me gently on the lips and went to the kitchen.

I knelt in front of his DVD cabinet to find a movie. THOR immediately caught my eye. I pulled it out of the cabinet and wandered to the kitchen to find Ryder.

I walked in as he tossed his head back to down his pills. He clenched his hand on the counter almost like he was in pain.

"Ryder?" I called softly from the doorway.

He whirled around to face me. "Erin. You startled me."

"Are you okay?" I asked concerned.

He furrowed his eyebrows and nodded. "Yeah. Don't worry." He came towards me and pulled me into his chest. "What movie did you choose?" he mumbled into my hair.

I leaned back and showed him THOR.

"Mm. Good choice. Come on." He took me by the hand and led me into the living room.

I flopped on the couch while he put the movie in.

Ryder grabbed a blanket that was thrown over the back on the arm chair and say down beside me in the corner of the couch.

He held out his arm to me and I snuggled into his side. He draped the blanket over us.

About 15 minutes into the movie. I fell asleep.

I woke up to Ryder gently stroking my hair and whispering my name. "Erin, come on, babe. The movie is over."

"Huh? Ry?" I mumbled groggily.

"I like when you call me that." he whispered in my ear. "Come on. Let's go up to bed."

I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "But, I don't have pajamas."

I settled back into Ryder. "You can wear one of my t-shirts. Now come on, Erin. This couch is not going to be comfortable to sleep on." he said kissing my forehead.

"Shhhh. I'm tiiirrreeeeddd." I whined.

Ryder sat me up. "Fine. Then come here." He pulled me into him and swung me up in his arms so he was carrying bridal style. I settled into his chest and wrapped my arms around his shoulders tightly.

He carried me into his room and set me down on the bed.

I opened my eyes and watched him as he rummages through his drawers before producing a t-shirt and a pair of boxers. He set them down on the bed beside me. "Here is a shirt I've out grown and I swear these are brand new boxers. I have never worn them before. You can go change in the bathroom."

I nodded and grabbed the clothes.

I emerged to find Ryder laying in bed in only sweatpants reading a book. I just stared at him. His body was gorgeous and perfect and just wow.

Ryder watched me over the top of his book. "It is okay if I sleep shirtless, right?"

I nodded. "Totally."

He laughed and set his book aside. "Come on. Let's sleep."

I crawled into bed beside him and slipped under the covers. Ryder rolled over and wrapped his arm tightly around my waist.

"Good night, Erin." he murmured in my ear kissing it.

I rolled to face him. "Good night, Ry." I whispered kissing him. I settled my head into the crook of his neck and he tangled our legs together. I heard him sigh in content before I fell asleep.

Two updates. In one night. I'm amazing. You're welcome.

Here's just a cute little chapter. Let's just say it's the calm before the storm.

Enjoy the cuteness!

Avery