Between us

Chapter 8

A now-familiar musky male scent made its way into my nose. I slowly opened my eyes and lifted my head up. Lying in bed with me is none other than Ryder Storm. He stayed.

He looked so calm and I smiled slightly. Today was the first time in years that I had an episode like this. I remember the first time it happened was when I heard that Mom died. My dad laughed and Dominic would've also laughed at me. But not Ryder, he stayed.

I slowly stood up and walked to the bathroom. I washed my face and tied my hair into a messy bun. When I went back to my room he woke up and stretched himself. His shirt lifted up a little and exposed his torso. Oh God. Look away!

He looked at me and motioned me to come towards him. "Come here."

I stepped closer and then he stood up and gave me a hug. I tensed up at first, but then my body began to relax and I hugged him back. "Thank you Ryder." I whispered up to him.

"Anytime," he whispered back and then I smiled. "Can you just do me a favour?" He then asked.

I looked up at him. "Yeah?"

"Take off your wedding ring." He said and I looked at him in shock. "Trust me." He then said.

"But what about Teresa and Jacob?" I asked him. "They already saw this ring and they believe th-" he then put his finger to my lips.

"Trust me."

I looked in his eyes and instantly I trusted him. I took off my wedding ring and gave it to him.

"On Valentine's day, that is Monday, you will receive wonderful news." He said and put the ring into his pocket.

"What wonderful news?" I asked him, curious about what he has done.

"Dominic will send you something." He shrugged and I froze, then bursted out laughing, causing him to look at me confused.

"Are you some kind of fortune teller?" I then asked him, and he only smirked.

"He'll send something." He said and began to walk away from me. Something about his confidence made me wonder what he has done.

"What did you do?" I asked and followed him to the backyard.

He only shrugged and went to clean his big motorbike. The one he said I could ride on one day.

"Ryder. What. Did. You. Do?" I asked and he looked at me with a bored expression on his face.

"You talk a lot." He said and I felt a fury growing in me. "But if you have to know," he began dramatically and I rolled my eyes. "Let's just say I'm keeping my promises."

And just there in that moment I felt as if a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. My smile got huge. "Really?" I asked and he shrugged.

"Really?!" I asked again and he shot me his famous 'death-stare'.

"You said that you will stop giving me the death-stare!" I began and he grinned.

"I promised to do so if you stop talking so much. And here you just keep on yapping."

I chuckled and went to give him a hug, and a quick peck on his bearded cheek. "Thank you Ryder, I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you."

"We'll think of something." He said with strange tone in his voice and my heartbeats increased. I'm aroused again. Oh Lord. I gave him another peck on his cheek and rushed inside.

                          **********

I looked at myself in the mirror and frowned while I looked at my clothes. I was wearing a black skinny jeans with a orange sweater and my fuzzy grey boots. My long hair was wavy and I applied natural makeup. I know I looked good but something felt different.