CEO's Bartender

Chapter Six

I twist the ring nervously on my finger as Ryder stares at me with an unreadable expression. "Why am I just now finding out about this?" he finally asks. I raise an eyebrow, "You do realize we've only known each other for what, a week?" I comment.

"That doesn't warrant my life story." I add. I turn and walk into the kitchen, running water into a glass before turning around. Ryder is right behind me, his gaze softens and he brings a hand up to my cheek. "I'm not asking for your life story," he pauses.

"I'm asking for you to give me a chance, I know you're not completely over him and I'm okay with that. I don't want you to push me away, even just friends is fine." Ryder says. My heart melts, "I'd like that." I hear myself say. Ryder smiles and presses a kiss to my forehead.

He wraps his arms around my waist and throw my over his shoulder, I yelp in surprise. "Put me down you big oaf!" I complain. He drops me on the couch before falling down beside me, "I'm feeling a movie night, you?" he asks. "You get the popcorn, I'll get the movie." I say.

He gets up and walks into the kitchen while I grab the remote and search for a good movie. Ryder sits down beside me, "The Lion King? Seems kinda childish don't you think?" he says. I swat his shoulder, feigning hurt. "How dare you insult me like that?!" I say dramatically.

Ryder raises an eyebrow, "Fine. We'll watch your movie." he says. I settle into the couch and start the movie. Ryder sets the bowl of popcorn between us and takes a handful. I grab a piece and pop it into my mouth, Ryder watches my every move.

I throw a piece of popcorn at him, "Just friends remember?" I say. Ryder rolls his eyes, "Just watch your movie." he says. I turn back to face the tv just as the opening scene plays...

*** *** ***

I jolt awake as someone picks me up. I panic until I see it's Ryder. "Put me back, I was comfortable." I whine. Ryder chuckles, "You fell asleep against my shoulder halfway through the movie. I was just taking you to the guest bedroom." he says.

I go limp, "Carry me peasant!" I say. Ryder drops me onto the bed I woke up in, "I'd rather not." he says. He walks over to the door, pulling it closed behind him. "I'll be in my office if you need me, you're welcome to anything here." he says before exiting the room.

I'm left in deafening silence and I wait until I hear the door at the end of the hall close before jumping up. I tiptoe over to the door and ease it open, tensing when it gives a slight creak. I wait until I'm sure Ryder didn't hear me before darting across the hall to his bedroom.

The minute I step in I'm engulfed by cinnamon and sandalwood. I walk over to his closet and pull the doors open. I go through his clothes until I find a gray hoodie. I carry it back to the room before going into the bathroom and stripping out of my clothes.

I relish in the warm water and scrub my arms until I'm sure there are no traces of blood left. Thankfully, the cuts have scanned over and I don't have to wear bandages on them. I step out and towel dry before pulling the hoodie on and putting my boxers back on.

I exit the bathroom and walk down the hall to Ryder's office, knocking on the door lightly. Ryder calls come in and I peek my head into the room. A dark mahogany desk sits in the middle of the room with a laptop and wireless mouse on top of it along with a lamp.

Ryder sits behind the desk with ramrod straight posture. His eyebrows are drawn in deep concentration. "I'm going to order take out, do you want anything?" I state. "No, I'm good." Ryder responds. He doesn't look up from his laptop, I close the door.

I find my cellphone on the nightstand in the guest bedroom. I quickly place my order before walking into the living room, my feet sink into the thick carpeting as I let my weight fall onto the couch. I cut the tv on and cross my legs as Fast and the Furious comes on...

*** *** ***

I eat the last bit of noodles out of the box, setting my chopsticks in it and setting it on the coffee table. I hear the door down the hall open and footsteps echo down the hall. Ryder appears out of the hallway, he runs a hand down his face.

When his eyes land on me he raises an eyebrow, "My hoodie?" he states. My cheeks tint pink, "My clothes are in the laundry." I say. "You could've asked." Ryder says. I snort, "Can I borrow your hoodie?" I ask. "Sure, no problem." Ryder responds.

My phone beeps and I see Avery has sent me a text. "I'm going to grab my clothes and head out, Avery wants to hang out this afternoon." I say. Ryder nods and I walk past him down the hall and get my clothes out of the dryer, I change and head outside to the bus stop.

The bus to my apartment is less than twenty minutes and I quickly go upstairs to get ready. Avery wants to meet me at a cafe on the corner so I pull on a sweater and some skinny jeans. I grab my keys and phone before walking back downstairs to my car.

I'm about to get into the car when I hear a pitiful mewling sound. My hand freezes on the door handle as I wait to hear it again. The noise is coming from behind a pile of old crates stacked against the brick wall to the deli beside my apartment building.

I walk over and move the top crate out of the way, finding a small puppy curled up amongst the trash. I take him into my arms and I can feel his ribs. "You poor thing!" I coo. The puppy is mottled black and white with bright blue eyes and floppy ears.

He whimpers and snuggles closer to my chest, I maneuver my phone out of my pocket. I send Avery a quick text to meet me at my apartment instead before carrying the puppy upstairs...