Ryder is still in a meeting with his father when five o’clock rolls around. This makes my life a little easier. Grabbing my purse, I say goodbye to Helen and wait for the elevator to pick me up. Just as it arrives at the floor, I hear Ryder’s voice from down the hall.
It’s faint, but it’s his.
His words have been playing through my head all afternoon. His voice echoing. He has a voice that’s hard to forget, deep and sensual. It almost sounds like he’s grunting sometimes.
I’m sure his grunt is sexy.
Lost in thought, the elevator doors begin to close in front of my face when a hand stops them.
“Are we done for the day, Emerson?” Ryder asks.
“I am. I’ll see you in the morning,” I say, stepping into the car.
“I’ll walk you out,” he replies. Standing close to me, he whispers “We have some business to discuss.”
Of course we do. Business that isn’t business related. Business that I’m not sure I want to discuss.
His divorce isn’t final yet. I’m just getting out of a long relationship. Now is not the time to entertain ideas like this. We’re both vulnerable and horny. Our sexual needs aren’t being met. I’m sure we could help each other out with that, but it wouldn’t be a good idea.
It would eventually come to an end, and then what? I work for him.
Would I have to find another job? It took forever to find this one.
The rewards aren’t worth the risk. Maybe that’s what I need to tell him. Honestly is a good policy. It’s not like we’ve passed the point of no return. We can still make this work as a business relationship.
A few people hop on the elevator on the second floor and ride it to the lobby, exiting and leaving Ryder and me alone for one more level. As soon as the doors separate us from prying eyes in the lobby, Ryder moves in front of me and presses me against the wall, trapping my body with his.
“I’m going to kiss you, Emerson. It’s all I can think about. I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first day I met you, and it pisses me off that I couldn’t. I don’t care about the rules, anymore. I know you work for me, so I’m letting you make the decision. If you say no, I won’t. I won’t do anything that you don’t want me to do. But if you let me kiss you, I promise it’ll be worth it. I’ll make sure of that.”
My chest is rising and falling rapidly. His proximity, the feel of his body against mine, is making my heart race and my palms sweat. Every ounce of sanity and willpower left my body the moment he started talking.
Do I want him to kiss me? Hell yes!
Can I let us cross that line? Once we do, there’s no turning back. Our “business” relationship will have two sides to it. One while we’re at the office and one when we’re not. Can they really be kept separate?
“I… I don’t know if… It’s just…”
Moving his hands from their place on either side of my head, Ryder takes my face and tilts it toward his. I’ve been afraid to look at him, to look in his eyes. I knew once I did, I wouldn’t be able to say no to him. I wouldn’t want to.
“Yes,” I whisper as the elevator dings loudly.
Thinking quickly, Ryder pulls the stop button. The elevators doors are slightly ajar, but that doesn’t stop him from moving in to devour my lips. He’s gentle, his kiss soft, until I sweep my tongue across his lips and his restraint fly’s out the window. So does mine.
Saying yes, letting him kiss me, is the best decision I’ve ever made. No matter what happens, I’ll never regret or forget this kiss, the way it makes me feel, or the man who makes me feel this way.
Chapter Seventeen
Ryder’s hands slide down my body leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. When they reach my hips, he gives me a light squeeze before continuing their journey to my ass, lifting me with ease. Wrapping my legs around his hips, there’s only one thing I can think about right now.
Closer. I need him closer.
As if he reads my mind, Ryder closes the last few inches between us, eliciting a moan from me. I can feel him smile against my lips, his kisses becoming gentler before finally pulling away.
“It appears I got a little carried away,” he says, his lips still dangerously close to mine.
“Maybe just a little,” I reply, squeezing my thighs. They’re met with rock-hard resistance. His body is a heavenly masterpiece. Every inch of him is perfectly toned.
“Do that again and I’m going to have to break the security camera in here.”
With wide eyes, I scan the elevator for any signs of a camera. Someone was watching us? I never would have agreed if I had known—
Movement. There’s movement outside the elevator doors. Unwrapping myself from Ryder, I peek out the opening between the doors, but all I can see is a shadow moving away. The doors slide open and I quickly step into the parking garage. I don’t see anyone. They’re gone.
Even if the security guys didn’t enjoy the show, someone did.
“What are you looking for, Emerson?” Ryder asks, sliding up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
Stepping out of his embrace, I turn to face him. Damn, he’s gorgeous. I’m not going to be able to tell him no. Even if this lasts one day or one year, I want this. I want to see where this can go. Rumors be damned.
“Someone was watching us through the crack in the door.”
“Someone was watching us on the camera. What’s the difference?”
“I have no idea who was in here. It could have been anyone.”
“Listen,” he says, reaching for my hands and gently caressing them with his thumbs, my mind beginning to wander. His words bring me back to reality. “Whoever it was is bound to find out about what’s going on. It’s the way the world works. If there’s something you don’t want people to know about, they find out anyway. If you don’t care that they know, when you’re not trying to hide anything, that’s when people don’t care.”
“So what you’re saying is we should go back up to the office and announce it so people don’t talk about it anymore?” I ask skeptically.
“No. I’m just saying that if you don’t make a big deal about it, people will care less. They’ll keep their noses in their own business.”
“Is that a fact? Are you sure? Allison and Justine seem to enjoy gossiping more than anyone else I’ve ever met.”
“They do, but they also have big hearts. Once you’re no longer the topic of conversation, I’m sure you three will be great friends.”
Doubtful. I’m not interested in being friends with the gossip queens, especially if they’re friends with Ryder’s ex— Shit! This is a bad idea.
“Um, what about your wife?” I ask, cringing when the words leave my lips. “I think she might have an issue with this.”
“Ex-wife. The paperwork was approved this morning, and our divorce should be final in a few days.”
“That was fast.” A sense of relief washes over me even though the ink is barely dry on his divorce papers. Knowing it’s almost over for him makes our kiss feel less like a mistake.
“I paid good money for my lawyer to make it happen as quick as possible.”
“Did she concede to your terms?”
“Basically. She’s not happy that she doesn’t get the house here in town, but I gave her everything else she wanted so there wasn’t any room for discussion. Even her lawyer told her that.”
“Good, I’m glad.”
“So… should we take your stuff to Angela’s, or are we going to talk here all night?” he asks, releasing one of my hands and tugging me toward his truck. “Because there are a few things I’d like to discuss in a more private setting.”
“Really?” I ask playfully as he opens his truck door for me. “Wait, what about my car?”
“It’ll be fine.”
“I kind of need it to get to work tomorrow morning,” I say, not making any move to get in his truck.
“How about I pick you up? We’ll grab coffee on the way in.”
I should drive my own car. The situation could be misconstrued if anyone sees us ride in together. It’s already going to be obvious to anyone watching right now that we’re leaving together.
Eyes. I can feel them on me. Someone’s still in here. Someone’s still watching us.
Looking past Ryder, I scan the area to pinpoint where they’re coming from. I don’t catch sight of anyone and the feeling dissipates after a few moments. Either I’m freaking out for no reason, or the person is gone.
This is a bad idea. Everything that’s happened in the last eight hours has been a bad idea. I never should have let Ryder come with me today. And I certainly shouldn’t have given him permission to kiss me. Even as amazing as it was.
Looking to Ryder, I find him waiting patiently for me to make a decision. His gaze is soft and caring. There’s a glimmer of hope in his eyes, but his smile is uncertain, giving away the fact that he’s not sure what I’ll decide to do.
Why do I like this idea so much, though, if it’s bad?
Why does the thought of Ryder picking me up in the morning have my heart racing?
Without a word, I hop up in his truck and he closes the door behind me. I have a better vantage point from up here and that’s when I spot the car.
Ian.
His flashy red convertible is parked two rows over.
He’s sitting in the front seat, wearing a baseball cap pulled low. I can’t see his eyes but I’m sure he saw us. Together. He’s hurt and confused. Some of the lies Ryder told him earlier now bordering on truth. I can only imagine what he must be thinking right now.
“Ready?” Ryder asks, the engine coming to life.
Do I tell him about Ian? No, that would only make him angry. He would jump out and go talk to him. The last thing I want is the two of them fighting. I’ll call Ian later and check on him.
“Yep,” I reply, my eyes staying trained on Ian’s car as Ryder pulls out of the parking lot.
My sides hurt from laughing. Angela and Tyler walked in moments after Ryder and I finished unloading his truck. Neither of them seemed shocked to find Ryder standing in the middle of my bedroom. In fact, Angela winked at me before announcing that she was going to order food for everyone.
Wine flowed. Tyler shared stories of Ryder as a child, embarrassing him to the point I thought fists might start to fly. Then he started laughing, sharing stories of Hunter and Tyler. It was well after midnight when the guys left Angela and me alone to talk.
“So, it looks like you took my advice,” she says.
“What advice?”
“You know… sleep with him so the rumors stop.”
“No! I’m not sleeping with him,” I say, turning away from her. If my cheeks are half as pink as I think they are, she’s going to know something happened.
“Well, not yet. But you will, and you should. He likes you, I can tell.”
That’s good. I hope he doesn’t go around kissing women he’s not interested in.
“And it’s pretty obvious that you like him,” she continues.
“What? No it’s not!” I say defensively as I finish loading the dishwasher.
“Right. The fact that you couldn’t stop staring at him—”
“He’s hot.”
“Or the fact that you touched him every time you laughed—”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Wait. Maybe it was the look in your eye when Tyler and I first came home, like you’d been caught doing something naughty.”
“I was just nervous. I knew you would be home eventually, but I wasn’t expecting Tyler. He’s my boss too. The last thing I need is for someone at work who doesn’t approve to see us together and fire me.”
Angela starts laughing and when I turn to swat her, I find her doubled over.
“No one is going to fire you, Em,” she finally says when she can breathe again.
“I hope not. I need my job.”
“No, listen. Yes, Ryder is technically your boss, but who hired you? Herman did. Their father is a fantastic man and all he wants for his children is for them to be happy. If you make Ryder happy, he won’t give a shit if you screw him on the conference room table. As long as his boys are happy, he’s happy.”
“Um, I don’t plan on screwing anyone in the conference room, FYI.”
“Why not? Have you ever been in the conference room? It’s a great room. And the table is sturdy,” she replies with a wink.
“Ang! You have to be kidding me.”
“Look, all I’m saying is that you don’t have to worry about your job.”
“What if things don’t work out? Then what? I can’t risk that.”
“I have a feeling you and Ryder won’t have many problems. Why do you think I suggested you for the job? Knowing how he is, I knew you could handle him. Did I expect you to drop Ian and start dating him? No, but I love the idea.”
Ian.
I need to tell her about everything that’s happened today. Everything except the part about the elevator. Or maybe I should tell her that too. She seems to think this thing between me and Ryder is a good thing. I’m not convinced yet, but I’m willing to see where things can go. Slowly. No more making out in elevators at work. And definitely no sex in the conference room. I don’t care how sturdy the table may be.
“Speaking of Ian,” I start, “he was home when we went to get my things today.”
“Why?” Angela asks, downing the last of her wine.
“He was sick.”
“How’d he take the news?” she asks, taking a seat at the counter, leaning as close to me as possible. My messed-up love life must fascinate her.
“What news?”
“About you and Ryder? You said he accused you of leaving him for Ryder.”
“Yeah. Well, nothing had happened at that point.” The words leave my mouth, and I cringe when I realize what I said.
“So what did he have to say about Ryder being there then?”
“Not much,” I say, breathing a sigh of relief. “Ryder lied to him and told him that we were dating. It was a shitstorm for a few minutes between them, but then it ended and Ian went silent, watching me as I packed without saying anything.”
“And now that something is going on between you two, are you going to tell him? I mean, it’s not a lie anymore.”
“Nothing’s going on between us,” I reiterate with her, hoping she’ll drop the subject. I’m exhausted. I need sleep and unless I can put an end to this conversation, sleep won’t be happening anytime soon.
“Right. You keep telling yourself that, Em. The only one who believes you is you, and I doubt you even believe yourself. But, for now, I’ll agree to disagree so we can get some sleep. There’s always tomorrow for you to tell me the truth.”
The truth. What is the truth?
We kissed in the elevator.
He made his move and I let him. I enjoyed it. I wanted it and now I want more. It’s all I can think about, our kiss. It’s been on replay most of the night. Every time he took a bite of his food I watched his lips wrap around the fork and let out a little sigh.
If I told Ian what was going on, he would assume we were already sleeping together. We’re not, not that I wouldn’t enjoy that too, I’m sure. It’s just not happening. It wouldn’t be right. I couldn’t continue to work for him if I was sleeping with him. As bad as the rumors are right now, they’d get worse.
Plus, if I ever want to move up with the company, I want to do it on my own merit. I don’t want to have to question the reasons why. If Ryder is the one that promotes me, I will always question if I was good enough or not.
Lying in bed, I replay the events of the day over in my head again. There were highs and low. Instead of falling asleep to thoughts of Ryder, it’s Ian that I’m thinking about.
Why was he in the garage?
Was he the shadow walking away from the elevator?
Should I be worried that he was there?
That’s preposterous. Ian would never hurt me. Still, I should
call him and make sure he’s okay. If he saw us, I’m sure he’s not. He suspected the rumors were true before we broke up. Seeing us together would crush him. Honestly, that would crush me a little too. I never wanted to hurt him, that’s why I left. The point was to avoid an even bigger heartbreak down the road.
Chapter Eighteen
The next day, Ryder picks me up early. Taking me to breakfast, we chat over coffee and eggs. It’s the little differences between us that I notice. He likes his eggs runny so he can dip his toast in them. I prefer mine scrambled. He eats wheat bread and I opt for rye. My coffee is the color of caramel and his is black as night.
Maybe we’re too different.
Not that I want to make a decision on our relationship based on food choices. It’s just, we don’t seem to have anything in common aside from our love for the work we do. Well, the work I want to do. The work he currently does.
“Okay, tell me more about you. I know you’re from here and that you went to State. What do your parents do? Sibling?”
“My sister, Mallory, lives in upstate New York with her husband. They have three kids, triplets. My parents moved there a few years ago when they retired to help my sister out. Her husband, Kent, travels for work a lot, and she went from being an interior designer, like my mother, to being a stay-at-home mom full time. It was hard on her at first, but she seems to be getting the hang of things now. Especially with my mom there to help her.”
“What about your dad?”
“He worked in a factory most of his life. About ten years ago he injured his back and had to retire early.”
“What does he do now?”
“Goes fishing. That’s about it. He loves to fish. After he hurt himself, that’s the only thing that made him happy. My parents bought a house on a lake, a fishing boat, and that’s what he does all day, rain or shine. In the winter, he tries to go ice fishing, but he has yet to catch anything, probably because my mom won’t let him go out on the lake very far. She’s afraid he’s going to fall through the ice and drown.”
Rumors: Emerson & Ryder Page 13
