Just a Little Crush(29)

“Ryder,” I gasped, and covered my mouth with my hand.

He glanced at me. His eyes had gone dark.

I took a step back.

He blinked and released Noah with a shove.

Noah righted himself and said, “So she sees your true colors after all.” He snatched his pack of cigarettes off the table and stomped out the front door.

Ryder stormed in the opposite direction, brushing past me and into his room. He was about to slam his door when he saw me standing there. The hard lines of his face softened and he paused. He plopped onto his bed and buried his face in his hands.

I stepped into his room and shut the door behind me. Closing myself in the room with him might not be the smartest idea, but I still didn’t believe he really could hurt anyone. There was more between him and Noah. There had to be.

“You should go.” His voice sounded strained.

“Probably, but I’m not.” I stood in front of him and he glanced up. My heart tore at the pained look on his face. He appeared broken and not at all like the guy I was used to seeing. I placed my hand on his cheek and he leaned into it.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his head against my stomach. I ran my hand over his head, soothing him.

“Lie with me.” He scooted back and pulled me onto his bed.

We rested our heads on his pillows and he studied me.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever answer he might throw at me, and asked, “What’s going on?”

He twisted a lock of my dark hair around his finger before tucking it behind my ear. Then he ran his finger along my jaw, rubbed his thumb over my cheek and brushed it across my lips.

“Ryder, just tell me.”

“I’m—It’s not—” He flipped onto his back and scrubbed his hands over his face, then blurted, “Noah thinks I came between you two.”

“But you didn’t. We’re just friends. There hasn’t ever been more. Never will be either. He knows that.”

He looked away and stared at his desk. “He also thinks I’m with you for the wrong reason.”

A door slammed and I jumped.

His gaze flicked back to me and I saw nothing but pain. “He’s not the only one who will think that.”

“I don’t care what anyone else thinks. And since when do you?”

He studied me and his expression softened. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, “for dragging you into this.” He pulled me to him.

I nestled into the nook of his arm and he hugged me to his chest. I glanced up and he stared back.

“Can I ask you one more question?”

He nodded.

“Why were you bringing me to your room?”

One eyebrow quirked up. “You want the truth?”

“Sex?”

He shook his head and scooted down so we were eye level. “I wanted to finish what we started the first time you were in my room. These little teasers are killing me.”

My cheeks burned and I stared at his shirt, unable to maintain eye contact.

“You have no idea how fucking bad I want to see how it ends.” He pressed his cheek to mine and whispered in my ear. “When you moan into my mouth and your body arches against me, I want to be the one who takes you over the edge. When you come, I want my name on your lips.”

My stomach pulled and heat radiated down my thighs. I grazed my fingertips over his chest.

He exhaled a slow, hot breath on my neck then rolled onto his back and wrapped his arm around me. “But tonight we sleep.”





Chapter Eight


Early the next morning I slipped out of Ryder’s bed. The clothes I’d slept in were wrinkled and I had an hour to get changed before my first class. I also hoped to sneak out before Noah woke. I couldn’t face him after spending the night in his suitemate’s room. It was too awkward, especially after what Ryder had told me.

After putting on my shoes, I glanced back at Ryder. The pillow hid most of his face but what peeked out was perfection. Temptation won. I ran my fingers over his defined jaw and brushed my thumb over his lip ring.

He stirred and lifted his hand to mine. With his eyes sealed shut, he nuzzled into my hand and my heartbeat stuttered. If this was wrong, why did it feel so perfect?

I slid my hand free and whispered, “Bye.” I tiptoed to the door, carefully opened it and slipped out. As I started to pull it closed, I peeked over at Ryder and found him watching me. The corners of his mouth curved into a small smile, which I returned before shutting the door and coming face-to-face with Noah.

He narrowed his eyes. “You have any idea how many girls he’s slept with? In that bed? Don’t be fooled. You aren’t special. I really thought more of you. Thought you might be a little bit of a challenge. He played you different though, saying he wasn’t interested. He played us both, I guess.”