CHAPTER TWO

AVA

The penthouse was everything Ryder was. All sleek, modern and intimidatingly perfect. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city skyline, and the furniture looked like it belonged in a magazine spread.

He set me down gently on the leather couch, then disappeared into the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with a glass of water and two aspirin.

"Drink," he ordered, pressing the glass into my hands.

I obeyed, too tired to argue. The water was cold and soothing, and I drained half the glass before setting it on the coffee table.

Ryder sat beside me, keeping a careful distance, his elbows resting on his knees. "You want to talk about it?"

"Not really." I pulled my knees to my chest, hugging them tightly. "I just… I feel so stupid. I thought he loved me."

"He's an idiot." Ryder’s voice was hard. "And so is she."

I glanced at him, surprised by the hate in his tone. "You barely know them."

"I know enough." His gaze locked onto mine, intense and unwavering. "You deserved better than someone who’d throw you away like that."

The words hit me harder than they should have. Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the way he was looking at me like I was worth something and like I mattered just like the girls in the movies but suddenly the dam broke.

The tears came fast and hot, spilling down my cheeks in ugly, gasping sobs. I buried my face in my hands, humiliated, but Ryder didn’t leave. He didn’t tell me to pull myself together.

Instead, he moved closer, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me against his chest.

"It's okay," he murmured, his hand stroking my hair. "Let it out, Red."

So I did. I cried for Tyler’s betrayal, for Jenna’s lies, for the naive girl I’d been that morning who thought love was simple and pure.

And when the tears finally subsided, I lifted my head to find Ryder watching me with an expression I couldn’t read.

"Thank you," I whispered. "For coming. For… this."

"Always." His thumb brushed a stray tear from my cheek, and the touch sent a shiver down my spine.

Our faces were inches apart. I could see the flecks of silver in his gray eyes, the faint scar above his left eyebrow. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

"Ryder…"

"Ava." His voice was rough, warning. "Don’t."

But I didn’t listen.

I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.

For a second he froze. His entire body went rigid and I thought he was going to push me away and tell me I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing.

But then something shifted.

His hand came up to cup the back of my neck and he kissed me back with a hunger that stole my breath. His lips were firm and demanding and tasted like mint and something darker and more dangerous. I gasped against his mouth and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss and pull me closer until I was practically in his lap.

Every rational thought flew out of my head. This was Ryder. My brother's best friend. The man who was supposed to be off limits and forbidden and completely wrong for me.

But God, it felt so right.

His other hand slid down to my waist and gripped me like he was afraid I would disappear. I tangled my fingers in his hair and kissed him harder and poured all my hurt and anger and confusion into it.

When we finally broke apart we were both breathing hard. His forehead rested against mine and his eyes were dark and conflicted.

"Ava," he said hoarsely. "We can't do this."

"Why not?" My voice came out breathless and desperate.

"Because you're drunk and you're hurt. Because your brother would kill me and because you deserve someone who can give you more than I can."

"What if I don't care about any of that?" I whispered.

He closed his eyes like he was in pain. "You will. Tomorrow when you're sober you'll regret this and I can't be the guy you regret."

The rejection stung worse than Tyler's betrayal. Tears welled up again but this time they were different. These were tears of frustration and longing and the cruel realization that maybe I had been in love with the wrong man all along.

"Then what do you want me to do?" I asked and my voice broke. "Just pretend this never happened?"

Ryder opened his eyes and the look he gave me was filled with so much raw emotion it made my chest ache. "I want you to go to bed. Sleep this off and tomorrow we'll talk when you're thinking clearly."

"And if I still want you tomorrow?"

His jaw clenched and for a moment I thought he might kiss me again. But instead he stood and gently disentangled himself from me. "Then we'll deal with it but not tonight."

He disappeared down the hallway and returned with a blanket and a pillow. He set them on the couch beside me and stepped back like he didn't trust himself to get too close.

"Goodnight, Red."

"Goodnight," I whispered.

He turned and walked toward his bedroom but paused at the doorway. His hand gripped the frame so tightly his knuckles turned white and when he spoke his voice was barely above a whisper.

"For what it's worth I've wanted to do that for a very long time."

Then he was gone and the door clicked shut behind him and I was left alone in the dark with his words echoing in my head and the taste of him still on my lips.

No.

I got up, marched to his door and stormed in.

“Ava, what—”

I didn't let him finish as I claimed his lips again.

“Fuck it.”