Chapter 2
I froze, instantly thinking back to that night when we made love.
He wasn't cold at all, totally different from his usual icy vibe.
I felt my face go red and started to freak out.
Nervous, I tried to disappear behind Matthew, not daring to look Ryder in the eye.
No way. He'd not seriously gonna pick me, right?
Please, no...
I really didn't want to get tangled up with him.
Matthew would lose it if he found out.
Ryder gave a little chuckle, grabbed his glass, and took three penalty drinks.
The girls all looked disappointed.
The guys just shrugged, like it was no big deal. Ryder was always the cold type, after all.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Matthew looked down at me. "What are you so jumpy for? Thought he'd actually pick you?"
I felt embarrassed.
"Pfft."
"Talk about wishful thinking."
I just pretended I didn't hear them.
*****
I was heading to the restroom at the end of the hallway outside the private room when, out of nowhere, a hand reached out from around the corner and pulled me into his arms.
Before I could even scream, his large hand covered my mouth.
"Mm..." I muffled, struggling, my eyes going wide as I realized it was Ryder!
What was he trying to do?
"Shh," Ryder hushed me.
He gestured for me to look toward the entrance of the hallway.
I glanced over and froze.
It was Matthew and Vivian, caught in a kiss!
I just stood there, frozen, watching Matthew hold Vivian close, totally lost in each other.
It felt like forever before they finally pulled apart.
"Matthew, aren't you worried your girlfriend will get jealous?" Vivian flirted, her tone playful.
Matthew snorted, "Who said she's my girlfriend? She's just my sidekick. Her folks asked me to keep an eye on her. Not much I can do about it."
I dropped my gaze, feeling miserable.
Vivian gave him a teasing look. "So who were you really hoping to kiss just now?"
Matthew smirked, tilted her chin up, and gave it a light squeeze. "What do you think?"
His voice was low and teasing, and he was so close that Vivian's eyes sparkled with delight.
Ryder's hand slipped away from my mouth, only to be replaced by his cool lips.
"Mm—" I let out a muffled gasp, totally caught off guard.
Startled, I struggled to break free.
He pulled back just enough to whisper, "Making up for the kiss you dodged during the game. Or would you rather I do this in front of everyone, hmm?"
His lips claimed mine again, greedy and relentless, taking everything he wanted.
Just then, Matthew and Vivian walked over.
I panicked and ducked into Ryder's arms, clutching his shirt, desperate not to be seen.
Ryder glanced down at me, then shifted his body to hide me more securely, pressing me between himself and the wall.
Matthew and Vivian walked right past, and Matthew glanced over.
"Ryder?"
Vivian gasped in surprise.
"Well, well, look at you. Wouldn't kiss anyone during the game, but now you're sneaking a makeout session back here?" Matthew teased.
I squeezed even tighter into Ryder's arms, my heart pounding.
"Who's that?" Vivian asked.
She craned her neck, trying to see who it was.
She was dying to know who Ryder, the campus heartthrob, was holding and kissing.
Ryder clicked his tongue. "Done your business? Why bother me now?"
Matthew and Vivian looked a little awkward, then turned and walked away.
I let out a sigh of relief and tried to pull away from his arms.
Ryder looked down at me. "Scared he'll find out, huh?"
I looked down, avoiding his eyes.
"After all that, you still want to stick with him?" His tone was cool.
I lowered my head, nervously fidgeting with my sleeve. "I was with someone else too."
He let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, someone else, huh?"
I slipped out of his arms. "I need to go to the bathroom."
Then I turned and ran off.
When I came out of the bathroom, I got a text from Matthew.
Matthew: [I've got something to take care of, so I'm heading out. Go back with the others, okay? Don't wander around by yourself at night.]
I pouted and put my phone down, then looked up to see Ryder leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his whole vibe icy and aloof.
"Matthew and Vivian left already," he said.
"Come on, let's head back to campus."
He walked over, grabbed my hand, and led me out of the bar.
But instead of heading straight back, Ryder dragged me off to the movies.
"Didn't you say you wanted to see that one? I grabbed us tickets. Let's watch it before heading back," he said.
I blinked, a little dazed. Did he really catch that when I was FaceTiming Matthew yesterday?
Feeling a bit down, I just nodded.
"Thanks. I'll send you the money later," I said.
"Don't bother," he replied.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me inside, clearly impatient.
By the time we got back from the movie, it was already late.
He walked me all the way to the girls' dorm building.
I didn't go in. I just kept following him, not saying a word.
He turned around and looked at me.
Then I ended up following him to their dorm room.
As I expected, Matthew still wasn't back.
I grabbed one of Matthew's shirts off his bed and hugged it tight.
Burying my face in it, I breathed in his scent as deep as I could.
Ryder stood there, his voice cold as ice.
"Seriously, Tori? Is that all you're gonna do?" he scoffed.
I kept my head down, hugging Matthew's shirt tight, about to walk out.
But he suddenly yanked me back by the arm.
"Oh, screw this! I can't hold back anymore," he grumbled.
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me again, rough and possessive.