Chapter 26
Elara
I t’s been a week since everything happened with Hartwell, and we’ve spent our days simply and together. Just us, enjoying each other’s company. No work, no drama, just us. Believe me, I know we can’t do this forever as much as we’d both like, but for now, it’s all I want. I’m just enjoying our sexy little bubble. At least one good thing has come out of all this. Ryder coming into my life is probably the only thing I can give credit, and thank Hartwell for.
Ryder is cooking breakfast in the kitchen and I haven’t even gotten out of bed yet. He insisted he make me breakfast in bed. You won’t hear a complaint from me. I could get used to the sight of him cooking while shirtless, wearing only sweatpants.
The smell of bacon fills our room, and he puts everything on plates before bringing it over and sitting next to me. I sit up and put the tray on my lap. You can tell just by the look of it that he cooks with his heart and it tastes amazing.
“Where did you learn to cook?” I ask, taking a bite of my pancake. “My mom made this big breakfast every Sunday when I was growing up. One day I asked if I could help cook and she taught me everything she knew from then on.” He says, grinning. “That’s so sweet.” I reply.
When we are both finished eating, Ryder takes our plates and puts them in the sink. “Will you at least let me do the dishes?” I ask, coming up behind him. He turns around and touches his nose to mine before kissing it. “Nope.”
I groan at his response and he turns back around, turning on the water. He quickly does the dishes and dries his hands before coming back over to me at the foot of the bed. I lift my arms, signaling I want a hug, and he immediately embraces me.
Over the last three and a half-ish weeks since we met, I’ve had ample time to get to know Ryder Hale. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m at the point where I can’t imagine what my life would be like without him. Our eyes meet and we gaze at each other for a few moments.
“I think I’m falling in love with you, Ryder Hale.” I say in a whisper. He picks me up off the ground and spins me around, making me giggle, and I interlock my ankles behind his back. When he stops, we continue to observe each other as I wrap my hands around the nape of his neck while he continues holding me, and he smiles. “Join the club, baby.” He replies, saying the same thing I did when we first revealed our feelings for each other. That night feels so long ago. He places his lips on mine and I pull him in, kissing right back. Fuck you anxiety, I win this time.