Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Marcella
Obviously, I was delirious. I mean, how else could I explain it?
I barely knew this guy, he took me to his home and could be planning my murder for all I know, and I’m asking him to take me to his bed?
You’ve really lost your shit now, Mar.
The pain from my ankle, the scary thought of being alone all night in the woods, and now a stranger rescuing me, it was all a bit much. Truth be told, the last thing I wanted was to sleep alone.
Ryerson studied me for a moment, the silence stretching between us. I saw the struggle on his face, the silent battle his brain was having. But give up on a chance to sleep next to the sexiest man alive? No way.
“Please? I won’t even go under the covers.” I wiggled my arms more. “Don’t make me beg. Because I will. Those damn woods traumatized me and is it such a bad thing to want some company tonight?”
A small smile stretched across his handsome face.
“Okay, okay, you convinced me.” Ryerson laughed as he walked over to me and once again easily lifted me into his arms like I weighed next to nothing.
“I could just as easily give you a ride home. As long as you promise to take yourself to the hospital tomorrow for an x-ray.”
“I couldn’t ask you that. It’s already after nine.”
I buried my face in his chest so he couldn’t see my blush. How desperate was I? I should’ve just let the man take me home and call it a day.
His deep chuckle reverberated through me. “If I had to guess, I’d say you want to spend the night.” Ryerson slowly walked up a set of stairs and rounded a corner of the hallway.
“A lady never tells her secrets.” I took advantage of my nose pressed into his chest and inhaled his scent, trying to commit it to memory, hoping I could bottle it up and spray it on my pillow every night.
“You’re a hot ticket, you know that?” Ryerson’s sexy drawl made my insides burn.
“And you love it.” I grinned as he walked us into his bedroom and flicked on the lights.
Soft, dim lighting filled the room, the atmosphere cozy.
A large sleigh bed sat in the center of the room, with two nightstands on either side, both with a lamp.
The colors were a gray and blue tone, and the entire room smelled like him.
I wanted to climb inside his bed and never leave.
Ryerson placed me down on one side. “Would you like a t-shirt to sleep in? Something more comfortable?”
More things that smell like him? Count me in!
“Sure, thank you.”
“And you can get under the covers. That is, if you think I’m clean enough.” Another wink from the sexy mountain man. I was ready to combust, my ankle pain a dull memory in this moment.
I watched as he grabbed a t-shirt from the dresser against the far wall, a large flat screen TV hanging on the wall above it.
Every ripple of muscle in his arms were on full display and I nearly drooled watching him do the most basic of tasks.
Not to mention how good his ass looked in those tight cargo pants he wore.
He walked over and handed me the shirt. “I’ll give you some privacy to change.”
“Thank you.” He disappeared into the attached bathroom, closing the door behind him. Which reminded me. I needed to pee. Bad.
Quickly, I pulled my tank top off and unclasped my bra, tossing both onto the floor. I sniffed his t-shirt like a crazy woman before sliding it on, the soft fabric caressing my bare skin.
I looked down at my shorts. I wanted them off but how could I manage that? See, I knew I couldn’t be left alone.
“Is it okay for me to come out?” Ryerson called from behind the door.
“Yes.” I answered.
When he walked out, my mouth almost fell to the floor. He changed into a tight t-shirt and gray sweatpants, very noticeably without any underwear on. The v line was almost visible and without realizing, I licked my lips, desperate for his pants to slid right off.
I tried to hide my blush, tried to look away, but it was no use. I was caught red handed.
“My eyes are up here, sweetie.” Ryerson growled, his eyes dark and intense.
“I need to pee.” I blurted out, ignoring his words. “Can you help me?”
Ryerson chuckled. “You got it.” He walked over and helped me stand, letting me use him as crutches as we walked to the bathroom together. “I’ll help you get those shorts off and sit, then I’ll step out. Just holler when you’re done.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate all your help. I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you enough.”
Ryerson helped me out of my shorts without once looking down. A true gentleman. He slipped down my panties and helped me sit.
This was NOT the way I pictured him seeing my panties for the first time…
“I’m sure I’ll think of something.” Ryerson said before leaving me alone. While I did my business, I tried to cool my cheeks off with my hands, but it was no use. This man had me all hot and bothered.
When I finished, I managed to stand up and pull my panties back on with one hand, the other resting on the counter for balance. I kicked my shorts to the side with my good foot, flushed the toilet, and washed my hands. “All done.” I called.
Ryerson helped me back to the bed, this time lifting the covers off for me to slide inside. Not without placing a pillow under my ankle to keep it elevated. He hurried around to the other side and got in beside me. “Want to watch a movie?”
“Not particularly.” I faced him, tucking my hands beneath the pillow.
“Okay. We can lay here until we doze off, then.”
I yawned. “Why do you like the outdoors so much?”
He snickered. “I thought you were tired.”
“I may have acted just a bit.”
Ryerson looked shocked. “What?” He couldn’t contain the laughter in his voice.
“A hot, sexy man was taking care of me. Why the hell would I wake up from such a nice dream?”
“You are something else, Marcella.”
“Oh, believe me I know. So, tell me why. There’re so many bugs…and dirt.”
“Nature is beautiful. Maybe I’ll take you on a hike one day.”
I grimaced. “Uh, maybe not. I’ll be inside with a book and some wine. Maybe a bubble bath. And definitely some delicious takeout like pizza.”
Ryerson ran a hand through his hair. “Damn, we’re quite the opposite. I don’t eat much pizza. No takeout. I do a lot of clean eating, meal prepping, and lots of veggies and fruit. Your body’s a temple and all that.”
“You gotta treat yourself sometimes. Please tell me you don’t wake up at the ass crack of dawn, do you?”
“You betcha. The early bird catches the worm.”
I laughed so hard my sides hurt. “Dude. What is with you and these sayings?”
“They get the point across.” He shrugged with the biggest shit eating grin on his face.
“I love my sleep. This would never work.” I teased.
“Friends it is, then.” Ryerson elbowed me in the side playfully. He reached out and tussled my hair. He tussled my hair. That’s it, I was friend zoned.
“Sleep well, Marcella. Goodnight.” He clicked off the lights and rolled over.
“Goodnight.” I echoed. I stared at the ceiling so I wouldn’t stare at him.
It took hours before sleep finally came and when it did, it was restless at best.
Another one of my stupid ideas causing way more chaos than I expected.
When would I ever learn?