Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Ryerson
Friends? Ha!
There was no way I considered Marcella only a friend. I had to physically hold myself back from ravishing her. A sexy woman in my bed mere inches from me and I had no idea how to act. So instead, I dropped the friends comment and rolled over, my erection digging painfully into the mattress.
I pretended to be asleep while waiting for her to doze off. I thought about rolling over and taking what I wanted but what kind of gentleman would I be? I wasn’t a horny teenager anymore. Though in this moment I certainly felt like one.
Maybe some fresh air would help. Sleep wasn’t coming anytime soon, that much was true.
After what felt like hours, I rolled over and found Marcella fast asleep.
I wasn’t about to be fooled so easily this time, and I called her name a few times, but she didn’t stir.
I climbed out of bed as slowly and quietly as I could, grabbing my phone from my nightstand, and hurried across the dark room.
I slipped out the door a moment later and shut it softly behind me.
Downstairs, I grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed outside. A cool night breeze rustled the trees as the crickets sang their nightly tunes. Sitting in one of the deck chairs, I admired the stars in the sky, the night clear and perfect for star gazing.
Never did I expect this night to end with a woman, a stranger to be exact, sleeping in my bed, with my t-shirt on. The soft fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. Curves I ached to touch and caress.
I swallowed hard. So much for the outside air cooling me off. If anything, I was hotter.
Sitting on one of the back porch chairs, I pulled my phone from my pocket, swiped at the screen, and navigated to my messages. I clicked on my brother’s picture, our text conversation opening, and composed a message.
Ryerson: You won’t believe the night I had.
Thane, my younger brother and one of my closest friends, usually responded fairly quickly, our relationship having only gotten stronger over the years. We were close growing up, our parents taking us here and there, always having some place to go, leaving us to keep each other company.
Thane: Put a guy out of his misery, will ya?
Ryerson: I heard screams from my backyard and ended up rescuing someone on the trail.
Thane: Wow, finally some action on those lonely trails of yours?
I chuckled to myself before typing out a response.
Ryerson: Yep. In the form of sexy curves and an ass I could sink my teeth into.
Thane: Shit, bro. What are you waiting for?
Ryerson: I’m a gentleman. And I just met her.
Thane: Ha! It’s been decades, my man. It’s time.
Ryerson: Decades?! You wound me. Besides, your math is off. It hasn’t been that long. And she’s literally a stranger and she’s sleeping in my bed.
Thane: Wait. Back it up. She’s in your bed?
Ryerson: Yep. Wearing one of my t-shirts.
Thane: Dude. Why the hell are you texting me right now?
Ryerson: I can’t just take advantage of her because she’s in my bed.
Thane: If she’s not into it, then you stop. No big deal.
Ryerson: You sound like you have a lot of women in your bed you don’t know.
Thane:
Thane: Stop texting me and go get laid, will ya?
Thane: Damn, I never expected to say that to my older brother.
Ryerson: peace out lil bro
Thane:
I clicked my phone off and tucked it in my pocket. I let out a big sigh. Should I listen to my brother and just go for it? Or instead, be a proper host that doesn’t try to sleep with the girl he just rescued?
Shit! This entire situation was maddening. I stood up and ran a hand through my hair.
You like her.
You more than like her.
I shook my head in attempt to clear my thoughts. But it was no use. Marcella was something else…something special. So, what if she didn’t like the outdoors and enjoyed sleeping in.
So, she might not want to get up at the ass crack of dawn and go for a hike, but was that a dealbreaker?
Fuck, what the hell was I even saying.
When the morning comes, I’ll say my goodbyes and be on my way, with hope of putting this whole night behind me.
Yes. Good plan.
But as I walked back inside and climbed into bed, I already knew it wouldn’t be so easy no matter how many times I told myself it would be.
When my eyes popped open the next morning, a warm heaviness rested on my chest, and I blinked a few times.
I lifted my head. A woman laid on top of me, her blonde hair messy and covering her face. Marcella.
The previous night’s events barreled at me like a freight train, reminding me of why there was woman in my bed. But not just any woman. The gorgeous, spunky lady I couldn’t resist much longer.
Marcella stirred in her sleep and lifted her head off my chest. She looked around before turning towards me, a mix of both confusion and curiosity etched across her soft features.
“Well, this is a bit embarrassing.” Marcella chuckled softly to herself as she rolled off me and over to the other side. “Sorry to be in your personal space.
“I didn’t mind. Did you sleep well?”
“Actually, yes. And my ankle feels better.” She lifted the covers, her foot still resting on the pillow.
“Looks like the swelling went down which is good news. Hopefully that means you didn’t break anything.”
“Yeah.” Marcella smiled and sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “Which reminds me, I should probably get to the hospital for some x-rays. Thanks again for everything.” She turned towards me, only kindness and warmth radiating off her.
“I’ll take you.” I tossed the covers to the side and got to my feet.
“That’s okay. You’ve done plenty.”
“It’s really no big deal. You need help walking.”
“No, I don’t. See?” Marcella pushed herself onto her feet and as soon as a little weight hit her ankle, she fell back onto the bed. “Shit.” She muttered under her breath.
“Stay there, I’ll help.”
After we both visited the bathroom, I scooped her into my arms and walked downstairs to the kitchen.
I sat her down on a chair at the table and began pulling ingredients from the fridge before flicking on the coffee pot.
“Need a good breakfast first. Most important meal of the day my mom always said.”
Marcella chuckled. “I usually skip it.”
I gasped with way more over-exaggeration than needed, a grin plastered across my face. Look how easy it was to fall right back into easy conversation, our flirting undeniable. Maybe I really was fighting a losing battle. “My mother would freak out if she heard that.”
“I’d rather sleep longer.” Marcella said. “Sleep is precious.”
“I see your point, but a little meal prep goes a long way. Whip up some egg bites, make some overnight oats, and you’re golden.”
Marcella’s eyes sparkled. “Overnight oats? Who exactly are you, Ryerson?”
“If you stick around, you just might find out.” I responded.
“Well, I’m not really interested in being friend zoned.” She quipped and I froze, nearly clipping my head on the door of the fridge as I grabbed some coffee creamer.
“Who said anything about friends?” I challenged back.
Her eyes turned molten. “Glad to see we’re finally on the same page.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn’t find the words. Instead, I handed her a cup of coffee with a wink and set about making our breakfast, fighting with my mind over one simple fact.
There was no way I could resist her.