Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Chloe
It’s not my best work. Far from it. But I can’t seem to muster any enthusiasm for the article. Not after the way Ryder looked at me downstairs.
For a moment, I was sure he was going to tell me he had feelings for me. But that would have been ridiculous, right? Just because I’m a hopeless romantic with a trashy novel problem doesn’t mean that anything I’m feeling is real.
No matter how real it feels.
I give what I’ve written another pass and, with a sigh, click over to the novel I’m working on for a little break before my dinner arrives.
I’ve already added in some of the sex scenes based on everything I’ve learned with Ryder, but now it’s missing the one thing that I know will bring the story to life.
Heart.
With a deep breath, I dive in and let myself write uncensored.
The words spill out. Where I would usually struggle and stumble over the connection between the hero and heroine, the words flow easily.
I channel every single thing I felt with Ryder over the last few days.
No matter what happens between us, I know that, at least for me, what I feel for him was—is—real.
I’m so lost in my writing that I almost don’t hear the knock.
When I open the door, I’m bleary-eyed and in a daze the way I often am after an intense writing session, so I’m surprised to see Ryder standing there with a tray. It takes me a moment to realize why he’s there.
“Oh,” I say. “You brought dinner.”
“I told you I would.”
He has that sexy smirk on his face, and despite my confused feelings, I feel myself melting for him.
“Did I catch you in the middle of something?”
“I was writing.” I shake my head. “Sometimes I get a little caught up in it.” Aware that I’m still standing in the doorway, I push the door open and stand back. “Come in. I just need to freshen up a little.”
Before he can say anything, I disappear into the adjoining bathroom. It’s been awhile since I’ve experienced the writing fog; normally I’m by myself, so it’s no big deal. But with Ryder there, I need to snap out of it.
It takes me a few minutes. I splash water on my face and run a brush through my hair. Finally, I feel more myself, so I switch off the light and rejoin Ryder in the main room.
He’s sitting in front of my laptop, an unreadable expression on his face when I enter.
“What are you—”
“Is this your book?”
I nod and cross my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling a little vulnerable.
“It’s really good,” he continues. “Is it about…”
I’m already shaking my head when he finishes his question.
“Us?”
“No.” I practically shout the word. It’s a protective reflex and a total lie.
Of course the book is about us. Every single detail, especially the part where I admit how I’ve fallen completely in love with him after only a few days, is completely based on Ryder and me.
But I can’t tell him that. Not when he doesn’t feel the same.
I may not have much, but I have my pride.
“Really?” He looks up from the screen and scans my face. “Because it seems—”
“It’s fiction, Ryder.” It causes me physical pain to say it. But I don’t have a choice. “That’s what novels are,” I continue, forcing the emotion out of my voice. “Made up. Nothing more.”
“Chloe, I—”
“Seriously, Ryder.” I force myself to chuckle. It’s an awful sound. “I appreciate your help with the research and all, but it’s just a story. Nothing more.”
He opens his mouth to say something but thankfully closes it again before standing up and rubbing his hands on his jeans.
He’s huge, towering over me, and my body is reacting to his presence in all kinds of ways. But I need to stay strong. It’s already going to kill me to walk away from this place tomorrow. I don’t need to make it any harder by letting myself fall for him even deeper.
So I steel myself and swallow hard before I say, “Thanks for bringing me some food. If you don’t mind…” I wave my hand in the direction of the door. “I really do have a lot of work to do.”
A few minutes later, when he actually walks out the door and it clicks shut behind him, I fall to the floor and drop my face in my hands. It’s my own fault, but my heart is completely shattered.
Ryder
She’s lying.
And I don’t know why.
Everything in my body is telling me to stay with her until she admits the truth.
That story is about us. And if I’m right—which I know I am—then that means Chloe feels the same way about me that I do about her.
There was so much more than what I’d read the other day at the cabin. This was a story that was about a lot more than just sex. It was about love.
Like a fool, I let her push me out of her room. It’s not until I’m on the other side of the closed door that I realize it’s for the best. She’s tired and hungry. Plus, she has an article to write and I will not be responsible for distracting my girl from her goals.
Besides, I have my own work to do.
Starting with telling my brothers the truth about what happened in the hunting cabin. They’re going to be pissed, but I don’t care because Chloe isn’t like other women. She’s different. Hell, I’m different with her. There’s no way I’m going to let her walk away from the lodge and out of my life.
Not without a fight.
And that’s the second, but most important thing I need to do.
I have until morning to figure out how to tell my girl how much I love her and convince her to stay in Rock Creek with me forever.
I take one more look at her closed bedroom door before turning away. My bed will be cold and lonely tonight, but I’ll be damned if it will be any longer than one night without Chloe’s naked body wrapped around me.
Exactly where it belongs.