From Lies to Promises Read online

  Chapter 13

  Ryder unlocks the door and swings it open. He steps aside and ushers me into his dark house. I start to back up through the door again when the light flicks on. For a 23 year old man, his house is spotless. It is quite shocking. The main room you see when you come through the door is the living room. Off to the back corner there is a spiral staircase that disappears into the ceiling and to the far right is a long hallway, which I guess is where the bathrooms and bedrooms are located. In the center back wall there is a large archway that looks like it leads into the kitchen.

  “So what do you think?” Ryder asks.

  I take in the rest of the surroundings, turning a full circle till my eyes land on him. “It’s amazing, Ryder.”

  “Thanks. I bought it about a year ago. Felt it was time for me to have something of my own.” He says.

  “What’s up the spiral staircase?” I point to the corner.

  Ryder walks around to face me. “Already wanting me to take you to my room? Impatient tonight, aren’t we?”

  “Technically, I was just asking where the stairs led to. I didn’t know it was your room. Now that I do however…” I trial off and slowly make my way around him. My arm stays on his waist following me as I go. Ryder stands still watching me. I can tell he is wondering if I am serious, but he knows I am.

  “Alright then.” He chuckles, “First, let’s grab some snacks to take with us.”

  Perplexed I follow as he leads me to his kitchen. “Wow.” That is all the words that come to mind when I see his kitchen. It is marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, everything that make a cooks dreams turn wet.

  “Wow?”

  “Yes, wow. I have to cook in this kitchen.” I pull my phone out of my back pocket and start taking pictures.

  “What are you doing?” Ryder asks as he opens a bag of popcorn and puts it in the microwave.

  “Lexi is going to have a fit when she sees this.” I explain

  As soon as I hit send on the text to Lexi my phone is out of my hand and on the counter. I look from it to Ryder then back to my phone, silently asking him ‘What the hell?’.

  “I figured we could finish this date without any interruptions. Considering this is our third date and all.” He tells me as the microwave beeps, signaling that the popcorn is done. He pours it into a bowl on the counter and grabs some gummy bears from a drawer. “Grab us some drinks out of the fridge.”

  I don’t think coming to his house was expected because his refrigerator was scarce. I settle on grabbing the six pack of beer sitting in the door. I don’t like beer all that much, but beggars can’t be choosers. On the way up the staircase I take my time enjoying the view of following. That man’s ass is so firm I’m sure it could crack walnuts.

  Once up the stairs into his room I don’t know what I really expected, but it’s not what I found. The bedroom stuff was on one side and a couch and TV mounting to the wall was set up on the other. From the outside of the house the second story didn’t look this big. Then it finally sinks in…We are alone…In HIS bedroom. There is a bed with us, in the same room. My palms start to sweat and my pulse is pounding in my chest so hard I can feel every pulse of blood being pushed throughout my body.

  “So I got a good one for us to watch.”

  Ryder speaks and scares the shit out of me. “Huh?”

  “I set us up on demand to watch a movie. It’s about terrorist taking over the White House.” He feels me in to what he meant.

  Now I understand why we got snacks and beer. As I take that information in, my body settles down. Going straight into it sounded great earlier, but I guess my nerves are hardwired to be on alert.

  “Oh, I have been wanting to watch this one!” I pick the beer back up and hold the pack out for him to get one.

  We end up in the middle of the couch. He tries to hold me close, but about five minutes into the movie we are both on the edge of our seats. By the time the movie goes off we have finished off the beer and good bit of some crappy rum he found under the kitchen cabinet.

  “Ok, so that was freaking amazing.” I tell him as the credits start.

  He puts his arm around my shoulder as we lean back into the sofa. “Yea, it was but next time I think I am going to watch something less action packed. I like having you close to me during the movie.”

  I smile so big my face hurts. I can’t help it, I really don’t think he understand what he does for me. How he sets me free. I take my hand and place it over his chest, only to notice that his heart is beating like he just ran a marathon. “Good.” I say. My hand is now making small circles over his stomach. His breaths becoming shorter now. I absolutely love that I do that to him. I make him nervous and excited at the same time.

  I twist in his arms so that I can see his face, but before I can his lips capture mine so fiercely I gasp. He takes no time with pushing his tongue into my mouth and brushing it against mine. His hands search my body as I climb onto his lap so that my legs are on either side of his hips straddling him. As I feel how ready he is pressed against me, another gasp fills the room, but this time it was from Ryder.

  When his hands settle on my hips he presses me down harder against him as he moves his hips. I tangle both my hands in his hair. When he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and bites down, I shudder. His hands tighten on my hips, halting all movement.

  “This is not what I had in mind when I drove us here.” He says.

  I take my hand that is still in his hair and pull his head back. “Hmm, but it is our third date as you so kindly pointed out earlier.”

  “I did say that, didn’t I?” Ryder’s hands move up my sides, under my shirt, leaving a trail of heat behind. His thumbs skim under the base of my bra, “I know I said that our first time together should be special, but damn it… you are a siren calling my name. I need you. Now.”

  When his lips land on mine, they are gentler this time, but more consuming. He stands, hands firm on my ass, and I immediately wrap my legs around his waist. Our mouths don’t part the whole way to the bed, or as he lays me down. When he finally breaks the connection he stands at the edge of the bed between my legs and looks me over. I start to feel self-conscious and go to wrap my arms around my waist, but he stops me. “Don’t,” He tells me as his fingers entwine with mine, “don’t cover yourself from me. You are so beautiful.” His eyes roam over my face and back to my eyes, my stomach does summersaults. I have never felt of any value to anyone, but at this moment, here with Ryder I do.

  He leans down, bringing our hands above my head. “Will you hold it against me if I can’t wait any longer?

  “At this point I will hold it against you if you do.”

  That was all he needed, his hands release mine as he lifts me by my lower back scooting me further onto the bed. He climbs in between my legs and I grab the bottom of his shirt and pull it over his head. I am sure drool is running out of my mouth as I look at him shirtless. His tattoo that covers his chest is intricate bands of tribal that never really connect with one another and cover his chest, arm, and shoulder.

  I toss the shirt into oblivion for all I am concerned and Ryder bends and slowly takes my shirt off, and it then follows his. He takes the time to remove my knife and place it on the nightstand as his other hand carefully unclasps my bra. Once he pulls it off I start to cover up again. “Remember, I don’t want you to hide yourself from me, Katrina. I want to see you. All of you.”

  My name on his lips sounds like a chorus of a love song, passionate and seductive. We collapse into the bed, mouths fusing in fervor. His skin against mine is hard and hot and it drives me crazy. I want him closer, need him closer. I pull at him at his shoulders and my legs go around his back.

  He drags his lips along my jaw line, placing soft kisses as he goes. His tongue comes out and coerces my ear lobe into his mouth. His teeth scrape against it as he pulls back, causing my nails to dig into his shoulders.

  As one of his hands make it to my breast and his thumb grazes my h
ard nipple, my insides are screaming for more, I need more. I don’t have to wait for long when Ryder’s warm mouth smooth’s around it. His other hand making sure the other one was taken care of. I arch my back further into him, and his hand slides down my stomach. His mouth leaves my breast just long enough for him to rise up and unbutton my jeans. Backing up a bit he starts to pull them, and my panties down my legs.

  Placing my feet on the bed I lift my ass to assist him in his pursuit, and before I know it I am bare before him. This is new to me as I have never been completely naked in front of someone I was with. I resist the urge to cover up again as I use all the courage I can gather and sit up to help him with his jeans. My hands shake as I undo the button and start lowering the zipper. Ryder’s hand comes to tilt my chin up.

  “We don’t have to do this.” He says in sincerity.

  “No, I want to.”

  “You’re shaking, darlin’.” He points out as his thumb traces over my bottom lip.

  His concern for me adds to my newfound courage as I run my hands down the back of his pants and give a good squeeze before I say, “You want to stand up and get out of these for me?”

  As Ryder climbs out of the bed a grin appears on his face. He turns to face me and pushes his pants down. His manhood springs forward and I can’t help but to glance down at it. My tongue slips out to wet my lips that are dry all of a sudden.

  He takes the step to me that was separating us and bends so that his lips are level with my ear and again asks, “You’re sure?”

  I don’t reply, instead I lean back onto my elbows, inviting him to join me. Wasting no time he climbs back on the bed, placing his hands on my knees and spreads them apart. As he settles between my thighs, I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. He cups one of my breast as his mouth takes my nipple. His tongue lapping around it so slowly that it’s almost torture. I buck my hips which causes my most sensitive area to rub against his hardness and a throaty moan escapes me.

  The hand that was holding my breast makes its way slowly down my body and to my thigh. He massages it before it comes around to soft folds and inserts a finger. “You are so wet.” Then his mouth is on mine, his finger taking on the same pattern as his tongue. My body moving along with him, ready to come undone. Then his hand is gone, leaving me feeling its loss. He pulls back from kissing me to look into my eyes when I feel the pressure of him entering me. Ryder takes his time pushing into me, making me feel every inch he has to give.

  Once he is completely buried in me, he stops and takes an unsteady breath. My legs make their way around his back again, and I lift my hips to urge him on. He begins making slow movements in and out of me and I drag my fingers down his back.

  With that a growl rumbles in Ryder’s chest and he starts pumping into me faster. He lifts my ass higher, never missing a beat as the fire in my core reaches the point of no return. After a few more glorious thrust of his hips I lose all control. My legs crush him tightly as my body convulses. My fingers dig deep crevices in his back as pure bliss takes over me.

  Soon later, his movements get jerkier as he follows me in his release and collapses on me. Our sweat drenched bodies lay together as we try to gain control of our breathing. I have never in my life felt anything so mind blowing, so beautiful. He pulls himself up on his elbows, “I hope those are good tears.” He states with a hint of worry in his voice.

  I squeeze my eyes shut and feel the warmth of the tears fall down the sides of my face. “That…that was amazing.”

  He kisses my tears away and lifts up pulling out of me. Suddenly he is cursing, “Shit! I didn’t think about protection. Fuck, I’m sorry.”

  Laughing and rolling to my side to face him, “It’s ok, I’m on the pill. No need in apologizing.”

  Ryder settles in front of me and joins our hands in the middle of us. “You want to explain why you cried?”

  I close my eyes tight, trying to figure out how to explain it to him without him laughing at me, “Um, you see, I…” I take a deep breath and just put it out there, “I am pretty sure that was the first time that I have actually had a…an orgasm.” My face catches in flames. I pull my hands away from his and cover my face.

  A few moments pass and I lower my hands to find him with a serious look on his face. “That wasn’t your first time/first time, was it?”

  “I wasn’t a virgin, Ryder. I just haven’t ever been able to reach that point.” If it’s possible, my face heats up more. Ryder releases the breath he had been holding and smiles.

  “Then, we will have to rectify that issue and we have all night to make up for all the times you missed out on it.” He leans of and whispers in my ear, “I promise.”

  Ryder makes good on his promise, too. Over and over, all night long. He only lets us out of the bed for water and to use the restroom. When the sun starts peeking through his windows we lay there and talk. Sometime later exhaustion takes over and I fall asleep.

  When I pry my eyes open, it takes me a minute to realize where I am. I go to move and realize I can’t because we are nothing but a tangle of limbs and sheets. Needing to relieve my bladder of its contents soon I ease out from under Ryder’s arms and legs. When I am finally free of him he stirs for a second, but stays sound asleep.

  Climbing off the bed my foot gets stuck in the sheet and I face plant the floor. Good job Grace, that sure as hell woke him up. I jump up to make sure he didn’t witness my misfortune only to see that he is still out. Man, he sleeps like a rock. I turn and make my way to the bathroom. When I return to his room, Ryder is laying on his stomach leaving me an open view of the corded muscles in his back and that glorious buttocks of his.

  He has a tattoo I didn’t notice all night on his right shoulder blade. I step next to the bed to get a closer look at it. It is an angel. Her wings are reaching towards the sky, one foot has a shackle with a chain but it has been broken free. It’s beautiful.

  When I am done admiring Ryder in all his glory I throw on my clothes and get in the bed beside him. I trail my hands over the intricate work of his angel and goose bumps jump up on his skin. When he starts to move I jerk my hand back.

  “What’d you stop for?” He asks groggily.

  I giggle, yes giggle. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I was just enjoying the view.”

  “Oh?” His arm goes around my waste and jerks me under him. With an eyebrow raised he points out the obvious, “You already put your clothes on.”

  “And.”

  “Maybe I wanted to enjoy the view, too?” He questions.

  “Then you should have woke up sooner.” I say before giving him a peck on the lips. “Besides, it’s Sunday and I need to go get Jamie.”

  “For shame. You planned on leaving me?” He pokes that pouty bottom lip out at me.

  “I can’t just leave, dork. I didn’t drive, remember?” I say laughing at him.

  “True.” He says with more spunk. I can almost see the light bulb form over his head before he speaks again, “That means I can keep you here as long as I like.”

  “You could, but you wouldn’t do that to poor Jamie would you?” I turn the pout face back on him.

  He huffs and gets out of the bed, throwing on his boxer briefs, “Oh, I could, but I won’t.” Then vanishes into the bathroom. Lying on the bed as he gets dressed, I watch his muscles play over his back and shoulders, until he pulls a shirt over his head covering up the work of art. He walks over to me, gives me a kiss, and then coerces me downstairs. I hate it when people try to pry in my business, but I have to know about Lyla and Ryder’s relationship. Why he acted so brash when Jake was telling me about them.

  “Are you going to tell me why we left last night like that?” I ask, taking a seat on the stool closest to him in the kitchen.

  I may not be able to see his face, but I can tell he didn’t expect me to bring it up because his whole body goes stiff. Slowly he turns to me, his eyes downcast. “If I do, you won’t be able to look at me the same. I am not sure I am strong enough to cope with
the look of disgust that you will aim at me.”

  “That is just an assumption. You will not know how I will take it until you tell me, Ryder.” As the words come from my mouth I regret them. I am a hypocrite to tell him that, and not believe it myself. I hate hypocritical people.

  “You’re right. Ok.” His chest expands with a large breath and he starts, “I have been in a few relationships and every one I ended when things started getting too deep. Lyla has been in mine and the guys lives since we were little. Her and Jake are close, but only in the side kick kind of way. All her romantic interest has been pinned on me.” He sits down on the vacant stool beside me and places his elbows on the table, head bowed. “Never have we been an official couple. She isn’t what I see myself with, she is too vindictive. Jake wasn’t lying to you. Every time I run back to her, but that was until this last time with Lyla.

  “She took it a step too far. Her normal pattern is to wait until I break it off and then crawl in my bed. She didn’t wait this time. I had been dating this girl for a couple of weeks and she had a heart of gold. I don’t know how she did it, but somehow she drugged us during one of our dates. It didn’t hit either of us till we walked in the door here. After a few minutes of trying to collect ourselves, Lyla walked right in the house like she owned it. The girl I was dating didn’t realize what was happening or what she was doing. Lyla took pictures of all three of us together, naked and used them to ruin the poor girl. I promised myself after that I was done with Lyla and her obsession.”

  He rubs his hand over his face a few times before looking at me to gauge my reaction. It’s not what I was expecting but me being me I was definitely thinking the worst. “You think that I would judge you for the actions of her? Lyla was the person that hurt and ruined that girl, not you.”

  “Oh wise one, you really are a Yoda.” He winks at me before bending down and taking all the air from my lungs with a heart stopping kiss. “You are pretty amazing, you know that?”