It all started with a game

Chapter 23

He tugged me closer to him. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you."

I cradled his head to my chest. "I'm sorry!" I tried not to laugh, finding the situation a bit more amusing than I should have. "I didn't think it would be that bad."

"It was awful." His body sunk against mine. "Why would you make me do that?"

"Never again. You're off the hook forever." Does this mean he won't go on a roller coaster either?

"We're taking my car to the square," he demanded, taking long breaths.

"We'll take your car," I repeated, rubbing his back to try to make the shaking stop.

I kept my promise, and let him take his car to go to the square. He seemed to forgive me for the whole motorcycle thing but I believe I definitely scarred him for life.

Ryder opened the car door for me, giving me his hand. I gladly took it, intertwining our fingers. The square was completely empty, all the shops closed for the night, making the perfect place for a walk. I pulled Ryder's hoodie over my head after a gust of wind blew through the area. I'd grown a slight obsession with his hoodies and had probably stolen three or four of them from his house. He didn't seem to mind. This one was my favorite though; he wore it the first time I got to meet Alexia.

Ryder and I walked beside each other, talking about complete nonsense as we enjoyed the view of the square under the moonlight, listening to the music that drifted through the area. I grinned, instantly recognizing the song just as we passed the water fountain. "I love this song!" I used to listen to it all the time. I stuck both of my hands under the stream of the fountain, morphing the strands of water as I sang along.

Ryder let out a soft, low chuckle, the sound making my stomach flutter. I love when he does that. I smiled up at him as he held his hand out to me. "Dance with me," he whispered.

I laughed, staring at his outstretched hand. "Right now? In the middle of the square?"

He nodded, not the least bit of amusement resting on his features. "There's no one else around. It's just us. Why not?"

His lips curved up in his signature, lazy, sexy smile. "You're crazy," I murmured, taking his hand.

Ryder spun me into him, following the beat of the music.

I could still remember Klaus trying to teach me how to dance. I would stand on his feet and try to follow his actions but I was never good at it. I was born with two left feet, but Ryder was painfully aware of this fact and knew exactly when to move his feet so that I didn't step on his toes.

I giggled as Ryder twirled me around, his arms circling my waist. The two of us swayed together, our bodies moving as one. My hands found whatever spot they could, pulling Ryder's face closer to mine, our noses brushing against each other.

I'd never felt so content in life, breathing in the subtle scent of sea salt and rum, the fresh air of the night sky, listening to the intricate violin quartet in the background of the music drifting around us, it was perfect.

I stroked Ryder's cheek gently, his eyes drifting closed, my hips moving with his. "Ryder?"

"Hm?" He mumbled, his lips brushing mine.

"I'm really happy." It was my way of telling him that I didn't want this to be just a game.

His eyes fluttered open and I could feel his pulse quicken beneath my fingertips which were resting on the nape of his neck. "Yeah, me too."

Could that be his way of saying he wanted the same?

His phone rang, interrupting before I could get the chance to ask. Ryder cursed under his breath, pulling his cell out of his back pocket. "I have to take this, it's Alexia. She's probably trying to kill Estrella as we speak."