Distract Me

by M. J. Berterman

  “Miss you. How has your day been?” I put my phone down and jumped in the shower.

  Dinner was delicious, and I cleaned up my plate. Eating alone felt strange since I’d been with Ryder so much this week. I was used to the company. I heard a chime on my phone, so I dried my hands and opened the new message from Ryder.

  “I miss you terribly. Sorry. I’ve been so busy today with work. A big trial coming up. Can I see you tonight?” I smiled as I read his message.

  “Yes, but I’ll be home tonight to see Mariella so if you want to catch up on a few shows with us and possibly some one on one time with me afterward... you’re welcome over. ;)” I waited for his message as I put the clean dishes away.

  The click of our apartment door piqued my interest. A loud thud sounded through the room as Mariella threw her bag down on the floor. She walked right over to our couch and threw herself down on the pillows with a loud huff. Closing the cabinet door quietly, I walked over to her and sat down.

  “What’s wrong, Ella?” I asked after noticing the redness in her eyes. She played with the fringe on the throw pillow and rolled her eyes.

  “I just had a rough day,” she said between clenched teeth.

  She was always happy, so when she hit a low, it was serious. Not much brought the woman down. Scooting closer to her, I turned on the TV.

  “We can watch Grey’s reruns?” I smiled because she couldn’t pass that up. She was silent as I flipped through the episodes, so I picked the one where Izzy falls in love with Denny. It started playing, and I heard her start to sniffle, so I paused it and turned to her.

  “Ella, please tell me so I can fix it,” I pleaded.

  She covered her eyes with her hands, and all I could do was rub her back and give her time. She slowly removed her hand from her eyes.

  “My day just really sucked, okay? But I know you couldn’t understand that right now,” she said with a bite.

  I looked away because, at that moment, I felt the distance between us. I’ve neglected my cousin for a man—a man I was falling for, but it was my fault for not balancing it out. I didn’t get up, and I didn’t say anything quick in return. I just gave her that moment to let out her frustration. After her eyes had seemed to dry some, I spoke.

  “I’m sorry, Ella, even if I’m not at the apartment...I’m always a phone call and a few blocks away at Ryder’s apartment.” I grabbed her hand. “Please tell me how to make you feel better. It’s killing me to see you upset.” I rubbed her hand.

  “It’s not you... I’m sorry I snapped at you.” She turned away.

  I felt a bit of relief that she wasn’t mad at me, but I was still upset that something terrible was bothering her.

  “I met a guy.” She took a deep breath.

  I began to smile, but then realized we were not talking about anything happy at the moment, so I quickly shot my eyes to the floor. That’s something that shouldn’t be a surprise to me. I should know about her meeting a guy before she’s already crying over him. I’ve been absent, and I felt terrible for that.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  She turned her body toward me on the couch.

  “He’s fucking married.” She threw her hands up in the air. “Go figure. I’m always worrying about that with guys, and here I’m fooled by one.” She shrugged.

  “I’m so sorry. How long were you involved with him?” I said as I softly massaged her hand.

  She looked away from me.

  “A week. I met him while at the café. We were both sitting at the table uploading photos on our laptops. He approached me because I was too busy to notice him.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s a photographer, a sexy photographer and was so chill and funny and perfect and... fucking married!” she yelled.

  I jumped as her voice rose.

  “I believed him. He took me to his studio several times before I found out.” She paced.

  As I sat quietly on the couch, my heart stung for her. She needed to get it all out, so I didn’t interrupt. I had no idea, and that pained me. Mariella would never keep something from me. Hell, I knew every time she flirted with a guy.

  “His wife caught us.” She stopped and stared out the window for a moment. “He was taking me on his desk when she walked in.” She shook her head. “Adi, can you imagine?” She looked disgusted. “The man you love is taking another woman right in front of you.” A tear fell down her face.

  “No, I can’t,” I whispered.

  “I hurt more for her than I do myself.” She was crying.

  Looking down at the floor, I couldn’t imagine Ryder ever doing that to me. Piper Harlow rang through my head, and I needed to get answers soon.

  “Ella, you didn’t know. You can’t blame yourself.” She sat down next to me again. “As soon as he saw her he left me, exposed, naked, and guilty just lying there on top of his desk. I felt dirty.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  “Guys can be disgusting, lying, assholes, Ella. He wasn’t meant to be, and your guy is still out there. It will be perfect when it happens—I promise you that.” Tears filled my eyes as I thought of how her heart was probably aching, which was the opposite of how mine felt.

  “He pleaded with her to forgive him and that I was nothing. I meant nothing.” She pushed her hair back into a bun and pulled the pillow to her chest. “Well, I guess it was better to find out in a week’s time than a month to six months to a year. Damn, that would have really hurt.” She huffed.

  I shook my head and thought of Piper Harlow again. The name was burned into my mind.

  “I agree. It still hurts but for you to find out now was for the best for everyone involved.” Grabbing my necklace, I tried to think of something my mom would say for advice in this situation.

  She was the best at comforting everyone that needed a shoulder, and she never passed judgment. My mood shifted as I felt an ache for her.

  A loud knock on the door made me jump from the couch, and Mariella looked at me with a puzzled look.

  “I don’t know. Let me check.” I ran over to the door and looked through the peephole. Ryder was standing in our hallway holding a bag and a box of pizza.

  “Damn, my timing sucks.” I forgot to text Ryder that I would need a rain check for tonight because Mariella was a mess. She was looking at me with a blank stare. I think she saw my nervous hives starting on my neck. Placing my hand on the doorknob, I gave her an apologetic look.

  “Ella, it’s Ryder. I invited him over earlier before I knew you were... upset.” I frowned.

  “Adi, my problems are just that, mine, so it doesn’t mean you have to sit around and be miserable with me. Let him in.” She tilted her head and smiled.

  She adjusted herself on the couch as I opened the door. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him standing there in his suit and tie from work and holding a box of pizza. I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing his lips.

  “You came.” I smiled through our kiss.

  “Of course.” He grabbed my face and pulled me into a deeper kiss.

  I stepped back into my apartment to let Ryder in. Taking the bag from his hand, I placed it on the kitchen counter.

  “What is all this?” I asked.

  He smiled and waved to Mariella on the couch.

  “It’s a movie, popcorn, ice cream and of course, a pizza kind of night.” He placed the pizza box on the counter and opened the lid.

  Mariella jumped up from the couch as soon as the scent hit her. He grabbed a few plates from the cabinet and began cutting a piece for each of us.

  “You invited me over for a girls night, so I figured I would pick up a few things you girls eat or do when you do your girls night.” He winked at us, and we burst into laughter.

  It was so nice to see Mariella smile after seeing her so upset.

  “I love him... Why is he so perfect?” She pinched my arm.

  We both watched him move through our kitchen like it was his own. I loved how comfortable he was here and arou
nd Mariella. He took off his jacket and necktie and then placed them on our coat hanger as he rolled up his sleeves. I wanted to take him to my room for some alone time right now, but I was also excited to spend the night with the two people who meant the world to me. So I’d have to contain my sexual frustration for a little.

  “So I wasn’t sure what movie to get, but the girl at the store told me this one with Kate Hudson was a sure hit for a chick night.” He held up the movie as Mariella read the title.

  “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.” She covered her mouth to hold back the excitement.

  “I love Kate Hudson.” I finished chewing my bite of pizza. “Could you seriously be any more perfect tonight?” I smiled.

  “You’ll have to wait and see.” He grinned and kissed my neck.

  He walked over to the couch and sat down next to Mariella. I froze for a moment after his kiss sent warmth between my legs. This was going to be a long night.

  “Princess Sophia? Yeah, that would have been it for me.” He laughed.

  Mariella looked at me and burst into laughter.

  “Ok, I’ll take notes. No girly names for your manhood.” I rolled my eyes and popped a piece of popcorn in my mouth.

  Tonight was going amazingly. Ryder was so nice to Ella and made her laugh the entire night. I don’t think he could be anymore perfect than he already was and that made me scared. I wanted to be happy, but I knew I wasn’t allowed to be because something seemed to always go wrong. A piece of popcorn bounced off my nose, and I looked up to see Mariella staring at me with a smirk on her face. I threw one back at her, but it bounced off her forehead and fell to the floor, and we laughed.

  “You girls have this much fun every night?” Ryder rested his head back on the couch with a chuckle.

  Mariella smiled. I loved seeing her happy again.

  “Always. Well, guys, I’m truly exhausted from my busy day through the park trying to photograph twin toddlers who went through five different outfit changes, so I’m going to pack it in for the night.” She stood up and brushed the crumbs off her shirt.

  “Umm, excuse me... I just cleaned today.” I pointed to the floor.

  “Sorry... I’ll vacuum tomorrow.” She cringed.

  “Thanks for everything. It was much needed,” she said as she walked back to her bedroom.

  “See you later. Goodnight,” both Ryder and I said in unison.

  Placing the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table, I scooted closer to Ryder. He pulled me closer to his body and rubbed his finger on my shoulder. I felt the surge of heat rush through my body as soon as I heard Mariella’s door close. A rush of adrenaline came over me. I wanted to fuck him right here in the living room, but I wasn’t sure if he would take the chance. Grabbing his hand from my shoulder, I used it to balance myself on top of him. He scooted back against the couch to position himself better under me. My legs were straddled on each side of him.

  “How much did you miss me?” I played with his shirt button and worked my fingers down to loosen his belt.

  “Can you feel how much I’ve missed you?” He moaned. His voice sounded deeper than it had a few minutes ago when Mariella was here. Hearing the want in his voice drove me crazy.

  “I can.” I rocked back forth on top of his hardness as I kissed my way down his neck. His hands squeezed the sides of my thighs and pulled me harder down on him.

  “Do you want to go in your bedroom?” he asked as he looked down the hallway.

  I shook my head and gave him a quick smirk.

  “I want you here.” I pointed to the couch.

  He grabbed my hair and pulled me into a hard kiss, his tongue playing with mine.

  “I can try to be quiet, but I can’t promise anything,” he said kissing his way down my chest and pulling off my shirt.

  His eyes rested on my new navy blue lace bra. His fingers pulled at the lace and circled my hard nipples.

  “Show me how much you’ve missed me.” I reached back, unhooked my bra, and tossed it to the floor.

  His hands never moved, but his lips crashed into me as his tongue slid across each nipple. The warmth of his mouth sent chills through my body. Perching my body above Ryder’s, I pulled off my shorts. He reached down and unzipped his pants, pulling them down just enough to free his hardness. I could feel him throbbing against my fingers as I stroked him.

  “You’re so hard, baby. I can’t wait to feel you inside me,” I whispered in his ear.

  “You’re so wet for me. I love feeling you... all of this.” His hands slid down my body.

  I closed my eyes and leaned back as his fingers slid deeper inside me. My body began moving against his fingers.

  “Mmmm... I need you, Ryder, please.”

  He removed his fingers and pulled me down on top of him. His cock was so hard at my opening. My wetness poured down on to him as I slowly slid down and took him inside me. My hands rested on his shoulders as I rocked my body on top of his.

  “Fuck me, Adi,” he said between kisses.

  I bit his bottom lip to silence my screams. Rocking faster on top of him, I grabbed the fabric of the couch to balance myself.

  “Ryder, I can’t hold it back much longer.” His hands massaged my breast as I bounced on top of him.

  “Let go, just let go.” He moaned against my nipple.

  That’s all I needed to hear. My body shook against him, and I let out a weak moan to keep from getting caught. We were already louder than we should be. He rocked my hips hard against him, and I could feel him tighten inside me, so I knew he was close to his release. I let him guide my body how he wanted me against him. His back arched from the couch as he thrust himself into me faster and harder until he pulled out and exploded on my thighs. His warmth dripped down my leg as I sat on top of him and stared into his eyes through short breaths. I was so exposed, but I’ve never felt such safety and comfort with anyone. He held me for what felt like hours, but it could have only been minutes.

  “Stay right there. I’ll get a towel to clean you up.” He stood up and walked to the bathroom.

  The lust high was wearing off now that I was laid bare on the couch without Ryder. He came back with a warm towel and cleaned off my thighs before I slid my shorts back on. He looked so together except his hair was roughed up from me pulling at him. I knew I looked a hot mess, but I didn’t care. He helped me straighten out my clothes and pulled me up to stand with him.

  “Will you come to dinner at my parents’ house tomorrow night?” he asked.

  I didn’t answer right away. Could this be our next step, meeting the families? I thought.

  “They’re having a business dinner for a merger, so I really want you there with me.” He squeezed me into him and pushed my hair behind my ears.

  I couldn’t help but blush. This man was making me fall in love with him, and I was surrendering to him in every way.

  “Of course, I’ll go with you. I’d love to.” My cheeks felt flushed.

  He kissed me sweetly, but I could feel the warmth building up below again. I bit his bottom lip. His hand slipped down my ass.

  “Sweet Adi, you’re a wild thing.” He gave me a quick smack. We burst into laughter. “I’m relieved I won’t have to go without you. I would be wishing I was with you the entire night if you weren’t there.” He straightened out his shirt.

  “I’m glad I can go too, but I’m sure you would have found someone to go with you if I couldn’t,” I said, but I instantly regretted it after I saw him frown.

  “Why would you say something like that?” He rubbed his chin.

  “I was joking, Ryder.” I kissed him.

  Part of me was still feeling anger from Mariella’s pain earlier and the thought of the mysterious Piper Harlow. I wanted to ask him, but I was too afraid he would pull away from me, and I liked where we were right now. That’s stupid, I know, but I was afraid to lose him even if I took my chances of getting hurt.

  “I take you seriously, Adi, and I would never—and I hope you would never—f
ind someone to take my place with you.” He gave me a harsh stare that made me feel worse about what I had said.

  “I take you seriously too, and I was honestly just goofing off.” I looked down.

  “I don’t want to lose you, Adi.” He kissed my forehead.

  My head fell to his chest, and I could hear his heart pounding.

  “You won’t.” I closed my eyes as he rested his chin on the top of my head.

  “Ryder, I’ve never felt this amazing before.” I opened my eyes.

  “You’re everything to me. I’ve never felt this alive with someone.” I smiled and thought of how full my heart felt with him. My fear was it would be ripped open again, but I couldn’t think about it. In this moment I just want to continue to feel this way with him.

  “Adi, I love you.” He lifted my face to his.

  I felt the blood rush through my veins—and I knew this was it, this was love and everything I’d ever need. Wow. I loved him too, but I was scared if I said it out loud, life would take it from me. Squeezing him tight, I hoped he would feel how much I loved him in return, but I just wasn’t sure if I could say it yet. Sadness dampened my happiness, and I wasn’t ready to lose him. I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him, resting my hands on each side of his face I pulled him deeper into my kiss.

  “Why do you have to be so perfect to me?” I whispered.

  “You make me a better person than I once was. You’re the first person to make me feel something.” He smiled.

  We stood there in my living room holding each other in silence. I didn’t want this feeling to go away—ever.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Ugh, I have nothing to wear!” I huffed.

  Ryder told me to be ready by six-thirty tonight, but it was already five, and I was still a mess. Mariella walked into my room with a quick knock on my door.

  “What are you wearing tonight for the big meeting the parents night?” She smirked.

  I rolled my eyes because my stomach was jittering with nerves, and she was making it worse. The thought crossed my mind too many times today that I wouldn’t be good enough for their son. In reality, I was only a teacher to them, and by no way up to their luxury of living. She walked in my closet and thumbed through the few clothes that were left hanging. Her eyes scanned each hanger, swiping each one to the side.