Ryder

by Ali Parker

  Brad cast a surreptitious look around the otherwise empty hallway before pulling Cayden back into the printing room.

  “Dude! What are you doing here? I thought Brewer the hard ass gave you the day off?” Brad had to practically yell to be heard over the sound of the print machines running the next day’s paper but Cayden heard enough to understand his friend’s question.

  “He did,” Cayden shouted back, “I just had to hand over my article. You know, about the protests that went down while we were in D.C.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Protests. Riots. Violence. I got all that watching the morning news. What I didn’t get was an update on the stone princess.”

  “What was that?” Cayden yelled, gesturing to his ear as if he couldn’t hear Brad’s words over the loud sound of the printing press.

  Brad rolled his eyes at him, knowing damn well he’d heard every word but repeated his question nonetheless. “You and Sophie Stone. Tell me the truth! What happened in D.C.?”

  Cayden shook his head, but he knew that Brad was relentless. He wasn’t about to give up until he got every juicy detail.

  “Fine.” Cayden sighed, “We slept together, alright?”

  “You finally cracked Sophie Stone!” Brad crowed as he shot Cayden a salacious grin, “I can’t believe you did it. You actually did it.”

  Cayden grimaced at Brad’s choice of words but all he could do was shrug. “Listen, with everything that was happening, the protests, the douchebag that attacked her, the hospital, tensions were running high, that’s all. We just needed to relieve a little of the pressure. That’s all it was.”

  “Uh huh. Sure. And exactly how many times did you ‘relieve the pressure’?” Brad asked, putting his hands up as he added air quotes, throwing Cayden’s own words back at him.

  “Look, I feel bad enough about what happened over the weekend. I don’t need you being an asshole and making me feel even worse.” Cayden groused and Brad’s eyes widened for a second at his uncharacteristic words. Finally, his friend just shrugged.

  “Hey, Cayden, Sophie’s an adult more than capable of making her own decisions. You weren’t acting alone, you know? I don’t know what this weird guilt thing is,” Brad paused to wave his hands in the air, gesturing in a circle around Cayden, “but she was right there with you. She consented to whatever it was you did together.”

  “I know. I know that.” Cayden knew he sounded like he was trying to convince himself, but even still he couldn’t quite make himself believe his friend’s words. “But she was hurt, and the riots were going on. I wasn’t trying to take advantage of the situation. That’s all I’m trying to say.”

  “And all I’m trying to say is that you’re acting like a douchebag and totally unlike yourself. You’re the conqueror of pussy,” Brad stated loudly and Cayden cringed at one of his old college nicknames, “Now you just sound like a pussy.”

  “You’re disgusting, you know that?” Cayden said with a long-suffering sigh as he shook his head. Brad just shrugged, grinning proudly.

  “I know. It’s one of the things you love about me.”

  “It really isn’t.”

  “Listen, are you going to give me the details or what?” Brad said, throwing him another sideways look, “How was it? She really was a virgin, wasn’t she? What is she, twenty-eight? Twenty-nine? Was it hot? How are her tits?”

  “Disgusting, Brad. Seriously.” Cayden shook his head again. He knew it was useless. His words bounced off his friend unheard. He only had one recourse left. Change the subject before Brad’s question’s sunk any further into the gutter. “I talked to Harry, you know.”

  “What did you say?” Brad yelled and Cayden had to raise his voice again as another run of newsprint ran through the machines.

  “I said I talked to Harry!”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah. The man practically handed me the promotion on a silver platter.” Cayden shouted, forcing a grin as he spoke but that damned guilt was still there, eating away at him.

  “You deserve it, man.” Brad yelled, nodding his head as if expected no less. And in a way, neither had Cayden. He’d known from the very beginning, before Bert had even retired, that the senior writer position was his. He’d worked his ass off over the last few years. He deserved it.

  But he also knew that it would crush Sophie as soon as she discovered that he’d lied to her about having an article about the riots and turning it into Harry behind her back. Cayden had no doubt if she had known, she would be in the office right now despite her still healing head would to turn a draft of her own in. That was just the type of person she was. Driven. Ambitious. Just like him.

  And pretty soon she’d find out the truth and he knew there would be hell to pay. But not today. At least he had that.

  “So, Sophie,” Brad shouted, trying to pull the conversation back to the previous topic, “Tell me what it was like!”

  Cayden held a hand to his ear, pretending again not to be able to hear his friend’s words.

  “Sorry, Brad. It’s too loud. Can’t hear. I got to go!” He shouted, pointing towards the door. “See you later!”

  Cayden ducked out of the printing room before Brad could come up with any more asinine questions and sighed in relief when he finally made it out of the building without running into anyone else. He didn’t think he could take another round of interrogation. He was already feeling guilty enough. And he knew as soon as Sophie found out, he would feel a hell of a lot worse.

  Chapter 13

  Sophie

  Sophie inhaled deeply at the sound of the intercom buzzer filling her small apartment. She knew who it was before she even pushed the call button, but she also knew her mother would reprimand her for not checking to make sure before buzzing them up.

  “Yes? Who is it?” Sophie asked, trying desperately not to roll her eyes and failing.

  “It’s your mother, sweetie. And your dad’s here too.” Her mom’s voice brought on the familiar combination of comfort and frustration that seeing her parents always did.

  “Come on up, guys. I’ll buzz you in.” Sophie said before hitting the button to unlock the main door to the building. Her parents had already checked into their hotel. Her own studio apartment was tiny enough with just her living there. Having her parents stay there would be downright claustrophobic.

  She heard them coming up the stairs minutes before they got to her door. Her mother’s voice carried clearly through the thin walls.

  “Now, just remember Frank. We have to be careful how we say it. You know she’s always been a sensitive girl.”

  Sophie didn’t even try and fight the eye roll.

  “She’ll be fine, Helen,” Her father’s gruff voice answered, “She’s strong. She can take it.”

  “That’s my point, Frank. She may be strong but she can still be hurt as easily as you or me. That job of hers is too dangerous. I’ve always said that. Haven’t I always said that, Frank?”

  “Yes, dear. I know. You’ve always said it.”

  “I have always said it. I always mean it. You know I’m right, dear. Just look at what happened.”

  “Helen, she’s a grown woman.” Her father tried to interject and Sophie smiled. Her dad was always in her corner.

  “Well, grown woman or not I will always be her mother and I will always worry about her.”

  The rest of her parents’ conversation was cut short as they reached the landing of the first flight of stairs. A moment later there was a series of sharp, precise knocks on the door. Sophie drew in another deep breath before finally swinging the door open.

  “Oh my god, sweetie! Your face!” Her mom’s instant dramatic reaction had her sharing a sidelong look with her father as they both made their way inside.

  “Really, mom. It’s nothing. Just a little bruise.”

  “A little bruise! You are all black and blue, Sophie! You told me it was just a slight concussion and a few stitches. You didn’t tell me someone tried to bash your head in!”

&
nbsp; “No one tried to do anything to me, mom. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s all. I got caught in the crossfire.” Sophie sighed as she tried to explain.

  “Crossfire? You never said anything about guns! I need to sit down.” Helen Stone had always had a penchant for the over dramatic and she was in full swing as Sophie watched her fan herself furiously as she collapsed onto the old couch.

  “There weren’t any guns, mom,” At least Sophie was pretty sure there hadn’t been any bullets flying. She’d been unconscious at the time but she sure as hell wasn’t going to tell her mom that. She hurried to explain, “It’s just a saying.”

  “Well, you need to listen to what your father and I are saying,” Her mom started and Sophie shared another look with her dad. “Your job is just too dangerous.”

  “It really isn’t, mom. I love what I do.”

  “We know that, Sophie. And you’re a damn fine reporter.” Her father interjected earning him a glare of reprimand from her mom and a small smile from Sophie.

  “Thanks, dad.” Sophie felt a flash of appreciation for her dad but it died as he spoke again.

  “Now, we would love to meet that man of yours and thank him in person. From what I gather he damn near saved your life.”

  “Really, Frank. Language,” her mom said with a pointed sniff but a moment later she was standing once more and they were both looking at her expectantly. Finally, Sophie shrugged.

  “He’s not my man. Cayden works at the World News with me.”

  “So, he’s a writer like you.” Her father said, nodding thoughtfully.

  “Cayden, huh? He sounds so nice, dear. We absolutely must meet him and give him our gratitude. It’s really the least we could do.”

  “Yes, the least,” Her father added. They were both practically talking over each other as they showered her with questions about Cayden, peppered with the occasional compliment for ‘her man’ who saved her life. Listening to her parents talk about him, she would think he was some sort of saint. Sophie knew there was only one way to get out of it.

  Reluctantly, she held up her hands. “Alright. Alright! I’ll give him a call but he probably won’t even be home. Okay? Happy?”

  “Of course, dear.” Her father said with a shrug as her mom rubbed her hands together.

  “Perfect, just perfect! Oh, I know, I saw a great little Italian place across the street from our hotel. What was it called, Frank?”

  “D’Agostino’s.”

  “Yes, D’Agostino’s. Does Cayden like Italian food, sweetie?”

  “I’m sure he does.” Sophie growled as she pulled her phone out of her pocket and quickly dialed the number. As the dial tone rang she sent up a silent prayer that he was busy. Too busy to answer the phone. She didn’t know what would be worse: Cayden answering the phone, or spending the next few days being grilled about him until she finally caved.

  Sophie was about to hang up when an all too familiar voice sounded over the line.

  “Hello? Sophie? Is everything alright? Are you okay?” Cayden asked and it took her a minute before she could answer. Something about the way he was worried about her had a distracting warmth flaring inside her.

  “Uh, Cayden, hey. I…I’m fine.” She finally stuttered, squeezing her eyes shut as she remembered why she called him in the first place. “I’m calling because, well, because my parents are in town and they are insisting they take the man who saved my life out to dinner.”

  “Oh,” He said, then paused for a long moment and Sophie fought to keep the flush of awkward embarrassment from rising.

  “Listen, you really don’t have to–.”

  “I’d love to.” They both spoke at the same time but Cayden’s words surprised her into silence.

  “Are you sure? I mean, I’m sure there are more important things you could be doing–.”

  “I’m sure,” Cayden said, interrupting her once more and she could practically hear the grin in his words. He knew she was uncomfortable as hell and the asshole was enjoying every moment of it.

  “Do you know D’Agostino’s on 3rd?”

  “Yeah, I know it.”

  “Great, meet us there in hour? And please,” Sophie whispered in a hushed voice that only he could here, “Please behave yourself.”

  “Me? I’ll only be bad if you ask me too. Nicely.” Cayden drawled and a different type of heat entirely burned through her, “Then I’ll be as bad as you want me too.”

  Sophie had to clear her throat before she could answer and her voice was still strangled as she spoke, “See you in an hour.”

  “Can’t wait.” Cayden said a second before the call was disconnected. Sophie stood there for a long moment, dread pooling in the pit of her stomach before she turned back to her waiting parents.

  “Cayden will meet us at the restaurant in an hour.” Sophie said as she tried to force a smile but was sure it looked more like a grimace than anything else. Her comment was met with more genuine enthusiasm as her dad continued to nod his head thoughtfully and her mother clapped her hands in delight.

  “Perfect!” Her mom said, “Just enough time for you to take a quick nap. You don’t want your boyfriend to see you with big old bags under your eyes, now do you?” Sophie rolled said eyes, not even bothering to correct her again as she walked to her bedroom. Her head was already starting to pound again. Maybe a quick nap wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  An hour later found the four of them seated around a large, round table with a classic red and white checked tablecloth as the waiter took their order and Sophie silently prayed for something, anything that would get her out of this. Maybe she could say her head was really hurting her and ditch out early. But then it would just bring up the topic of how dangerous her job was and she’d be right back where she had been at the beginning. Listening to her mom lecture her.

  Sophie was glad that Cayden seemed to be enjoying himself at least. He had turned on the charm full blast and both of her parents where lapping it up as they stared at him with glowing approval. It was almost enough to make her throw up. Maybe then she could finally go home and get some actual rest.

  The small talk continued and as their entrees were brought out, Sophie picked at her food. Something about having Cayden Ray and her parents in the same room together just killed her appetite.

  “What is it, Sophie, not hungry?” Her dad said, noticing the amount of food left on her plate, “Oh, I get it. You don’t want to eat in front of your boyfriend.”

  Sophie snorted and nearly sent the small bite of ravioli she’d managed to take shooting across the table.

  “Dad! I already told you. He’s not my–.”

  “It’s okay, Soph.” Cayden said, rubbing her back as she tried to choke out the words. She rolled her eyes at him and his expression was pure amusement as he bit back a self-satisfied grin. “You can eat as much as you want in front of me. I don’t judge.”

  “Now isn’t that nice, Frank? I knew you would be a nice boy.” Her mom nodded in approval before looking towards Sophie’s dad, who nodded back so they didn’t see the murderous glare that Sophie sent him. Cayden barked out a laugh, hiding it behind his napkin but his blue eyes were filled with a contagious humor. Despite her best intentions, Sophie found herself fighting a grin of her own.

  “So, how did the two of you meet?” Cayden asked earnestly, leaning forward, and Sophie was grateful for the change of topic.

  “Well, you see now, that’s a funny story–.”

  The rest of the words were lost as she felt Cayden’s fingers caress her thigh under the table. Heat flamed bright red in her cheeks and Sophie was grateful for the dim lighting in the restaurant. For the rest of the dinner he tortured her with feather light touches against her skin. By the time dessert had come and gone her vision was hazed with lust and all she could think about was a different kind of dessert. Something sweeter and harder and far tastier than the chocolate mousse that had tasted like dust in her mouth.

  Sophie didn’t kno
w whether to be relieved or disappointed when they paid the check and rose to leave but she couldn’t stop a cat-like grin from curling up one corner of her mouth when she noticed Cayden carrying his jacket in front of him. Apparently, she hadn’t been the only one affected by his teasing.

  They both waved goodbye as her parents got in a cab to head back to their hotel, leaving Sophie and Cayden standing alone, together, on the sidewalk. There was a tense moment between them that seemed to stretch out forever.

  “Cayden, I was wondering–.”

  “Do you want to go back to my place?” They both spoke at the same time, the words falling over each other in a rush but Sophie stopped to look up at him and she knew her lust was shining in her eyes. She remembered their last night together in D.C. and the answer he’d given her then.

  Sophie grinned, desire pumping through her veins like a drug. “Hell yes.”

  Chapter 14

  Cayden

  “So, this is your lair.”

  Cayden chuckled softly at Sophie’s words as she looked around his Midtown apartment. He would never in a million years admit it to himself, but he was desperately curious about what she thought of the place. Nearly as desperate as he was to get her into bed and satisfy the boner that had been plaguing him since she’d called earlier that evening. Hell, if he was being honest, since he’d first laid eyes on her five years ago. For some reason, sleeping with her hadn’t scratched the itch. If anything, it had only made it that much sharper.

  “Yep, this is it.” Cayden held out his hands, gesturing around the large, loft space. “What do you think?” He couldn’t hold the question in and she shot him a glance filled with humor.