Ryder’s POV”The traffic downtown is always so brutal at this hour, don’t you think, Mr. Lancaster?” Ruby asked from the window seat, her eyes wide and eager for a response.
Iris’s friend was sitting on the far side, talking animatedly and trying hard to make conversation with me.
“Yes,” I murmured.
I didn’t turn my head to look at her.
I kept my answers short and dry, doing just enough to not seem completely hostile.
My mind was entirely elsewhere.
My eyes were fixed on the woman sitting right next to me.
Iris was staring straight ahead, her lips pressed into a tight, stubborn line.
She was trying so hard to pretend I wasn’t there, treating me like a total stranger even though our shoulders were nearly brushing.
The car slowed to a crawl behind a line of red brake lights.
Ruby turned away, distracted by something on the street outside, still muttering but it had become a blur to my ears.
Taking advantage of the second, I slid my hand across the smooth leather between us, brushing my fingers against hers before wrapping my palm completely around her small hand, squeezing gently.
Iris went completely stiff.
Bright red rushed into her cheeks.
She didn’t yank her hand away—she knew her friend was sitting right next to her and would see the sudden movement.
Instead, she slowly turned her face toward me, her eyes flashing with a sharp, furious glare.
Her gaze practically screamed at me, warning me not to push my luck.
I didn’t let go.
Instead, I looked right back into her angry eyes and let a small, quiet smile pull at the corner of my lips.
She looked incredible when she was flustered.
Up front, the quiet hum of the engine seemed to get louder.
I glanced up, my eyes catching the rear view mirror.
My driver’s eyes were locked onto the glass, wide with absolute shock.
Next to him in the passenger seat, Leo was frozen solid, his mouth slightly open as he stared at my reflection.
Meeting Leo’s panicked gaze in the glass, I watched him instantly drop his eyes, breaking into a sudden sweat as he nervously started tapping on his tablet.
I ignored them, my focus sliding right back to Iris.
Still, I didn’t let go of her.
The restaurant was dead silent when we walked in.
The staff immediately recognized me, their postures straightening as the head waiter rushed forward.
“Welcome, Mr Ryder.” The head said, I muttered a reply, acknowledging his warm greeting.
With deep bows and hushed, respectful tones, they bypassed the main dining area and led us straight to the secluded private room on the second floor.
“Oh, wow, this place looks so expensive, Mr. Lancaster,” Ruby said, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet hallway.
She nudged Iris with her elbow.
“Iris, didn’t you say you wanted to try that seafood dish they post about online? We should definitely get that.”
Iris forced a tight, polite smile, her eyes darting nervously toward me before looking back at her friend.
“Yeah, Ruby.
Whatever you want to order is fine.”
”And the wine list here must be incredible,” Ruby kept going, completely missing the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Mr. Lancaster, what kind of wine do you usually prefer? I’m more of a white wine person, but Iris loves red.”
I stayed completely quiet.
I didn’t answer her.
I was completely tired of responding to Ruby’s endless questions, and frankly, I didn’t care about the wine.
My mind was entirely occupied by the woman walking just a step ahead of me.
We entered the private room, the heavy wooden door swinging open to reveal a massive, polished dining table.
I waited for Iris to choose her spot, fully intending to sit right beside her.
But she moved quickly, deliberately sliding into the chair closest to the door, placing the entire length of the table between us.
She was trying to build a wall again.
I sat down across from her, my gaze locking onto hers, refusing to let her hide from me.
I watched her walk out, her hips swaying slightly under her dress.
I gave it thirty seconds.
Then, I stood up and followed her.
The hallway was dimly lit and quiet.
The moment Iris stepped out, she stopped, her gaze meeting mine in the shadows.
I stepped forward, closing the space between us until she was backed against the wall.
“Ryder—” She yelped in surprise.
My kisses came down crashing on her lips, aggressive and demanding.
I held the back of her head firmly and my tongue intruded her mouth.
She froze when my hand pulled her blouse up, reaching for her breast.
“Hmm…Ryder wait…” She cried out in a soft moan.
I pressed my lips against her again, kissing her.
My hand naturally brushed the strands of hair that fell on her face.
Pulling back and regarded her flushed face, my eyes intense with arousal.
“You’re so fucking cute.”
Iris stiffened, her eyes darting toward the entrance.
“Ruby might see,” she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of urgency and hesitation.
She looked back at me, her breathing quickening.
“You should hurry. We have to go back soon before Ruby tries to come look for me!”
I stayed close, my forehead resting against hers, my heart hammering in my chest.
“Come back to my place tonight,” I said, my voice low and rough as I looked into her eyes.
“I don’t want the night to end here, Iris.”
She swallowed hard, looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
Her face was flushed, but she slowly shook her head, placing her hands on my chest to create a small distance.
“No,” she said softly but you could see in her eyes she had already made up her mind.
“I can’t. I have other things I need to take care of tonight.”