If only I saw that sooner.
Chapter Forty Six
NIKKI
One Month Later
Ryder and I have been dating for about a month now, and it’s going okay. We don’t have the spark Kade and I shared, but we enjoy each other’s company and truly care about each other. We’re sitting on my couch one night, making out. That’s all we have done so far. I start to put my hand up his shirt and he tenses. I lean back and remove my tank top before leaning back down to kiss him. I start to unbuckle his jeans when he puts his hand on mine, and breaks our kiss. “It’s time for me to go,’ he rumbles.
I frown. Really, he won’t sleep with me? I shake my head and give him a small smile. “Okay, call me tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” He leans in to give me a kiss, and then heads out.
Layla has been against Ryder and me from the beginning. Even my mum is against it. She keeps saying I need to get Kade back. Even I have to admit I’m really not feeling this.
I’ve been able to finally finish my internship and was offered a spot full time, which I gratefully accepted. The place might be hard, but at least now I’ll be getting paid for working. I even passed my classes at uni, so I’m officially a graduate and full time employee.
******
Ever since we have started dating, Ryder has been acting different. To be honest, since Ryder has been interested in me for some time, I thought he would be more into us dating. But he’s not. He’s constantly checking his phone, and he isn’t as attentive as he used to be with me. Something’s going on and the one thing about Ryder is when you ask him something, he will tell you the truth.
“Ryder, what’s going on?” I ask, taking a seat on his black leather couch.
“What do you mean?” he asks as he turns to face me.
“Well, we’ve been together for a while now and we still haven’t had sex for one, you keep putting the brakes on it,” I tell him frankly.
Ryder’s eyebrows rise almost comically. “Nikki...”
“I know you’re not really into us anymore. I’m not angry. I think we are better off being friends, but if you want to talk I’m here, alright?” I tell him, rubbing his shoulder.
Ryder sighs. “Fuck, I’m sorry Nikki, I know I’ve been a terrible boyfriend. It’s just that before you came along I was seeing someone, the most amazing woman. There were some complications with the band, and when you showed up, it was kind of a way to get out of that situation. I took the easy way out. I’m so sorry, Nikki, you know I think you are f**king wonderful, but this woman… she is just… fuck. I’m going to sound cheesy as hell right now, but she's the one for me,” he says with a sheepish shrug.
I sigh. “Its fine, Ryder, I’m not angry. I guess we were both running and looking to escape reality with each other, because we're both safe. So why don’t you go after this mystery woman?” I ask him.
“After she saw us kissing on the stairs, she left. I have no idea where she is, either,” he grumbles, looking down at the floor.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Ryder,” I say, kissing him on the temple.
We both sigh.
“What a lovely pair we make,” I say with a giggle. Ryder shakes his head at me and grins.
“Want to go out for dinner?” he asks. My stomach rumbles.
“Hell yeah, I do!” I say standing up.
We head out together to dinner.
As friends.
KADE
My confidence that Nikki will once again be mine is slowly waning. The woman is stubborn and can hold a grudge forever, or so it seems. I messed up, big time, but even I don’t deserve this. I have no idea how she can just push me out of her mind and her life. I’m at my bar, sitting on the familiar stools, enjoying the atmosphere and a glass of scotch. The brunette eyeing me is starting to look better and better as the night goes on, and I’m starting to feel a familiar stirring in my groin. I crook my finger at her and she quickly saunters over, practically shoving her br**sts in my face. Hey, I'm not complaining one bit.
“My place or yours?” she coos.
“Yours,” I rumble, throwing some money on the bar and standing up. Definitely hers. I’m not tainting my memories of Nikki with any more of random women at my house.
We jump in a cab and head to her apartment which ends up being just down the road. We head up the stairs and I wait impatiently as she unlocks the front door. As soon as it’s open we walk in and head straight for the bedroom. She instantly starts undressing herself, and I take in the show. She’s hot, I’m not gonna lie. So why isn’t Kade Jr coming out to play? Fuck, I’m only semi hard and this never happens to me. The woman gets on her knees, naked, and sits there staring up at me, waiting for direction. Nikki would have never done anything like this. I instantly get hard as I think of her. The woman, I think her name is Anne, starts undoing my jeans and pulls them down, freeing my cock. She gasps in delight at what she finds, and gives me one wet lick, from bottom to tip. I shudder, but instantly take a step back. Doing another woman whilst thinking about Nikki? This whole thing is messed up. I do up my jeans, tell her I can’t do this and leave, ignoring her complaints. I've got to f**king fix this thing with Nikki.
Chapter Forty Seven
NIKKI
My eyes get teary as I take in Layla walking down the aisle. She looks absolutely stunning. Perfect. Amazing. Her hair is done up in some intricate bun with flowers braided through it, and her makeup is subtle and so flattering on her. She looks like a princess. Her dress is strapless and the bodice is form fitting, down to her hips, where it flares out and trails behind her. The dress is totally worth the huge amount it cost. Kade’s eyes meet mine and my eyes narrow slightly. I can see him trailing his eyes over my bridesmaid dress, which I chose myself. It’s lavender purple and very tight fitting in all the right places. I glance over at Chase, and the way he is looking at Layla makes me feel like I'm intruding in on their moment. They say their vows, which they both wrote themselves, and then Chase gives her a kiss that is entirely inappropriate for church. The pastor clears his throat but Chase ignores him. After a moment, Kade steps in and nudges Chase in the stomach. That seems to work because Chase finally pulls away. We all cheer.