Emma Riley

Lakeside Apartments

"You..want to take me out? Like on an actual date?!" I couldn't hide my genuine surprise, and he looked at me confused.

"Why is that so hard to believe?" He asked, like it was silly for me to even question it. I thought for a moment, trying to decide the best way to say it without making myself sound like a loser. I finally gave up and said "fuck it." Might as well keep it honest.

"I can't remember the last time someone asked me on a date." I admitted, nervously tucking my hair behind my ear and staring down at the floor. "My ex...he wasn't really the romantic type, towards the end especially. At least not with me." I added that last part, reminded of his apparent 'surprise romantic camping trip' with Maria. It was hard to not be bitter sometimes, or take it personally.

It felt like I got the rough draft of Sam, and she got the final draft. To be fair though, neither version impressed me that much. Not anymore.

"I'm not even sure I'd know how to act on a date." I continued, really thinking out loud. I was thrown out of my thoughts when I heard him chuckle to himself.

He brushed my hair away from my face, and lifted my head to look at him. "You don't have to act at all. All you have to do, is let me show you a good time. Just come hang out with me. No pressure." He tried to ease my mind as he smiled at me sweetly. His tone was soft and calm. I had to admit, it melted my heart a bit. Not only that he wanted to take me out on a real date, but that he was going out of his way to reassure me I had nothing to worry about.

"Are you..sure you want to be seen in public? I mean..with the whole video thing. Isn't it risky or something?" I began thinking of all the possibilities it could go wrong.

There was no way Ryker  could go out in public without getting recognized. After that video went viral, isn't it possible someone might figure out I was the one in the video? Panic set in my heart as I suddenly imagined a huge mob surrounding us from all directions taking pictures on their cell phones.

I knew it was a possibility I was overthinking it. Let's be honest, it wasn't like it hadn't happened before. But a realization set in me that, considering Ryker  was a celebrity..that was always going to be a possibility when we went out in public. If I couldn't handle that..how could 'dating' work?

I shook my head as I thought it all over. It was such a strange problem to have. There were so many things to consider that you wouldn't even have to think about when dating someone who isn't in the public eye.

He seemed to think about it for a long moment, until he finally spoke. "You're right..I mean, your concerns are valid concerns. If you feel it would be too much too soon, I'll understand." He stroked the back of my hand with his thumb, holding it tight. I was once again touched by how understanding he was being. "That being said, I would be proud to have you on my arm. I don't care what anyone may say about it. I just want to get to know you better. That's the ultimate goal." He continued.

I thought about it for a moment. I wanted to go out with him of course, but at the same time..it was risky. When I didn't speak, he swallowed nervously before continuing.

"If you aren't ready to go out in public, you could come over to my house and I'll cook you dinner." He smiled and I automatically smiled back. The truth was, that sounded nice too.

I thought about it a moment longer, before finally deciding. There was a hint of nerves behind his eyes as he waited for me to speak.

"Let's go out." I finally said, with a shy smile. He blinked a few times as if my answer surprised him.

"Really?! You mean...in public?!" He sounded shocked. I laughed as he stared at me with his mouth hung open.

"Don't tell me you changed your mind?" I said in a teasing tone. He blushed, and I had to admit I loved when the usually confident Ryker  got nervous. It was so cute.

"I'm just..surprised. I thought for sure you were going to say no." He finally admitted. There was a relief in his voice that made me smile. "Are you sure you're ready for a public appearance?" He sounded concerned and narrowed his eyes as he studied my face.

"The way I see it, if this is going to go anywhere I have to deal with crowds and staring eyes. Might as well get used it. " I shrugged, before continuing. "Besides, we didn't do anything wrong, and I'd like to get to know you, too." I shyly tucked my hair behind my ear as he grinned at me.

"Would you, now?" He said as his confidence came back in full force. He raised one eyebrow and looked me over. Something in his eyes made me remember we were both still as naked as the day we were born.

"Don't even think about it, Ryker." I shook one finger in his direction and tried my best to make my voice sound firm. His grin just spread wider.

"Oh...it's much too late for that, baby." His voice had a flirty undertone and I suddenly found his hand traveling up my leg. His eyes were locked on mine and he licked his lips, teasing me.

"Let's at least go to the bedroom. We have to get off this floor, Ryker." I panicked at the idea of Gina walking in and finding us like this. I will literally never hear the end of it.

"I'm trying to get off, but you're not cooperating." He said, laughing like he just told the funniest joke in history. All I could do for a moment is roll my eyes and shake my head. Men.

"Do you have something you'd like to say, Miss Riley?" He challenged me in a playful tone as he climbed on top of me, still completely naked.

"Ryker, no! Bad, Ryker! Sit!" I tried to be serious but I found myself laughing as he buried his face at the sensitive spot on my neck.

"How can I stop when you've made me so happy?" His voice was playful as usual, but there was a sweetness behind the statement.

I smiled as he began to cover me with kisses. First on my lips, then my neck, until he traveled downward to my chest.

I found myself getting turned on again, but was still mindful of our comprising position. "Ryker.." I managed to squeak out just as he put one of my nipples inbetween his teeth.

Just like that, what I was going to say escaped my mind completely as his fingers found their way inside me.

I embarrassingly began to moan very loudly as his kisses traveled from my breast to my stomach while his fingers were still inside me. His kisses going further and further down, until my weak moans were becoming screams.

Just as I had forgotten about my fears of being naked on the living room floor with Ryker, inbetween my moans I heard the front door begin to open.

We both gasped while Ryker tried to pull himself off of me, but it was too late. Gina  walked in with her keys in hand, the color draining from her face when she looked up just in time to see a fully naked Ryker and I  laying on the floor.

We all froze in place for a moment in shock, Gina's jaw dropped open and her eyes shifted from Ryker to me. I can't speak for anyone else, but this was by far the most awkward moment of my life.

Gina  forced herself to look away from us and covered her face, that was now a bright pink. I could hear the amusement in her voice as she realized what she walked in on.

"First of all..are y'all so horny you can't walk the few steps down the hall to your bedroom?" She said in a teasing voice as she chuckled to herself while she slowly walked past us towards the hallway with her hand covering her eyes.

I didn't even know what to say, I was so horrified. This was literally what I was trying to avoid. She is going to give me so much shit for this. Ryker and I awkwardly began to collect our abandoned clothes, both of us too embarrassed to speak.

"Please! Don't stop on my account! Y'all sounded like you were on a roll. I'm just going to head to my room and rest up before I go to bible study and learn about the love of Jesus." Gina  dissapeared into the hallway, her eyes still covered and her laugh echoing off the walls.

Fucking A. Gina  just loves making awkward situations more awkward. I turned to face Ryker for the first time, to find him staring back at me. But he didn't look as horrified as I felt. He looked as if he was trying not to laugh. Which only pissed me off more. My eyes narrowed at him as I silently said I told you so.

He smiled at me and slightly shrugged. "My bad?" He finally said, in the form of a question as if he didn't know what I expected him to say. He raised one eyebrow and gave me an irritatingly charming grin.

"Seriously?! This is funny to you?!" I connected the palm of my hand to my forehead."This is exactly what I tried to avoid, Ryker. She totally just saw.." my voice cut off and I cringed as I tried not to think about what she just saw.

"I mean..yeah, that was a little awkward." He shrugged, sounding way too casual as he slipped on his underwear.

I stared at him like I just watched him sprout a second head on his shoulder. He looked back at me in confusion as he picked up his pants to put them on.

"A little awkward?! Really? That's it?" I couldn't believe I was the only one that felt like moving to another country.

"Well..I mean..yeah?" He sounded more confused by the minute. I just shook my head as I finally gave up trying to make him understand why this was more than a little  awkward. The man has zero shame.

Ryker Fox

"So..about this date." I prompted. She temporarily stopped dressing herself as she looked up at me like what I said surprised her. Why? I wasn't sure. But I think she just gets off on confusing me at this point.

"You want to talk about it now?" She said as her cheeks flushed a bright pink. I was temporarily distracted as she slipped her shirt on covering up her breasts. Aww, I didn't even get to say goodbye..how depressing. I'll never forget you, boobies. Later, gater.

"Hello?! Do you need medical assistance or something?" She snapped her fingers pulling me out of my thoughts, and I realized I was staring at her chest. Oh well, she really should be used to it by now.

"Oh my god, you're such a guy." She attempted to straighten out her sex hair as she shook her head at me. Again with the confusing comments.

"I'm..not sure what to say to that. I'm sorry?"  I raised one eyebrow as she rolled her eyes at me. What's wrong with being a guy? What has my penis done to deserve this disrespect? You didn't seem to have an issue with him when he was in your mouth.

Andddd I'm hard again. No, penis. Down, penis. It was just a joke, go back to sleep. I immedietely laughed at myself and she shot me a look like I was insane. Just imagine if she could actually read my mind.

I breathed in deep and temporarily shut my eyes as I forced myself to focus on the subject. "You said yes to the date,  did you not?" I seriously wondered for a minute if she had forgot she accepted.

"Well..yes." She tucked her hair behind her ear and bit her lip. She began trying to sit herself up off the floor and I knew she was trying to escape the subject...and me, for that matter.

She was startled as I grabbed her arm and pulled her into me, she fell on my lap and I grabbed her around the waist to hold her in place. I'm pretty sure my penis was starting to wonder why I was torturing him.

"What the hell, Ryker?!" I grabbed her by the hair as she turned to face me. Our faces were inches away from each other, and she nervously swallowed..obviously seeing the hunger in my eyes. She could probably feel it on my lap too, to be honest.

I focused my eyes away from her full lips, that were slightly open in shock and seemed to be inviting me.

"If the answer is yes, why can't we talk about it? Haven't I been a patient boy?" I almost said the sentence in a whisper as a very big part of me no longer felt like talking.

She seemed slightly caught off guard by the intensity she saw in my eyes as they traveled back down to her lips. She then seemed to think about it for a moment, before finally responding.

"You actually haven't been all that patient to be honest. In fact, you're kind of pushy." She stated matter of fact and I laughed at her blunt honesty.

"Name one time I was ever pushy?" I challenged. She put her finger up to her lip and furrowed her eyebrows, pretending to think about it.

"Um..right now? Let me go!" She struggled to break free in my arms but there was a smile behind her eyes.

"Just tell me when? When can I take you out?" She bit her bottom lip and my grip tightened on her waist as I tried to hold myself back from biting them, too.

"I..I don't know." She was blushing and began to studder. How fucking cute, she's nervous.

But what is she nervous about exactly? Is it being seen in public with me? What people will say? Or.."Are you afraid of me?" I asked sincerely, genuinely wanting to know. I didn't want her to be afraid of me. The thought was upsetting.

Something in her eyes changed as she tried to process my question. She seemed startled by my sudden sincerity. There was a sadness in her face, that told me I was onto something.

"Kind of, yeah. But not in the way you might think." She said, her dazzling green eyes burning into mine like a forest fire.

"I'm listening." I remained quiet for once, temporarily entraced by the sea glass green of her eyes. She really was a work of art.

"We kind of went over this already. You're..so much more experienced than I am, Ryker." She said, an insecurity in her voice as she looked away from me. I found myself automatically grabbing her face and turning her to look at me again, frustrated our eye contact had been broken.

"It's just scary, that's all. The thought of  dissapointing you...is scary." My heart was broken a little by the sadness in her voice as she admitted her insecurities to me. I couldn't understand why a woman this amazing would ever feel like a dissapointment. It made me want to track down that ex-boyfriend of hers and kill him for planting a seed in her mind that convinced her she wasn't enough to keep a man's interest.

I held her face in my hands and gently stroked her cheek. She looked me in the eyes, seeming surprised by my tenderness. I pressed my lips to hers and gave her a soft, gentle kiss. Her lips were addicting, but I restrained myself from taking too much of them for now. This wasn't about sex. This was about easing her troubled mind.

"You could never, ever dissapoint me." I ran my fingers through her beautiful blonde hair and she smiled sweetly at my words.

"I told you already, no pressure." I reminded. She rolled her eyes and began to sit herself up. I sat up too and grabbed her hand before she could walk away.

"That's easy for you to say, Ryker. You're perfect." She seemed almost annoyed by this, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was suffering from short-term memory loss. Perfect?  Now she's just being ridiculous. But I knew better than to tell a woman that she was ridiculous.

"It's like you don't know me at all. It's kind of hurtful, actually." I said it in a sarcastic way but was only half joking. She laughed and I put one arm around her waist while the other one lifted her chin to urge her to look me in the eye.

"Tonight then?" I smiled and I could see the slight panic in her eyes, but she nodded in agreement. "Alright. Tonight. But just remember I warned you first." She said, causing me to roll my eyes.

Just then my phone that was abandoned on the couch rang, and I went over to pick it up. She looked at me curiously while I checked the caller ID.

"It's Dexter. Maybe he has some sort of an update about Maria Martinez or Sheila." I said, scared but hopeful. She took a deep breath and placed her hand over her chest, giving away she was scared too.

Emma Riley

Ryker  answered the phone, and I found myself incredibly nervous. Whenever his assistant Dexter  popped up, he usually never had good news.

"Dexter, what's up?" Ryker  seemed to be trying to keep his voice calm, but the way he stole glances in my direction and bit his lip made me feel like he was nervous, too.

His face changed from nerves to confusion as he listened to whatever Dexter  was saying on the other end. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for some kind of clue what was happening, but Ryker's  face was unreadable.

"Fine. I'll head that way now." Ryker  sounded annoyed as he hung up the phone without saying goodbye and shoved it in his pocket.

"So..did he find out anything?" I asked impatiently when he didn't immedietely tell me. He nervously rubbed his eyebrow and let out a frustrated sigh.

"He wouldn't tell me. But he wants me to meet him at my house." He rolled his eyes and began digging through his pockets trying to find his keys. I felt nervous, it must be bad that he can't say it over the phone..right?

Just then Ryker  dug out his keys and looked up at me. He seemed to read my mind and his expression softened into a sweet smile.

"Hey, no panicking. Dexter's like that. He's not a phone kind of guy, everything always has to be face to face." He stepped closer to me and took my hand with his. I felt myself slightly calming, which kind of amazed me in itself.

How does he do that? Something about him makes me feel so..chill. at least, chill for me. I'm not chill! As much as I wish I didn't, I overthink everything. But something about knowing he was on my side, made me feel safer somehow.

"Dexter is just a pain in the ass in general, alright? It doesn't mean something's wrong." He smiled at me and brushed my hair away from my face. I breathed in deep and closed my eyes, willing myself to calm down.

"How about I go handle this, and I come back later to pick you up tonight for our date?" His grin widened as he emphasized the word date, which was his way of reminding me that I wasn't getting out of it.

Don't panic, Emma. Don't panic. It's just a date. Just a date..with a gorgeous, sexy, charming, rich celebrity holy fuck what am I doing? I'm in way over my head--okay, it's cool I'm fine..this is totally fine. Breathe, Emma. Think chill. You're totally chill. Chiller than the underside of a penguin's ballsack. Oh my god..why the hell am I thinking about penguin's ballsacks right now?

"Emma!" I was pulled out of my internal freak-out by the sound of Ryker  shouting by name. I blinked a few times, trying to bring myself back to reality. I looked at his face, to find him studying me suspiciously.

"I'm going to ask you a question, and I want you to promise to answer it honestly." He finally said, looking like I was about to be interrogated.

I rolled my eyes at him. I was already annoyed with the question, and I hadn't even heard yet. "Go ahead and get it over with." I mumbled out.

It felt like forever before he stopped studying my face and finally spoke. "Indica or sativa?" He seemed completely serious, and I didn't even know what to say at first.

"Excuse me? What are you talking about?" I was genuinely confused, as the question seemed really random to me.

He acted as if he was pointing out something obvious. "You're supposed to be honest, remember? Obviously y'all got some weed up in here. Why else would you space out so much?"

He winked and rushed out the door before I could castrate him. "See you at seven, pooh bear!" He shouted it unnecessarily loud, and closed the door behind him. He's lucky he's cute. That's all I can say about that.

I took a few moments to collect my thoughts. As weird as it sounded, the space already felt too big and empty without him here. I rolled my eyes at how lame I sounded. Never in my life did I think I'd become one of those girls. He literally just  left, Emma. Roll your tongue back into your mouth. You're like a dog waiting by the window for his owner to come home.

I decided to brave it and go back to Gina's room to talk to her. I had to face her eventually, no matter how awkward it is she...saw what she saw. I found myself mentally preparing to be roasted as I walked down the hallway towards her room.

I knocked twice, feeling clumsy and awkward from nerves. Even though she was my best friend, I was always the sensible one. Stuff like this didn't happen to me. I felt super exposed, and given the fact she has no filter..I knew what I was in for.

"Just a minute! I'm reading this neato bible verse about fornicating!" Gina called out, obviously bring sarcastic and I instantly regretted knocking.

"Nevermind. I wanted to come talk to you but I just decided that sitting on a cactus would actually be a lot more fun." I called back, matching her sarcasm with no problem. Listening to Gina and I talk shit back and forth was like a never-ending tennis match.

"I would say you've been poked enough for one afternoon, wouldn't you agree?" She laughed so hard she started to have a coughing fit, and I let out a frustrated grunt.

"Can I come in or not?" I asked point blank, tired of her shit already. There was a long pause, before she finally spoke again.

"You already came all over the living room floor, now you want to come in my room too?" She chuckled to herself until she snorted, and I had to admit..I had no idea how to respond to that.

"Oh, never fucking mind." I stomped away and headed towards my room. I heard her door swing open and footsteps following behind me.

"Don't be like that, love muffin. I would think you would be in a better mood." I turned around to glare at her comment, and she put her hands up defensively.

"Alright, alright! I'm sorry! God." She made herself comfortable on my bed and stared at me like she was waiting for me to say something. I just stared back at her, confused.

"What?" I asked as I sat next to her on the bed. Her brown eyes brightened as she grinned at me. I could almost hear her thoughts, and it made me want a shower. Speaking of which, I probably should take a shower. You know, before my..date.

I couldn't help but smile and felt myself blushing. I was excited to see him again. Excited but nervous for whatever he had planned.

I looked back up at Gina  to find her staring at me with a Cheshire Cat  grin. "You're glowing." She observed, shimmying her shoulders suggestively.

I ran my fingers through my hair and widened my eyes, trying to play dumb, but knowing damn well she knew me better than that. "Am I?"

"Like a fucking Christmas tree that just got brand new bulbs." She clapped her hands together, looking even more excited than I did. "It's about time you got to Riding Ryker!" She obnoxiously pretended to lasso me with imaginary rope, but quickly stopped when she saw I wasn't amused.

"Look, I'm sorry you..had to see that. We should have went to my room. This is your house too and I didn't mean to be disrespectful." I forced my eyes shut and tried to will the image of Gina  walking into Ryker and I  naked on the living room floor. But something told me that image would stay with me for a long time.

"Hey, none of that. It's alright." Gina  laughed, not seeming the least bit traumatized. "Just when I thought my day couldn't get anymore interesting."  She shook her head in disbelief.

"What? What does that mean?" I asked curiously, feeling like there was something she wasn't telling me. Her eyes got wide with excitement.

"Guess who came into the salon for a freaking haircut?" She put her hands on her hips and stared at me. It took me a moment to realize she actually wanted me to guess.

I pretended to think for a moment. But seriously..how the fuck should I know? I pressed my lips together and rested my chin in my hand, as if deep in thought. "Betty White?" I finally said sarcastically.

She looked at me like my brain had sprung a leak. "Betty White?! Are you high?" She finally asked. I grunted with frustration. Why does everyone think I smoke reefer?!

"I don't know, Gina. Who came into the salon for a freaking haircut?" I motioned for her to hurry up and spit it out.

Something in her face changed, as she finally spoke. "Maria Martinez..and Sam was with her."

Author's note: If you enjoyed this chapter, please don't forget to vote! :)