The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

ARIA

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I straighten myself and look into his eyes so I don’t give away the fact that I’m nervous by his approach. “Yes. Aria Murdock.”

“Yes, the coach’s daughter,” he slurs. I can smell his breath from where I’m standing. I don’t like it one bit.

“Niece,” I correct.

He doesn’t even seem to hear me or care to. “You really caught my attention, Aria. It’s not every day that this happens to a man like me. I’m an Alpha-you’re aware of that, aren’t you?”

I start looking around desperately, not liking the sound of this one bit. He’s getting even closer to me and I have to make sure that I don’t find myself trapped by him. “Uh…yes. I’m aware Excuse me, I have to go. My uncle is looking for me.”

He grabs my arm to stop me. At this point, I should probably scream, but I don’t want to cause a scene for no reason when I could try to put a stop to this my way first. “Where’re you going so fast? Relax. Stay here with me.”

“I don’t want to and I hardly think this is appropriate!” I snap. “Let go of my arm, please.”

He narrows his eyes at me and at the same time, his eyebrows come together. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Relax, young lady. I’m just trying to have a decent conversation with you and I don’t see why you have to be so defensive. I’m not trying to hurt you.”

“What do you want from me, then?”

“I want to talk to you, that’s all. I think you’re an interesting and smart girl, and I could use a girl like you.”

“What for?”

He laughs like I’ve just asked him the silliest question in the world. “What for. You’re funny, my dear. I like that.”

“Please, I have to go.”

“If you come to bed with me, I’ll give you whatever you want,” he says, stopping me again. My eyes widen as I stare at his face; I can’t believe he just said that to me. “Anything. Money. Jewelry. Cars. I doubt your father can provide for you, being an Omega and all.”

“I don’t want any of that. I’m not interested.”

“Why not?” he asks, tightening his hold on me. “You shouldn’t be afraid to—”

He never finishes his sentence because Ryder slams his hands against the Alpha’s back and sends him crashing against the wall. I immediately grab his shirt before he can do anything else to the Alpha, but Ryder warns him in a low voice, “If you ever get anywhere near her again, I’m going to fucking kill you!”

The Alpha turns around, wiping his bloodied lip, and looks bewildered as he looks at Ryder. I stand behind Ryder, letting go of his shirt before the man can see just how close we are. They stare at each other for several beats before the drunk starts walking away, leaving us behind, shocked and breathless.

“Fuck,” Ryder exhales once he’s out of earshot. “Aria, are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“When I went to the room and saw you weren’t there…why do you do this to me? Hm?”

He grabs me and pushes me against the wall before his lips find mine. I melt into his kiss for a couple of seconds before

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09:56 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 64

turning my head to the side sharply and looking around. “Ryder Someone could see us!”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

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“I should fucking kill him for touching you,” he remarks, cupping my cheek and peering into my eyes. This proximity…his scent…his warmth…it all makes my mouth water. “What else did he say to you? I heard a part of it.”

“Did you hear what I said?” I question, placing my hand above his. Heat sizzles beneath the skin of my hand. “We can’t be seen together. Anyone could walk in on us at any time.”

“Let’s get out of here, then.”

“And go where?”

“Anywhere,” he whispers, smiling. “I just want to spend time with you.”

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His words make me melt, but I’ve never been someone who jumps at a chance to be irresponsible. I chew my bottom lip, then ultimately shake my head. “No, I don’t think…hey! Ryder!”

He has my hand in his and he’s dragging me toward the other end of the garden; the one that leads to the front part of the house. I look around wildly, praying desperately to the goddess so we don’t get caught.

He’s a maniac!

“Ryder! What if someone sees us? Where are you taking me?”

“I told you-away from this place.”

“But it’s your birthday party.”

He stops suddenly and whirls around to face me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “And that’s exactly why I intend to spend it with someone who actually matters to me. Come on!”

I let him drag me away from the house. My heart is beating so fast. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything as irresponsible as this. Thankfully, we don’t come across anyone and I realize we’re headed toward his car. He unlocks it swiftly-I didn’t know he had his key with him, which means he probably planned this before he found me-and opens my door for me.

I keep my head ducked even though there aren’t many people around and they’re certainly not looking at us. When Ryder climbs in, his eyes meet mine and for a moment, he stills and I do the same. Warmth spreads all through me. This is so, so

wrong.

But it feels so, so right.

“Shall we?”

“Where will you take me?”

“Anywhere. Somewhere we won’t be interrupted.”

The engine roars to life and he speeds away, driving through the space between the parked cars. My heart is beating so fast that it feels like it’ll burst,

Is it possible for someone to die of happiness and relief?

For many minutes, we don’t say anything to each other. Ryder drives away from the party, and it’s just us and the road. I’ve never felt freer. It feels like I spent the last couple of weeks holding my breath. Being here with him feels so damn right.

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09:56 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 64

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We turn our heads to look at each other at the same time, and he smiles. Shivers of delight travel down my spine while my tummy does somersaults. I blush and look away. With no warning at all, he drives off the road and into the forest. The car jostles as the ground is uneven, and I get alarmed.

“Ryder?”

“I come here to think sometimes,” he assures me. “Just relax, okay? Lean back. Trust me for once.”

A couple of minutes later, he parks the car and kills the engine. Then, he turns to look at me, and my stomach does that thing that leads me to make bad; bad decisions. His smile…his face…I don’t know how I managed to resist him for so long.

“Come here.”

“I’m already here.”

His smile gets broader. “I mean come closer, Aria.”

“Why don’t you?” I challenge.

“Fine.” He wraps his arms around my middle and swiftly plucks me out of my seat so I’m seated on his lap. I grow cold, and even my scalp is tingling. We’re face-to-face, and his arms are securely around me. He shakes his head and murmurs, “So damned stubborn, you.”

He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear, and his fingertip grazes the tip of my ear. “I meant it when I said I can’t stay away from you. I think that’s clear by now.”

I don’t know what to say, so I lower my eyes.

“And since you’re here,” he continues arrogantly, “I take it my plan worked?”

I roll my eyes at him. “Not necessarily. I wasn’t jealous.”

“You liar.”

“I know for a fact I’m not lying.”

He presses his lips to mine and heat rises inside of me, staining my cheeks red. “I know for a fact that you are.”

He draws back and takes my hand in his, gently rubbing my knuckles. I definitely don’t want to bring up anything unpleasant, but I have to ask him, “What now? What happens next? You’re gonna have to marry-”

“Nope. I’m not marrying anyone who isn’t you.”

My heart skips a beat. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“I just need time. That’s all. Will you give me time, Aria Murdock Will you have some faith in me? Please? Let me fix this. I know I can.”

I take a deep breath. “No more lies. No more saying things you don’t mean.”

He smirks. “I promise.”

I search his eyes. I want nothing more than to lay my head on his chest and forget all our troubles, but leave me alone.

my mind…it’ll never

Ryder asks me, “Now, it’s your turn.”

“What do you mean?”

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09:56 Mon, Mar 2 m

Chapter 64

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“Do you care about me? We’re risking everything here, and I dont think we should do it if things between us aren’t certain. Like absolutely certain.”

“Yes,” I answer shyly. I’m surprised by how much I mean this?

“Good,” he says before brushing his lips against mine. “Because I hink I love you.”

As we share another kiss that sends my heart into a frenzy, I think to myself that I think I love him, too.

Maybe I have for a long time.

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