Page 47 of Selfless

Ryder chuckles as he nods his head once. “Well, give me a call and we’ll set up a meeting.”

We make our way over to a bank of gold elevators. “Where are we going?” I ask Ryder quietly.

“To our seats,” he says simply. He strikes up another conversation with a man and woman in the elevator. When it opens, he ushers me down a hallway and then through a door. I gasp when I see we are up in a box looking down on the stage. Just the two of us.

“Ryder,” I say breathlessly as I make my way over to the gold rail.

He comes up behind me, runs his fingers lightly over my exposed shoulder, and leans down to whisper in my ear. “You like it, sweetheart?”

I spin around in his arms and look up at him. He places his hands on my face, and I smile. “Thank you,” I whisper.

He smiles as he leans down, pressing his lips to mine. “No thank you is needed.” He runs the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip, and my breath catches in my throat. “Seeing that smile is thanks enough.” Then he leans down and gently kisses my lips. And I realize, once again, I couldn’t fight this man if I tried.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

RYDER

I sit back in my seat and watch her. I haven’t even looked at the stage once. I couldn’t care less about the play. I’m here because of her. If not for her, I would never see another one. It’s not that I don’t like them; it’s just that I don’t have the time in my busy schedule to see one. But for her? It’s worth it. She hasn’t quit smiling once, and I don’t even think she knows she’s doing it. Her eyes are lit up, and she’s sitting on the edge of her seat as if she doesn’t know what’s going to come next.

Even though I can hear the actors talking, I still don’t stray from her. But I can tell it’s nearing the end. I watch Ashlyn as she smiles brightly. I frown as I try to figure out this woman. How can someone find this romantic? Or even somewhat related to love? How can she see this as a romance and not a tragedy? They die. Both of them commit suicide due to lack of communication. What kind of woman can fall in love with such heartbreak? Isn’t love supposed to be rainbows and sunshine? Not dark and deadly.

She stands quickly and starts clapping enthusiastically. I look around to see the actors and actresses bowing with smiles on their faces, and I stand, not wanting to look disrespectful when everyone else in the theater is.

She turns to me, her blue eyes lit up and a smile on her face. Her blond hair curled over her shoulder makes her look like a goddess. She is the most gorgeous woman in the building. And she’s here with me! “Thank you, Ryder.” She throws her arms around me and hugs me. “Thank you so much,” she whispers.

I pull her away and lean down, pressing my lips to hers. Just a soft and gentle kiss, not wanting people to see just what she does to me. When I pull my lips from hers, I lean my head on hers. “You’re very welcome, sweetheart.”

We make our way down the elevator and out the doors after only being stopped a few times here and there to talk to people I know. When we get into the back of the limo, she’s laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I ask as Milton pulls away from the curb.

“The fact that I told Becca I wouldn’t come to this with you,” she states, laughing even harder.

I arch a brow. “So she did have to talk you into it?”

She nods. I reach over and cup her face, her laughter dying instantly. “I’m glad you came.”

“Me too,” she whispers.

“I want another chance, Ashlyn,” I say without giving her any time to think about what is happening.

She closes her eyes for a brief second. “Ryder, we both know where this will lead.”

“A happily ever after?” I question with a charming smile.

She chuckles. “There’s no such thing.”

I frown. “How come you believe in Romeo and Juliet so much, but you can’t believe someone could love you like that?”

She stares at me unblinkingly. “What does that mean?”

“It means that you believe two people can die for one another, but not live.”

She starts shaking her head. “They would never be happy. Not with the way their families hated one another. Death was inevitable. In peace, they are one.”

I snort. “That’s bullshit!”

She gives me a half-smile. “Can you think of a better love story?”

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