Malia’s POV
After Penelope left my room to go attend to something else, I mulled over her question.
What was I going to do if I proved that Lila and Derek were having an affair?
If Ryder found out about it, it was going to make it easier for him to call off their engagement.
Well, one thing was certain. He wasn’t going to find out from me. I wasn’t a fan of Lila but still, I wasn’t going to be the one to snitch on her.
I thought about asking Derek directly but waved the thought away. Although he was my friend, I knew he was flat out going to deny it, probably to protect Lila.
Since I was all alone and starting to get bored, I picked up the book and began to read.
This is the thing about reading on your bed. You’re bound to sleep off.
I awoke in the middle of the night, and as expected, I was hungry. Not too hungry that I couldn’t ignore it though. But my throat was parched and the water jug in my room was empty.
“Great,” I muttered and walked towards my door.
I shut it quietly and paused for a moment in front of Ryder’s door.
I wondered how he had managed to get her to calm down. Make-up sex perhaps. I frowned as I thought about it.
I made my way to the kitchen and this time it was empty.
I grinned as I wondered if the reason why Penelope was sound asleep and not baking cookies was because Ronan paid her a little attention during the day.
I first downed a glass of water before pouring some cereal and milk into a bowl.
I settled on a stool and munched happily away.
I washed the used plate and kept it away when I was done. My body hummed with satisfaction from the midnight snack.
“Do you do this every night?” A deep husky voice asked.
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
I turned towards the sound and lost all train of thought.
Ryder was shirtless and his pajama pants hung low on his hips.
My mouth watered at his well-defined chest, rock-hard abs and muscular arms. His hair was tousled just enough to be considered sexy.
He smirked and my brain’s ability returned.
“Do you walk shirtless every night?” I returned.
He chuckled and just stood at the doorway, lazily eyeing me.
I had slept off in my sundress and I hadn’t thought of changing into something else before coming to the kitchen.
“What?” I asked.
“I had no idea you no longer had any sleepwear,” he said with an amused gleam in his eyes.
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t plan to sleep in this. I slept off when I was reading,” I replied with mild annoyance.
“I see,” he murmured and took a step towards me.
I held out a hand to stop him from getting any closer. I didn’t want a repeat of what had happened earlier.
He arched a brow.
“How’s Lila doing?” I asked.
“She has stopped screaming at least,” he answered and kept on moving closer.
I started walking backwards as I spoke.
“She’s going to make my life hell, you know that right?” And it’s all your fault,” I spat out.
“I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen,” he promised.
His lips curled into a smile and he cocked his head.
“What do you mean it’s all my fault like you didn’t play a part?” He asked.
I spluttered in disbelief and he chuckled.
“I was trying to push you off me,” I argued.
“Were you?” He asked provocatively as he moved forward still.
“I’m not doing this with you tonight. I’m going back to bed,” I said and tried to brush past him.
He grabbed my arm. “Wrong move,” he said and pulled me just in front of him.
“Ryder,” I warned.
“What?” Don’t act all innocent. You must know just how bewitching you can be,” he murmured.
I found out that I was at a loss for what to say. I made the mistake of looking into his icy green eyes and my breath caught at the heat in them.
He slowly took my hand and led it to the bulge in his pants. My eyes widened in surprise.
“Can you feel what you do to me? Just one look at you and I’m undone.”
I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. His eyes were holding me captive and all I could think of was pressing myself against him.
He released me and put more space between us and I nearly cried out loud in protest.
To my horror, I found myself trembling with desire. I took deep breaths to get myself together.
“Good night, Malia,” he said with a smirk.
Bastard.
I straightened and moved towards the door. Penelope suddenly appeared at the doorway and I let out a tiny shriek.
I was definitely going to end up having a heart attack if this kept on happening.
“I wasn’t expecting you to show up,” I said.
She just stood there staring at me with a knowing grin.
“Penelope…”
She giggled and dramatically fanned herself with her hands. “Gosh, it’s so hot in here. You guys really did turn up the heat.”
I smacked her on the arm and she giggled.
“I’m so sorry but I couldn’t help but watch you two go at it. I could feel the sexual tension between you guys and trust me it was sharper than a knife’s edge.”
I rolled my eyes at her exaggeration.
“So tell me, what’s going on between you two?” She queried.
“Absolutely nothing. He just wouldn’t let me be,” I ground out.
“I see,” she said.
Her expression told me that she didn’t in fact see anything.
“Penelope, I’m serious. He’s still with Lila. I will not do what my mate’s ex-girlfriend did. I know how it feels.”
“Oh,” she said and was silent for a moment.
“But she’s unfaithful to the Alpha,” she continued.
“We’re not sure of that yet. We don’t have enough proof,” I replied.
She grinned mischievously. “So what if we get enough proof? Are you going to go down and dirty with him?”
Penelope!!!