Chapter 3

　　Iris's POV

　　After making sure Mom got inside safely, I turned to leave. To be honest, I was having second doubts about Ryder dropping me off. He was waiting outside by the car. Heaving in a deep sigh, I planned to just hail a taxi and ask him to politely leave.

　　"Alright sweetheart, you're coming with me." Was what Ryder said as soon as I approached him. He stood by the passenger door of the sleek, black SUV, his tall frame intimidating.

　　I blinked. "Huh? To where?"

　　"Of course, over to my place. Have you had breakfast yet? It's past noon, let's call it brunch? Aren't you hungry?" He opened the door so I would get in. When I didn't move, he turned, thick brows arching. "Sweetheart?"

　　I found myself simply staring at this man. Suddenly he's acting all friendly like we were...what? Lovers?

　　He had spent the entire drive making my life difficult, teasing me with those looks, those comments, and now this?

　　I folded my arms across my chest. "You can't be serious." Yea, that was it. He was joking again.

　　He blinked, his gaze remained fixed on me. "What do you mean, sweetheart?"

　　Sweetheart? How could he keep calling me that casually? A rush of frustration swept through me. I had to remind him what happened last night meant nothing.

　　Letting out a sharp breath, I said gently. "I don't know why you're thinking we owe each other anything, I mean, just because we slept together..." My lips pressed tight, and I had to take a deep breath again before continuing. "It doesn't mean anything, Ryder." There. I'd spelt it out for him.

　　His expression didn't change. Those gray piercing eyes just fell on me, carefully studying me.

　　For a moment, neither of us spoke. The afternoon breeze brushed against my face, but it did nothing to cool the heat building inside me.

　　He let go of the car door and took a deliberate step toward me. "Is that really what you think?"

　　I straightened my shoulders, trying not to break free from his gaze. "Yes."

　　His eyes narrowed slightly, then he exhaled. It was as if he'd finally decided to stop holding something back. "You know? The first time I saw you walked in, I was instantly obsessed with you." He confessed, his gaze burning into mine with a terrifying intensity. Then he scoffed a chuckle.

　　"I tried, Iris. I really did...kept reminding myself you belonged to Damian. 'She's a married woman, Ryder', I would always say."

　　His head tilted slightly as he paused, "but even with that, every time I caught some dude looking at you, it just feels...like someone is ripping the air straight out of my chest. I am completely, hopelessly ruined by you, and I can't pretend anymore."

　　His face hardened. The teasing smile he'd worn all afternoon was gone now.

　　What?

　　He was completely serious.

　　Unable to process what I was hearing, I just stood still with my lips parted open. I felt my heart hammered against my ribs, completely unsure of what he would do next.

　　"But I'm done pretending." His fingers reached out, surprisingly gentle as his knuckles brushed the heated skin of my cheek. His eyes flickered, and he continued in a whisper that made my knees weak. "You deserve someone better. Someone who actually sees you...and won't hesitate to burn everything down just to keep you warm."

　　Leaning even closer, I felt his warm breath fanning across my lips, "Divorce Damian. Leave him, Iris... and marry me."

　　A soft gasp escaped my lips, my mind spinning out of control. Is he completely insane? The audacity of his words actually made me stiffled a bitter laughter.

　　"No," it came without hesitation. Pushing against his broad chest with trembling hands, I forced myself away from him, now laughing in disbelief. "No, Ryder. Are you insane? Never!"

　　Ryder did not look angry at the sharp refusal. Instead, a slow, confident smile touched his lips. The dangerous softness in his eyes grew even deeper.

　　He took another step forward leaning closer, his thumb gently tracing my lower lip. "You reject me so fast, Iris," he murmured, his voice smooth and calm. "But you and I both know you don't belong with Damian."

　　"I am his wife, Ryder. That is the end of it." I said boldly.

　　"Is it?" Ryder asked softly. He dropped his hand from my face, though he still did not move back. "Let's play a game then. We'll make a bet."

　　Looking up at his eyes in confusion, I repeated. "A bet?"

　　"Yes, sweetheart," Ryder said, he was completely sure of himself. "Three days. Within three days, you will be the one to call me first. And I'll be waiting for you."

　　I felt a sudden spark of anger. How could he be so arrogant? "I won't call you. Not in three days, not ever."

　　"Then you have nothing to lose, sweetheart," Ryder countered smoothly. He held up one finger, the excitement on his face increasing. "If I win, and you call me first, you have to do one thing I ask. Anything I want."

　　For a moment, my mind was flooding with thoughts of what a dangerous man like Ryder would ask for.

　　"But," he continued, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper, "if you win, and three days pass without a word... then last night at the bar will be erased forever. We will treat it as if it never happened. And I won't bother you again."

　　Of course this was absurd. But then again, this was my chance to make the annoying guilt go away. All I had to do was just stay away from him for three days, and my mistake would be wiped clean.

　　"Fine," I replied. "I accept the bet. I won't call you, Ryder."

　　Ryder smiled, a dark, handsome look on his face. He stepped back and finally opened the car door. "We will see, sweetheart. Come on, get in."