Mates Next Door

Ember And Ice

~RYDER~

I had to admit to myself that Astra had a presence that was hard to ignore. That copper hair of hers wasn't even helping matters. It was like a freaking beacon, drawing my attention every time she walked into a room.

And those bright blue eyes of hers? They were like a challenge, daring me to come closer and subtly threatening me to bring me to my knees.

But it wasn't just her pretty face that got under my skin- it was also her olive skin, her sharp tongue and that "I don't give a damn" attitude that drove me damn near crazy.

She was so in tune with her emotions and really quick to catch herself whenever she slipped. It wasn't something that came easy to everyone. And when she went into full rage, she was capable of committing murder.

We got off on the wrong foot, literally. That night, before the race, I'd seen her as nothing but an attention seeker pretending not to know me or be moved by the idea that I was a hot topic on campus, so I could give her a crumb of what she needed... attention.

But that was all a lie, and she proved it by racing me and winning. I still couldn't believe she won and the image of her smiling proudly as the crowd went silent in shock was forever marred in my memory.

What even got to me the most was the fact that she believed she was better than I.

Newsflash Astra: No one outdoes Ryder.

I got the end of my satisfaction when I saw her break down into tears all of a sudden. Although, seeing her cry tugged at my chest, I ignored it and counted it as sheer guilt. Whatever she was going through was none of my business, or so I thought, until she appeared at the door of our apartment with Arik, looking all ruffled.

Her hair was a mess and her lips swollen from obviously kissing Arik. I'd never felt a rage so pure at that moment. Not even the shock in her face diluted it.

She was the one Arik spoke about. His mate.

And things went down the drain from there.

She was mated to two of my best friends and, worse, the reason she broke down at the Arena was connected to me. My father... that bastard, had killed her father.

"Ryder?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to look at Valerie. I didn't realize I'd driven into the parking lot.

Astra was no longer in the back seat. My gaze landed on her slender figure making her way into the café.

"Let's go inside." Valerie grabbed her purse.

"I am behind you."

She leaned forward and pressed her lips into mine and I kissed her back. I owed Valerie that. I'd roped her into this, so I had to make her believe I was interested in her for as long as possible, while I sorted out whatever feelings Astra evoked in me.

I spent most of last night listening to Valerie talk about Astra. It got annoying to some point because all she did was try to know how exactly I felt about her friend. There was more to it for Valerie than just being best friends with Astra.

"She lied to me, but she was right in this apartment when I called. Why would she even do that?"

"What do you think of her, Ryder?"

"I can't believe she beat you. She's my best friend and yet, I had no idea she was good at racing."

"I wonder why she suddenly collapsed. Was it pretense? Or maybe she has a medical condition. She's always keeping things to herself."

Valerie did everything to get inside my head, to pry words out of my mouth. I didn't give her that satisfaction because I had nothing to say. At least, nothing that would make her happy.

"Do you like her?"

"No." That had been my answer.

I was never going to admit that Astra had me intrigued, that I loved pushing her buttons just for the sheer satisfaction of watching her react.

I knew it was messed up to tease her and rile her up when I should have shown her nothing but kindness and sympathy after what my father did to her father, but I couldn't help myself.

And all I did last night? It was to get her attention. I knew it was a disaster waiting to happen, but I couldn't seem to stop myself.

I strolled into the coffee shop, scanning the room for that copper hair of hers. There were lots of eyes staring my way and they were mostly females. Smiles here and there and one of them gesturing for me to join them. But that wasn't my reason for being here.

Ah, there she was. She had her nose buried in a book, oblivious to my presence from across the room.

Fortunately, Valerie wasn't at the table, so I sauntered over and slid into a chair across from her.

"Hey, speed demon," I said with a grin. "What's the hurry?"

Astra paid me no heed. "What is it?"

"Just admiring the view," I replied, leaning back in my chair and staring right at her. "You know, I never thought I'd say this, but that olive skin of yours is growing on me."

She rolled her eyes. "Just shut the hell up, Ryder. I am not interested in your stupid observations right now or ever."

I chuckled, enjoying the banter. It felt nice to have her talk to me again. Last night, she'd spent time with Flynn and Arik. They were starting to grow bad blood between each other, all thanks to the fact that they were both mated to her, at the same f*****g time.

I wasn't ready to put myself in there. Enjoying everything from afar was the best for me. For now, at least.

"Oh, c'mon. Don't be like that. I'm just trying to make conversation."

"You were rather interested in having a conversation with your new girlfriend back in the car," She c****d her head to the side, looking very unimpressed. "Why are you suddenly trying to make conversation with me?"

"You wouldn't like me talking to another girl if you were Valerie."

"But I am not her, and I don't care." She smiled dryly before going back to read her book.

"It wouldn't be nice if we allowed personal conflicts to get in the way, would it?"

Astra sighed and shut her book. "What do you really want, Ryder?"

Grinning, I leaned forward. "I want to know what makes you tick, Astra. What's behind that tough exterior?"

Just as she was about to respond, the door to the café swung open, activating the overhead bells, and Arik walked in, immediately ruining the moment for me.

His eyes scanned the room and once they locked on Astra's form, his lips spread in a warm smile.

Fucking prick.

He strode over to our table and slid right beside Astra, placing his arm around her shoulders. "Hey, beautiful."

Her face immediately lit up in delight and the smile I could never bring out of her spread on her lips, her eyes twinkling with interest. "Hey, Arik. How did you know we were here?"

"A certain birdie informed me," he leaned, the top of his nose grazing her cheek. "And I knew I had to be here. You left without telling me."

She began to toy with the edge of her book. "I was slightly uncomfortable and didn't want to cause more problems."

He leaned back slightly and brushed her hair behind her ear, ever so affectionately. It was weird to see because I'd never seen Arik this way with anyone else. I mean, he was charming, but he didn't have to put in too much effort. He was always on the receiving end of physical touch.

But right now, he was the one giving it and I watched, seething with rage as he pressed his lips against her forehead.

Astra, closing her eyes to receive that kiss, had my stomach churning with sheer disgust. He really got that easy, charming thing down pat and Astra was eating it up.

"You can never do that," he muttered under his breath. "Whatever issues I have with Flynn will always remain between us. You don't have to get involved even if you're the reason."

"Easy for you to say." She blushed.

Ugh, I couldn't stand this.

"So what's going on?" Arik finally asked, glancing between us.

"Nothing important," She picked up her book and raised it to his view. "I found this book at the library, and I've had my nose in it for the past few days."

"Ancient history?" Arik narrowed his gaze, ever the nerd. "I knew it. Where did you find it?"

"I stumbled upon it by sheer luck," She laughed. "It's the older edition. Better than the republished editions."

"Good heavens," He took the book from her. "I've been looking for this book for a very long time."

"Then you'll read it when I am done," She giggled. "You look like you've found a treasure."

"Because it is!" He laughed.

I watched Astra fill him in on the book. In her eyes was a light I never saw when she spoke to me, and it made me feel awful.

Awfully terrible and jealous and angry.

Arik listened intensely, his gaze flicking at me occasionally.

I tried to keep my cool, but it was hard when Arik had Astra's undivided attention. He made her smile, he made her want to talk. Hell, he made her touch him and brush his hair back. She even picked fluff from his shirt and ran her hand down his arm a few times.

My fists clenched really hard. Splitting the table and releasing this anger would have been the best way to get them to shut the hell up and draw Astra's attention to me, but that was low.

"Guys!"

Finally, they stopped talking.

Valerie slid in beside me and slipped her arm around mine. I pulled away from her without thinking and when I saw the frown on her face, I pulled her back and slid my arm around her shoulder.

Astra glanced at my hand around her and sighed. "What are we getting?"

Valerie mouthed off what she wanted and even helped me pick. I hated cold coffee, but I said nothing because I wasn't in the mood to talk.

"Astra and I will go over to the counter," Arik pushed to his feet and took her hand. "Be back in a few minutes."

"Quit staring at them," Valerie laughed, her voice laced with slight annoyance. "People are going to think you also like her."

"I don't like her." I replied through gritted teeth.

"I never said you did. Just stop staring." Then she grabbed my chin and kissed me on the lips.

I pulled away, masking my annoyance. "What was that for?"

She shrugged and smiled. "Now, everyone knows you're mine."