Dallying with Ryder

Wet Silk Does Stick.

The pleasant Italian air whisked past my curled hair , swaying lightly with the breeze and tickling the bare skin of my shoulder . The bright blue sky hung above proudly offering us the much splendid weather and airiness that made this weekend all the more special and eventful . What worse way to ruin a wedding as it' s nuptials but the dreaded notion of grey clouds and a down pour to kill the mood ? But , of course , all of this had been taken in to consideration before my brother and Casey had even chose to set the date . The weather was tracked and kept a close eye on so ensure that there was no rain on their parade . . Literally .

At first , I thought that a little extreme and even jokingly teased them about also keeping track on the winds speed but now , seeing how beautiful the out door weather has been and just how enjoyable it felt to socialise , drink , and soak up the warmth of the sun .

Guests were gathered all around the vast greenery of the generously sized vineyard that the hotel boasted about . When the itinerary for the much anticipated destination wedding had been drawn up , it has been agreed upon by both parties that it would be wise to allow a breather between the rehearsal dinner and the actual ceremony so that the guests would not tire themselves out and neither with my brother and his bride become over - whelmed .

It was a good idea to allow for such a respite between last night' s rehearsal dinner and tomorrow' s major nuptials . It allowed every one to pause and prevented any over stimulation . We all had slept in a little too granted that last night had been a relatively lengthy evening .

It was safe to say that plenty of fine wine had been drunk by the guests and myself included. I spotted Chase and his soon - to - be wife smiling at the Denmarks business tycoon as they made small talk . My parents were not too far away from them brimming with joy and pride and the show of a luxurious wedding weekend they had managed to host .

" Your parents certainly did not hold back for your brother' s nuptials , Liana . " Portia had commented as she popped a juicy dark purple grape in to her mouth . I nearly cringed when I heard the grape pop as her teeth broke through the skin .

Samuel made a sound of agreement with his wife . I fought back a grunt at them . Of course , all they could see was a more grandiose party for me and Louis thrown by my own parents as well since they would evade the expense as much as they possibly could . It was a good thing , then , that I would never allow such an ill fate to come to fruition .

I would rather die .

My parents decision to shoulder the entire thing was solely because they wanted to celebrate one of their children finding sincere , true , and affection love . That was all that ever mattered to them and it had also contributed to the reason that I chose to put on a happy face for so long . A facade that was proving to be difficult by the second .

I took a sip of my red wine and savored it . " Chase is their eldest . " I shrugged , pursing my lips . " I doubt anyone spares any expense for their eldest , and only , son' s wedding . " I shot back as a reminder to them that Louis was also their only son . Their only child .

Louis tsked . " Not everyone gets off on flashing their riches to the public . " Louis stated mockingly . " But your family certainly takes pride in putting on a show . " He said and I narrowed my eyes at him but I was not surprised that such a thing had been said by him .

At this point , there was absolutely nothing Louis could say that would surprise me at all . In the passing months , I had quickly come to realise that he cared not for the feelings and sentiments of others but took pride to protect himself .

I laughed in a way that was just as mocking as Louis ' tone . " That may be true but , at least , they are enjoying their own wealth and do not depend on marrying in to it . " I took another sip of my red . " That can' t be said for every one , if you ask me . " I turned my gaze away from them but not missing how red with anger Louis face had become nor how mortified Samuel and Portia had looked at being called out so blatantly .

Were they' re so illusioned to think that I , let alone any one else , could not see right through them . It was nearly as laughable as Louis was convinced that he knew me better than I had known myself .

My eyes had darted further around the vast vineyard searching for Gaby so that I could make an unashamed move away from Louis and his parents but , instead of finding Gaby , my attention caught on the tall frame of a broad - shouldered man that I knew all too well . His thick chestnut coloured hair had grown long and nearly curled over the collar of his powder blue dress shirt . He hadn' t changed much at all since years ago aside for his face transforming into one that had become more defined showcasing his high set cheek bones and straight , aristocratic nose . His body , though I had not felt him , seemed visually hardened . On second thought , he had changed a lot .

But I was certain that one thing about the arrogant Ryder Huxley . He was , is , such a menace . He always had been . Worse than my own brother and more of a bully than anything else . I could never forget the time he spread a rumour around the entire school that I had never kissed a guy even though I was in high school . Of course , I had confronted him about it the second I discovered that he was behind this nonesense but , obviously , Ryder being Ryder had only rebutted and infuriated me further .

I scoffed to myself when the corner of his lips twitched at something the man he was speaking to had said . It is a shame that his physicality could never outway his overbearing mannerisms and egotistical behaviour . As if Ryder could feel my judging glance that had now turned into a full glare , his head turned in my direction . I nearly jerked back when his dark green eyes had locked with mine . He threw me a nod of acknowledgement but he certainly was not acknowledging me at all but , rather , it had been a notion of him fully grasping my bitterness and choosing to be smug about it .

But Ryder read the room or , at least , the people in my company . His gaze grew serious like he understood exactly what had happened like he had been a part of it himself . It wasn' t too long before he began to smirk like he was winning some unspoken bet he had with himself about my choice in men just like he had so proudly pointed out last night .

I refused to give him credit for identifying my strained relationship because I would guess that any one would a pair of half working eyes would be able to see just how mismatched we were . Ryder vocalising it was just him being a brute and not some great skill in his analytical capabilities that he should feel proud of .

I maintained a straight face through out his wandering gaze before I jutted my chin out defiantly and finally caught sight of Gaby walking past with a cracker topped with cheese and green grape in one hand and a glass of wine , naturally , in the other .

Throwing Ryder one final look of irritation , I quickly tore my gaze away from him and executed my escape . I needed to be away from them before I lost my patience and caused a scene . My patience was already been riding very dangerously thin but it had only emphasized and how urgently I needed to remove myself from this situation and eradicate Louis from being a part of my life .

I muttered out a careless ' excuse me ' to Louis and his parents and finally broke away ignoring his strings of complaints and belittling comments . It had been another laughable thing that I had come to notice . Louis envisioned himself as some one who had the capability of being scary and commanding and I was anything but . More repulsed and disgusted than scared of him .

The moment I broke away from them the air had instantly become easier to breathe but , then again , I doubt that the air had anything to do with it just the company .

Gabby had been settled in to one of the uncomfortable looking concrete , garden benches . She looked up in my direction once she noticed me approach her and her glass hand paused in the air depriving her of a sip .

I did not waste a single moment . " Where have you been ? I' ve been looking for you since I got here . " I huffed walking with her to a nearby bench .

Gaby raised a brow at my snappy tone then shrugged it off and proceeded to take a delicate bite of her snack once I sat down beside her instantly feeling the cold of the concrete chill my derriere through the fabric of my clothes .

" I was around familiarising myself with the food . " I chuckled while she ate the last of her snack . " Although , I did notice a few sour faces on my way here to this bench . Is Louis being a pain again ? " Gaby asked as we both watched Camilla try to gain the attention of Mr McCarthy' s middle son .

I sighed . " He is becoming unbearable ! I can' t fake it any longer , Gaby . " I confessed and she nodded in understanding . " I feel the need to throw up on disgust when I' m around him . " I leaned against the rest of the bench and stiffened at how uncomfortably cool it was .

Gabby snorted . " You know , I never liked him . " She said , her nose twitching in distate . " I even told you about it when I first heard about your relationship . " And that was true .

Gaby was convinced , from day one , that Louis did not deserve me . His nature was too harsh and dictative as opposed to mine , Gaby had said . I was convinced that he was different because that was how he portrayed himself to me until he felt that he had me locked in .

I sighed again . " I know but it is only a matter of days . The moment the guests depart from here , " I leaned in closer to Gaby not wanting to risk prying ears to over hear any thing . " the very second this weekend comes to a close , I will make Louis depart from my life before Samuel and Portia began to plan a wedding . " Gaby nodded in agreement but appeared mortified at the possible of a wedding .

" It is about time that you kick him out . " She reinstated and then twisted her lips . " However , I must commend you for tolerating him for this long . " I groaned and drained the last of my glasses contents . " If it were me , I would have sent him packing a long time ago . " I sighed and immediately felt like I had not had a wink of sleep even though that was entirely untrue .

" Oh , believe me , it has been the most insufferable months of my entire life . " It was a sombre point to note and accept but it had been the truth .

Gaby and I watched slyly as Camilla reached for Phil MacCarthy' s arm and had to contain our laughter when he nearly jumped back like she was the human version of the plague . He didn' t even bother to excuse himself but swing around and half ran away from her prenteding to wave to some one in the direction of which no one had been .

Gabby removed her hand from her mouth that had been concealing her amusement . " I cannot believe that Camilla made it to the guest list , Li . " But even as Gaby said so she knew how the guestlist worked .

I nodded and crossed my left knee over my right . " Her parents are from the similar social circle and , besides , they are good family friends of ours . " I explained but Gaby continued to scrunch her nose in her dislike for Camilla and , who could blame her ? Camilla was not the most morally upstanding women around especially when it came to other ladies men .

" I know , I know . She is just a very questionable person ." She said with a wave of her free hand . " Gabby shifted to face me . " She is unimaginably wealthy yet she goes around like some piece trying to climb the social ladder when she is literally in the place she needs to be . " Gabby made sense .

Usually , it would be the ladies who had no financial backing that would seek to lure the rich men even if they had to play desperate and be boldly blunt to the point of it being laughable . Yet , Camilla was doing it regardless of having her own fortune .

I sighed , not having an interest in trying to figure out the inner workings of Camilla' s mind . " Are we really sitting her speaking about Camilla' s choice and trying to figure them out ? " I asked rhetorically and Gabby laughed .

" Hey , what are you plans for later this evening ? " She asked curiously once she settled from her laughter and I shrugged my shoulders .

Seeing as the wedding ceremony would be tomorrow just after noon followed by the reception and after party , the itinerary for the rest of today was practically free for people to do whatever they preferred . Rest up , unwind , relax , drink their weight away .

" Maybe I' ll call an early night . I wouldn' t want to be waking up with dark , puffy under - eyes . " Gaby rolled her eyes and I squared my shoulders .

" You do realise that this weekend is literally the only time you' re going to be this free again with no responsibility for a very long time . " She stated and my teeth caught my lower lip , toying with it gently . " After this weekend , you' re going to be starting your new duty - filled job . You will have zero rest time like this again and you 're choosing sleep . " She chastised and I rolled my eyes at her seeing nothing wrong on my section to rest up .

" All the more reason for me to take as much rest as I possibly can . " I flashed her an exaggerated smile and Gaby groaned at that .

" I hope you have the most awful boss in the history of awful bosses . " She muttered out playfully . " Who is he anyway ? Has he been featured in any magazine or tabloid findings ? " She queried and I really wish I knew the answers to her two fold question .

" I have no clue but that can hardly matter really . I know what is expected of me and I will see it through as best as I can . So , as horrible as a boss that you may have cursed upon me , it will not matter in the slightest . " It did peak my curiosity for a while too but it was not important . So long as I showed up , did my duties , and got paid , I could care less who my boss is .

Gaby was about to open her mouth to say something but Chase had approached us . " You two are surrounded with new people and yet you choose to stick together like unsociable beings . " Chase teased with a hint of chastisement .

He was the spitting image of our dad with his sandy blonde hair and dark eyes , and even his facial structure but , of course , much younger looking . He was much taller than me but not enough for it to be shocking just in a way that the eldest would have a head start with height than the youngest in some cases .

I snorted in his direction and thanked the Lord that my mother was not around to hear me . " Did you really walk all the way here and away from your brides side to come and chastise us ? " Chase smiled crookedly and shook his head in the negative .

" As much as I would like to say yes , that isn' t why I' m here . " He looked to Gaby . " Your parents are looking for you . " He informed her and Gaby immediately rose to her feet .

" I' ll find you later . " She said to me before she sauntered away .

Chase took a seat beside me on the bench that had began to grow uncomfy against my ass . It is a shame that the benches were made of concrete and nothing more comfortable but then it would hardly withstand the harsh weather .

" Has the limelight finally gotten to you ? Is this you escaping it all ? " I asked but he merely chuckled with a small shake of his head .

" Never . I quite like it all but I love seeing Casey enjoy it all more . " He looked to Casey standing near the carved fountain talking to a few of her friends .

" She does have that bridal glow about her . I do hope she and I will end up bullying you a little since the family now has more women than men in it . " I grinned and Chase smiled widely not at all offended .

" Even if she does join your smear campaign against me , I wouldn' t care . " He said sounding like a lovestruck i***t but I could not help smiling at seeing him so happy .

None of us were surprised when Chase made it clear after six months of dating Casey that she was it for him . Chase had always been this hopeless romantic in the most mature kind of way and Casey was just as open and warm to him and he was to her . They really were a match to be envious of .

" Enough about me , " He said in a way that had me tensing . " I hear that Louis is planning on proposing soon . I doubt it would be this weekend , of course , but I thought I should give you a heads up . " I felt my face fall , my stomach do somersaults , and my throat had began to construct itself all at the same time .

" T- That is just - " I stuttered unable to even say anuthing else .

Chase shifted slightly , turning his body to me as he frowned . " Are you not happy ? " He questioned sounding baffled that I was not dancing with joy . " You two have been dating for a decent amount of time now . " Chase reasoned and I shook my head .

" I would not bind myself to such a man and to such a horrible life . " His eyes widened and I looked around before continuing . " Between the two of us , I was planning on breaking it off with him after this weekend . " Chase' s brows furrowed together . " I find him absolutely incorrigible and nerve wrecking . As for his parents , they are entirely shallow people . It is not wonder Louis is the way he is . " I shivered in distate .

A huge sigh escaped him . " Oh , thank God ! " He nearly yelled and my eyes widened at this then settled in to me raising a quizzical brow at him . I did not know what reaction I was expecting from him but this look of sheer relief was not it .

" Excuse me ? " I asked , pinning him with an interrogating glare .

Chase tilted his head to the side and scratched the back of his head . " Well , I always hated the guy . It is clear that his family , as well as , Louis himself are only fortune hunting . " See , it was quite visible to anyone with eyes. Ryder was no genius . " Besides , you should be with someone that is nuts about you for you and not for any other motive . " He said tenderly .

I knew that . I knew that I deserved better than someone as demeaning and controlling as Louis . I guess it just took me longer than it should have to realise that he needed to be removed from my life before he ruined it .

True to my word to Gaby , I had showered , slipped in to my strappy silk night dress and settled myself into the queen sized bed . I was happy to have requested my own room even though the bookings had me and Louis in one room . It was around nine p . m . and when I got in but I found that I was unable to sleep . I tossed and turned and looked at each hour pass by on the clock before I groaned in frustration .

I pulled back the covers and and kicked my legs over the edge of the bed and rose to my full length . Maybe a light walk around the resort would tire me out and I could try again . I reached for the matching gown and threw it over my shoulders making sure to secure it around my waist .

It was eleven p . m . now and I doubt that anyone would be dallying about outside the resort as much as inside the casino . At least , I had hoped for that much . Perhaps , the pool side would be a nice place to pause by for a bit . It was by no means cold but it was not warm enough for a late night dip .

Unless one was mad , I concluded when I stepped in to the chilled nights air . There were staff lurking about , golf carts driving about but it was not anyone that would be a part of the guest list . When I got to the pool area , I rested my body against one of the reclined out doorsy chairs that were laid out along the pool side .

The blue water of the pool had ripples in it and a bright blue light that kept it alive even in the midst of the nights darkness . A man - made rock fountain poured into the pool adding the most relaxing sound of trickling , flowing water to my ears . For a moment , I was tempted to take a dip but a breeze brushed against my skin and that desire flew away with it .

I went back to watching the water again and noticed something weird about it . Bubbles had started rising to the surface right in the middle of the pool . Quickly , I moved closer to the edge and noticed a body like figure at the bottom .

Oh , my god ! Some one was drowning .

Without hesitation , I threw open my gown and dived straight in to the pool determined to rescue whoever had sunk to the bottom . I ignored the cold water nipping at my skin and swam to the bottom . I was relieved that it was not the deepest of pools which would have made this easier . Finally , I got closer to the figure and I managed to get a hold of what I made out to be was a hand before I yanked as hard as I could possibly manage .

Much to my utter bafflement , the hand yanked itself away from me and I rose to the surface gasping for air .

" What the hell are you doing ? " Came the striking , hard voice of Ryder Huxley . I swung around to see him glaring at me furiously .

He was mad at me for ' saving ' him ?

I glared at him just as angrily . " What i***t takes a dip at this part of the night in such weather ? " I tried to ignore the broad expanse of his tanned chest and bulging shoulders . " Secondly , I thought you were drowning but , had I known it was you , I would have gladly left you for dead . " I spat out at him but he was not listening to me .

His gaze unashamedly ran over my wet face and silk sticking to my chest . My n*****s were erect from the cold and it was something I saw him looking at , too . I cleared my throat and crossed my arms over my chest to protect myself from his prying eyes and he finally looked up at me again .

" Have you never heard of skinny dipping in the moonlight ? " He asked in a smug tone that made me want to strike him across his face . I tried not to imagine him completely naked beneath the water' s surface and held myself from wondering if his abs were as chiseled as I suspected it to be .

It was a good thing that he had been at the far end of the pool and I was at the middle of it .

" I have , though , I am not as insane to test it out . " I spat back and he laughed , the sound of which had me clenching my jaw .

" You' re three quarters of the way close to that . " He said , his piercing blue eyes darting to my chest again as if my arms served no purpose .

" You know what , I hope you drown . " I cursed and turned away from him and swam over to the steps so I could get out and walk away with whatever self respect I held .

Ryder chuckled again and my nostrils flared but I ignored him , not giving him the reaction he wanted . I quite literally stormed off in the direction of my room in my drenched night clothes and wet hair . I groaned , thinking of how I should have just minded my own business or , better yet , not left my room at all .

With each step that I had taken to my room , my mind had become consumed with how annoyingly aggravating he had never failed to be .