Chapter 158 I’m Going To
Kiss You
Renee’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Ryder, utterly lost in the confusion that gripped her.
She couldn’t help but wonder what was Ryder really trying to say.
“I’m simply concerned that you may not be comfortable with a real kiss, Renee,” Ryder confessed.
What?
In an instant, Ryder moved closer, closing the gap between them until their faces were mere inches apart.
The scent of his cologne washed over Renee, a rich, masculine presence that sent a wave of panic through her.
“Renee,” Ryder said, his voice low, “don’t look at any man the way you look
at me now.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, her confusion deepening.
“Because no man could withstand such a look from you.”
She met his gaze, unable to find the words to respond.
“Now, I’m going to kiss you.”
This time, clarity struck. Her hands shot up instinctively to cover her mouth. And then, she felt the cool pressure of his kiss on the back of her
hand.
A slight shiver ran through her as she flinched.
20.00
Ryder let out a soft chuckle. “I didn’t want to rush you, Renee. I thought I’d take my time, but it looks like I’ve waited too long.”
“Mr. Chadwick… you…” Renee stammered, still trying to make sense of everything.
“I don’t deserve your respect,” Ryder admitted, the weight of regret in his voice. “And I think I’ve failed your grandfather.”
Renee’s mind spun in a chaotic blur, her thoughts failing to keep up with the rapid flow of emotions. She could only stare at him, her heart torn and confused.
“I’ve been drawn to you for years, Renee–long before you married William. The truth is… I didn’t have the courage then, and now it feels too late. Mostly, I was terrified of how your grandpa would react,” Ryder said, his tone light but laced with a trace of sincerity.
When he had first met Renee, she was just 18, and he had been 28–right at the moment when Johnny had taken an interest in him, helping to launch his career If he had dared to confess his feelings for Johnny’s most cherished granddaughter at that time, Johnny would have been furious and would have punished him without a second thought.
Renee, however, felt her thoughts become a haze, as if she were drowning in the confusion and emotional turmoil swirling inside her.
“Mr. Chadwick, this isn’t funny…” she whispered, her voice barely above a
breath.
Ryder, noticing her expression, reached out and gently tapped her forehead, his tone teasing. “Why do you look like you’re on the verge of tears? During training, you bled and sweated but never flinched.”
Renee truly felt the sting of tears welling up inside her.
If this had been anyone else, she would have faced them with calm resolve. She could have rejected them outright, even scolded them. But this was Ryder, a man whom she had always respected. He had been an elder, a
mentor, someone above her, but never a lover.
“Can’t you see me as just another man who has fallen for you? Please, Renee. Give me a chance,” he asked, his voice a quiet plea.
No!
Renee felt as though her mind was unraveling.
“Mr. Chadwick, please stop. I… I can’t…”
“Renee, don’t be so harsh. Don’t shut me out just like that. Don’t you remember? Felix calls me Daddy.”
Renee froze, struck dumb.
From the very start, she had been uncomfortable with Felix calling Ryder “Daddy,” but she couldn’t bring herself to deny the child a father figure. If she had known Ryder’s true feelings all along…
She should have kept her distance from him from the very beginning.
“Mr. Chadwick, I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’ve always seen you as my superior, and I have no desire to change that. We’re simply not meant to be. Our relationship isn’t like that.”
Her words came out clearly, resolute.
Speaking them took more courage than she’d ever thought she had. If it had been any other situation, she would have never dared to speak to Ryder in such a way–it would have been unimaginable.
But when it came to matters of the heart…
Renee knew she didn’t want to drag this out, nor did she want to give him any false hope. There was no possibility between them.
Because there wouldn’t be.
“Renee, you’re so cold…” Ryder’s voice held a bitter edge as he smiled without warmth.
22:33
His gaze grew distant, and he turned away to leave, his shoulders slumping with what seemed like genuine hurt. For a moment, Renee thought his retreating figure looked achingly solitary.
She rubbed her temples, the pressure in her head intensifying.
How had things ended up like this?
