Page 25 of No Rhyme or Roughing (The Golden Guardians Hockey Hearts #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

SYDNEY

He murmured in his sleep.

I still knew so little about who Ryder was now, but I knew that.

He also reached for me. Every time I rolled away from him in the night, his heavy, sleep-laden arm would pull me back against him, as if his subconscious mind was afraid of letting me get too far.

It was a bit suffocating, feeling trapped like that. Cuddling wasn’t my thing. With previous partners, it had been wham bam, thank you, ma’am. Yet, I couldn’t completely pull away, and when I finally fell asleep, it was with his large palm resting against my stomach.

This morning, I sat up, no blanket covering me, and watched him mutter to himself, his eyes still closed. I studied the serious expression on his face, the way his brows drew down, but his lips stayed relaxed.

He was beautiful. Too beautiful. All dark features and a gloomy aura. Jameson once told me I was like sunshine—bitchy and bright—and that I only liked him because he was my opposite—nicer but also much darker.

Was that what drew me to Ryder?

A crash rang through the house, and I froze, waiting for the inevitable knock on my door. Teddy always had the worst timing. But it didn’t come. Instead, I heard a string of curses, followed by Rowan’s laughter. “Bro, did you just fall down the stairs?”

Dealing with my brother during a hangover was always one of my favorite things, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t get dressed. Not when there was a frowny angel in bed with me.

He rolled toward me, still asleep, and the covers slipped down, revealing the full breadth of his perfect chest.

I lay on my side, facing him, and drew one finger down his cheek. It was impossible not to want this man, not to lean in and lick a trail up his neck, stopping to bite his jaw.

“Mmm.” He tilted his head down, burying it in my shoulder and smiling against me. “Not a bad way to wake up.”

I slipped my leg between his and turned my face to catch his lips. Even our morning breath didn’t stop us from moving closer, our chests pressed together.

Ryder groaned. “We have to stop. ”

I nipped his lip. “Why’s that?”

“Your brother is awake and making a lot of noise.”

It was true. Teddy always spoke way too loudly when he felt like crap, but I’d been doing a good job of tuning him out. Now, hearing him was like a bucket of ice water cascading over us. I pulled away, but Ryder’s arm caught my waist and yanked me back against him.

“I didn’t say you had to leave.”

“You have the day off today.” I kissed him once more. “Which means we have some work to do.”

As I scooted out of the bed, he sighed.

“That’s not what a day off is.”

“If we’re going to turn you into an internet sensation and save the team, you’ve got a long way to go.” I dug in my bag for a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt. “I’ll distract the guys so you can get dressed and escape the room.”

Once dressed, I ran my hands through my ratty hair, flattening it as best I could before pulling it into a low ponytail. It would have to do. Flashing Ryder one final smile, I slipped from the room and into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

When I made it downstairs, the kitchen smelled glorious. Rowan stood at the stove, flipping turkey bacon in a skillet. Eggs and toast were already piled on a plate. I snagged a piece of toast. “Good morning.”

He gave me a bright smile, but something hit my back. I turned to find another piece of toast on the ground and Teddy glaring at me from the dinette.

“Shut up,” he grumbled. “It is not a good morning. Can you just be quiet for once in your life?”

I grinned at how rough he looked. The night before at Sullivan’s felt like a distant dream, eclipsed by everything that had happened afterward.

Rowan snorted. “Says the guy who was practically yelling through the house this morning.” He ducked as a piece of toast flew at him. I caught it midair and took a bite.

“Something wrong, brother dearest?”

He glared.

“Rough night?” I had no sympathy when he did this to himself.

“He drank too much wine last night,” Rowan said with a chuckle, probably unaware of the real reason behind all the wine.

Teddy normally hated wine because of how it made him feel the next day.

“Oof, Ted.” I clicked my tongue. He never knew when to quit.

A yip came from near my ankles, and I bent to pick Guardian up. He’d been the favorite at Thanksgiving dinner, I was sure, especially with everything else in such a mess.

Teddy growled. “Mom and Dad were both there.” He pressed his forehead to his folded arms. “The wine was much needed.”

I wanted to point out whose fault that had been, but I couldn’t kick him when he was down. Teddy was an optimist. Anything bad that happened was only temporary in his eyes, and everything would eventually work out.

I approached him carefully, holding Guardian out like a peace offering. Over the past few days, we’d learned none of us could resist this little furball. “It’s okay. Underperformance happens to us all. ”

Teddy took him, cradling him against his chest as Guardian squirmed and nipped at his arm.

Rowan carried a plate of bacon to the table. “Eat. You’ll feel better.”

Teddy fed a piece to Guardian like we couldn’t see him.

Rowan turned to me, lowering his voice. “He’s just mad because he hit on Coach last night, according to Sullivan.”

Ryder’s laugh rang out as he entered the kitchen. “Griff showed up to Sullie’s after I left?”

Another piece of toast hit the wall near his head.

“It was Holloway, asshole.”

Ryder winced. “That’s probably worse. You’re lucky we don’t have practice today, or Frankie would kill you with a bag skate. Probably the rest of us too.” He walked forward to snag a piece of bacon, leaning in close to me. “Morning, Syd.” His minty breath was warm on my face. “Sleep well?”

I wanted to kiss him or punch him—I hadn’t decided which—so I settled for a shrug. “Not really. I was distracted.”

Teddy smirked up at us. “I was too. That’s why I drank so much. I don’t know where you two disappeared to when we started the game. Sullivan and I watched Ryder’s little video on repeat, and if you laughed, you did a shot.”

Ryder tensed, and Rowan clapped him on the back. “We still want to know why you did it.”

Why he made a fool of himself, they meant.

I rolled my eyes. “Well, I’m headed out. Ryder, you still want to go to the, er… library? ”

“Absolutely. I love the library. Books are my friends. They’re?—”

I grabbed his arm and dragged him from the kitchen. “Should’ve just stopped at absolutely. ”

Teddy’s voice followed us. “Since when does Ryder fucking read?”

Rowan laughed. “Since when does Ryder smile?”

Once we got outside, laughter rolled through me. “Teddy hit on your coach.” I doubled over, hands on my knees. “It’s not okay, but I needed that.”

“He’s in for a world of trouble.” Ryder shook his head. “You think they suspect anything about us?” he asked, one hand on the open passenger door.

“What is us ?” I sighed. “No, Ry. Teddy wouldn’t imagine his little sister getting into bed with his best friend.”

His cheeks reddened, and it was adorable.

I sent him a wink, feeling bold. “Or that it’s going to happen again.”

We drove through the tunnel into Oakland, to where my second home used to be—Savannah’s Dance Studio.

I had once spent every spare moment I had inside the labyrinth of rooms I parked in front of.

It was huge, with every resource a dancer could imagine.

Savannah had turned out many professional dancers. And also me.

The person who knew dance better than nearly anyone, who worked so damn hard—and never made it on the stage .

I led Ryder through the double glass doors to the desk that spanned the entryway. A teenage girl looked up at us, her eyes widening. She glanced at the TV behind her, where some kind of entertainment news played, and then back at me.

It was Ryder who noticed the story first. “Syd, is that you?”

I turned. The video showed dancers in a studio. Jameson appeared first, and immediately, I knew what it was. I should have expected this to get out eventually.

The headline read: JAMESON RHYS DATING HIS CHOREOGRAPHER?

Well, there went my career up in smoke. And yet, I felt nothing. No panic. No fear. Just the sudden, overwhelming desire to ignore it.

The girl behind the desk adjusted the scarf covering her hair, trying very hard not to stare.

I smiled and stepped forward. “Hello there. Is Savannah around?”

She didn’t answer. My patience with teenagers had its limits, and before I could say something biting, a tall figure rounded the corner.

Her large brown eyes smiled before her lips did.

Savannah had always been the most beautiful woman I knew—the epitome of a dancer—with her dark skin, long legs, and small waist.

“Is that really you, Syd?” She opened her arms, expecting me to rush into them the way I had as a child.

And that was exactly what I did.

More than my mother, Savannah had raised me here in this studio. She loved me in a way most of my family didn’t. Having her arms around me felt like home. She still smelled the same, like rosemary and sage—a comforting scent.

“It’s damn good to see you,” I said as she released me.

She lifted one brow. “Language, kid.”

Biting back a laugh, I nodded. There were rules here. “Sorry.” Remembering Ryder, I motioned him forward. “This is my friend, Ryder. I’m in town for just a bit, and we’re working on a project. Do you have any available space for us?”

“For you, always.” She looked over at the girl. “Mira, set them up in Studio Seven.”

Regaining her poise, Mira nodded and stood. “Right this way.”

We followed her silently. I didn’t need a guide. This studio was imprinted on my memory. I thought of Savannah and her teachings every time I worked with a new client.

Mira left us outside the room, and I pushed open the door to reveal a large studio with a wooden floor. One entire wall was covered in mirrors. That part of dancing, I’d always hated. Staring at myself, wondering why I couldn’t look like the other dancers.

Ryder walked in without hesitation, and I followed.

“All right, Coach.” He turned to face me. “Teach me.”

One side of my mouth ticked up, and I walked to the stereo, queuing up an old-school playlist. “First, let’s loosen you up.”

“Wasn’t that what you did last night?”

I rolled my eyes to the ceiling, planting my hands on my hips. “Lord, help me. Ryder Cassidy makes a joke for once in his life, and it’s at exactly the wrong time.”

I didn’t realize he’d closed the distance between us until I brought my gaze back down and he was right there, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

“I make jokes.”

Shoving him away, I laughed. “Hardly. You’re so serious, Ry. But so is dance. It requires loosening up, but that doesn’t mean taking it lightly.”

He went quiet for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “I can see why you’re so good at this.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you care about it.” He rubbed his neck, looking away.

I reached for him, taking his hand between both of mine. “Which is exactly why you’ll be great. You care about the team. Have I told you how amazing I think you are?” I cleared my throat quickly. “I mean… for trying to save the team.”

His face softened. “Okay, I’m serious now. Let’s get to work.”

But he lied.

Every time I neared him to move his body and teach him, he stole a kiss. When I gripped his hips, showing him how to move them seductively, he licked the inside of my mouth.

I tried to get away, but he caught me around the waist, picking me up and spinning me twice. I kicked at him, but I didn’t really want him to let go.

And that was a problem.

When my feet were on solid ground once again, I watched him let loose and have fun. There were so many sides to this man it made my head swim.

“Ryder,” I stomped my foot, pretending to be angry as he goofed off again. “Are you even listening to me?”

He sauntered toward me, lifting the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face, abs on full display.

“You’re not playing fair.” I backed up, swirling a hand in the air. “Put those away.”

“Put what away?” he asked, his voice tinged with innocence.

“You know what.”

“I think I’m going to need you to explain. Better yet, come show me.”

“You are an insufferable man.” I reached for his shirt, but instead of using it to cover his abs, I yanked him toward me, stealing my kind of kiss. This one wasn’t light or quick. It was a kiss I could get lost in if I let myself.

“My brother,” I breathed against his mouth, “can never know about us.”

“I agree.”

He held me to him, his hands exploring my back, my ribs, my ass.

“You have to promise me something.” I gripped his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze.

“Anything.”

“Promise you won’t fall in love with me.”

He laughed softly.

“I mean it, Ryder. Don’t forget who I am. The destroyer of worlds. And if I crush you, I couldn’t live with myself.”

He pulled me into his arms, resting his chin on my head. “Don’t worry, Syd. I’m not sure I can fall for anyone anymore. ”

My heart ached for him, for what he’d been through with Sam and Sullivan.

And for me.

Because as much as I knew what I did to people in the end, the thought of never touching him again, even after just one night, made my heart ache for myself too.