"And you need me to do that?" I asked.

He hugged me again and then he took a deep breath. He didn't say anything. Somehow, I knew that he's been stressed out and he was glad to see an ally... a friendly face, someone on his side who wouldn't put any pressures on him, instead, attempt to take that pressure away. I wanted to help him too... in what little way I can. So I wound my arms around his waist and hugged him back.

"Thank you, Ryder." I said quietly. "I don't think my family would be doubting that this... relationship isn't real. You're not some random guy I picked to pretend to be in love with me so I could escape the embarrassment of a broken engagement." I sighed. "You're doing more than you should. You didn't have to pay for their hotel rooms. I have to pay you back."

"Shhh." He said. "My city, my treat. Besides, it's the first time you visited me here. It's my treat to you."

"It's an expensive treat! Ryder, you have to stop spoiling me!" I groaned.

He laughed. Then he pulled away from me and to my surprise he bent down and swept me off my feet and carried me towards the bed.

"Hey!" I complained. But I don't really know what I was complaining about. I stared at Ryder and he looked tired, as if he hasn't slept in days. "Are you okay?" I asked him.

He stared at me and then he smiled. "I didn't sleep last night."

"Why?"

"I've just opened Rig Style Manhattan." He replied. "Two bartenders didn't show up. I had to fill in. And then by the time I closed at six in the morning, I had to fill in for my Dad in meeting his accountant who just flew in from L.A. The meeting just finished when you gave me a call."

He settled me on the bed. I kicked off my sandals. Ryder took off his jacket and his shoes. He lied on the bed beside me. He looked really tired.

"I really shouldn't have imposed on you." I said guiltily.

He smiled. "I just need one hour to recharge." He said.

I stared at him. He looked like he didn't sleep for days. He was stressed. But he still has a smile on his face. His eyes still has that glitter. He looked like a happy man, albeit, really tired. And saying he just needed one hour and he'll be able to entertain my family again was too endearing for me.

I reached and touched his cheek with my hand.

He smiled at me and then he reached forward and pulled me to him. My heart pounded in my chest. Is he going to kiss me?

But he didn't kiss me. Instead he pulled me to lie down next to him, making me rest my head on his shoulder, enclosing me in a hug.

"Lie with me for a while?" He whispered.

How could I say no to that? It was too sweet! And because I thought I would scream the minute I open my mouth, I just nodded.

I felt him kiss the top of my head. Then he drifted off to sleep with me locked in his arms.

I didn't know how I was going to feel. I knew I was attracted to Ryder. I meant, physically attracted. I think he's hot and the touch of his skin burns me every single time. But this... this is not the same. This isn't sexiness or physical attraction. This is... warmth and comfort.

As much as I would like to deny it, because I know I'm not ready for a relationship just yet, this... feels wonderful. I felt comfortable, and warm. As if there's no place I would rather be. As if he really does belong to me.

I fell asleep myself and my dreams were filled with warmth and laughter. I woke up after an hour and a half. I was still locked in Ryder's arms, my head comfortably rested on his shoulder. He smelled of faint aftershave, fresh and masculine.

He tightened his hug on me and then I felt him kiss the top of my head again.

"Astrid." He whispered.

I thought he was calling me, waking me up. However, when I looked up at him, I realized he was still sleeping. Instantly, I felt warm. He whispered my name in his sleep! I smiled to myself, unable to believe that it could be real. I buried my head deeper into his shoulder and I closed my eyes.

I woke up after another thirty minutes. I stared up at Ryder. He opened his eyes lazily and he stared back at me. He smiled.

"Ready to go?" He asked.

"Up to you. Are you sure you don't need any more sleep?"

He smiled. "I said one hour. I think I had two. I should be fine."

"Alright." I said. I slowly pulled away from him and sat up from the bed. I looked around his apartment.

"Ultimate bachelor's pad." I whispered.

"I've lived here since I was twenty-five." He said. "The house in Malibu is more like... entering into adulthood."

I giggled. "Yeah. And you stay here a lot don't you?"

He shrugged. "I travel at least at least six times a month. I stay in Malibu about two nights a week. I can't really say I stay here a lot."

"Must be tough being you, Ryder." I whispered. "You have the world in your hands. It's... hard to keep up with you. No wonder you couldn't find a steady girl to introduce to your friends."

"I introduced you." He said.

I laughed. "Not the sham relationship, you know. The real one."

He stood up from the bed. "Well, as far as your family and my friends are concerned, I have a real, happy relationship. And we need to go, so I can make an impression on my future mother-in-law."

I laughed. "I think they're already in love with you, Ryder."

"I seem to be winning every one of your relative's approval, except yours."

"That's because I was the only one who knew you were acting." I giggled.

He stared at me for a while and then he turned away and opened the drawer on his bedside table. He took a box out and then opened it. It was my ring... I mean, the ring he gave me. He took the ring from the box and held his hand out to me.

"What? I said I will not wear that ring again... unless you find a good reason why I should." I said.

"Your mother expects to see it on your finger tonight. How about that?" He asked, his eyes filled with challenge.

I raised a brow at him but I knew he was right. My mother and my aunt would be looking for this ring.

I held my hand out to take the ring from him. He raised a brow at me and then he took my hand and placed the ring on my finger instead.

"You know I will be returning the ring before I go."

"I'll find a reason soon enough. And after that, who knows? You won't be taking that ring off your finger ever." He said and I think I forgot to breathe for a whole minute.

I sighed and stared at the gorgeous ring on my finger. And somehow, I had to remind myself that it all was a sham.

"It will break their hearts if they find out we aren't for real." I said.

"They don't have to find out, you know." He said.

I sighed. "Yeah. But we'll have to invent the breakup story of the century." I smiled at him. "Don't worry. It will be my fault. Let's blame it all on me."

"You don't have to break their hearts." He said. "At least not yet."

I nodded. "Works either way, Ryder. Let me know anytime you can't pretend to be my perfect fiance anymore."

And somehow that thought pinched my heart.

Chapter Sixteen.

BELLS:.

One of the most common symbols of marriage and weddings.

The minute I entered my mother's hotel room, they noticed my ring.

"Oh my God, this is just too gorgeous!" My mother said, pulling my hand.

"This is expensive!" My Aunt breathed. "It's a Harry Winston!"

"Mom, Aunt! You're embarrassing me!" I hissed at them.

Ryder just chuckled.

"You spoil her too much, young man." My mother said, but I can tell that she was so happy for me.

"She deserves it, Mrs. Jacobson." He said. "Astrid deserves to wear a ring as beautiful as she is."

Ryder was the epitome of grace and gallantry. He's everything a girl could ask for in a boyfriend! It's like he was ripped right out of the pages of a romance novel. He's sweet, he's funny, he treats my mother and my Aunt like they were queens, and he's asking for the their approval for their little princess. He keeps up with Uncle Reynolds' endless chatter about the stocks, business and Forex. Ryder can handle it all. Looking at him, I wouldn't even know he was the same man who slept beside me an hour ago. It's like he has tons of energy saved up somewhere.

He took us around the city. We went to Bloomingdale's. I tried on a couple of dresses. Ryder patiently sat on the couch, playing Judge. He told me whether or not the dress I put on looked good on me. He even critics them. He's an even better shopping companion than Nicole is sometimes. He pays attention to me.

I settled for three dresses. I took them to the counter to pay for them but Ryder was quick to hand in his platinum card.

"No!" I said sharply. I raised a brow at him.

He just laughed and then to my surprise, he leaned forward to give me a quick kiss on the lips.

I glared at him. "What was that for? They're not even around!" I hissed at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ma'am. I guess I got carried away." He whispered teasingly.

The cashier handed him his credit card bill and he signed for it. I smiled at the cashier but when we turned away, I gave Ryder a pinch in the arm.

He laughed. Then he put an around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. "You're too cute." He whispered.

When we went out of the store, we heard a woman's voice call behind us.

"Ryder!"

We turned around and I saw a stunning blonde with long legs approach us. She was tall, but her mini skirt was very short. She pulled it off though. She looked more like she was walking on the runway than Bloomingdales.

"Alizia." Ryder nodded at her.

She lunged forward and gave Ryder a hug.

"How have you been? It's been ages!" She said.

Ryder gently pulled away from her. "I've been good." He said. "Busy."

"When were you not busy?" The girl giggled and rolled her eyes. "You might as well marry your restaurant chains!" She giggled again.

Obviously, she was flirting with him. And I don't know, but somehow, that really annoyed me.

I stared at the girl. She was gorgeous. Like she's one of the Pussycat Dolls! I can tell that she's wearing expensive clothes. Her bangles were adorned with diamonds, as well as the sunglasses perched up her head. Right away, I knew these are the women that vie for Ryder's attention. This is his worldwhen he can have a pick of girls as rich and as beautiful as this. And I feel as annoyed as I am insecure. I looked away from them.

Suddenly I felt Ryder pull me towards him.

"Alizia, I'd like you to meet Astrid." He said. He looked at me. "Alizia and I shared a few classes in Harvard."

And she's smart too! I thought glumly.