The next day, Mara arrived at the studio feeling rattled from the previous night's kiss. She could still feel the ghost of his touch, the fire that had surged between them, and the sting of her own hand as she'd slapped him. She tried to brush it all aside as she dived into work, but her mind kept returning to Ryder and the intensity in his eyes.
By late afternoon, she'd barely managed to focus on her tasks, each report feeling like an uphill climb. She needed to clear her head. Perhaps a quick walk or even a coffee break with Evan would help ease the tension that had been clouding her thoughts.
But before she could even consider leaving, Evan appeared at her door, his expression filled with worry.
"Mara," he began, voice low, "you might want to come with me."
"What's wrong?" she asked, heart tightening.
"It's Ryder. He hasn't been himself since this morning. He insisted on coming in, but honestly… he doesn't look good. He's in his office now, but I doubt he'll admit to feeling unwell."
Her chest tightened, and she hesitated, the memory of last night flashing across her mind. But concern overtook her hesitancy. Ryder might have been demanding, infuriating even, but the idea of him working himself into the ground didn't sit well with her.
Without another word, she followed Evan to Ryder's office. She knocked softly, waiting, but there was no response. She exchanged a glance with Evan, who nodded for her to go in. Slowly, she pushed the door open.
Ryder was slumped at his desk, one hand pressed to his forehead as he reviewed documents, his eyes bloodshot and his skin pale. He looked up as she entered, clearly trying to appear unfazed, but there was no mistaking the exhaustion etched into his features.
"Mara," he greeted, his voice rough, yet he straightened up, forcing himself to look alert.
She crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow. "You don't look well, Ryder. You should be home resting."
He waved her off, his expression hardening. "It's just a cold. I'm fine."
"Ryder, you're burning up," she said, stepping closer despite herself. She placed a hand on his forehead before he could pull away. His skin was warm far too warm.
Ryder's eyes flickered with surprise at her touch, but he quickly recovered, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Worried about me now?"
Mara rolled her eyes, though a hint of concern lingered. "You don't get to play tough with me right now. You need to go home."
"I'll be fine," he replied stubbornly, though the weariness in his voice betrayed him.
Seeing his reluctance, Mara let out a sigh and softened her tone. "Ryder, even you have limits. You'll only make things worse if you push yourself like this."
He looked at her for a long moment, his defenses slipping ever so slightly, and then, to her surprise, he nodded, too exhausted to argue.
"Alright," he muttered, the hint of defeat in his tone clear. "But only because you're so insistent."
"Fine," Mara replied, relieved. "But let me call a driver to take you home. You shouldn't be alone in this state."
He opened his mouth to protest, but she gave him a pointed look, daring him to refuse. With a slight, tired chuckle, he conceded.
"Alright," he said, leaning back in his chair, the exhaustion evident in every line of his body. "You win."
While she waited for the driver to arrive, Mara helped him gather his things, trying to ignore the strange sensation that came with seeing Ryder this vulnerable, this… human. There was something disarming about it, something that made her feel a pang of sympathy despite all the tension between them.
As she handed him his coat, their hands brushed, and Ryder looked at her, his gaze lingering. For a fleeting moment, the mask of indifference he usually wore slipped, revealing something unguarded beneath.
"Thank you, Mara," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
She swallowed, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through her chest. "Just take care of yourself, Ryder. The studio needs you… we need you," she said, her voice softer than she intended.
He gave a faint nod, his gaze unreadable as he looked at her. And then, just as quickly, he looked away, clearing his throat as he slipped on his coat.
The driver arrived a few moments later, and Mara escorted Ryder to the car, watching as he settled into the back seat, his eyes already heavy with exhaustion. He gave her one last glance, something unspoken passing between them, and then the car pulled away, leaving her standing on the curb, the cool evening air doing little to quell the storm of emotions within her.
As she returned to the studio, Mara couldn't shake the feeling that something between them had shifted. In his vulnerability, she'd seen a side of Ryder she'd never thought existed, and for the first time, she wondered if there was more to him than the cold, calculating businessman she'd come to know.
She tried to push the thought aside, diving back into her work, but the image of him tired, vulnerable, and quietly grateful lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.