[BL] Dear Hushand, I want divorce-Chapter 127: A confused kiss

Months of Ryder’s relentless pursuit had slowly chipped away at Noah’s resistance, though Ryder remained the same arrogant, flirty asshole. But despite that, Noah couldn’t deny that he’d come to tolerate the man. What started as hatred morphed into an odd kind of...coexistence. They talked now—civilly, at least. And even though Noah still rolled his eyes at Ryder’s shameless flirting, he didn’t hate him anymore.

In fact, over the past year, Noah had seen sides of Ryder he never thought existed. Beneath the cocky exterior, Ryder was actually kind-hearted, in his own irritating way. He showed up when Noah needed someone—sometimes uninvited, sometimes with terrible timing, but always present.

Noah got his company back, but he had to lose a friend in the process—Ash. That night when Ash showed up at Noah’s place, crying and begging to escape from Elijah, everything else in Noah’s life faded into the background.

Elijah relentlessly pestered him for Ash’s whereabouts ever since. He looked worse and more desperate every day, but Noah refused to tell him anything.

After helping Ash escape, Noah isolated himself from everyone, even Ryder. The pressure of keeping Ash hidden and watching Elijah spiral took its toll. But Ryder never pried, never pushed for information—though he was always there, in his own way.

Noah was coming out of a business meeting in a high-end hotel one evening when, of course, he bumped into Ryder. It was like fate had decided to shove the man back into his path at the most inconvenient times.

Ryder grinned as soon as he saw Noah. "Well, well. Look who it is. The elusive CEO, gracing us mere mortals with his presence."

Noah couldn’t help but smile, though he tried to suppress it. "Do you ever not have a smart-ass comment ready?"

"Not when you’re around, no. You bring it out of me," Ryder smirked, his hands in his pockets as he casually leaned against the wall, looking as confident as ever.

They stood there for a moment, a strange familiarity settling between them.

"So, how’s your empire?" Ryder asked, the sarcasm still in his tone, but less biting than usual.

"Fine," Noah replied. "Better than it was a year ago."

Ryder nodded, his eyes scanning Noah’s face as if searching for something. "You seem...different."

Noah arched an eyebrow. "Different how?"

"Less angry," Ryder said, with a hint of amusement. "Or maybe you’ve just gotten used to me."

Noah let out a small laugh. "You’re still annoying as hell, though."

Ryder chuckled, taking a step closer. "I aim to please."

Noah shook his head, but there was no heat behind it. "You know...you’re not as bad as I thought you were."

Ryder blinked, clearly surprised by the admission. "You keep saying things like that, and people might start thinking we’re friends."

Noah shrugged. "Maybe we are. In a weird way."

Ryder’s grin widened. "Well, now you’re just flattering me."

Noah rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at his lips. Over the months, he had learned a lot about Ryder. Despite his irritating behaviour, Ryder had a way of showing up when it mattered—like a stray dog that never left your side, no matter how many times you tried to shoo it away.

He was obnoxious, sure, but he was also reliable. And in a strange way, that mattered to Noah, especially after everything that had happened with Ash and Elijah.

Ryder’s gaze softened slightly, though his smirk remained. "You know, you’re not so bad yourself. For someone who hated my guts."

"I still do, sometimes," Noah replied with a teasing smile. "But I guess I can tolerate you now." freewёbnoνel.com

"High praise coming from you," Ryder quipped. He then tilted his head, studying Noah’s face more carefully. "You seem...tired."

Noah’s expression faltered for a moment. "It’s been a rough year."

"Still dealing with Ash’s situation?" Ryder asked, surprisingly sincere for once.

Noah nodded, sighing. "Yeah. Elijah won’t let it go. He’s been...relentless. And I can’t tell him where Ash is, no matter how much he begs."

Ryder didn’t say anything for a moment, just watched Noah with an intensity that was hard to read. "You’re a good friend, you know. Loyal."

Noah chuckled softly. "Loyalty has a price. I’ve paid mine."

Ryder’s smirk returned, but there was something softer behind it. "Well, if you ever need help dealing with Elijah, you know where to find me. I might be an asshole, but I’m not that big of one."

Noah looked at him, genuinely surprised by the offer. "I’ll keep that in mind."

They stood there for a moment longer, the tension between them not entirely uncomfortable.

It was strange—despite everything, despite the chaos of the past year—Ryder found himself...fond of the stubborn CEO. And for once, he didn’t mind waiting.

Noah was exhausted, barely holding it together as he yawned.

"Rough day?" Ryder asked, his usual smirk softening as he glanced at Noah’s tired face.

Noah sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You could say that."

Ryder studied him for a moment before suggesting, "Wanna grab a drink?"

Noah hesitated, his first instinct telling him to refuse. But something in Ryder’s eyes, something not quite as annoying or smug as usual, made him pause. When he looked up, he blushed slightly, feeling the intensity of Ryder’s gaze more than he wanted to admit.

"Fine," Noah finally agreed, nodding slightly. "Just one."

They made their way to a bar nearby, one that Ryder seemed all too familiar with. The cosy atmosphere enveloped them as they found a corner booth, quiet and secluded. Ryder ordered them both drinks, and they started talking. The conversation flowed surprisingly easily, laughter bubbling between them as the alcohol took effect.

Noah could feel himself getting tipsy, the warmth of the drinks loosening the tension in his shoulders. It felt...nice. He wasn’t overthinking and just enjoying the moment.

Suddenly, a guy approached their table, tall and confident, offering Noah a drink with a friendly smile. Noah blinked up at him, a bit dazed from the alcohol.

"No thanks," Noah said, holding up his glass. "I already have a drink."

The guy’s smile faltered, clearly disappointed, and after a brief pause, he walked away.

Ryder snorted, unable to hold back his laughter. Noah frowned, confused, turning to him.

"What? What’s so funny?"

Ryder shook his head, still chuckling. He leaned forward, his gaze playful but with a hint of something darker, something possessive. "That guy wasn’t just offering you a drink."

Noah’s brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Ryder looked him dead in the eyes, a slow smirk spreading across his lips. "He was asking you for a night. You know, sex."

Noah’s eyes widened in realisation, and his face flushed red. "Wait...what?"

Ryder grinned, enjoying Noah’s reaction. "Oh, yeah. It’s not my first time here. Guys like him don’t just buy drinks for anyone."

Noah blinked, still processing the information. He shook his head, laughing slightly, embarrassed. "So, I missed my chance with that guy?"

Ryder’s smirk faltered for just a second, something dark flickering behind his eyes. His jaw tightened, but he masked it quickly, leaning closer to Noah, his fingers brushing lightly against Noah’s lips as he pinched his lower lip, tugging it gently.

"If you’re that desperate, doll face..." Ryder whispered in a deep whisper. "I could help you out."

Noah’s breath hitched as the touch sent a shock of electricity through him. He leaned back, resting his head against the sofa, which brought him closer to Ryder’s arm that was draped across the back of it. Noah chuckled, the alcohol making him bolder, more relaxed than he usually was around Ryder.

"Is that jealousy I’m hearing?" Noah teased, his eyes gleaming with a challenge.

Ryder’s expression darkened, his face moving forward, closing the already small distance between them. His lips were inches away from Noah’s, so close their eyelashes almost brushed. Ryder’s breath was warm, carrying the scent of whiskey, mingling with the sweet, intoxicating smell of Noah’s drunken breath. It sent a rush of heat through Ryder’s body, desire coursing through him, making him hard.

Noah didn’t pull away. He didn’t resist like he usually did. Instead, he seemed almost giddy, his face tinged with a faint blush, and his body relaxed under Ryder’s presence.

Ryder’s voice was a low growl, his lips nearly brushing Noah’s. "Yes, Noah. I am jealous. Whenever I see you look at someone else, it drives me fucking insane."

Noah’s heart raced, his pulse quickening as Ryder’s words sank in, his breath hitching slightly as he felt the heat radiating off Ryder’s body.

Before Noah could say anything, Ryder closed the gap between them, crashing his lips against Noah’s in a hungry, possessive kiss. The kiss was rough, filled with months of pent-up frustration and desire. Ryder’s hands found Noah’s waist, pulling him closer as his lips moved against Noah’s with a fervor that made Noah’s head spin.

Noah gasped into the kiss, his hands instinctively grabbing Ryder’s shirt, pulling him closer, feeling the heat of his body pressed against his own. Ryder’s tongue teased Noah’s lips, demanding entry, and Noah, dazed and lost in the heat of the moment, parted his lips, letting Ryder deepen the kiss.

Ryder groaned softly as their tongues met, the taste of alcohol mixing between them. His hands tightened around Noah’s waist, fingers digging into his sides as if Ryder was afraid Noah might slip away.

Noah’s mind was a blur, the alcohol and Ryder’s overwhelming presence clouding his thoughts. He could feel Ryder’s hardness pressing against him, the passion of Ryder’s desire making Noah’s own body react, his skin tingling wherever Ryder touched him.

Noah felt Ryder’s lips devouring his, the heat of their kiss swirling between them. His body responded almost instinctively, drawn into the hunger and desperation Ryder poured into him. But just as quickly, reality crashed into Noah, and he realized what he was doing.

With a soft but firm hand, Noah pushed Ryder away, breaking the kiss. His breath was ragged, and his heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was already racing. What did I just do? He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog of alcohol and heat clouding his thoughts.

Ryder stared at him, lips still parted, confusion flashing in his eyes as he watched Noah pull away. "Noah...?"