?Chapter 138:

“I’ve been searching around for you,” he said, his tone usatory. From the way his eyes darkened and his lips formed into a semi-pout, I was certain he wasn’t exactly in a good mood.

“Sorry about that. Should’ve told Seraphina where I was,” I shrugged before pulling him into a warm hug. His body felt a bit rigid against mine.

I pulled him into a hug, his body rigid against mine. It was like hugging a statue. A very tense, suspicious statue.

“And what were you doing out here?” His gaze shifted around the area, and that hint of suspicion in his voice sent a jolt of panic through me. So he wasn’t buying my lie after all.

When you’re caught in the act, there’s a trick every girl should know.

I traced my fingers along his jawline, letting my touch linger as I felt the roughness of his stubble. My eyes held his, daring him, challenging him. Rising on tiptoes, I hooked my arms around his neck, pulling him down toward me. My lips hovered over his, teasingly close, and before he could fire off another damn question, I crashed my mouth against his, kissing him with a hunger that left no room for words.

Ryder’s control snapped. His hands shot to my waist, gripping me hard enough to make my pulse stutter. His hold was possessive, pulling me flush against him, his body solid and unyielding. His mouth moved over mine with bruising intensity, his tongue sweeping in to im every inch, as though he were marking me in a way that went beyond skin-deep.

I pulled back just enough to murmur against his lips, “Why don’t we take this a step further?” My voice dripped with promise, my smirk teasing.

His eyes darkened, and I felt his grip tighten on my waist. “Careful, baby,” he growled low, his voice rough with desire. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“Oh, I know exactly what I’m asking for,” I purred, letting my fingers drift down to trace the hard lines of his chest.

In one smooth motion, he hoisted me up, my legs wrapping instinctively around his waist as he carried me over to the nearest surface, pinning me against it. His mouth moved down to my neck, his teeth grazing along my skin, making my breath hitch. His fingers found the hem of my dress, pushing it higher and higher, his hands rough, determined, as he explored every inch of skin he could reach.

“Ryder,” I gasped, my head tipping back, surrendering to the onught of his mouth on my throat. “You’re—God, you’re gonna drive me insane.”

Your imagination begins with gα?ησν????s﹒?????

His chuckle was dark and full of promise, his voice a hot murmur against my skin. “That’s the n, baby. I want youpletely undone.”

He stepped back just enough to let his gaze rake over me, his hands tracing possessive paths along my exposed thighs.

“This dress,” he muttered, voice thick with frustration, “is a damn problem.”

I didn’t wait for him to make the next move. I yanked him back toward me, fingers curling in his hair as I kissed him harder, deeper, pouring everything into the contact of our mouths. His growl vibrated against my lips, his hands sliding up, leaving a zing trail over my hips as he pulled me even closer.

He pressed himself between my legs, and I felt the hard, undeniable proof of his arousal against me.

“You like teasing me, don’t you?” he whispered against my ear, his tone a seductive threat. “Think you can handle it?”

“Maybe I like seeing you lose control,” I shot back, my voice a daring taunt.

He tilted my chin up, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip before he kissed me again, rougher this time. My hands found the buttons of his shirt, fumbling in my haste until I gave up and tore it open, letting my fingers explore the hard nes of his chest. He shuddered under my touch, his breathing uneven, and I knew I had him just as hooked.

“You’ve got me worked up, baby Vixen. So now, I’m going to make you beg.”

Without another word, he pushed me back, his mouth trailing down, marking a path of fiery kisses along my neck, his hands exploring every inch of me with a greed that left no space for doubt. His fingers dug into my skin, his lips hot and demanding, iming me like he’d never let go.

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