<b>Chapter </b><b>533 </b>


    Watching Ryan’s handsome face turn red from the drinks, and hearing him slur out that question, <b>something </b>tugged at my heart.


    I couldn’t believe Ryan actually cared about what my parents thought. With his status, he was <b>way </b>out of anyone’s league–he didn’t need to care about anyone’s opinion.


    “Yeah, they definitely like you,” I chuckled softly, trying to reassure him.


    “Really?” Ryan smiled. “That’s good.”


    As we walked down the cool garden path, Ryan pulled me into his arms and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “You’re giving off serious wifey vibes tonight.”


    I looked up at him. “These days, being called wifey material isn’t exactly apliment.”


    “Not to me…” Ryan murmured.


    His voice was a little husky. “I love how gentle you are, so soft and non–confrontational.”


    I smiled. “If you like it, that’s all that matters.”


    Finally, we reached the end of the long path. Ryan punched in the code and opened the door. Inside, everything was spotless, and there was a crisp, dry scent in the air.


    “Did someone clean up?” I asked.


    Ryan nodded. “The housekeeper came by.”


    I was thinking I’d help him tidy up, but looks like he doesn’t need me after all.


    Ryan lounged on the brown sofa, the alcohol clearly getting to him–he looked a little out of it.


    He reached up, fingers fumbling at his cor, and managed to undo a button.


    The crisp white shirt highlighted his youthful good looks, and that careless gesture gave him an edge of primal seduction.


    Ryan paused, his eyes a little hazy as he nced up at me. “Are you heading back?”


    I was about to, but Ryan pleaded softly, “Can you stay with me a little longer?”


    Yvonne was with Mariah, so I wasn’t in any hurry to leave.


    “Alright,” I said, heading to the dining room to grab him a bottle of water. After Ryan took a sip, he reached out and pulled me closer by the wrist.


    <b>I </b>copsed into his arms, and Ryan hugged me tight. “Vic, nights like this are so peaceful.”


    With my head on his chest, listening to his strong, pounding heartbeat–it was anything but quiet.


    On the contrary, his scent, all hormones and youth, was so intense it pulled at my most primal instincts.


    Honestly, when ites to physical stuff, I’m not usually the needy type. I always thought it was better to keep things under control.


    But ever since I got together with Ryan, I’ve realized it’s not that I don’t want to hold back–it’s just that having him next to me is pure torture.


    I stared at his lips–soft, dewy, and so temptingly red. For the first time, I just wanted to mess with him a little. I nuzzled against him in his arms, and he let out a low, sleepy murmur.


    Then I kissed his Adam’s apple, and Ryan finally looked down at me, his eyes hazy with booze and a hint of surprise.


    Before he could say a word, I nted another kiss on his chin. Ryan reached up and gently stroked my hair. “Vic, quit fooling around.”


    “I’m not messing around,” I insisted, but my lips were already moving toward his.


    Ryan stared at me, dazed, but I ignored his drunken haze and stole a kiss, tasting the heat between us.


    Ryan was so easy to tease—just a little initiative from me, and he turned into a zing fire, all passion and wild energy.


    “Vic, you started this… now you gotta take responsibility,” Ryan said with a yful grin, sweeping me up in his arms and heading straight for the bedroom.


    Our wild night was rushed, but honestly, it was way hotter than usual. Heading home, I couldn’t help but wish it hadsted longer.


    But with my folks visiting, I knew I couldn’t stay out toote.


    When I got home, I could hear Mariah nagging at my dad for drinking too much. He was already asleep, face down on the couch–probably didn’t hear a single word she said.


    When I walked in, Yvonne was already out of the shower, sitting cross–legged on the couch, watching anime and munching on fruit Mariah had cut up for her.


    “Vic, what’s the deal with you and those three?” Mariah blurted out.


    She’d been dying to ask at dinner, but kept quiet. Now that she finally had me to herself, she couldn’t hold back anymore.


    <b>***** </b>


    I turned to Yvonne. “Hey, since you’ve showered, why don’t you go hang out in my room with the iPad? I’ll help Mariah tidy up the living room and dining area.”


    <b>10:49 </b>Fri<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>5 </b>


    Yvonne replied with an “okay,” set down her fruit te, and headed into my room.