Chapter 167
Chapter 167:
Oh, great. Now he thought something was wrong. Meanwhile, Layla was practically doing somersaults in my head.
“Tell him you’re fine,” she urged, her tone dripping with mischief. “Or better yet, ask him to take his shirt off again—you know, for science p>
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, my voice a little higher-pitched than normal.
Ryder raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching like he was trying not to laugh.
“I don’t believe you,” he said, his tone teasing. “You’ve been blushing since I walked in p>
My blush deepened. Of course, he noticed. Why wouldn’t he? The man could probably see through walls with those piercing eyes of his.
“I’m just… warm,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
Layla, on the other hand, was having the time of her life.
“Warm? Warm?! Girl, you’re practically steaming! He knows, and I swear if you don’t do something, I will p>
“Layla, shut up,” I snapped internally.
“What was that?” Ryder asked, clearly amused.
“Nothing!” I blurted out. “Just… talking to myself.” Smooth. So smooth. Ryder tilted his head, studying me with that lazy smirk that made my stomach flip.
“You’re an interesting one, you know that p>
Layla practically howled.
“Interesting? That’s code for ‘I want to kiss you, you adorable mess.’ Go for it! GO p>
I groaned, running a hand through my hair to avoid looking at him. “Thanks for the tea,” I said awkwardly, reaching for the cup. Anything to break this tension.
But as I grabbed the cup, Ryder’s fingers brushed against mine. A jolt of electricity shot up my arm, and my breath caught.
His smirk softened into something warmer, something… more dangerous.
𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗀ⱥ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀꞉ⅽ𝗈𝗆
“You sure you’re okay?” His voice dropped an octave, softer, more intimate.
I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t think. Layla was screaming in my head, and my body was betraying me in every possible way.
“I’m fine,” I croaked, though it was the least convincing thing I’d ever said.
Ryder chuckled, the sound low and rich, and it did things to me.
“If you say so.” He stood up, and my eyes couldn’t help but follow him. He stretched slightly, and his abs shifted in the most distracting way possible.
“Call me if you need anything,” he said, his tone laced with a knowing edge. Then, with one last devastating smirk, he turned and walked out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
And Layla’s endless commentary.
“Oh. My. Goddess. Did you see that? He’s so into us. You’re welcome, by the way. That spark? All me p>
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. I was in so much trouble.
Ace growled in satisfaction as I watched her still curled up on the bed, sleeping soundly. Morning light filtered through the curtains, and there she was—my mate. She needed rest, especially after last night. After marking her.
Hell, she needed all the rest in the world.
I sighed, reluctantly peeling her sleepy form away from mine. She mumbled something incoherent, but I hushed her gently. Breakfast in bed? Yeah, that sounded about right. But first, tea. She might wake up with an ache after what we shared last night, and I wanted her to feel soothed.
Walking out of the room, I felt a pang of regret. This past week, with all the fights and sleeping away from her, had been unbearable. But now that she was mine—fully, completely—I’d never leave her side again. Not a chance.
As I strode into the kitchen, Megan, my housekeeper, and a couple of staff froze like they’d just seen a ghost. Yeah, yeah, I wasn’t exactly a regular in the kitchen.