My heart stumbles in my chest. “Ryan,” I whisper, shaking my head. “You said you don’t date.”
“I didn’t,” he corrects, his eyes softening just a little, like he’s letting me see the side of him that’s usually hidden. He exhales slowly, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “But you also said you don’t date hockey players. Guess we’re both making exceptions.”
I stare at him, trying to process everything he’s saying. The words don’t come. My brain is in overdrive, and my heart’s already falling for him, whether I’m ready to admit it or not.
Ryan’s thumb brushes against my cheek, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. “I want to do this,” he murmurs. “I want to be with you.”
My brows furrow, despite the way my heart is screaming at me to just say yes and jump into his arms. “You really think you can just walk in here and claim me like that?”
Ryan leans in closer, his smirk growing as he presses his lips to my ear. “I don’t think, Isabella. I know.”
I roll my eyes, fighting a smile. “You’re impossible.”
Ryan chuckles, a rich, warm sound that makes my chest tighten. “And you’re mine,” he says, his lips finding mine before I can say another word.
In a swift move, he lifts me up into his arms and my legs swing around his waist. His hand slides down, grabbing a handful of my ass.
He pulls back, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “This is going to be so much fun. Get ready, baby, because I’m going to be a great boyfriend.”
God help me, I think I believe him.
32
RYAN
Inever thought I’d be taking a bath with a girl, but here we are.
I snuck her in while the guys were out, and we fucked the minute she walked into my bedroom. I made her come three times after she kicked my ass at Mario Kart, and then we finally got in the tub to clean up.
Washing her hair took way longer than I expected—guess I had the wrong shampoo for her curls—but I didn’t mind being there. I love taking care of my girl. There’s something about making her feel good that makes everything else seem unimportant. And I did just that, with a special toy I bought to use on her whenever she stays over.
I made her come again in the bathtub until she pushed my hand and the toy away, telling me she was too sensitive to have another orgasm.
I press a kiss to her shoulder, water beading off her skin as she sits between her legs, with her bare back pressed against my chest.
It should feel awkward. Uncomfortable. But it doesn’t. It just feels… right.
And the craziest part?
I’m herboyfriend.
That word still feels foreign. I’ve never been someone’s boyfriend before. Never wanted to be. Never thought I could be. But the night Isabella looked at me, and told me she wanted to end things, all I could think was…
Losing her is scarier than staying.
So, I stayed.
Her fingers trace idle shapes on my knee beneath the water. Lazy little loops and lines that vanish before I can figure out what they’re supposed to be. She’s quiet. Comfortable. Happy.
Which makes the guilt hit harder.
Because sneaking around with Nathan’s sister—my best friend’s little sister—was one thing when this was just casual. When it was late nights and locked doors and pretending it didn’t mean anything. Though italwaysmeant something. I was just too stubborn, too stupid, to admit it.
But she’s not some secret hook-up anymore.
She’s mine.
My girlfriend.
