4. Tessa

Four

Tessa

I barely have time to process what just happened. One second, Ryu’s all intense stares and tension, and the next? His delicious mouth is on mine like he’s been waiting forever to kiss me.

And damn, the man can kiss.

His powerful hands are all over me, gripping my waist, my ass, cupping my boobs, pulling me so close I can barely think straight. I feel his body against mine—hard, strong, and every part of me is screaming yes . I can’t even pretend I’m fighting this. The way he moves, the way he’s looking at me like I’m the only thing that matters right now? It’s fucking addicting.

I barely manage to pull back for air, my chest rising and falling like I’ve just run a marathon. “You don’t waste time, do you?”

He grins. A cocky, I know exactly what I’m doing kind of grin. “Didn’t feel like it.”

I roll my eyes, although I’m still breathless. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”

Ryu chuckles, low and deep, stepping even closer into my space. His hand cups my face, fingers brushing my jawline, and I’m right back under his spell. “You’re into it.”

Damn it, I am.

But I’m not about to let him know just how far gone I already am. So I play it off, shrugging like his touch isn’t making me melt. “Maybe.”

That beautiful, smug smile of his gets even bigger, like he can see right through me. “Careful, sweetheart. I like a challenge.”

I roll my eyes, but my body betrays me when he moves his hand to my hip, his thumb brushing just under the hem of my sweater. I suck in a breath, my pulse racing. And Ryu notices. Of course he does.

“See?” he whispers, leaning in, his full lips just brushing my ear. “Your body knows.”

The cockiness should annoy me. But the way he says it, so possessive, so sure. I’m practically buzzing under his touch, and it takes everything in me not to just give in completely.

But I’m not gonna make it that easy for him.

“Big talk for a guy who’s only kissed me once,” I say, raising an eyebrow.

His fascinating, up-tilted caramel eyes flash, and for a second, I think he’s going to say something filthy, something that’ll make me lose my mind. Instead, he pulls back just enough to meet my gaze, his voice low. “Once is all we need to know .”

Oh, fuck.

My stomach flips, my legs go weak, and for a second, I’m not sure if I can stand on my own. And he feels it. The satisfaction in his eyes is obvious. Ryu Watanabe’s already got me hooked.

“Let’s see how sure you are after another,” I shoot back, trying to sound like I got it all under control.

Ryu’s grin widens, and before I can blink, his amazing lips are on mine again. This time, it’s slower, more deliberate. He’s taking his time, savoring every second. And fuck, it’s good. So good. His hands possessively roam over my body, pulling me close enough that I can feel just how hard he is against me.

My brain’s short-circuiting. All I can think about is how his touch feels, how his mouth tastes, and how much I want more. So much more.

I pull away a little, my voice coming out breathless. “Okay… maybe you’re on to something.”

Ryu smirks again, his hand slipping lower, fingers teasing the waistband of my jeans. “Told you.”

My pulse races, and I know we should slow down, take a second to think. But there’s no slowing down with this rascal of a man. Not when he’s looking at me like that, touching me like he knows exactly what I need and how to give it to me.