6. Tessa

Six

Tessa

My heart’s still racing as we head back inside. I can’t even think straight. Ryu just flipped a switch, and now I’m stuck between wanting more and trying to calm the fuck down.

I can still feel the heat on my body where his hands were on me. That grip on my ass? Yeah, it’s seared into my skin. The way he looks at me, like he’s seconds away from throwing me over his shoulder and taking me somewhere we can finish what we started, has my pulse running wild.

We step inside, and the warm air greets me. I try to gather myself, but every glance I steal at him just makes it harder. His fawny eyes are still locked on me, like he’s got no intention of letting me out of his sight.

I lean against the dark wood bar for a second, before pouring myself a glass of water to try to cool down.

Watching me, Ryu chuckles, standing way too close for me to relax.

I roll my eyes, even though I can’t hide the grin tugging at my lips. “Don’t get too cocky, sir.”

“Didn’t seem like you minded.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. He’s right, and we both know it. The tension between us is electric, and even though we’ve rejoined the world, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re seconds away from losing control again.

Nia and Kenji are off in the corner, caught up in their own conversation, probably blissfully unaware of the storm that’s brewing between Ryu and me. And I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or if I wish she’d come over and break this up before I dive headfirst into something I’m not sure I can handle.

But who am I kidding? I’m in it. Way into him.

Ryu leans close. His woodsy scent enveloping me. He presses a soft kiss on my lips before stepping back and turning away. I stare, wide-eyed, watching his tall, broad-shouldered form stride through the room. Firm ass tastefully molded in his tailored slacks, tattoos peeking from his rolled-up sleeves. Lord. And that defined back, so strong I can see the muscles ripple under the fabric of his shirt. His overlong jet-black hair falling past the collar of his immaculate button-down.

My stomach flips, and I have to grip the bartop to steady myself. He moved away, like he didn’t just obliterate my panties, and joins Kenji in conversation, acting like nothing.

I take a deep breath, trying to get my thoughts together, but it’s no use. Ryu Watanabe has already crawled under my skin.