7. Ryu

Seven

Ryu

I keep my eyes on Tessa as I talk with Kenji. She’s trying to act normal, sipping her water, but I can see right through her. She’s rattled, trying to hold it together, and I fucking love it. The way she grips the counter, the slight shake of her fingers—it’s all because of me, and I want more.

Kenji says something, but my mind’s only half on the conversation. I love my cousin like a brother, but right now, all my thoughts are on my girl.

Tessa catches me staring, and our eyes lock for a second that feels like an eternity. I swear, just looking at her sends heat coursing through my veins. Every inch of her is a fucking temptation, and the fact that we’re surrounded by people only makes it worse.

I shift my stance, trying to keep it together, but I can already feel the tension building again. My body’s so fucking ready for her.

And I want her to want it just as bad.

Kenji says something about the family, and I nod, not really listening. My mind’s on Tessa. On the way her lips feel against mine, on how her body reacts when I touch her. And I’m not a patient man. When I finally get her alone, it’s fucking game on.

She glances over again, and I see the way her breath catches. Good. Let her stew in it for a bit.

Kenji claps me on the shoulder, pulling me back to reality. “You good?”

I nod. “Yeah, just… thinking.”

He chuckles, following my gaze to Tessa. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”

“I know exactly what I’m doing, brother.”

He shakes his head. He’s got a serious look on his face. “She’s Nia’s cousin, man.”

I stare him straight in the eye. Man to man. “I know that, Ken.”

My cousin raises an eyebrow, his eyes widening in understanding. “You sure?”

I grin like the fucking psycho I am. “Never been more sure of anything in my life, brother. She’s mine.”

Ken nods, grinning huge, then he claps me on the back and pulls me into a man hug. “About time, motherfucker.”

We both chuckle, then I break our embrace. Time to go get my woman.

* * *

“Ready to get out of here?”

Tessa’s breath catches, and I watch her pulse jump in the delicate hollow of her neck. She bites her juicy bottom lip. “You’re that sure of yourself, huh?”

I lean in even closer . “We both know what we’re feeling, baby.”

Her eyes flick up to mine, and there it is—that fire, that hunger. She fucking wants me. Needs me.

“Let’s go,” I whisper, and her big brown eyes widen.

I pull back, watching the war in her gaze. She wants to fight it, but I know it’s too late for both of us.