8. Tessa

Eight

Tessa

I can feel the heat creeping up my neck. Ryu’s right next to me, his presence so overwhelming, it’s like the whole room tilts. My body is still buzzing from our moment outside.

Nia catches my eye, grinning from ear to ear like she knows exactly what’s been going on. And from the way Kenji looks between me and Ryu, I’m pretty sure he does, too.

“Heading out already?” Nia asks, her voice way too innocent.

I glance up at Ryu. “Yeah, we’re calling it a night.”

Ryu steps in closer, his warm hand brushing my lower back. It’s subtle, but enough to make my pulse quicken. “Gonna grab a drink,” he says, his voice low and smooth.

Kenji raises an eyebrow, exchanging one of those knowing looks with Nia, who’s trying not to burst into laughter.

“Sure,” Nia says, smiling wide. “Drinks.”

I feel my cheeks heat up, but Ryu doesn’t seem to care. He nods at Kenji, and they do that silent guy thing—no words, just a nod like they’ve agreed on something. Then Nia pulls me in for a quick hug, whispering in my ear, “Have fun, but not too much fun.”

I laugh but my heart’s racing as we make our way to the door. Ryu’s hand stays at my back, guiding me to the elevator. And I can feel Nia and Kenji watching us go. Oh God, what have I gotten myself into?

* * *

Ryu’s penthouse is massive. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across one side, giving a perfect view of the city below, sparkling with lights. The rest of the space is sleek, modern, expensive—everything I expected and much more.

But none of that matters. Not when I can feel him right behind me, his presence swallowing the entire room. Big, tall, the heat from his body, right at my back.

“You sure about this?” His voice is quiet, like he’s giving me one last out.

But I don’t want out.

I turn to face him, lifting my chin to look him in the eye. Fuck he’s tall. “Yes.”

He doesn’t wait. The second I say the word, he’s on me. His big hands grip my waist, pulling me against his hardness, his mouth crashes on mine, hard and possessive, like he’s been waiting for this just as much as I have.

* * *

Our clothes fall off into a messy pile. And his hands are everywhere—possessive, rough, like he can’t get enough of me. The way he looks at me, feral eyes raking over every inch of my body, makes me feel like I’m already his. And I can’t fight it. The way he touches me, the way his mouth claims mine—it’s like he’s marking me, telling me I belong to him. And I want it. God, do I want this.

I can’t stop staring at him. His body, hard and muscular, every inch of him screaming control. His tattoos snake up his arms, across his chest, and I can feel the heat coming off him in waves. He’s intense, square jaw clenched, caramel eyes burning with hunger. And all that attention is focused on me.

“You’re so fucking perfect,” Ryu growls, his voice rough. “Every fucking inch of you.”

The heat in his words makes me shiver, and my body responds instantly. My hips shift, pressing against him, and I can feel him—hard, ready, barely holding back. And it’s like every nerve in my body is on fire.

“Ryu…” My voice is barely a whisper, but he hears it.

He grabs me again, pulling me tight against him, and I let out a moan, feeling the full weight of him pressed against me. “You feel that? What you do to me?”

I nod, breathless, my skin burning everywhere he touches. His hands slide down, gripping my hips hard, like he’s staking a claim. His mouth moves to my neck, teeth grazing my skin, and I gasp, my body arching into him.

“I’m not gonna stop,” he whispers, his voice dark, low. “Not until you’re begging for it.”

My body is already begging. The heat, the intensity—it’s overwhelming, and I don’t want it to stop. I’ve never wanted anything or anyone this badly.

His fingers brush the bare skin of my stomach, and I swear I could melt right there. “Tell me what you want,” he growls, his lips brushing against my ear.

“You,” I gasp, my fingers gripping his arms. “I want you.”

He grins, that dark, predatory look in his eyes, and I know he’s about to make good on every filthy promise blazing through his eyes. “Good. Because you’re gonna get all of me.”