Chapter 65
Lisa’s POV_
It was already dark. The hallways were quiet. The usual hum of chatter and footsteps was missing. My
stomach growled softly as the scent of roasted chicken and buttered vegetables drifted in from the
kitchen.
“Dinner’s ready,” Rylan said, glancing at the large antique clock in the hallway. “But Alexandra is not back
yet.”
I frowned. “Still?”
He pulled out his phone and dialed her number. I watched his face as it rang… once, twice… then it went to
voicemail.
“She’s not picking up,” he muttered. “I don’t like this.”
“Maybe her phone is on silent?” I offered gently. “She did say she was meeting a friend.”
Rylan nodded slowly, but the crease between his brows didn’t disappear. “Let’s eat something in the meantime. Maybe she’ll be back soon.”
We headed to the dining room. The table was already set, and two of the pack chefs stood nearby. They bowed slightly when we entered. The food looked amazing, but I could tell Rylan’s thoughts were
elsewhere.
“She is probably fine,” I said again as I took my seat beside him. “She is a grown woman.”
“Yeah,” he replied while spearing a piece of chicken, but not eating it. “But I know her, Lisa. There is something bothering her. She was acting weird earlier.”
Just then, movement flashed at the corner of my eye. Alexandra.
She passed quickly through the hallway. Rylan stood up and followed her.
I stayed seated, but I could hear them talking.
“Alex? Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she replied quickly. Her voice was calm…too calm.
“Is your friend in trouble or something? You seemed really shaken earlier.”
“No. Everything’s fine, Rylan. Really. I just needed some fresh air and… distraction.”
“Come have dinner with us,” Rylan offered.
“I already ate outside. I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go to bed early. Goodnight.”
She didn’t wait for a response.
Rylan came back. He was shaking his head. He sat down again with a heavy sigh.
“She’s lying,” he said. “She’s definitely hiding something.”
“I’ll talk to her tomorrow,” I promised. “She might open up to me.”
He looked at me and smiled, his expression softening. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Of course.”
He leaned closer. The corners of his lips were tugging upward. “So… want to watch a movie and pretend
we’re normal people for a while?”
I chuckled. “Sure. What do you want to watch?”
“No, no. This is your call,” he said. He stood up and offered me his hand. “I don’t know if you’re more into action, horror… or those mushy chick flicks.”
I laughed and took his hand. “I like romance. With a little drama.”
“Of course you do,” he teased and guided me toward the cozy living room. “Let me guess… something with forbidden love, tragic fates, and lots of dramatic rain scenes?”
“Exactly,” I grinned.
Sierra chuckled in my mind. He’s got you figured out.
He really does.
Rylan grabbed the remote and flopped onto the couch. I curled up beside him as the movie started. It was soft and quiet, filled with longing glances and aching silences.
Halfway through, I became more aware of the way Rylan’s arm rested along the back of the couch. His fingers were just barely brushing my shoulder. Our knees touched. Every time he shifted closer, I felt my
heart race.
He glanced down at me. “You know, I think I am starting to like these ridiculous romantic movies.”
I tilted my head. “Really?”
“Yeah. It might be the company,” he whispered.
My breath caught.
Then, slowly, he leaned in.
His lips brushed mine. He was soft and hesitant at first. But I didn’t pull away.
Instead, I kissed him back.
Warmth flooded through me as his hands cupped my cheeks. His touch was gentle. The world around us faded-the flickering light from the screen, the worries about Alexandra, the looming darkness.
There was just this moment.
Me and him.
He pulled back slightly and looked into my eyes. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”
“Don’t stop,” I whispered.
He smiled and kissed me again, deeper this time.
My fingers found the front of his shirt. I clutched it as his hands slid around my waist. The way he touched
me was so careful like I was something precious.
Sierra murmured softly, He’s good for you. He sees you.
I know. I feel it.
Minutes passed. Maybe more. I didn’t care.
Then, without a word, Rylan scooped me up into his arms. I let out a soft gasp.
“You didn’t think I would let you sleep on the couch, did you?” he teased.
“You’re carrying me to bed like some fairytale princess,” I murmured.
“Because you are worth every fairy tale ever written,” he said seriously.
My heart squeezed.
He walked through the hall and pushed open his bedroom door. The scent of pine and warm musk greeted me. He set me gently on the bed and sat beside me. He brushed my hair from my face.
We kissed again. It was slow and tender.
His hands were soft, his voice low as he whispered things I didn’t even know I needed to hear. Promises of safety. Of wanting me. Of never letting me feel alone again.
There were no rushed movements. No urgency. Just emotion.
Love was blooming slowly.
Rylan’s arms stayed wrapped around me as we lay together, our bodies tangled beneath the soft sheets. The room was quiet now, except for the steady sound of his breathing and the slow beat of his heart against mine.
He pulled me closer. His hand was gently caressing my back. “You okay?” he asked, his voice husky and
low.
I nodded and rested my cheek against his bare chest. “Yeah… more than okay.”
There were no words for what had just happened between us, only the warmth still lingering on my skin
and the way my heart ached, not with pain, but something much deeper. Something real.
Sierra’s voice whispered softly in my mind. He loves you, Lisa. And you love him.
I didn’t respond, but I didn’t need to. My heart already knew.
Rylan kissed the top of my head. “Tonight meant everything to me.”
I looked up at him. “To me too.”
There was no rush. There was no need for promises or declarations in that moment. We both felt the truth in the silence we shared.
He tucked the blanket around us and pulled me tighter into his chest. “Sleep, sweetheart. You’re safe here with me.”
I closed my eyes, letting his warmth soothe every scar and silence every fear.
And in the quiet safety of Rylan’s arms, after a night where our two souls came together with raw
tenderness…
I finally let sleep take me.
I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.
But for tonight, everything was perfect.
