Chapter 66
Lisa’s POV
Warmth.
That was the first thing I felt when I slowly opened my eyes. Sunlight poured in through the large window, casting golden stripes across the sheets. I blinked sleepily. My body was nestled against something firm
and warm.
It was Rylan.
His arm was wrapped protectively around my waist. His face was buried against the crook of my neck. He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. His hair was tousled and lips slightly parted.
He looked… peaceful. And heartbreakingly beautiful.
I watched him quietly. My heart was fluttering in my chest.
Last night came rushing back.
His touch. His kisses. The way he held me like I meant something. Like I was his whole world.
I had given him something I had never given anyone before. He had taken my virginity.
Sierra whispered gently, “He was gentle with us and kind. You felt safe. That is what matters.”
It does, I whispered back.
But now, with the morning light washing over us, I couldn’t help the nervous flutter in my stomach.
How was I supposed to act around him now?
Would everything go back to normal, or had something changed?
I shifted slightly.
Rylan stirred.
His lashes fluttered, and then those warm brown eyes opened slowly. For a few seconds, he just blinked up at me. There was a lazy smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He looked so adorably sleepy that my heart did a little flip.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
“Morning,” I whispered, my voice embarrassingly soft.
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead, then to my cheek, and finally, he kissed me full on the lips. The kiss was gentle, warm and just enough to leave me breathless.
“You’re in a good mood,” I said. I was giggling as he pulled back just enough to look at me.
“How could I not be?” he replied with a grin. “I woke up with the most beautiful woman in my arms. You
think I’m not going to enjoy every second of that?”
I rolled my eyes and tried to hide my smile. “You’re such a flirt.”
“And you like it,” he said confidently.
Cam
He sat up and stretched with a groan. The sheet slipped down his body and I immediately turned away, covering my eyes with my hands.
“Seriously?” he laughed. “You’re hiding from me? After last night?”
“It’s different in the daylight!” I squeaked. “I’m not used to this, okay?”
He walked toward me with that wolfish smirk that made me weak every time. “What, my body? Or waking
up in my bed after an amazing night with the man of your dreams?”
I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. He caught it easily and tossed it aside.
“You’re not shy with me when the lights are off,” he teased and crossed his arms. “But suddenly I get
sunshine Lisa and she’s all flustered?”
I buried my face in the sheets. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re adorable when you blush.”
He stepped even closer. The floor was creaking softly beneath his bare feet. “Come take a bath with me.”
“No, thank you,” I said quickly. “You go. I’ll join you later.”
“Wrong answer,” he said. He was already pulling back the covers.
“Rylan!” I squealed. I grabbed the sheet and held it to my chest.
He leaned down and scooped me up like I weighed nothing. “You’re seriously shy now? Lisa, come on. After the way you moaned my name last night, I thought we were past this.”
My entire face turned crimson. “Stop teasing me!”
“I will never stop,” he said proudly. “Not when you’re this cute.”
I hid my face in his shoulder as he carried me toward the bathroom.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” I muttered.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
He set me down gently in the bathroom and kissed the tip of my nose. “Relax. I’ll take care of you.”
And he did.
It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t wild. It was soft, full of whispered words and feather-light touches. There was laughter between kisses, teasing and warmth that wrapped around my heart like a blanket.
We didn’t need grand declarations.
We just needed each other.
Chas
Later, I stood in front of the vanity. I was brushing my damp hair while Rylan was adjusting the collar of his shirt. He looked unfairly good for someone who had just spent hours tangled up in bed with me.
He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He rested his chin on my shoulder. “I have a meeting which I can’t get out of,” he said reluctantly. “But the second it’s done, I’m all yours.”
“Are you always this charming?” I asked and turned slightly to look at him.
He kissed my neck. “Only for you.”
I leaned into him. “Okay. But I’m holding you to that.”
“You better,” he said. He stepped back and picked up his watch. Then he came over one more time and cupped my face in his hands.
He kissed my forehead. “My love,” he murmured.
The words made my breath catch. My heart raced.
I nodded. “Be safe.”
“I will.” He gave me one last wink before leaving and closed the door softly behind him.
And just like that, the room felt a little colder without him in it. But my heart was glowing.
I had never felt so wanted, so cherished.
This was what it meant to be seen and loved.
I took a deep breath. My cheeks were still warm from everything that had happened.
Sierra? I whispered.
Her voice was calm. You’re happy. I like seeing you like this.
I nodded. Me too.
I got dressed and stepped out into the hallway. Just as I turned the corner, I spotted Alexandra.
She was walking quickly. It seemed as if she was in a rush. Her expression was tight and unreadable.
“Alexandra!” I called.
She paused but didn’t look thrilled to see me. “Hey, Lisa. I’m kind of in a hurry.”
I walked closer. “I wanted to talk to you. Just for a second.”
She looked at her watch. “Can it wait? I’m really late.”
I frowned. “If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. You know that, right? You’re like a sister to me. I can help.”
My hand gently touched her arm.
Her body stiffened. Her eyes flickered, just for a second, with something that looked like panic.
“No,” she said too quickly. “There’s nothing wrong. Really.”
She tried to smile but it didn’t reach her eyes.
And I knew.
Something was definitely wrong.
But she wouldn’t tell me.
She stepped back. “I really have to go. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
I nodded slowly. “Okay. Be safe.”
She turned and walked away briskly.
I stood still for a second, debating.
Sierra whispered, Follow her.
I moved quickly down the hall and spotted one of the guards. “I need your help. Can you drive me
somewhere? Now?”
He straightened. “Of course.”
We got into one of the black SUVS and I pointed to Alexandra’s retreating car.
“We’re following her. Keep a distance. I don’t want her to know.”
He nodded.
My hands tightened around the seat.
Where was she going?
And what was she hiding?
Something in my gut told me… I was about to find out.
