Page 23

23

I wake to the sound of my phone vibrating on the nightstand. Sunlight spills through the blinds, casting soft golden streaks across my sheets. My body is still heavy with sleep, but the second I see his name on the screen, my heart kicks into overdrive.

Ryan.

There’s a missed call. A text waiting.

Ryan: "I need to see you." "I’m driving down to Tampa."

Excitement surges through me, flipping my stomach inside out. My fingers tremble as I hit the call button, pulse racing with each ring. When his deep voice finally spills through the line, I swear I forget how to breathe.

“Good morning,” he drawls, voice rough with sleep and something else—something thick and molten that makes my skin heat.

“Are you really on your way here?” I ask, trying not to sound too eager and failing miserably.

A low, knowing chuckle rumbles through the phone. “I was already in the car before I sent the text.”

My breath catches. “Ryan—”

“I can’t stay away from you, Natalie.” His voice drops, rich and smooth, like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. “I tried. I told myself to wait, to give you space. But after last night? After you ? Fuck that. We can’t have a night like that and then just go our separate ways like nothing happened.” He exhales sharply, like just the thought of it frustrates him. “I want my days off with you. I need my days off with you. Unless I’m ruining your plans?”

His words steal the air straight from my lungs. I press my fingers to my lips, trying to contain the ridiculous smile stretching across my face.

“No,” I breathe. “You’re my plans now.”

He lets out a low, satisfied hum. “Good. Be ready for me, baby. I’m not letting you out of my sight for the next two days.”

I hang up, my entire body buzzing, and then it hits me.

This is real.

Ryan Pierce is driving across the state just to see me.

"Annika!" I scream, darting out of bed and down the hall, my mind racing. "Ryan’s coming here! Ryan Pierce is coming to our apartment!"

Annika, still in her pajamas, pokes her head out of her room, rubbing her eyes. “Wait, wait. Your Ryan Pierce? As in... giant, professional-wrestling superstar Ryan Pierce?”

"Yes!" I practically shout, pacing back and forth. “He’s driving down from Orlando. Right now. We don’t have time for questions!”

Her eyes widen, and she slaps her hands to her face in disbelief. “Oh my god! I can’t believe this! You’ve landed a freaking wrestler! Natalie, do you realize what this means?”

I laugh, still too frazzled to fully process her excitement. “What does it mean, Annika?”

“It means you’re dating a hot giant! You’ve leveled up, girl! We need to clean this place up. And you—” she points to me, “—need to pick out something cute. You can’t just greet Ryan Pierce in sweats.”

"I know, I know!" I dash back to my room, rummaging through my closet while Annika takes charge of tidying up the apartment. “I don’t think we’re dating though, right now it’s just, fuck I don’t know, hooking up? We haven’t discussed anything; we haven’t even been on a date.”

“You’ve basically hit the jackpot, you know that?” Annika calls out from the living room. “He’s freaking gorgeous—chiseled muscles, tattoos, that whole broody thing going on... and a wrestler! This is like something out of one of your cheesy romance books!”

I roll my eyes, trying to focus on what outfit to wear. “It’s not like that.”

“Please,” Annika scoffs, laughing. “It is exactly like that. I bet you’d have him body slam you in the bedroom, no hesitation.”

“Annika!” I yell, embarrassed but laughing anyway. “Stop!”

By the time I settle on a cute sundress and heels, Annika has cleaned the living room and kitchen, leaving the apartment looking somewhat presentable. Then the moment comes—there’s a knock on the door.

“Oh my god,” I whisper, frozen in place.

“Don’t freak out. I’ll answer it.” Annika smirks, rushing to the door. She swings it open, and I hear a low voice—his voice.

“Hi,” Annika greets him confidently, her eyes widening as she takes him in. “You must be Ryan. I’m Annika, Natalie’s roommate. Nice to finally meet you!”

Ryan, towering in the doorway, smiles and reaches out to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Annika.”

Annika looks like she’s doing her best to hold it together, but I can see her sneaking glances at him, clearly impressed by his size. “Wow, you’re... uh, huge,” she blurts out, and I stifle a laugh from where I’m standing.

Ryan chuckles softly, glancing over Annika’s shoulder to find me standing a few feet away. His eyes lock onto mine, and everything else fades. Without another word, he steps inside, brushing past Annika, and closes the distance between us in a heartbeat. Before I can even react, his large hand cups my face, his lips crashing down on mine in a kiss so intense that I forget to breathe.

He kisses me like he’s been starving for me—like he couldn’t wait another second. His hand grips my waist, pulling me flush against his hard body, and the world disappears around us.

Annika clears her throat awkwardly. “Okay, well, I’ll just... leave you two alone.”

I pull back from Ryan, my cheeks flushed as Annika gives me a sly grin before disappearing down the hall.

Ryan’s gaze is locked on mine, dark and brimming with an intensity that makes my knees weak. “Fuck,” he mutters under his breath, his voice low and rough. “I have no control when it comes to you.”

A shiver rolls down my spine at his words. Good.

Without another thought, I grab his hand and lead him toward my bedroom, my pulse hammering. The second the door clicks shut, he’s on me again—hot, demanding, completely unhinged. His mouth crashes against mine, his kiss deeper, hungrier, as his hands roam my body like he’s desperate to relearn every inch of me.

His fingers find the straps of my dress, sliding them down my shoulders, his touch slow and reverent, as if he’s unwrapping the most precious gift. The fabric pools at my feet, leaving me bare before him, and the way his eyes darken sends a rush of heat straight through me.

“Fuck baby,” he breathes, his rough palms skimming over my curves, memorizing every dip and swell. “You are so fucking beautiful.”

Before I can respond, he lifts me effortlessly, his strength dizzying as he lays me onto the bed. He leans back, stripping off his shirt, and my mouth goes dry at the sight of him. His chiseled chest, the way his tattoos shift over hard muscle, the raw masculinity radiating from every inch of him—it’s overwhelming in the best way.

“Ryan…” I whisper, reaching for him, needing to feel him against me.

He catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm before pinning it above my head. “I need to take my time with you.” His lips trail down my throat, across my collarbone, over the swell of my breasts, each kiss branding me as his. “I need to hear you say my name the way you did last night.”

A moan slips from my lips as his mouth finds a sensitive peak, his tongue teasing, his teeth grazing, and I arch into him, completely lost to the pleasure he gives.

His hands map my body like he’s trying to commit me to memory. My hips, my thighs, the dip of my waist—he explores every part of me, leaving me trembling beneath him.

And when he finally strips off the last of his clothes, I can’t look away.

He’s massive. Perfect. A masterpiece of strength and power.

Ryan settles onto the bed next to me, pulling me on top of him, his hands gripping my hips, guiding me as I straddle him. His gaze is fierce, possessive, full of raw need.

“Ride me, baby,” he murmurs, his voice dark and full of promise.

I brace my hands on his chest, feeling the wild thrum of his heartbeat beneath my palms as I sink onto him. The stretch is overwhelming, delicious, and I gasp, gripping his shoulders for support.

“Fuck, Natalie,” he groans, his hands tightening on my hips. “You feel amazing.”

I move, and everything else falls away. The rhythm, the way he fills me, the way he worships me with every touch—it’s intoxicating. The pleasure builds, higher and higher, until I’m teetering on the edge.

“Fuck yes, baby,” he growls. “I want to feel you fall apart—shatter around my cock. I’ve got you.”

And when I finally fall, I fall hard. He’s right there with me, his deep groan vibrating through his chest as he finds his release. I scream his name, the sound tearing from my throat, raw and wrecked.

“That’s it, baby,” he pants. “Tell them who you belong to. Scream my name so everyone knows you're mine now.”

I collapse against him, breathless, his arms wrapping around me like he never wants to let go.

He presses a kiss to my forehead, his fingers tangling in my hair, and when he speaks, his voice is nothing but a reverent whisper.

“You’re fucking incredible.”

I smile against his skin, completely and utterly his.

After a while, we get dressed and head down to the beach in Ryan’s truck. The drive is quiet but comfortable, the hum of the engine and the faint crash of waves in the distance creating a peaceful rhythm. When we reach a secluded spot, he backs into a space where the ocean stretches endlessly before us, the moonlight shimmering on the water like liquid silver.

Ryan hops out first, moving with an effortless confidence as he pulls a few blankets from the back. The salty breeze tousles his dark hair as he spreads them out in the truck bed, patting the space beside him. “Come here, baby.”

I climb in, settling beside him as we lie back, staring up at the night sky. The air is crisp, the steady crash of waves filling the silence between us, but it’s a comfortable quiet—one that makes me feel like I could stay here forever.

Ryan shifts onto his side, propping his head on his arm as his gaze locks onto mine. His fingers brush against mine, the smallest touch, but it sends warmth spreading through me. “I want to know everything about you,” he says, his voice low and sincere.

I smile, my heart swelling at the intensity in his eyes. “Ask me anything.”

He studies me for a moment, then starts simple. “Where did you grow up?”

“Tampa,” I answer, watching as he nods. “You?”

“Miami,” he says, a small smile tugging at his lips. He’s relaxed here, the tension I often see in his shoulders gone. But his expression turns more serious when he asks, “Is your uncle the only family you have left?”

I hesitate, swallowing against the lump in my throat. “Unfortunately, yes.”

His jaw tightens slightly, and he shifts closer, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. “You never have to depend on him for anything ever again,” he says, his voice firm, unwavering. His fingers thread through mine, holding tight. “You have me now. I promise you’ll never need anything again.”

Something in my chest cracks open at his words, the weight of them sinking deep. No one has ever said something like that to me before—no one has ever meant it like he does.

Overcome with emotion, I lean into him, my lips crashing against his in a kiss full of need, gratitude, and something deeper that I don’t dare name yet. He responds instantly, pulling me against him, his arms wrapping around me as if he never wants to let go.

We stay like that for a long time, tangled in each other, lost in the lull of the waves and the steady beat of his heart.

Eventually, we climb back into the truck, and as Ryan starts the engine, I glance over at him, curiosity sparking in my chest. “Tell me about your next match.”

His face lights up, his passion undeniable. “It’s the qualifying match for the championship,” he says, his excitement contagious. “I’ve been working for this moment my entire career. It’s surreal that it’s finally here.”

I smile, warmth blooming in my chest at how much this means to him. “You’re going to be amazing. I can’t wait to watch you.”

His expression softens, and without hesitation, he reaches over and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together as he drives. I glance down at our intertwined hands, something inside me shifting.

It feels like a turning point—like something unspoken but undeniable is settling between us.

And I don’t ever want to come down from this high. From him. From us.