Chapter Eight
Rygaard
I watch her.
She looks up at me with those wide, innocent eyes, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
She’s the sweetest girl I’ve ever known. But don’t let that fool you, push her to the edge, and she’ll turn the tables so fast, you’ll be the one tumbling over.
There’s so much fight in her. I can see it flickering like flames behind her eyes. She wants Wiley to pay, but not with her big brother stepping in to save the day.
“I know you don’t want me to do anything, but- ”
“It’s not that I don’t want you to,” she interrupts, “I just don’t need you to. I handled it.”
“You handled it?” I raise a brow. “Really?” She nods, her mouth twitching like she’s about to grin.
“Do you even know anything about Wiley beyond that he’s got a pretty face?”
She taps her chin with a finger, tongue poking out the corner of her mouth as she pretends to think hard. “Nope,” she finally says. “Didn’t want to. I only went out with him to get your attention. So now that it worked, screw him.”
“Language.”
“What? I can cuss,” she says, pouting like it’s the most unfair thing in the world.
“It’s not ladylike, Prez.”
“Whatever, Shadow .”
“Shadow?”
“Yeah, mister ‘always lurking in the shadows to watch over me.’”
“Well, someone’s got to keep an eye on you, Little Hellion.”
“Whatever, Ry.”
I swat her backside lightly, pulling a surprised yelp from her lips. “Your brother asked me to check on you. If he finds out you kissed me, and I let you grind on me like that, he’s gonna kill me and lock you in a cave made just for you.”
She snorts. “You’re such a dipstick sometimes.” Laughing, she rubs her backside and follows me as I head for the door. “So… what are we gonna do about this?” she asks, motioning between us.
“This? As in you and me?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Well, for one, we don’t tell Rafe. And two… I already told you. Ball’s in your court, but no sex until you’re older.”
She lowers her voice to a whisper, glancing toward the stairs. “There are plenty of girls my age who’ve already lost their virginity.”
I give her a look. “You’re just trying to rile me up.”
She grins, brushing past me and shoulder-checking me as she heads downstairs. “Or maybe you’re just a big scaredy-cat.”
I stop mid-step, faking offense. “Scaredy-cat? I resent that. Just because I’m trying to protect your virtue, ”
“Tsk. Hurtful names,” she mocks, rolling her eyes.
Before I can think twice, I grab her hand and pull her down the hallway.
“Ry, what the hell are you doing?” she asks as I drag her into Rafe’s room.
“Something that should’ve been done the minute you turned fourteen and started trying to drive me crazy with that damn smirk of yours.”
“You had no idea, and that’s what bugs you the most.” She squeals as I toss her onto Rafe’s bed. She’s not wrong, I didn’t know. And that does drive me crazy.
Rafe glances back at us, one brow raised. “I see Ry’s doing his part. Everything okay, sis?”
“She’s fine. Just needs a little attitude adjustment.”
Rafe snorts. “You’re like her brother, too. Do what you gotta do to keep her in line.”
He’s joking, kind of, but the way Presley looks at me, curious and wide-eyed, tells me she’s wondering just how serious I’ll take that.
“Alright, little sis,” I say in a low, teasing voice. “Kneel.”
She stops squirming. Her eyes search mine like she’s trying to decode me, then, slowly, she brushes off my hand and sinks to her knees in front of me.
My chest tightens. I shouldn’t find this hot. But damn, I do.
Leaning down, I whisper, “While that was sexy as hell, I only said that to see if you'd listen.”
She shivers at my words.
“Up. Across my lap.” I command, chancing a look at Rafe to make sure he’s still focused on his game and not what we’re up to.
She shoots me a look like I’ve lost my mind, but I lift a brow in challenge, and she rises, cheeks pink. I grab Rafe’s desk chair and sit down, waiting. She huffs but finally lays herself across my lap.
Her body radiates heat. Her heartbeat races. I feel it, her nerves, her anticipation. Hell, mine’s matching hers beat for beat.
She squirms, her skirt riding up just enough to reveal bare skin.
“You wore a thong?”
She sighs. “You saw the skirt. I couldn’t wear granny panties with it.”
She’s right, but seeing it now? A whole different story.
“Well then,” I say, voice low, “can you take your punishment like a good girl?”
She glances over her shoulder with a smirk. “Depends.”
“On?”
“Whether I like it or not.”
She’s dangerous.
I lift my hand and give her one firm smack, just enough to make her yelp and jolt in surprise.
“Ry! What the- ”
“Shh.”
Rafe doesn’t turn around, so I sneak another one in. She stiffens but stays quiet.
“Be good, or next time it won’t be your ass I’m teasing.”
Her breath catches, and when I help her up, she looks at me with tear-glossed eyes and a flush that has nothing to do with pain.
“Don’t look at me like that, Princess.”
“Like what?” she whispers, wiping her face.
“Like you want me to take you upstairs.”
“I do. But you’re the one who keeps saying no.”
“It’s not no, Prez,” I murmur. “It’s not yet .”
She smirks, shaking her head. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”
I nod toward the door. “Go on. Before your brother figures out we’re up to something.”
She walks out with a little squirm in her step, glancing over her shoulder like she’s already planning her next move.
Rafe finally turns around, eyeing me suspiciously. “Did you just… spank her?”
“Lightly.”
“Good luck, man. You’re gonna need it.”
“Oh, this?” I grin. “This is just the beginning.”