Chapter 9
MARYAM
I don’t know how long we’ve been lying in bed, but at some point, the morning light turned golden, creeping in through the curtains, painting Riku’s bare, tattooed chest in soft shadows. Not that anything about him is soft.
I should be moving, showering, getting dressed, but instead, I’m still pinned under him, his hand possessively resting on my thigh, fingers tracing absent patterns on my skin like he has no intention of letting me go. And maybe… Maybe I don’t want him to.
But that’s not an option.
I stretch, ignoring the way my body aches in places I’ve never felt before.
“I need to go home,” I murmur.
Riku doesn’t move. Doesn’t react at all. Like I didn’t even speak.
I lift my head. “Riku.”
His fingers pause against my skin. Then, slowly, deliberately, he lifts his head, dark eyes locking on mine.
“Not happening.”
“What?”
“You’re not going home alone.”
I sigh, pushing at his chest, but he doesn’t budge. “I need to change clothes, shower, and—”
“I’ll take you.”
My breath catches. I stare at him like an idiot. “You’ll take me?”
His lips curl, like I said something funny. And God, he looks so handsome like this. Happy. Relaxed. Warm under all that hardness.
“Yeah, baby. I’ll take you.”
I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. “That’s not necessary.”
“Not up for debate.”
Of course it isn’t. I exhale sharply, but he just smiles, like he’s already won. Which, let’s be real, he has.
* * *
RIKU
She thinks I’m letting her out of my sight? Not happening.
She shifts, stretching again, and my eyes drop to the marks I left on her. Fuck. I want to cover her with more of them.
I smirk, watching her get out of bed, completely naked. Not an ounce of shyness. Like the fucking queen she is. Gorgeous and confident.
She reaches for my discarded shirt, pulling it on, and something in my chest tightens. Mine.
My voice comes out rough when I croak out, “let’s roll.”
Maryam raises a brow, but she doesn’t comment.
She goes to freshen up in the bathroom, then I watch her dress. When she’s finally ready to go, lips still kiss-swollen, glowing from being thoroughly fucked all night, I know one thing for sure. She might be leaving my house. But she’s coming back. Tonight. And every night after that.
* * *
MARYAM
I don’t know why I thought this would be simple. That I could just grab my things, take a shower, and have a moment to breathe before figuring out what the hell last night meant. But nooooo. Because Riku Watanabe doesn’t do simple.
He drives with one hand on the wheel, the other one possessively resting on my thigh, his grip firm, as if reminding me I’m his.
I should be annoyed. I should push his hand away. But I don’t. I can’t. Because the second he moves, the second he squeezes just slightly, a fresh wave of heat rolls through me, and I have to press my lips together to keep from whimpering.
And he notices. Of course he does.
His fingers flex, and when I finally gather the courage to glance at him, he’s watching me from the corner of his eye, amusement flickering in his dark irises.
He smirks. “You okay?”
I roll my eyes, turning to the landscape outside my window.
Riku lets out a low chuckle, but he doesn’t say another word. Smug bastard.
* * *
RIKU
Maryam thinks I’m just dropping her off. That I’m going to pull up, let her out of my car, and drive away like last night was just a onetime thing. She’s so fucking cute. And so fucking wrong.
I park in front of her building, cut the engine, and step out. I open her door, arching a brow. Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t argue. I follow her up the steps, my hand resting on the small of her back, guiding her forward. She unlocks the door, steps inside, then turns like she’s about to fucking shut me out. I step in after her.
Her brows lift. “You’re coming inside?”
I cock an eyebrow. “What do you think?”
She huffs, walking further inside. “Make yourself at home… I guess.”
* * *
MARYAM
Riku’s looking around like he’s checking my place for threats.
I roll my eyes. “You think someone’s hiding in my closet?”
He doesn’t answer.
Just stalks from room to room, his expression calm and sharp, like he’s filing every single detail away.
I cross my arms. “I don’t need a bodyguard, you know.”
He levels me with an intense look. “Not your bodyguard, babe. Just a man who’s not letting anyone get near what’s his.”
My stomach flips. Because there it is again. That certainty. That sureness. Like we’re already a thing. Like I was always going to be his.
I exhale, shaking my head. “I need to shower, Riku. You can go. Thank you for… everything.”
He scoffs. “I’ll wait.”
“You—”
“You’re coming back to my place later, anyway.” He shrugs like it’s that simple. “Might as well make sure you get there safely.”
My mouth opens. Closes. I don’t even know what to say to that. Because the scary thing is, he’s right. I know it. Riku knows it.
I’m so screwed.