Chapter 17
Ryker
I’m standing at the edge of the pool, seething as I look down at Grace. She casts me a cheeky smile, her eyes glinting with defiance, and it only makes my anger burn hotter. She’s treading water, her hair slick against her skin, wearing nothing but her underwear. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and it’s driving me insane.
“Get out of the water,” I order, my voice rough with barely contained fury.
“Why?” she shoots back, her eyebrows crunching together.
“Because I said so,” I snap. The words come out harsher than I intend, but I’m not about to let her undermine me like this.
She smirks, and it only fuels the fire inside me.
“Come and get me then!” she taunts me.
Is this a joke? I stare at her, disbelief mixing with my anger. She’s pushing me, trying to see how far she can go. Why does she insist on testing me like this?
“You come out right now, or else!” I shout, my fists clenching at my sides. This isn’t a game, and she needs to understand that. I’m not in the mood for this.
“Or else what?” she asks, her voice teasing, though there’s a flicker of something in her eyes—uncertainty, maybe even fear.
“I’m serious, Grace,” I warn, my tone deadly. “I told you, you don’t want to get in trouble with me.”
She hesitates, her confidence faltering just the slightest bit. I can see her swallow, and I can see the nervousness in her gaze as she realizes I’m not bluffing. Even so, she doesn’t move. She’s trying to gather the courage to stand up to me, and I can’t deny that a part of me admires that.
Another part of me wants to drag her out of that pool and show her exactly who’s in charge.
“Nope,” she says after a moment, her voice steadier than before. She’s made her decision. “If you want me out of the pool, you’ll have to get me.”
She’s taunting me. And damn it, it’s working. My anger flares hotter, but so does something else. Something more primal.
“Or at least give me a good reason why I shouldn’t be in here,” she adds, a frown gracing her pretty face. “Because right now it just looks like you’re trying to be mean for no reason.”
“Mean?” I ask. “Oh, you have no idea.”
She doesn’t seem impressed and turns her back to me to swim to the other side of the pool.
Bad mistake.
Without another word, I strip off my jacket and toss it aside. Startled by the sound, she turns around and her eyes widen as she watches me, realization dawning on her face. I’m not backing down. She wanted this challenge—now she’s going to get it.
I notice her eyes on me, tracing the lines of my chest, the adoration in her gaze betraying the cool front she’s trying to maintain. That flicker of desire in her eyes makes my blood pump hotter.
Without wasting another second, I dive into the pool. The cold water rushes over me, but it doesn’t dull the heat of my frustration. I swim toward her with powerful strokes, determined to end this.
When I reach her, I lunge for her arm, but she’s too quick. She splashes water at me, laughing as she tries to get away. Her playful defiance only makes me more determined.
“Damn it, Grace!” I growl, my voice echoing across the water.
I reach out again, and this time, my hand makes contact. But instead of grabbing her arm, my fingers graze her boobs. I freeze as I accidentally pull down her bra; the fabric slipping under my hand. My fingers brush against her bare nipple, and for a moment, everything else fades away. The sensation sends a jolt of electricity through me, igniting something dark and primal inside.
Fuck, why does she have to be so damn enticing?
I push those thoughts away and finally get a hold of her, cornering her against the edge of the pool. She looks up at me, her green eyes wide, a hint of fear in them—but not enough. She’s still challenging me, still daring me.
“Why are you doing this?” I demand, my voice rough. “What would your brothers think about this?”
Her eyes flash with anger at the mention of her brothers.
“They don’t have to know,” she says, the stern tone of her voice confusing me.
Before I can fully process what she means, she wraps her legs around my waist, pulling herself closer. She brushes against my hardened cock, and I feel her stiffen in surprise. Her eyes widen for a split second, before she recovers and a sly smile curves her lips.
“Oh, look at that,” she teases, her voice dripping with amusement.
I clench my jaw, trying to maintain control. The feel of her so close, her body pressed against mine, is driving me insane. But I can’t let her win. I don’t trust her, and I don’t trust this game she’s trying to play.
“Why are you trying to seduce me?” I demand, my voice laced with suspicion. There’s something off about this, and I need to figure out what it is. “What could you possibly be up to, Grace?”
She averts her eyes, as if to hide from me, but then shakes her head, feigning innocence.
“I’m just taking a swim,” she says, her tone playful yet evasive. “You were the one who couldn’t leave me alone.”
I narrow my eyes at her, searching her face for any sign of deceit. But all I find is a girl who seems to enjoy the chaos she’s causing. I can’t let my guard down, not with her. Not when every instinct in me is screaming that she’s hiding something.
Her middle graces my hardened length again, and I almost groan with need. Before I know it, my hands are underwater, grabbing her ass and pulling her closer, until her sex is rubbing against my growing erection. She gasps, and her cheeks blossom with fiery red, while her intoxicating lips part as if to invite me.
“Is this what you want, you little slut?” I ask, tightening my grip on her, and she releases a moan that almost makes me lose control. It would be so easy to pull her panties aside and free my hardened length to bury myself inside her tight little body. So easy and so tempting.
“Maybe,” she breathes, fixating me with hazy eyes.
My cock almost explodes with need. I’m baffled, my mind spinning as I try to make sense of her actions. Is she trying something? Or am I just being paranoid?
She’s so fucking beautiful, so irresistible, but what could she possibly be trying to achieve here, other than getting laid? There has to be more to it—with women, there’s always more.
Her body pressed against mine, her legs wrapped around my waist—it’s enough to drive any man insane. I narrow my eyes, searching her face for a hint of her true intentions. But all I see is that bemused look, the way her lips curve, as if she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. Maybe she does. Maybe that’s the whole point. But right now, she is holding more power than I’m ever willing to relinquish. I want to bury myself between those tantalizing legs. I want to devour that tight little body of hers, but only under my terms. I won’t follow her lead, she will have to follow mine.
With a growl of frustration, I push her off me, forcing some distance between us.
“Fine, take your fucking swim,” I snap, my voice harsher than I intended.
She watches me with a mixture of surprise and something else—something that almost looks like disappointment. But I don’t linger to decipher it. I turn away, climbing out of the pool.
I can feel her eyes on me as I walk away, the weight of her gaze burning into my back. She’s getting under my skin, and I can’t let that happen. I won’t let her win this game—whatever it is she’s playing.