20.

I stepped back. “Is this one of your tricks to make me fall for you?”

An unreadable emotion flickered through Ryder’s eyes, something quick, almost too quick for me to catch. But then, just as fast, it was gone, hidden beneath that signature smirk of his as he leaned back against the fountain like he had all the time in the world.

“I don’t need tricks, Evie,” he drawled. “You’ll fall for me eventually.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “Wow. The ego.”

He grinned. “Confidence, baby.”

I rolled my eyes and turned away slightly, looking around. The garden was breathtaking, roses, ivy-covered arches, little lanterns hanging from trees, casting a soft golden glow. The venue itself felt like something out of a damn fairy tale.

“You know,” I said, trailing my fingers along the marble edge of the fountain, “for all the drama that just happened inside, this place is actually beautiful.”

Ryder hummed. “Alexander doesn’t do anything halfway. Even in his own estate, he has an amazing venue built just for his future wife.”

“Romantic,” I smiled. “Though, I was surprised you showed up at all. Even if you were told to do it .”

He raised a brow. “I live here.”

“Yeah, but you don’t seem like the bridal shower type.”

He smirked. “I came for the entertainment.”

I shot him a glare. “You mean my entertainment.”

“Exactly.”

I shook my head, looking out over the trimmed hedges. “I don’t get it.”

“What?”

“You,” I said, turning back to him. “Your whole thing. The way you act like nothing ever affects you.”

He just shrugged. “Maybe nothing does.”

I stared at him, trying to read past the easy smirk, past the charm. But Ryder was too good at keeping people at a distance.

I hesitated before asking, “Your mum…”

His eyes sharpened, just for a second, before he tilted his head. “Are we talking personals now?”

I gave him a look. “I just—never mind.”

He exhaled through his nose, his fingers drumming against the marble. “She left when we were fifteen Took off one night. Didn’t say a word.”

I blinked. “She just…left?”

He nodded. “Riley took it harder than I did. She still won’t admit it, but she spent years waiting for her to come back.” He gave a low chuckle, but it wasn’t amused. “Spoiler alert—she didn’t. All the drama, she acts as if mother was in our lives. She never was nor did she ever care. Until dad brought her back. Filed the divorce and took her to rehab so as she could get better.”

“What…caused her drinking problem?”

“She was lonely in the house, pouring her energy into drinking and making our lives a living hell. She wasn't okay mentally but she cheated and she also sold information of my father's business to his rival for money to buy drinks when she escaped from rehab. You know what's, it's much alright. And it's crazy, hence I don't mind my dad marrying your mum.”

I swallowed. That explained a lot. The way Riley clung to her father, the way she hated my mother with such a deep-rooted vengeance.

Her mother wants fine and yet her father had moved on when it wasn't her mother's fault. 

And Ryder—

I exhaled. “I’m sorry.”

He looked at me, really looked at me, and for once, the smirk was gone.

It made my stomach flip in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

But then, just like before, the mask slipped back into place.

“Careful, Evie,” he teased, that familiar smirk reappearing. “You almost sounded like you cared.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”

But I did care. I felt for him. Even the rich had their problems.

He chuckled, looking back toward the house. “I think I have had enough of this personal conversation.”

I nodded, then crossed my arms, I don't want to push him to.feelimh uncomfortable.“Okay… then tell me something else.”

He gave me a lazy side glance. “Like?”

I smirked. “Tell me why you’re so infatuated with me.”

He laughed, full and low. “Infatuated?”

I shrugged. “You keep popping up, saying things to make me blush, sneaking your hands where they don’t belong.” I tilted my head. “Sounds a little obsessed, don’t you think?”

His tongue flicked over his bottom lip, his gaze darkening slightly.

Oh.

I shouldn’t have said that.

He stepped forward, closing the distance between us, his voice lower this time. “Maybe because you fed me a potion that can't keep me away from you..”

I swallowed.

His fingers brushed against my wrist—light, teasing.

"Maybe because you ruined me that night, and now I can’t get the taste of you out of my system."

His fingers trailed up my arm, slow and deliberate, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Maybe because every time I close my eyes, I see you. Every time I breathe, I swear I can still smell you on my skin."

I took a step back, but he followed, his presence overwhelming.

"Maybe because no matter how hard I try to forget, my body refuses to." His voice dipped lower, husky, dangerous. "And now, every time I see you, I just want more."

My pulse pounded. “That’s not my problem.”

He smiled—a lazy, knowing smirk. “Oh, sweetheart, it is. Because now that I’ve had you once, I won’t stop until you’re mine again.”

I should have stepped back.

I should have said something snarky.

Instead, I just stood there, my pulse hammering in my ears.

Ryder let out a soft chuckle, stepping back just as my breath hitched.

“Good talk, step-sis,” he murmured before turning toward the house.

Something inside me snapped. With just his voice, I could feel my heart beat increased, my nipples hardened and I just could not let him go just like that.

I didn’t even think—I just reached out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him in his tracks.

He turned his head slightly, amusement flickering across his face. “Can’t get enough of me already?”

I huffed, trying to ignore the way my pulse thumped at the cocky glint in his eyes. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

His brows lifted. “Enjoying what?”

I stepped forward, closing the gap between us. “Toying with me. Acting like you have me figured out.”

His smirk deepened. “Do I have you figured out?”

I glared at him, but I could feel the warmth creeping up my neck, the way my body betrayed me under his gaze. “You’re so fucking full of yourself.”

He tilted his head, watching me like he was memorizing every reaction. “And yet, you’re still standing here. Holding onto me.”

Shit.

I let go of his wrist, but I didn’t move away.

Neither did he.

The air between us was thick. Charged.

His eyes flickered down to my lips, just for a second, and I felt my stomach clench.

I should have left.

I should have walked back inside and ignored whatever the hell was happening right now.

But then he reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his fingers trailing down the side of my neck.

Slow. Teasing.

My breath caught.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured, voice rough.

I swallowed hard, but no words came out.

He exhaled, something dark flickering in his eyes. “Yeah. Didn’t think so.”

And then he kissed me.

A sharp inhale got caught in my throat as his lips claimed mine, firm and hot, demanding. His fingers threaded through my hair, tilting my head back as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine, coaxing a sound from me I didn’t even recognize.

My hands moved on their own, fisting the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer.

I felt him everywhere.

His body pressing against mine. The way his hands roamed, gripping my waist, sliding lower, exploring.

I gasped against his mouth when his fingers found the slit of my dress, parting it, his palm trailing up my bare thigh.

“Fuck,” he muttered, dragging his lips down my jaw, over the sensitive spot just beneath my ear. “I knew you’d feel like this.”

I trembled as his fingers dipped higher, teasing the lace of my panties.

“Ryder—”