Ryan’s lips were fiery and intense, and his raw, unpracticed kisses were somehow the most seductive thing about him. My heart was pounding like crazy, and the heat flooding through me felt like my sanity was about to go up in flames. Ryan was tall, and the muscles he’d built from years of playing ball gave him this unmistakable masculine energy. I had no idea where my hands should go on him. I wanted to pull away and stop him from acting on impulse, but Ryan was more assertive than ever. His big hands kept me close, not letting me budge an inch. The more I tried to resist, the tighter he locked me in. Ryan’s handsome face was burning red, and the look of desire in his eyes set my heart ablaze. Just as he was about to go for my collarbone again, I quickly pushed him away.
Forced to break away in the heat of passion, Ryan’s intoxicated gaze was suddenly filled with surprise.
“Ryan, let’s not do this,” I said. Even though I was planning to break things off with Nathan, I couldn’t just move on instantly. I needed to give both Ryan and myself a chance to calm down. Rushing things in love always ends badly.
“You’re not willing to be with me?” Ryan’s shock faded into disappointment. He dropped onto the bed beside me, his gaze falling to the floor. “You’re having your first time, but I’m not,” I blurted out without thinking, my mind in chaos.
“So only your first time matters?” Ryan looked up at me. “Shouldn’t every time mean something?”
I was left speechless, unable to argue back.
Seeing me freeze up, Ryan stood up again. “Victoria, I just want to ask you one thing—do you actually want to be with me or not?”
His question left me speechless. After being reborn, falling in love wasn’t even on my agenda. But now, with all these amazing guys lining up to confess to me, is the universe seriously testing me with all this temptation? I’m only human—how am I supposed to pass this test? I’m no saint. Even saints would be tempted in my shoes.
“You still haven’t made up your mind?” Ryan asked, his voice laced with a touch of longing and frustration.
I nodded, not wanting to lie to him. “Ryan, please forgive me—I just can’t jump into this relationship so quickly.”
Ryan’s eyes fell, clearly stung. “Is it because of Uncle Ryan?”
I looked up at him, and Ryan locked his gaze on mine. “You don’t actually have a thing for someone like Uncle Ryan, do you?”
I quickly shook my head. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”
Ryan let out a soft snort. “Is it true you girls always go for older guys, thinking they’re more patient, more understanding, and will spoil you rotten?”
I held up a finger right away. “I swear, I’ve never thought that way. Whether a guy is good or bad has nothing to do with age. You might be younger than me, but you’re way more caring than any man I’ve ever met.”
“Really?” Ryan looked up at me, his eyes clear and intense. “Better than your ex-husband? Better than Nathan?”
I was speechless—I didn’t even know how to respond.
'It was just a throwaway line, so why did it have to drag those two into this mess again?' I thought, feeling a little annoyed.
Not wanting to get into it, I just mumbled, “Yeah!”
Ryan could tell I wasn’t even trying, and his face fell. “You can’t even bother to give me a convincing lie, huh?”
I gave a sheepish laugh. “Okay, fine, maybe I am picking on you a little. I just thought you’d be easy to trick since you’re younger.”
Ryan shot me a look, half annoyed, half helpless. “If you leave me, you’ll never find another guy who’s easier to fool than me. Trust me on that.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. When it comes to making me feel better, Ryan is unbeatable—he’s just so easy to tease and cheer up.
“Alright, I won’t trick you anymore. I really don’t want to see you looking all pitiful and about to cry,” I said out loud, but in my head, I couldn’t help picturing how Ryan would look with those red, watery eyes—honestly, who wouldn’t want to see that? He’d be so pretty and so easy to bully.
Ryan gave me a helpless look, then stood up and looked down at me. “I got carried away just now and didn’t think about your feelings. Sorry. I’ll try to control myself better from now on.”