Page 34 of Hate To Love You

Why does she insist on being difficult literally all of the time?

Chapter 21

Ryker

As we stand in the front yard of the Elite mansion, the cool autumn air whips around us, and I imagine Gwen is freezing due to the lack of clothes on her body, but she doesn’t show it.

She stands in front of me with a glare, arms crossed, and being as stubborn as ever. I want to take her home. She’s drunk, she was almost taken advantage of by some fucking creep, and there’s something behind her eyes that makes her look damaged.

Was something bothering her? Is that why she got so drunk tonight?

I take a step closer to her, but only slightly so she doesn’t back away from me.

“Please, let me take you home,” I plead, attempting to sound less demanding in hopes it will make her more inclined to do what I say. But no such luck.

“No. I’m staying,” she says defiantly. Oh, I want to strangle her right now. I close the gap between us, and Gwen doesn’t even flinch.

“No, you’re not,” Gwen’s breath quickens, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She looks fucking beautiful as her blue eyes narrow, searching mine.

“I can do whatever I want, Ryker,” she practically slurs. Fuck, she is wasted.

I move in close to her face, our lips almost touching.

“You are insufferable,” I whisper, watching goosebumps form on Gwen’s arms and chest as her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. Her arms fall to her sides, and she licks her perfect red lips.

“And you’re a dick,” she says simply. I hold back a laugh, bringing my hand to her pink cheek, sweeping my thumb over it a few times. I can smell her perfume and the copious amounts of alcohol on her breath.

“If I’m such a dick, why does your breath hitch whenever I get close?” I move even closer, so we are chest to chest. “Why do you get goosebumps every time I touch you?” I move my hand from her cheek, down to her bare side, causing her to intake a sharp breath.

And then, I slowly trace my fingers down her taut stomach, past her naval, and down to the spot between her legs. I cup her pussy above the thin shorts under her skirt and her breath ceases. “And why are you so wet?” I search her eyes for any argument, but nothing comes. God, what I wouldn’t give to be inside her, to feel her wetness, to smell her arousal.

I brush my lips against hers, not enough to qualify as a real kiss. Just enough to be a tease and leave her wanting more. My dick twitches in my jeans, and if we weren’t standing in my front yard surrounded by drunk partygoers, and if Gwen wasn’t so drunk, I’d rip her pants off right here and devour her.

Backing away slowly, I watch as Gwen’s eyes open slowly, finding mine.

“I’m taking you home. Now,” I say, hoping that she’ll surrender and just do as she's told.

“I’m. Staying,” she enunciates each word, baring her teeth. I growl, having had enough of this incessant game she’s playing. I’m annoyed, very fucking pissed off, and she’s being a stubborn bitch.

An unamused laugh flies out of me.

“For what? So you can drink yourself into oblivion instead of talking about what’s wrong with you? So you can find some random guy to fuck?” I spit. I have no idea where that came from, but it’s out there now and I can’t take it back.

Gwen’s eyes narrow and her lips purse before a sinister grin overtakes her features.

“And so what if I did?” My blood runs cold. My fists clench, and a low snarl begins in my throat.

“Watch it, Gwen,” I grit my teeth, my jaw hardening. Gwen steps closer, but we’re not quite as close as before.

“Or what?” she challenged.

“Don’t.”

Is she trying to piss me the fuck off? Her arms cross again.

“What are you going to do about it?” her words remind me of the ones I said to my father at our last encounter after his empty threats.

But one thing about me, I always keep my word.

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