THIRTY THREE - RYDER

Ryder As I held her, she felt delicate, her breath trembling against my chest. Unlike before, her eyes weren't wide with surprise; they were closed, as if she were surrendering to whatever might come next. I could sense her vulnerability, knowing I could take her right there against the wall. The temptation consumed me as I toyed with the idea of lifting her up, pulling her close, and losing myself in the heat of the moment. But then reality crashed over me like a wave, drowning out the allure of my fantasies. I was overcome with shame at the mere thought of succumbing to such base desires. Before I could act on them, I pushed her away, my voice rough with self-disgust. "Stay away from me, Lexie," I snarled, retreating into the shadows as she stumbled back into the harsh glow of the streetlights. "Or I'll send you back to Ohio, where you belong." Her eyes narrowed and shone with intensity. When I said something mean, her mouth, swollen from our rough kiss earlier at the club, dropped o