Chapter 196
88
CHAPTER 88
ANNA’S POV
Ryan was the first to enter my room when I screamed. Everything happened so fast that I didn’t even realize what was going on until it was already too late. I froze as I saw him rushing toward me, his expression filled with panic, his eyes scanning the room before landing straight on me, and that was when I realized I was completely naked.
“Oh my God,” I whispered under my breath, but before I could even grab something to cover myself, Ryan was already beside me. “Anna! What happened? Are you hurt?” His voice was loud, worried, commanding. He didn’t even think twice before lifting me and carrying me toward the bed.
“Ryan! No! Put me down!” I shouted, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck even though my whole body was screaming with embarrassment. He didn’t even notice, or maybe he did and just didn’t care. His focus was on me, his grip firm as he placed me on the bed. His face was close, too close. I could feel his breath brushing against my cheek, smell the faint trace of his cologne mixed with his own scent, that masculine smell that always did something weird to me.
“Anna, what happened? Why did you scream like that?” he asked again, his voice softer this time but still urgent.
“Ryan! Leave!” I yelled, clutching the blanket and pulling it tightly against my chest. My heart was pounding so hard that I could hear it in my ears. I’d never been so exposed, never been this naked in front of anyone, let alone him. “Get out p>
He froze for a second, finally realizing what he had done. His eyes widened, and I could see the exact moment the worry in his expression changed to something else, something that made my stomach twist. He blinked, his gaze flickering down for just a second before snapping back up to my face.
“I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…” he stammered, his voice rough, deep, hesitant.
“Then leave!” I shouted again, my voice breaking as I turned my face away from him. “Please, Ryan, just go p>
But instead of leaving immediately, he hesitated. His breathing was heavier now, uneven, and I could feel the air shift between us. His eyes darted away and then back to me, and even though I was wrapped up tightly, I could feel his gaze like it was touching my skin. That look… it wasn’t worry anymore. It was something else. Something darker. Something that made me pull the blanket closer.
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. “I’m sorry,” he muttered again, this time quieter, lower, almost like a growl. He turned away, his fists clenched as if he was holding himself back from something. But before leaving, he looked at me again, and that look… God, that look was filled with lust. The kind that said he wanted to do more, but he couldn’t.
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And then he left.
I sat there for a moment, clutching the blanket to my chest, my heart still racing like it wanted to jump out of my body. My hands were shaking, “He saw me naked,” I whispered to myself, completely mortified. “Ryan saw me naked p>
The thought alone made my stomach twist. I pressed a hand against my burning face and tried to breathe, but it was useless. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face, the shock, the guilt, and that last look before he left. The kind of look that said he was fighting something he shouldn’t feel. And maybe, deep down, I was too.
“God, what’s wrong with me…” I murmured, forcing myself to focus on anything else.
Then I remembered why I’d screamed in the first place.
I stood and went to the mirror, moving my hair aside, and there it was again. The tattoo. My breath hitched. His name. Ryan. On my neck. I touched it gently, hoping maybe it was drawn, or a prank, but it wasn’t. It was real. “ What the hell…” I whispered, “When did I even get this p>
My head began to spin. Nothing made sense anymore. “When did I become like this? When did a stupid crush turn into…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence. “This is crazy p>
My thoughts were scattered. My chest was tight. I felt like I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t calm down, so I walked to the bathroom, trying to take a long shower to clear my head.
By the time I came out, I felt a little better. My robe clung to my body, my hair wet as I rubbed it with a towel. I was just about to sit when my phone rang. I frowned when I saw the name. Sasha The same name I’d noticed earlier. Who the hell was Sasha? The heart next to the name made it even
stranger.
I hesitated but finally picked up. “Hello p>
“Oh my God, Anna! You’re okay!” A female voice came through, high–pitched and filled with excitement. “Thank God, I’ve been so worried p>
“Um… who’s this?” I asked, frowning.
“It’s me! Sasha!” she said, sounding offended. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me already p>
Forgotten? I didn’t even know who she was.
“I was so scared when I saw that blog post about you and Ryan!” she continued quickly, not even waiting for me to respond. “I knew it had to be Sophie! That girl is pure evil. I swear, if Ryan finds out she’s behind it, she’s done for p>
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“What post?” I asked, completely confused.
“It’s not online anymore,” Sasha said quickly. “Ryan must’ve had it taken down. You know him- he’s protective about you as hell. I swear, if he finds out Sophie was behind it, she’ll be six feet under by now p>
I blinked, completely lost. My head was starting to spin again. “What are you talking about?” But Sasha didn’t answer that. Instead, her next words hit me like a punch.
“What about your baby?” she asked in a rush. “Chris mentioned you had a fall, and I just kept praying nothing happened to the pregnancy. Please tell me the baby’s fine, Anna. I’m sure Ryan wouldn’t let anything happen to his baby p>
The phone slipped from my hand.
It hit the floor with a loud crack, shattering the screen. My body went completely still. My heart felt like it stopped beating. The words kept repeating in my head like a broken record.
Pregnancy?
Baby?
My baby?
Ryan’s baby.
My chest tightened, my vision blurring. My legs gave out beneath me as I clutched my head in pain.
And then everything went dark.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.