Ryder
As soon as Ariana left with Ethan and Mia, I felt an odd weight settle over me. The party was still going on around me, though it was slowly dying down. A few people lingered, some passed out on couches or too drunk to find their way home. Normally, I’d care enough to make sure everyone was alright, but tonight, I couldn’t bring myself to give a damn. My mind was elsewhere—still on the balcony with Ariana.
I kissed her.
And she kissed me back.
I could still feel the sensation of her lips on mine, the way her body had melted against me. That one moment spoke volumes about what was between us, and it wasn’t something I could ignore. I wasn’t going to give up on her, no matter how much she fought against the bond. Deep down, I knew she felt something too, even if she wouldn’t admit
