Page 205 of Tag

My eyes widened, realization hitting me like a truck. If Mom knew, of course Papà and Nonno knew too. Shakira would soon, no doubt, but she’d be dead to the world until at least noon.

Papà caught my look, grinning like he’d been waiting for this moment. “You didn’t think I’d be out of the loop, did you? Not for my baby girl. Had a long talk with Billy. We’re ecstatic.”

I wanted to crawl onto the floor and disappear.

Ryder came around the corner, his varsity jacket over a plain black hoodie, black sweats, his shoes laced tight. He looked like he hadn’t missed a minute of sleep. His eyes found mine instantly, a slow, knowing grin spreading across his face like wildfire.

“Morning again,” he said, greeting my family easily before locking back onto me. “I’m here for you.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry as dust. I had to work not to think about the way he’d had me beneath him hours ago, the way his mouth had felt between my thighs. I forced a smile, leaning against the counter. “And what are your intentions?” I questioned.

“That was my line,” Papà joked, folding his arms over his wide chest to try and look stern.

Ryder’s grin widened, lazy and cocky in a way that made my heart stumble. “It’s a surprise, but it involves iced coffee.”

I was grabbing my phone and moving toward him on my next breath. “Say less.”

I could practically feel Sugarmama’s smirk drilling into the back of my head.

“Be back by one,” Dad called after us. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, young man.”

“That might be the worst advice you’ve ever given,” I heard Mom say as we rounded the corner together.

I slipped my shoes on at the door, then Ryder took my hand, his grip firm and warm, leading me out. The cool morning air bit my cheeks. His truck sat in the center of our driveway, black paint gleaming under the sun.

“Where are we going?” I asked, glancing up at him.

“You’ll see.”

He opened the door for me, hand steady at my waist as I climbed in. The scent of fresh coffee hit me instantly, my iced heaven waiting in the cup holder. I caught sight of a flannel blanket folded in the back and a basket tucked beside it. The scent of something warm and buttery wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble. Ryder jogged around the front of the truck, sliding into the driver’s seat. He reached over, fingers brushing mine as he checked my seatbelt, his touch lingering for a second too long.

“So… where are we going?” I asked again as he pulled down the drive.

He let out a low laugh. “Do you know the meaning of a surprise, Sass?”

“I like to be prepared.”

His grin widened, that lazy tilt making my stomach flip. “Just trust me.”

He turned onto our street, the truck rolling slowly past the manicured hedges and pristine gates, the kind that looked more like museum displays than actual homes. I watched the gleaming facades disappear behind us, each one polished and perfect, hiding secrets in every marble corner.

A thousand thoughts clawed at the edge of my mind, but for now, with him beside me, I could keep holding everything together.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

SANJANA

Fifteen minutes in, I started to recognize the route. The winding roads, the way the trees thickened, and the houses thinned out.

We were heading toward our lake.

Ryder kept one hand on the wheel, the other, the one still wrapped in gauze, rested casually on the console between us. The radio played low, some soft, bluesy guitar that matched the light slanting through the windshield. It was a beautiful fall morning.

I shifted in my seat, my fingers curling and uncurling against my thigh. “So…” I started, my voice coming out more hesitant than I wanted.

His mouth twitched, eyes still on the road. “So?”

“Did you see that video this morning?”

---