I didn’t even let him answer. “He’s already taken,” I cut in sharplyb, /bmy tone making it clear.

    The girls‘ eyes shifted from me to his hand still firm on my waist, and slowly they backed away, some disappointed, some jealous. and honestly, a small part of me felt satisfied, like I had just won something.

    After the g ended and the crowd thinned, Ryan leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. “So… do you want to go back to

    your dorm? Or maybe you’d rather stay with me tonight?b” /b

    bMy /bstomach flipped instantly. “I want to,” I admitted softlyb, /b“but I have an early ss tomorrow. Didn’t byou /bjust tell the

    freshers to focus on their studies?b” /b

    He groaned and rubbed his face with his hand. “You’re really going to use my own words against me? That’s evil.”

    Iughed quietly. b“/bIf Ie with you, I bwon’t /bget any reading done.”

    “I promise, I won’t touch youb,/b” he said quicklyb, /beyes narrowing in yful seriousness.

    “Ryan…” I arched my brow at him.

    “I swear! Behaved, Angelic. Just stay with me. Please. I’m tired of sleeping on that cold bed alone.” bHis /bexpression softened

    into that boyish face, making him look twenty–threeb, /bnot the intimidating man everyone else saw. Just Ryanb, /bwho wanted

    me there.

    I sighed, shaking my head. “Fine. But just sleep. Nothing else, alright? I don’t want to wake up sore tomorrow morning.”

    He instantly grinned like a kid who just got exactly what he wantedb. /bb“/bYes, ma’am.”

    I rolled my eyes, trying not tough, and then added, “But I also want to read my books before bed tonight. I mean it.”

    He groaned again, then shrugged. “Fine. You’ll read. I’ll even assist byou/b. Think about it, it’s an advantage bto /bthe both of us. I studied the same course, I know bexactly /bwhat you’re struggling with. bYou /bwant to studyb, /bI want byou /bon my bed tonight, it’s

    the perfect deal.”

    b“/bYou’re impossible,” I mutteredb, /bthough the smile betrayed me.

    He leaned closer, smirking. “and you love it.”

    and the worst part was, I did.

    “Fine. Let’s go get my books from my dorm,” I bsaid /bfinally.

    “Períect.b” /b

    He drove me thereb, /band I went bup /bto grab my things. bI /bdidn’t bjust /btake my books though, I packed an overnight bag too. When I came back down, Ryan was waiting casually by his bcar/bb, /bhis smug look saying he knew I would bring more.

    Just as I reached the car, Sasha came out with Caleb. She spotted me immediatelyb, /bfrowning. “Anna? Where are you going?”

    I smiled lightly. “I’m staying bover /bat his ce. I’ll see byou /bin ss tomorrow”

    Her brows furrowed in confusion as her eyes darted between Ryan and me, but I didn’t let her say anything else. I blew her a kiss, turned awayb, /band slid into Ryan’s car.

    He started the engine, and just like that, we drove off.