"seriously?"

"trust me," alice insisted. "he's not like the others."

"that's what you said with the last guy." riya paused for a dramatic effect. "he was a flat earther."

"how was i supposed to know? that guy was a geologist!" alice groaned, shoving another bite of pad thai into her mouth. "but ryland's different. i swear. he's a middle school science teacher, he's the type of guy who literally only has one fork and one spoon in his drawer because he lives alone, his favourite movie is notting hill, he has a cat named albert after albert einstein—"

"you're describing a serial killer," riya deadpanned. when she took another glance at his photo, she added: "in fact, look at how much this guy looks like jeffrey dahmer. with the glasses and all. not to mention dahmer's favourite movie was return of the jedi."

alice's forehead creased as she snatched her phone back. "why would i set you up with him if he was a serial killer? look at him. he's literally the least threatening person alive. he's the type of guy who would sing telephone by lady gaga when he's walking behind you in a dark alley so you wouldn't think he's a threat."

a beat. riya blinked. "that's oddly specific."

"a man is ten times hotter when he listens to gaga." alice nodded to herself like she just delivered a ted talk. "swear on my entire collection of dusty robert redford dvds."

that made riya go still. "do not use that card right now."

"oh, i'm doing it." alice smirked like a villain who knew she'd already won. "robert redford in indecent proposal."

riya groaned, biting her lip. "fine. but if this guy turns out to be another disaster, i'm burning your dvds."

alice grinned, already typing out a text. "deal. but you're gonna thank me when you see him in person."

"yeah, yeah, whatever." riya muttered, but she didn’t argue further. mostly because she was already mentally preparing her escape routes if this went south. again.

"okay so thursday, seven pm. it's an italian place. i'll send you the location. not too fancy, not too casual. you need to wear that black dress that made your ass look—"

***

the night of the date, riya arrived ten minutes late on purpose. just enough to make it clear she wasn’t desperate, not enough to be rude.

she wore something that she promised alice she would wear, only because alice wouldn't stop harassing her with video calls from her night shift, demanding to see what she was putting on. it was a simple black dress that hugged her curves nicely. the straps go around the back of her neck, leaving the shoulders and upper back bare. the neckline is cut straight across and hemline fells just in the middle of her calves.

but ryland grace didn’t wait at the table. he was pacing back and forth in front of the restaurant like a nervous penguin, hands shoved deep into his coat, shoulders hunched against the evening chill. he was wearing a white dress shirt with black stripes under a brown coat that looked one size too big for him.

when ryland spotted riya, he took a double take—like he wasn’t expecting her to actually show up. then he tripped over his own feet when he processed what she was wearing.

"oh god," ryland muttered under his breath as he scrambled to catch himself before face-planting onto the sidewalk. then he straightened up, adjusting his glasses. "sorry. hi. hello. you’re riya? i mean, obviously you’re riya. i have your picture— i mean, i didn't stalk you! alice sent it to me so i'd know what you look like— not that i needed it because you’re— this is going poorly."

riya blinked. then, against her better judgment, she laughed. "yeah, no kidding."

she tilted her head, studying him. up close, he looked less like a serial killer and more like someone who regularly forgot to eat lunch. his hair was even more chaotic in person, sticking up in three different directions. "you’re ryland, right? the guy who owns one fork and worships notting hill?"

"oh god, she told you about that." ryland groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "look, i swear i’m not as pathetic as alice makes me sound."

"i don't think you're pathetic. you're kind of cute." riya chuckled, eyeing him up and down boldly. why should she be shy when he was the one tripping over himself?

ryland blinked, clearly unprepared for her frankness. "uh. thanks? i mean— yeah. you're—wow. like, really wow. i— sorry. i'm terrible at this."

riya smirked. she noticed the way his fingers twitched at his sides, the way his adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed. when he nervously smile at her, it wasn't in a performative, overconfident way of a guy who thought they'd ace the date before it even started but in a crooked, boyish way of a man who looked like he had practiced how to move his mouth in front of the mirror for 20 minutes before coming here.

he felt her eyes on him but did not return her gaze. he was trying to hard to be respectful, to not let his eyes wander longer and lower than necessary. but deep down ryland thought about how stunning she was under the dim glow of the streetlights, how the dress clung to her in ways that made his mouth dry.

"you're taller than i expected." riya hadn't meant to say it out loud. the words slipped out before she could stop them. she pressed her lips together, mentally cursing herself.

ryland laughed. it was like a startled, genuine sound that made the corners of his eyes crinkled.

"i get that a lot. i swear i'm not compensating for anything." he held up his hands in mock surrender, then hesitated, as if realizing how that sounded. "uhh, not that— that's not what i was—"

riya snorted, the tension in her shoulders unraveling just a fraction. "relax, i wasn’t implying anything."

ryland grinned, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.

"right. yeah. sorry." he fumbled for the door handle before finally pulling it open with an exaggerated flourish. "after you."

riya entered first, and she swore she heard ryland sucking in a sharp breath when she walked past him. her scent hit his nose. something light but enchanting, nothing like the overpowering perfumes he’d encountered on past dates.

the restaurant was dimly lit, the kind of place where the hum of conversation blended with the clinking of silverware. ryland pulled out her chair before she could do it herself, and riya found herself fighting a smirk at how earnest he was, like he'd read a guidebook on first dates and was determined to follow every rule even if his fingers fumbled with the menu.

the other thing riya noticed was how ryland ordered for both of them. it was not in a controlling way, but with the confidence of someone who’d memorized the menu beforehand.

"the gnocchi’s good here," he murmured, leaning slightly across the table, "but if you’d rather have something else—"

"no, that’s fine." she surprised herself by meaning it. usually, she’d bristle at a man assuming her order, but ryland had said it like he was sharing a secret, not imposing a choice.

the gnocchi was indeed good. soft pillows of dough that melted against her tongue, drenched in a sage butter sauce that made her hum in approval. ryland watched her take the first bite, his fork hovering mid-air, eyes tracking her reaction like a scientist observing a fascinating experiment.

"good?" he asked, voice low, and when she nodded, his shoulders relaxed as if she’d just given him a passing grade on a test he’d spent weeks studying for.

"so alice mentioned that you were a scientist before teaching?" riya swirled her fork in the gnocchi, watching ryland’s face flicker with something between surprise and resignation.

"ah." he rubbed the back of his neck. "she wasn’t supposed to lead with that."

"why not?"

"because then i have to explain why i left, and that’s…. not a first date material." he gestured vaguely with his wine glass.

riya arched a brow. "now i have to know."

ryland smiled nervously, swirling the wine in his glass before taking a sip. "it's not that interesting, honestly. i just... hit a wall. research wasn’t what i thought it’d be."

then he shrugged, like it didn’t matter, but riya caught the way his fingers tightened around the stem of his glass. "middle schoolers are terrifying, but at least their problems are solvable. even if it's just helping them figure out why their volcano didn't erupt for the science fair."

"you're telling me," riya said, shaking her head as she stabbed another piece of gnocchi, "that you left research…. actual, serious science…. to deal with thirteen-year-olds?"

ryland laughed, and it was such an easy sound that riya found herself leaning forward without meaning to. "oh, absolutely. see, thirteen-year-olds are honest. if they think you're boring, they'll yawn right in your face. if they think you're wrong, they'll tell you. no passive-aggressive emails from the department head, no politics."

the conversation flowed easier than riya expected. ryland didn’t mansplain, didn’t interrupt, didn’t try to steer the topic back to himself. when she mentioned her job, he asked thoughtful questions. not the performative kind, but the ones that made her pause and actually think before answering. halfway through dessert (tiramisu, because ryland had insisted with a bashful, "trust me, it’s worth the calories"), she realized she hadn’t checked her phone once.

when the bill came, riya pretended to not have enough money in her account and wanted to pay in cash, but ryland insisted on covering it. not with the arrogance of a man who thought paying meant ownership, but with a sheepish shrug and a mumbled "next time’s on you?" that made her stomach flip in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

they stepped out into the cool night air, shoulders brushing as they walked toward her apartment. the silence between them wasn’t awkward, just charged. like the moment before a storm breaks. riya could feel the warmth of ryland’s arm against hers, the way his fingers twitched every few steps like he wanted to reach for her hand but wasn’t sure if he should. she didn’t help him. let him sweat a little, she thought, biting back a smirk.

"so," ryland said, clearing his throat. "alice mentioned you live alone?"

"mhm." riya glanced sideways at him. "why? you planning to murder me?"

ryland choked on air.

"no! i was just—" he gestured vaguely, "—making conversation. but now i realize how that sounded."

riya broke into a tiny laugh. "if it helps, i thought you were a serial killer at first."

"you thought—" ryland blinked, then laughed, the sound low and warm against the hum of distant traffic. "alice showed me your photo and my first thought was, 'she’s definitely the type to carry pepper spray and know exactly where to stab someone with a car key.'"

riya snorted, nudging his shoulder with hers. "you’re not wrong."

"yeah, well." he grinned, bumping her shoulder lightly. "you’re still here, so i must be doing something right."

she didn’t reply, but she also didn’t pull away when his fingers brushed against hers, accidentally at first, then deliberately, his pinky hooking around hers like a question. riya answered by threading their fingers together properly, and ryland exhaled sharply, as if he’d been holding his breath.

her apartment building loomed ahead, and riya slowed, suddenly unsure.

"so, uh. you wanna come up?" she cringed internally at how cliché it sounded, but ryland’s eyes lit up like she’d just offered him a nobel prize.

"yes," he blurted, then cleared his throat. "i mean— if that’s okay. yeah."

the elevator ride was quiet, their reflections blurring in the polished metal doors. ryland stood close enough that she could smell the faint citrus of his cologne mixed with the lingering scent of wine. when the doors opened, he hovered awkwardly at her threshold until she rolled her eyes and tugged him inside.

her place was neat. not sterile, but lived-in. ryland’s gaze darted around like he was cataloging details.

"you have plants," he observed, touching a leaf on her monstera. "i kill every plant i touch."

"shocking," she deadpanned, toeing off her heels. "a science teacher who can’t keep a plant alive."

ryland laughed, rubbing his neck. his gaze flicked to her couch, then away.

"so… uhh, how long have you been living alone?" ryland regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth. he's really not helping the serial killer allegation.

riya snorted, tossing her keys into the bowl by the door with a clatter.

"three years," she said, kicking off her heels with more force than necessary. "after i finished college i told my parents i'd rather eat ramen for the rest of my life than move back home."

ryland went silent. he wanted to ask further but decided against it. instead, he settled on something closer. "how many siblings do you have?"

"just one. she's thirteen but i'm starting to suspect that she might be the second coming of satan."

she then glanced over her shoulder at ryland, who was hovering by the bookshelf like a lost puppy. "you gonna stand there all night or what?"

he blinked, then stepped forward, hands shoved awkwardly in his pockets like he wasn’t sure what to do with them.

“right. yeah. sorry.” his voice was a little rough around the edges, like he’d been holding his breath too long.

riya watched him, amused, as he took another hesitant step into her apartment, his eyes darting from the bookshelf to the kitchen island like he was trying to memorize the layout.

“you can sit, you know,” she said, nodding toward the couch.

ryland laughed, but it came out shaky, like his nerves were vibrating just beneath his skin.

"noted," he murmured, sinking onto the couch with all the grace of a man who'd just been told his shoelaces were untied.

riya watched him for a moment. the way his knees kept bouncing, how his gaze kept flicking to her mouth and then away.

she moved toward the kitchen, pulling out a bottle of wine from the fridge. "want a drink?"

"uhh." ryland hovered near the couch, hands shoved in his pockets like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to sit. "yes? i mean— yeah. wine’s good."

riya poured two glasses, handing him one with a smirk before settling down beside him.

"you're nervous," she observed, watching his fingers tighten around the stem. "don't worry. i don't bite. unless you're into that."

ryland choked on his first sip, coughing into his elbow. his ears turned pink, visible even in the dim light of her apartment.

riya's smirk widened, swirling her wine before taking a slow sip, watching him over the rim of her glass. ryland’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, his fingers twitching against the stem of his glass like he was mentally reciting the periodic table to calm himself down. the silence stretched. not awkward, but thick with something neither of them wanted to name yet.

"so," riya finally said, tilting her head. "you’re not a serial killer."

"not today," ryland muttered into his wine, then froze, eyes widening. "that was a joke. i swear. i’ve never killed anyone. not even a goldfish— well, okay, maybe a goldfish but that was an accident in fourth grade, and i still feel guilty about it—"

riya snorted, setting her glass down on the coffee table with a deliberate clink.

"relax, grace. if i thought you were dangerous, you wouldn’t be here." she stepped closer, close enough to see the way his pupils dilated when her knee brushed against his. "but you are nervous."

ryland exhaled sharply, his fingers flexing around his glass before he set it aside.

"yeah. a little." his voice was rough, lower than she’d heard it all night.

"you’re… you’re very—" he gestured vaguely at her, then seemed to regret it.

"very what?" she prompted, leaning in just enough to watch his breath hitch.

"intimidating," he admitted, his gaze flicking down to her mouth. "in a good way."

riya hummed, tracing a finger along the rim of her glass. "yeah? what do you do when you’re nervous, mr. science teacher? recite the quadratic formula?"

ryland laughed, the sound dissolving into a groan when her fingers brushed against his wrist.

"usually, yeah. but right now, though?" his hand turned, catching hers, his thumb tracing the delicate bones of her knuckles. "i’m thinking about kissing you."

"thinking," riya echoed, arching a brow. "not doing?"

ryland’s breath stuttered, but he didn’t move. "wasn’t sure if that’d be—"

"you think i invited you up just to talk?" riya murmured, her fingers curling around ryland’s collar before he could answer. his breath hitched, sharp and audible as she tugged him forward, closing the distance between them.

his lips were warm, slightly chapped, and he froze for a heartbeat before melting into her, hands coming up to cradle her face like she was something precious. when she pulled back, his pupils were blown wide.

"you—" he started, then stopped, swallowing hard. "was that—?"

"shut up," she murmured and kissed him again, harder this time. ryland gasped, his hands slid down to her waist, fingers shaking. he held her like he was afraid she would vanish if he pressed too hard. but when she bit his lower lip, the last shred of his hesitation snapped. he crowded her, lying her on the couch, his body fitting perfectly between her legs.

his mouth was hot against hers, hungry in a way that she never expected from him. like he’d been holding back the entire night and only now remembered how to breathe. riya arched into him, fingers tangling in his hair, and he groaned low in his throat when she tugged.

"fuck," he muttered against her lips, voice rough. "you— god, you’re—"

"still talking," she teased, but her breath hitched when his hands slid under her dress, palms skimming up her thighs. hesitant near her ass, like he was afraid of overstepping.

riya rolled her eyes and grabbed his wrist, guiding it firmly where she wanted them. "jeez, grace. you gonna act like a teenager or are you gonna fuck me?"

ryland groaned before crushing his mouth to hers again, hands finally moving with purpose, fingers digging into the soft flesh of her ass, big hand covering the cheek entirely. she felt his grip tighten, testing, then relax as if worried he’d hurt her until she ground against him, letting out a low noise of approval.

"bedroom," she managed between kisses, sucking his tongue into her mouth just to feel him shudder. "now."

he didn’t need to be told twice. his hands slid down to her thighs, lifting her effortlessly. riya gasped at his strength, legs wrapping around his waist instinctively as he carried her down the hallway, barely breaking the kiss even as he fumbled with the doorknob. the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed, and ryland followed her down, his weight pressing her into the mattress with a groan.

"are you sure? i mean, we don't have to if—" ryland started, his breath hot against her neck. riya silenced him with a bite to his collarbone, fingers already working at the buttons of his shirt.

"god, shut up," she muttered, shoving the fabric off his shoulders.

pause.

"my god, you're ripped?!"

the words tumbled out before riya could stop them, her fingers pausing mid-unbutton against ryland’s chest. beneath her touch, his muscles tensed. arms and biceps she hadn’t noticed under his stupidly wholesome cardigan now flexing under her palms. chest sculpted like he ran marathons for fun, not like someone who spent weekends grading papers and watching documentaries. abs (actual fucking abs) rippling as he laughed nervously, cheeks flushing.

"uh, yeah." ryland rubbed the back of his neck again, a nervous tic she was starting to find endearing.

"i was bullied in highschool. skinny arms, glasses, the whole cliché. started lifting weights in college and just... never stopped."

his voice dropped, almost embarrassed. "helps with stress. middle schoolers don’t respect you if you look like you’d cry if they threw a paper airplane at you."

riya snorted, dragging her nails lightly down his chest just to watch him shiver. "and here i thought alice undersold you. she called you ‘awkward and nerdy,’ not ‘awkward, nerdy, and built like a movie star."

ryland’s laugh was breathless, his hands skimming up her thighs beneath the black dress.

"movie star’s pushing it," he muttered, but the way his fingers trembled against her skin betrayed him.

"still nervous?" riya whispered against his mouth, her fingers tracing the hard lines of his abdomen. she felt his breath hitch when her nails scraped lower, dipping just beneath the waistband of his pants.

ryland exhaled sharply through his nose, his grip tightening on her hips.

"terrified. but not— not in a bad way. just don’t wanna fuck this up." he admitted, voice rough, his thumb brushed the inside of her thigh, feather-light, testing.

riya grinned, arching into his touch. "you won’t." she hooked a finger into his belt loop, yanking him closer until she could feel the heat of him against her. "unless you keep stalling."

he groaned, dropping his forehead to her shoulder. his teeth grazed her collarbone, sending a shiver down her spine. "bossy."

"you like it," she countered, rolling her hips just to hear him curse under his breath.

he did like it.

"can i...?" his fingers were near her zipper, hesitating like one of his own students who's afraid to raise his hand in class.

riya rolled her eyes and reached back, unzipping the dress herself in one smooth motion. the fabric pooled around her waist, leaving her in nothing but black lace and ryland's stunned expression.

"holy—" he breathed, his gaze flickering from her breasts to her face and back again, like he couldn’t decide where to look first.

she smirked. "you're so cute when you're flustered."

ryland's throat worked as he swallowed hard, his fingers hovering over her ribs, before riya sighed and took his hands to cup his breasts herself. "oh my god, just touch me already."

he did finally, and the second his palms covered her, riya arched off the mattress with a gasp. his thumbs brushed her nipples through the lace, slow and reverent, and she dug her nails into his shoulders just to feel him shudder.

"oh my god," ryland muttered, his voice ragged as he he finally tugged the lace aside to take her properly into his mouth, riya let out a noise she didn’t recognize, high and desperate as his tongue circled her nipple, teeth grazing just enough to make her hips jerk. his hands were everywhere, sliding under her ass to lift her closer, fingers digging into flesh like he was afraid she’d disappear.

she was drowning in him. the heat of his mouth, the scrape of his stubble against her skin, the way his hips rolled against hers with barely restrained urgency. riya tangled her fingers in his hair, tugging just to hear the broken groan vibrate against her breast.

"you're so beautiful." he said as he pulled away, fingers hooking on the waistband of her panties, breath uneven. riya bit her lip, watching his pupils dilate further when she lifted her hips in invitation. black lace slid down her thighs, discarded somewhere near the foot of the bed, and ryland exhaled like he'd been punched. he hesitated again just for a second before dragging his hand up her inner thigh, achingly slow.

"tell me what you like," he murmured against her skin, pressing open-mouthed kisses along the crease of her hip. his voice was wrecked, rough with want, but the question was so earnest it made her chest ache.

"less talking," riya gasped, spreading her legs wider, her heel digging into the small of his back. "more—"

ryland didn’t need to be told twice. his mouth was on her before she could finish the sentence, hot and wet.

"fuck," riya gasped, fingers twisting in the sheets. the first swipe of his tongue was slow, experimental, mapping her out like a terrain he wanted to memorize. the second was firmer, deliberate, curling just beneath her clit in a way that made her thighs tremble. by the third, riya was panting, her heels digging into his shoulders as he settled between her legs with a devotion that bordered on worship.

"you— holy shit— ryland—" she managed, her voice breaking on the last word as he sucked her clit into his mouth, tongue flicking against it in quick, relentless circles. riya's fingers twisted in his hair, pulling hard enough to hurt, but he only groaned against her, the vibration sending sparks up her spine.

riya had expected awkwardness. hesitant licks, misplaced fingers, the fumbling enthusiasm of a man who’d read too many wikihow articles and not enough actual bodies. what she got was ryland grace eating her out like he’d been training for this his entire life. his tongue moved with precision, alternating between broad, languid strokes and sharp, focused flicks that had her thighs shaking within minutes. when she arched off the bed with a gasp, his palm settled on her lower stomach, holding her down like he knew exactly how badly she wanted to squirm away from the intensity of it all.

"fuck—" riya’s voice cracked as his tongue dipped inside her, curling just enough to make her see stars. she’d been fucked before, but never like this. never with this kind of single-minded focus, like she was the only thing that mattered to him. like he wanted to map every noise and twitch until he had her memorized. when his thumb brushed her clit in tandem with his tongue, she nearly sobbed, her back bowing off the mattress. "oh my god, don’t stop—"

ryland didn’t. if anything, he doubled down, his free hand sliding up to palm her breast, rolling her nipple between his fingers in a rhythm that matched the relentless circles of his tongue. riya’s vision blurred at the edges, her fingers scrabbling for purchase in the sheets. she’d never come this fast with anyone, never felt this unraveled. but ryland was everywhere, his scent, his touch, the scrape of his stubble against her inner thighs. when she finally came, it was with a broken cry, her thighs clamping around his head as he rode her through it, his tongue gentling but not stopping until she shoved at his shoulders, oversensitive and trembling.

he pulled back just enough to look up at her, his lips and nose glistening, his cheeks flushed, glasses fogging.

"good?" he asked, voice wrecked, like it was the only word his brain could form. riya let out a breathless laugh, her fingers trailing down to wipe his chin, still damp from her.

"you're asking me?"

ryland grinned, boyish and bright even as he crawled up her body, his weight settling between her thighs. she could feel him, hard and hot against her stomach and the way his breath hitched when she wrapped a hand around him made her pulse kick.

"fuck," he muttered, his forehead dropping to hers. "you're—"

"still talking," she finished for him, squeezing just enough to feel him twitch in her grip. she expected hesitation, but ryland surprised her again, his hand covering hers to guide her strokes with a confidence that made her stomach flip. when he kissed her this time, it was messy, desperate, his tongue sliding against hers with the same rhythm as his hips against her hand. she could taste herself on his lips, and the thought alone made her moan into his mouth.

"condom," she managed between kisses, her free hand fumbling for her nightstand. ryland beat her to it, pulling one from the drawer with a speed that suggested he’d been hoping for this outcome all night. the foil packet crinkled between them, and riya took it from him, tearing it open with her teeth just to watch his pupils blow wider. he groaned as she rolled it onto him, her fingers lingering just a second too long at the base. riya smirked, dragging him closer until the head of him brushed against her, both of them shuddering at the contact.

"still nervous?" she breathed, arching up to nip at his jaw. ryland exhaled sharply, his hands gripping her hips like she might vanish if he blinked.

"y-yeah," he admitted, but the way he pressed into her, slow, gentle, like he was savoring every inch said otherwise. riya’s breath caught as he filled her, her nails digging into his shoulders as he bottomed out with a groan that vibrated through her chest.

for a moment, neither of them moved. just breathing each other in, foreheads pressed together, the only sound the rustle of sheets and their ragged breaths.

"fuck— you're big—" the words slipped out before riya could stop them, her body arching instinctively to accommodate him.

ryland froze, his hips stuttering like he'd been electrocuted.

"oh, god— am i hurting you?" his voice was ragged, his fingers trembling where they gripped her thighs.

"no," she gasped, rolling her hips experimentally just to watch his jaw clench. "just— wasn’t expecting it."

ryland’s laugh was strained, his forehead dropping to hers as he adjusted his angle. "alice really left out all the important details, huh?"

"shut up," riya groaned, hooking her legs around his waist to pull him deeper. the stretch was delicious, just shy of too much, and when ryland finally moved, a slow and torturous drag, her vision blurred at the edges. "oh my god—"

he set a rhythm that was maddening, each thrust deep and measured, like he was afraid of breaking her. riya dug her nails into his shoulders, her heels pressing into the small of his back.

"harder," she demanded, biting his earlobe. "i won’t— fuck— i won't break."

ryland groaned, his control fraying as he obeyed, snapping his hips forward with a force that knocked the breath from her lungs. the headboard slammed against the wall, the sound loud enough to make riya laugh until he hit that spot, and her laughter dissolved into a choked cry.

"there?" ryland panted, his voice rough with satisfaction when she could only nod, her fingers scrambling for purchase against his sweat-slicked skin. he angled himself to hit it again, and again, until riya was gasping, her thighs trembling around him.

"you feel so good— so tight." the words spilled from ryland’s lips like a prayer, ragged and reverent, as he fucked her with a rhythm that was equal parts desperation and precision. riya’s back arched off the mattress, her fingers scrabbling at the sheets as he drove into her again, the angle just right to make her see stars.

she’d had sex before. good sex, even, but this was something else. the way ryland moved, like he was trying to memorize her body with his own, like every gasp and whimper was a note in a song he was composing just for her.

"faster," she demanded more, her voice cracking as she dug her heels into his ass, pulling him deeper. ryland groaned, his hips stuttering for a fraction of a second before he obeyed, his thrusts turning sharp and erratic. his hands slid under her, lifting her hips to meet him with each snap of his pelvis, the new angle sending a shockwave of pleasure up her spine.

"god, you’re perfect," ryland gasped, his forehead pressed to hers, his breath hot against her lips. riya could feel the tremble in his thighs as he held himself back, his control fraying at the edges. she arched into him, her fingers twisting in his hair, pulling just enough to make him groan.

don’t hold back," she whispered, her voice raw. "i want all of you."

the words shattered whatever restraint he had left. ryland’s hips snapped forward, driving into her with a force that sent her sliding up the mattress, the sheets bunching beneath her. riya cried out, her legs locking around him, her nails scoring down his back as pleasure coiled tight in her stomach. ryland’s mouth found her neck, his teeth scraping over her pulse point before soothing the sting with his tongue.

riya could feel it building, that tight, electric coil of pleasure low in her stomach, but ryland seemed determined to drag it out, his thrusts slowing just when she was teetering on the edge.

"close?" ryland's voice was rough, his breath hot against her throat as he slowed his hips, teasing her with shallow thrusts that made her whimper.

riya growled, her nails digging into his biceps. "don't— fucking— stop—"

ryland’s laugh was dark, his breath hot against her throat as he obliged, slamming into her with a force that knocked the headboard against the wall again. his hands sliding under her hips to tilt her just right and then she was coming undone, her back arching off the mattress as pleasure ripped through her like a live wire. her cry was muffled against his shoulder, her teeth sinking into his skin as she trembled through it, ryland’s name a broken gasp against his collarbone.

he didn’t let up, chasing his own release with frantic, uneven thrusts until his rhythm stuttered, his hips jerking as he buried himself deep with a groan that vibrated through her chest.

for a long moment, neither of them moved. ryland’s weight pressed her into the mattress, his breath ragged against her neck as he slowly came back to himself. when he finally pulled out, it was with a wince and a muttered curse, his fingers gentle as they brushed a sweaty strand of hair from her forehead.

"okay?" he asked, voice rough with concern. riya laughed, boneless and sated, her limbs heavy with exhaustion.

"better than okay." she reached up, tracing the line of his jaw with her fingertips, amused by the way he leaned into her touch like a starved man. "alice undersold you. by a lot."

ryland’s grin was boyish and bright, even as he rolled onto his back beside her, one arm slung over his eyes. "glad to exceed expectations."

his fingers found hers in the tangle of sheets, lacing them together with a quiet certainty that made her chest ache. he kissed her then, slow and lazy, his fingers tangling in her hair like he had all the time in the world. riya melted into it, her body humming with satisfaction, until the buzz of ryland’s phone on the nightstand shattered the moment.

he groaned, pulling away just enough to glance at the screen. "shit. it’s my bedtime alarm."

riya blinked. of course ryland was the type to have a bedtime alarm. "you set an alarm?"

"i have first period," he admitted, rubbing a hand over his face. "gotta be at school by seven."

"you’re joking." she stared at him, her nose wrinkling. "who the hell schedules a date on a school night?"

ryland laughed, pressing a kiss to her shoulder as he sat up. "someone who didn’t think he’d get this far."

riya watched him pad across the room, her eyes tracing the lean lines of his back, the way his muscles shifted under his skin. "you’re leaving?"

he paused, half-dressed, his shirt hanging open. "do you want me to stay?"

the question hung between them, heavier than it should’ve been. riya hesitated. she wasn’t the type to ask for more, wasn’t the type to want it. but ryland’s gaze was steady, his fingers lingering on the last button of his shirt like he’d wait all night for her answer.

"yes." the word slipped out before she could stop it, soft and uncharacteristically vulnerable. ryland’s expression softened, his shoulders relaxing as he let the shirt slide back off his arms.

"okay," he murmured, like it was that simple. maybe it was. he climbed back into bed, his body warm against hers as he pulled her close. riya tucked her head under his chin, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips was oddly comforting, a stark contrast to the frenetic energy of the night before.

she hadn’t expected this. the quiet, the ease of it. she’d expected awkwardness, maybe regret. not this. only this time, only with ryland, the contrast felt welcome.

the morning light filtered through riya’s blinds in thin, golden stripes, painting ryland’s bare shoulder in alternating bands of light and shadow. she blinked awake slowly, the events of last night settling into her memory with a warmth that curled low in her stomach. ryland was already stirring beside her, his limbs tangled in her sheets, glasses askew on the nightstand where they’d been discarded in haste. his hair was even more of a disaster now, sticking up in every direction like he’d been caught in a wind tunnel.

"what time’s it?" he mumbled, voice thick with sleep, his fingers brushing her waist absently as he turned his head to squint at her alarm clock. the movement made the sheets shift, revealing the sharp line of his hipbone, and riya resisted the urge to trace it with her fingertips.

"quarter past six." riya murmured, watching as ryland’s eyes widened with a sudden panic. he bolted upright, sheets pooling around his waist, and the sight of him bare and utterly disheveled sent a stupid little thrill through her chest.

"shoot— i have first period at eight." he scrambled off the bed, nearly tripping on his own clothes in his haste.

riya couldn’t help but laugh. "you’re a mess."

"and you’re distracting," he shot back, but the way his ears pinked betrayed him. he rifled through the pile of discarded clothes on her floor, shoving his arms through his wrinkled shirt sleeves with a haste that made the fabric twist awkwardly. riya stood too, grabbing her own clothes and dressing back as she watched him struggle. "need help?"

ryland paused, his fingers fumbling with a button, before sighing in defeat. "...yes."

she grinned, padding over to him. his breath hitched when her fingers brushed his chest, deftly fixing the misaligned buttons.

"you’re really bad at mornings," she teased, smoothing the collar of his shirt with exaggerated care.

"i'm not a morning person," he admitted sheepishly, his hands hovering at her waist like he wasn’t sure where to put them, as if he didn't just put her through the mattress hours ago. riya had to resist the urge to kiss him stupid all over again.

a sharp ringtone shattered the moment. riya groaned, grabbing her phone off the nightstand. "amma" flashed on the screen, and she swiped to answer with a sigh. "hey—"

"rekha missed the bus," her mother said without preamble. "you’re close. can you drop her off?"

riya pinched the bridge of her nose. "where is baba? he’s supposed to—"

"he has an early meeting," her mother cut in, already distracted by something in the background. "just take her. she’ll be late."

the line went dead before riya could argue. ryland raised an eyebrow from where he was wrestling with his shoelaces. "trouble?"

"my demonic sister missed her bus," riya muttered, tossing the phone onto the bed and reaching for her discarded underwear. "i have to drive her to school."

ryland nodded, because he didn't know how else to react to that. "so uh, last night was—"

"great." riya finished for him, tugging on a pair of leggings and a loose t-shirt from the floor. she caught ryland's hesitant expression in the mirror as she finger-combed her tangled hair. she smiled, softer than she'd intended. "it was really great, ryland. i mean it."

ryland exhaled, shoulders relaxing as he straightened his tie, a nervous habit riya was already cataloguing.

"okay. good. great." he cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses. "i should— my class has an exam today."

riya smirked, stepping into his space to straighten his crooked tie. "bet you’re terrifying during exams."

"not really, no." ryland laughed nervously, his fingers brushing hers as he took over the task. he hesitated, then leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, so unexpectedly sweet it made her chest tighten. "text me?"

riya's smile widened before she nodded, tucking her phone into her pocket. "yeah, i'll text you."

she watched ryland hesitate at her door, his fingers tapping against the frame like he was debating something, before he finally stepped out with a muttered "see you"—awkward to the last.

the door clicked shut behind him, leaving riya alone in the sudden quiet of her apartment. she exhaled, rubbing her temples. rekha. school. right.

riya grabbed her keys and jogged downstairs. she got into her car and drove to her parents' house, trying not to think about ryland's hands on her hips, his breath hot against her neck, the way he'd looked at her like she was the only thing mattered in this world.

rekha was already waiting outside when she pulled up, arms crossed, scowling.

"you took forever," the younger sister muttered, slamming the car door harder than necessary.

"missed the bus again?" riya asked, flicking her a glance in the rearview mirror as she pulled back onto the road.

rekha shrugged, staring out the window. "amma forgot to wake me up."

"oh my god, grow up. you're thirteen. set an alarm or something," riya said, turning onto the main road.

rekha rolled her eyes, slouching lower in the seat. "whatever. just drive."

the silence stretched for two blocks before rekha piped up again, nose wrinkling. her nostrils flared before she paused and riya could feel her little sister's eyes on her.

"what?" riya snapped, flicking rekha a glance as the car stopped at the red light.

rekha’s nose wrinkled further. "you smell weird."

riya’s fingers tightened on the wheel, avoiding her sister's terrifying gaze. "no, i do not."

"you do." rekha leaned into her, sniffing dramatically, her nose scrunched in disgust. "why do you smell like a man?"

riya's cheeks burned as she flicked the turn signal too hard. "no, i don't."

rekha made a gagging noise, flopping back against the seat. "ew. you totally do. it’s like—" she sniffed again, theatrical. "aftershave and sweat and—oh my god, did you have sex? wait, is that a hickey?!"

"what?!" riya flipped the mirror above the steering wheel toward her face, panic flaring, only to see nothing. she snapped it back with a glare and pinched rekha's arm. "you little shit."

rekha smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "but you did have sex."

"you're a child. that's none of your business," riya muttered, turning into the school parking lot with unnecessary force. the tires squeaked against the pavement, earning a delighted cackle from rekha.

"oh my god, you did!" rekha crowed, kicking her feet against the dashboard. "was it mr. thomas, your neighbour? he's always staring at your—"

"shut up," riya hissed, jerking the car to a stop near the entrance. she pointed at the clock on the dashboard. "you're late."

rekha stuck her tongue out but grabbed her backpack, scrambling out of the car.

"i'm telling mom!" she sing-songed before slamming the door. riya rolled her eyes, watching her sister jog toward the school entrance.

just when riya was about to change the gear, she saw rekha's lunch box still sitting on the passenger seat. her little demon of a sister was so occupied with her life she forgotten her own lunch.

"damn it," she muttered, grabbing the neon pink bento box and heading to her sister's classroom.

riya spotted rekha taking her seat just as her and the other students finished reciting the pledge of allegiance. she knocked, stepping into the classroom only to freeze when she saw the back of a familiar head bent over a stack of papers at the teacher’s desk.

the breath punched out of riya’s lungs when the man at the desk turned. messy blonde hair, blue eyes, glasses slightly crooked.

ryland grace froze mid-sip of his coffee. his lips parted around the rim of the mug, his eyebrows lifting behind his frames in slow, dawning horror. he jerked back when the heat of the coffee almost burned his tongue but riya wasn’t sure if it was the temperature or the sight of her standing there that shocked him more.

the silence stretched, thick and suffocating, before rekha’s voice sliced through it.

"riya? what are you—" her gaze flicked between them, eyes narrowing. "why are you staring at mr. grace like that?"

mr. grace. the guy her best friend set her up on a blind date, who was a former scientist turned middle school teacher, who just so happened to be teaching at the same school her sister went to, also happened to be teaching her. riya’s fingers clenched around the lunchbox.

"i— lunch," she managed, passing the bento box to rekha who took it with a suspicious squint.

"you know my teacher?" rekha asked, her tone dripping with accusation as she stood in the middle of the class.

"no," riya lied too quickly.

ryland adjusted his glasses, a nervous tic riya recognized now and turned to rekha with forced calm. "rekha, take your seat."

rekha hesitated, glancing between them one last time before shuffling to her desk, her expression shifting from suspicion to outright glee. riya could practically see the gears turning in her sister’s head, the same way they had in the car.

"oh my GOD." rekha gasped loudly, her hand shot up like a rocket, her entire body vibrating as she pieced together the last piece of the puzzle. "you're banging my teac—"

"rekha!" riya hissed, lunging forward like she could physically stop the words from leaving her sister's mouth.

the entire class erupted into chaos. gasps, giggles, desks screeching as kids twisted to gawk at them. ryland's face drained of all color, burying it into his palms.

"that’s detention," ryland blurted, pointing at rekha with a trembling finger, his voice an octave higher than usual. "two weeks. no, a month. no— forever."

the class howled louder, and rekha’s grin widened like ryland's words had no effect on her.

riya’s pulse pounded in her ears. she shot ryland a panicked look, mouthing "do something" but he shrugged his shoulders and riya fought the urge to smack her own forehead.

"mr. grace?" a kid in the front row piped up, grinning. "is it true you're—"

"no," ryland interrupted, voice cracking. he cleared his throat, adjusting his tie with jerky movements. "that's—no. rekha, stop laughing, i can see you."

but rekha was already whispering to her desk mate, hands cupped around her mouth like she was sharing state secrets.

riya considered spontaneous combustion. or teleportation. or possibly just walking backward out of the room and pretending none of this ever happened. instead, she forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. "i should—go."

ryland nodded so fast his glasses slid down his nose. "yes— no, wait—"

ryland grabbed her arm and led her outside, shutting the classroom door firmly behind them, muffling the chaos inside before letting her go.

"that's your sister?!" ryland's voice cracked, half whisper half scream. "rekha patel is your sister?! why didn't you just say so?!"

"i didn't know you were teaching here! how was i supposed to—" riya's protest died as ryland dragged a hand through his already-disheveled hair, sending strands sticking straight up.

riya opened her mouth to argue, to apologize, maybe to scream but the sound of muffled laughter from inside the classroom cut her off. ryland’s shoulders slumped, his fingers twitching toward his tie before aborting the movement.

"this is a nightmare," he muttered, more to himself than to her.

a loud thump against the classroom door made them both jump. rekha's muffled voice taunted, "i can HEAR you whispering!" followed by a chorus of giggles.

ryland groaned, tilting his head back like he was praying for patience. "i have to go back in there." he sounded genuinely mournful.

"good luck," riya muttered, already backing away. "also, just ignore my sister. she's annoying but she doesn't actually care. she won't make a big deal out of it with you. but me, she's definitely telling our parents when she gets home and my mom will call me to come home for dinner and lecture."

ryland paused. "is that why you didn't come home after graduating? is it because of your parents?"

riya was stunned by his question. she was expecting ryland to remember that bit from yesterday. "y-yeah. but don't worry about it. i'll be fine."

ryland stared at her for a beat too long, his fingers twitching like he wanted to reach out but didn’t know how. the morning bell rang overhead, startling them both.

"i should—" he gestured weakly toward the classroom door.

"go." riya urged, waving him off with a weak smile. "your students are already feral."

ryland hesitated before he finally moved. he walked three, four steps before suddenly turning again to kiss riya, hard and fast. a desperate, impulsive press of lips that tasted like coffee and panic.

"text me," he muttered against her mouth before pulling away, adjusting his glasses with trembling fingers. "please."

riya blinked, still caught off guard by the kiss before her mouth curled into a smile. "okay. yeah."

ryland smiled quick, nervous before disappearing back into the classroom, the door clicking shut behind him.

—