Ryker lift me up in his arms, walking towards the sea. My eyes are wide, I glare at him.

"Romano, don't dare to do this. I am already wet." I panicked.

"Let's see how wet you can get for me," Ryker said with an evil grin.

I wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Ryker paused, and I felt his breath on my neck. Our chests touch, and I can feel his muscles stiffen up. It feels so good to hug him. It feels like home. I shouldn't feel such things from him. I felt him pressing me closer to him.

"Romano, please, it isn't funny." I tried again.

"Remove your arms, Rhodes." Ryker's deep voice made me feel something I had never felt before. Need to never let go. Which is a bad idea. I tightened my hold on him. Let's see how he throws me away now.

"Romano," I said with my best soft tone.

Instead of letting me go, he threw both of us into the water. I held my breath and tried to swim up, but two arms held me in place, pulling me to the hard chest. My gaze meets Ryker's underwater. He didn't let me go, and a smile formed on his lips. I calmed myself down and placed my arms on his shoulder, steadying myself. I gazed at his stomach; hopefully, it was not bleeding. I pointed my fingers at his stomach, telling him to go up. He didn't listen and pulled me closer to him, making our noses almost touch. I desperately pointed up, feeling out of breath. Ryker's eyes were cold as he tightened his hold around me, but he didn't let me go. I struggled in his arms as my oxygen levels were depleting. Ryker isn't even struggling. I tried to punch him, so he pulled his arms away, and instead of letting me go, he wrapped them around my arms, preventing me from doing anything. The amusement on his face didn't go away.

Ryker realized I was out of breath, so he pulled me up with him. I took deep breaths of air as my face came out of the water. Ryker's arms held me up. He took a deep breath and swam back to the shore, pulling me with him. Once we were up, I quickly strolled toward the seashore. Both of us fell on the sand, gasping for air. Calming down, I glanced at him.

"You are crazy, Romano," I said.

"It was fun, admit it." He smirks.

"You probably had fun drowning me. If you were trying to traumatize me, then congratulations; I won't go to the beach with you ever again."

He only laughs out loud leaning his head back. Sunlight hits his face, giving him a glow. Water drips from his hairs to his face and continues rolling down to his chest. He looked carefree and genuinely happy. His guard isn't up anymore. He is hot. I bit my lips looking at his soft lips. I quickly shake the thoughts away. Hell no. 

"Is your wound okay?" I asked, glancing at his abdomen.

"Yes, I am fine."

"Don't pull this stunt again. You almost gave me a heart attack." I scolded him.

"It was fun seeing you scared." He said.

I groaned, checking my clothes. Today is a bad day; seriously, getting wet two times wasn't on my schedule. Ryker glanced at me up and down. A smirk formed on his lips.

"Want me to warm you up?" He said. Registering his words, I glared at him, though I felt the heat between my legs.

"I am not enjoying getting wet two times," I said.

"Maybe we can get you wet three times."

I look at him in shock. Ryker Romano is flirting with me. At least he forgot the previous incident. Good for me.

"No, thank you. I had enough." I replied and smirked. "Though we can take care of your cold body,"

"You will?" He was amused.

"Set yourself on fire, and you will never be cold again." I offered.

Ryker chuckled. Maybe I will know him if he ever lets me into his walls. We sat side by side, gazing at the setting sun, not bothering to talk. It's not awkward. We found peace in each other's presence. 

"So tell me, why did you even agree to this whole marriage contract? You could have denied it." I asked since he looked in a good mood.

"You will find out, so don't worry." He replied, standing up. I followed him.

Ryker started driving back while I sat shivering with cold. It was a bad idea to come here. I rubbed my palms up and down on my arms, trying to get rid of the coldness, but my thin and wet clothes didn't help. The bad thing is that my home is away from the beach, so it will take time for us to go back. Ryker noticed my state.

"Are you feeling too cold?" He questioned.

"I am fine; just drive back." I managed to speak with a clenched jaw.

Ryker instead pulled the car to the side. Before I could ask, he removed his t-shirt. I gulped, looking at his muscular body. Ryker leaned toward me and lifted me, placing me on his lap. I sat frozen in his lap. Ryker wrapped his arms around me, pulling me onto his warm chest.

"Romano?" I inquired in confusion.

"Sit still, Rhodes, unless you want to freeze to death." He said. He rubbed my arm.

I felt a little bit better and pressed myself closer to him trying to get his warmth. Noticing my moment, he gripped my thigh, making me pause. He took a deep breath and let it go. He gazed at me, making my breath swallow. His fingers run through his wet hair without breaking our eye contact.

"Better?" He asked. I managed to nod. 

I don't know how long we sat there since I slept off on him. 

Waking up again I found us back at home. Ryker is already making his way toward me. Opening the door, he helped me out of the car. We walked in and found Grandfather in the living room. He glanced at me in concern. I breathed out in relief when he didn't look mad.

"What happened, Val?" he asked.

"Nothing. I am fine." I said it with a smile. His gaze lands on Ryker, then back at me. He nods his head.

"It looks like you guys were playing around. But you both look in bad shape."

"We are fine, Grandfather; it won't harm us badly," I assured him.

"Fine. Go back and clean yourself up. Don't forget to take the medicine." He ordered us strictly.

Giving him a nod, I followed Ryker, who was walking ahead. Before entering his room, he glanced at me briefly with his heated gaze before closing the door.

The memories of me falling asleep on his lap came to my mind. My face flushed. Smiling, I shake my thoughts away.

Not bad Romano.