How To Love Your Wife – Chapter 5&6

HOW TO HATE YOUR HUSBAND 2

HOW TO LOVE YOUR WIFE

How To Love Your Wife – Chapter 5&6

[𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔 & 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 ]

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆- 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍.

☆ 𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆. ☆

©𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

The clinking of cutlery slowly filled the dining room, but the air was anything but calm. Everyone was seated, food barely touched, eyes flicking from one face to another.

Rafael cleared his throat lightly.

“So, Rias,” He said, voice gentle, “How did you meet Ashton?”

Rias straightened a little.
“It was after graduation. I met him at an after-party with some friends. We started hanging out, and it just… turned into dating.”

Nancy tilted her head, twirling her fork lazily.
“And throughout all that, you never knew he was related to the Dragoni’s?”

“Like I said, no.”Rias shook her head.

Nancy’s gaze slid to Ashton.
“So, dear Ashton, you didn’t even bother to tell her?”

Before Ashton could answer, Reiko cut in sharply.
“Nancy, you ask a lot of questions. What exactly are you trying to insinuate?”

Ashton set his cutlery down.

“I already said I didn’t know she was close to the Dragoni’s. I didn’t know about the Gremorys either. Is that really such a big deal?” He asked, clearly pissed.

Nancy let out a soft, humorless laugh.
“Actually, it is. But whatever. I’m just surprised my precious sister here managed to move on so quickly.”

Rias’s fist tightened.
“Nancy… it’s been four years. Drop it already.”

“Why should I?” Nancy shot back without missing a beat.

Ashton leaned forward slightly, his tone sharp.

“Sounds to me like you’re not happy for your sister. No—more like you’re not happy that I’m dating your sister. Got a problem with a man treating her right?”

Nancy looked at him plainly.
“You’re right. I really don’t like you.”

She turned to Rias.
“I thought you were head over heels for someone. Then what? You graduated, what….eight months after moving back to Mexico and suddenly you’re onto another guy? Makes me wonder if you even liked that certain someone in the first place.”

That did it.

“Nancy, enough!” Rias slammed her hand on the table, the sound cutting through the room.

Nancy calmly scooped a bite of food into her mouth, chewing like nothing had happened.

“Nancy, stop it,” Rafael said firmly.

“Grandpa, I’m entitled to my own opinions. I’m not lying, am I?”She swallowed and shrugged.

The room fell silent.

Romeo, who had been quiet the entire time, finally spoke.

“Nancy.”

She looked at him.

“Stop it,” He said, flat and final.

She stared at him for a second, then rolled her eyes.

“Fine. Whatever. I already lost my appetite.”

She pushed her chair back and walked out of the dining room without another word.

Yeah.
The room was officially on edge.

Rias looked at Romeo.

He and Ashton were glaring at each other, the kind of look that promised trouble if either of them moved. But then Romeo’s eyes shifted to her. For a second, their eyes locked.

Rias looked away immediately.

“What has gotten into that girl? Is she forgetting that I’m her older sister or what?” Rias said, irritated.

“Don’t let her get to you, dear,” Reiko said calmly.

“So Reiko, what have you been doing all these years?” Hinata asked, her tone sharp.

Reiko slowly turned to her.

“Do you really care to know? You abandoned your own family to be with a man. I don’t think you’re in the position to ask that.”

“At least I abandoned them to be with a man I love,” Hinata shot back, “Unlike you who got knocked up by a wanted criminal, who’s dead by the way.”

The table went quiet. Rias was in shock. Okay, there’s a lot of things he didn’t know about Ashton and his mom at this point. They’ve been dating for 3 years now and she doesn’t know this?

But he told her his dad died of cancer.

“You have really got some nerve saying that to my face, Hinata. You know damn well what happened to me… I was—”

“Reiko I don’t care whether you were r*ped or not. That’s your problem not mine,” Hinata snapped.

Angelo stopped her instantly.

“Hinata, aren’t you going too far. She’s still your sister.”

Reiko looked at Angelo, surprised. She smiled faintly, grateful.

Then Hinata spoke again.

“Well not like I consider her as one. She got what she deserved. I wish you were actually r+ped to death.”

That smile vanished from Reiko’s face.

“Hinata…” Rafael said, trying to stop her.

“What did you just say?” Reiko asked, her voice shaking now.

“Oh you heard me!! You and your mistake of a son should go back to where you came from—”

“Who the f+k are you calling a mistake, huh!!” Ashton yelled, standing up so fast his chair screeched back.

Rias tried to hold his hand back. Okay, Hinata was really going too far.

“Why? Did I stutter?” Hinata screamed. “She deserves whatever happened to her..!!”

Angelo grabbed Hinata’s arm. “Enough! Stop it!”

She shoved him off.

Reiko stood up too, her chair falling back. “You think I deserved that? You think I asked for it?!”

“Oh Yes! You actually did..!” Hinata snapped, her anger boiling as she reached for the table knife and flung it without thinking.

Everything happened fast.

Ashton caught the knife mid-air in a swift reflex.

“Have you lost your damn mind, Hinata?!” He shouted, gripping the knife tightly.

The room was chaos.

Angelo pulled Hinata back, holding her firmly as she struggled, still shouting, still trying to get free.

Rias sat frozen, hands clenched in her lap, unable to speak.

Rafael said nothing, his face pale. Romeo hadn’t moved either.

He stayed seated, eyes fixed on his mom.

This was the first time he was hearing it.

The only thing he knows is that Reiko and Hinata had a fallout because Reiko betrayed Hinata.

Although not knowing the cause, he knew his mom is in the right, but what’s this he’s hearing?

Reiko was r+ped? And why does the tone Hinata give out sound like she had something to do with it.

Like she was happy it happened.

Romeo’s phone beeped.

He checked the screen once and stood up immediately.

“I’m leaving.”

Rias looked up at him.

“So soon?” Rafael asked.

“I’m meeting up with Hunter. This shit… is a disaster,” Romeo said, already moving toward the door.

“I’ll see him out,” Rias said, standing up right away.

Ashton caught her hand.

She looked back at him and smiled, gentle, reassuring.

“I’ll be right back,” she said.

She followed Romeo out into the hallway.

The door closed behind them.

_____
“Romeo.” Rias called, just as he was about to enter his car.

He stopped, keys in hand, and turned to face her as she hurried closer.

The lights in the porch haloed her, casting shadows that clung to her curves and sharpened the line of her face.

“What is it? I hope you’re not here to ask or talk about Reiko and my mom’s argument. I don’t have time for that.” Romeo said.

“No. Actually, I came to ask you about something else.”She said.

Romeo gestured her to continue.

“What did you and Ashton talk about earlier? Before you two got to the dining?” she asked, arms folding across her chest like armor.

“Why don’t you ask your boyfriend?” Romeo replied, voice low and smooth, eyes never leaving hers.

“Well, he’s not gonna tell me, so I want to hear it from you.” Her tone sharpened, stubborn as ever.

“Sure you wanna know?” He said, a slow, dangerous smile tugging at his lips.

“Yes.” She didn’t blink.

Romeo took a step toward her. Then another. And another, until the space between them was nothing but heat and tension.

He reached up, fingers brushing the side of her face as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear—his knuckles grazing her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

“He simply told me to stay away from you,” He said, voice dropping to a near‑whisper. “Don’t know why he’s so insecure though.”

“And what did you tell him?”She swallowed, throat dry.

“I told him that I have no interest in taking you from him.” His gaze flicked over her lips, then back to her eyes.

“Oh.” Her shoulders sagged a little, disappointment flashing across her face, but she masked it.

“At least not yet.” The words slipped out of his mouth.

She looked up at him, eyes narrowing.

“What do you mean by that?” Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the way her pulse had just kicked.

“Let’s just say,” He said, stepping even closer so that the front of his body almost brushed hers.

“I’ve gotten interested in a very stubborn somebody… and I don’t know if I have the permission to… woo her.”

He held her stare, not blinking, letting the weight of his words sink in. The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken but undeniable.

“What do you think?” He asked, voice rough and low.

“But—” She frowned, taking half a step back only to find the wall of his presence pressing in..

” You clearly pushed me away, Romeo. And now you want to…woo me? You’ve really got some nerve.”

“I’m not going to force you into doing what you don’t want to, Rias,” He said, voice softer now but no less intense.

“I won’t interfere in your little girlfriend duties to Ashton. But just so you know…” He leaned in, closing the last inch between them, his lips hovering just beside her ear.

She swallowed hard, heat blooming across her chest and up her neck. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her shirt, knuckles whitening.

“I won’t make it easy for you, Rias Gremory,” He murmured, breath hot against her skin, sending a jolt straight to her core.

“I’ll make sure that every time you look at me, every time I will touch you, every time I will make you say my name , you’re going to feel it. You’re going to feel me.” He added.

Her jaw dropped. This guy is insane.

He stepped back slowly, giving her space but not breaking eye contact. The smirk on his lips was pure sin.

“Goodnight.” He winked, turned, and walked back to his car, shutting the door with a soft click before driving off into the night.

Rias released a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Her face burned, fingertips brushing her cheek as if to cool the flush there.

She fanned herself with her hands, trying to steady her breathing.

“Get it together, Rias…” She whispered, biting her lower lip hard enough to sting.

_________
[𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛]

Hunter and Romeo sat on high stools at the counter, bottles in front of them.

“How’s Riri?” Romeo asked, lifting his drink.

“She’s fine,” Hunter said with a small smile. “She’s growing too fast these days.”

Romeo scoffed softly. “I wanna take her out sometime. Note— you’re not invited.”

Hunter chuckled. “Sure, whatever. She surely misses you by now.”

Romeo nodded, took a sip.

“By the way,” Hunter said, glancing at him, “Where are you coming from?”

“Grandpa’s house.”

Hunter’s brows lifted. “You went to see Rias? Dude, doesn’t she have a boyfriend?”

“Firstly, I don’t care about her boyfriend,” Romeo said calmly. “Secondly, yes, I went there because I wanted to know who her boyfriend is. But I went there mainly for Rias… and bro, you wouldn’t believe who it is.”

Hunter leaned in. “Who’s it?”

“Ashton.”

Hunter froze. “Ashton? As in… the same Ashton I know?”

“How many cousins named Ashton do you have?”Romeo side-eyed him.

“Oh my fucking God. You are so cooked, man. It keeps getting worse.”Hunter let out a sharp laugh.

“Honestly,” Romeo said, drinking again, “I’m not bothered. The bastard even had the guts to tell me to stay away from her.”

“Well,” Hunter said plainly, “She’s his. Not yours.”

Romeo’s eyes flicked to him. He didn’t say anything, just finished his drink and set the glass down harder than needed, then poured another drink.

Hunter studied him for a moment.

“Are you in love with her?”

Romeo froze.

The glass slipped from his hand and hit the counter. He dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.

Hunter didn’t push immediately.

“I mean,” Hunter continued, quieter now, “I know what you felt for Bianca. You really, really loved her. It took you two and a half years to grieve her, man. That’s insane.”

Romeo looked straight ahead.

“But what about now?” Hunter asked. “How do you feel about Rias? Is it the same? Stronger? Weaker? Or similar to what you felt for Bianca?”

Romeo stayed silent for a few seconds, then finally spoke.

“I don’t know,” He said honestly. “That’s the problem.”

He took another bottle and opened it.

“Bianca was my first love,” He continued. “But I wasn’t given enough time with her. Everything ended before it could even fully become what it was supposed to be. So I don’t even know what that love would’ve grown into.”

He drank.

“Right now,” He said, “I don’t even know my own definition of love anymore.”

Hunter listened closely.

“What I feel for Rias,” Romeo went on.

“It’s not the same. It’s different. It’s like… something pulling me without asking. Like no matter how far I stay, something keeps dragging me back to her. I was so fucking happy when I heard she was coming back to Japan.”

He shook his head.

“But we’ve been apart for too long. Too much has changed. I don’t wanna mistake familiarity, or memories, or unfinished business for love.”

He glanced at Hunter.

“So I need to find out what it is. For real. Before I act on anything.”

Hunter chuckled softly, shaking his head.

“Man,” he said, lifting his drink, “You’re deep in it whether you admit it or not.”

Romeo let out a breath and stared at the bottle in his hand.

“I kind of think I sound selfish right now.”

Hunter turned on his stool to face him. “What do you mean?”

Romeo stayed quiet.

Hunter studied him for a second, then nodded slowly. “You mean… you feel like it’s selfish that you might have feelings for her after you rejected her in the past?”

“Sort of,” Romeo said.

Hunter scoffed lightly. “Get that foolish thought out of your head.”

Romeo glanced at him.

“You loved Bianca,” Hunter continued. “And the marriage between you and Rias was messy, yeah. You both had issues. You had Bianca, and Rias had Haru hanging around.”

Romeo didn’t interrupt.

“It was obvious you two met at the wrong time,” Hunter said. “You rejecting her when you made your feelings known to Bianca was the right thing.”

He leaned back a little.

“You didn’t lead Rias on by staying married to her while being with Bianca. And that wouldn’t have been fair to Bianca either.”

Romeo clenched his jaw slightly.

“So what if she fell in love with you and you rejected her?” Hunter went on. “You lost your first love too. Life doesn’t play fair. If you like her now, dude, I’m not gonna stop you.”

“You talk too much, Hunter.”Romeo groaned.

Hunter laughed. “So let me guess. You told her you were gonna win her back? What was her response?”

“She didn’t really say much,” Romeo said.

Hunter raised a brow.

“But I just know,” Romeo continued, his voice calm but firm, “Rias is still in love with me. And once I confirm that…”

He took a slow sip.

“I’m going to make her mine.”

Hunter shook his head with a low chuckle. “Yeah… you’re already in too deep.”

_______
[𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚]

Rias and Sasha sat across from each other, the afternoon sunlight spilling across the polished floor.

“Riri..!!” Sasha called.

“Yes, mommy!!” came the squeaky reply from upstairs.

“Come here, your godmother’s here.” Sasha said warmly.

Riri’s little feet pitter-pattered down the stairs, her laughter echoing through the villa.

“Godmother!!” she yelled, barreling into Rias’s arms.

Rias scooped her up effortlessly, spinning her once. “Oh my goodness, Riri, you’re much bigger now, and even heavier.”

“Of course, I’m a big girl and I’m also a pretty one,” Riri said proudly, wiggling in Rias’s arms.

Rias laughed, adjusting her hold. “Oh my goodness, Sasha, your daughter is so cute. Now I wanna make one.”

Sasha raised a brow and smirked. “Then marry Ashton.”

Rias froze for a second, looking at her.

Sasha chuckled. “I’m serious.”

Rias shook her head with a smile. “Noted, not today, though.”

Sasha turned to Riri. “Riri, go meet Esther upstairs, okay?”

“Okay mommy,” Riri said, planting a quick kiss on Rias’s cheek before dashing upstairs.

Rias exhaled, setting her feet firmly on the floor.

“I still cannot believe that your boyfriend is related to the Dragoni’s. Too much of a coincidence,” Sasha said, shaking her head.

“I know. That issue is really giving me a headache,” Rias replied, leaning back on the couch. “And now Ashton’s being so insecure about Romeo all because Romeo is my ex-husband.”

“Well, is his insecurity valid?” Sasha asked, tilting her head.

Rias hesitated, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I mean… your feelings for Romeo. Did they really vanish? I know it’s been four years, but tell me the truth.”

Sasha’s question hung in the air. Rias shifted, thoughtful.

“Ashton’s been nothing but good to me. Yes, we have a few arguments, like normal couples, but he loves me very much,” Rias said softly.

Sasha leaned in, voice firm. “You didn’t answer my question. I asked if your feelings for Romeo are gone entirely. Yes or no.”

Rias bit her lip. “That… that’s not an easy question. I love Ashton, but after seeing Romeo after all this time, I have this… mixed feeling. Like this sadness that hits me when I remember how he ignored me in the past.”

“And he’s not even making it easy for me,” Rias continued, voice low. “I don’t know if he’s in love with me or if he just wants me because he hates Ashton.”

Sasha frowned. “Why’s that?”

“Apparently, Romeo told Ashton that he was going to take me away from him,” Rias admitted.

Sasha laughed, shaking her head. “Well… can he?”

Rias stood up and stretched, pacing slightly. “Where’s your cellar? I want a drink.”

Sasha raised an eyebrow and smirked. “You’re dodging the question.”

Rias laughed, walking toward the stairs. “I just need a drink first.”

Sasha watched her go, a knowing smile tugging at her lips, shaking her head at the complicated love triangle her bestie had gotten tangled in.

_________
[𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐲𝐦]

Levi hit the gym early that morning, desperate to shake off the fog from yesterday’s argument with Ginger.

She was still nowhere to be found when he woke up, and the silence between them stung. He powered through his workout, sweat dripping as he pushed harder, trying to outrun the tension.

Thirsty after a set, he chugged his water bottle dry and eyed it empty. As if on cue, another appeared in his line of sight, held out steadily.

He looked up. A blonde guy stood there, all easy smiles and gym-rat build, towel slung over his shoulder.

“No thanks,” Levi said, wiping his face.

“I insist.” The guy’s voice was warm, insistent, his eyes lingering a beat too long.

Levi shrugged and took the bottle, twisting off the cap for a long pull. Cool relief.

“You’re Levi, right? The super popular idol? I see your face on billboards everywhere.” The guy leaned against a nearby machine, casual but close.

Levi nodded, setting the bottle down.

“You’re even more handsome in person.” He winked, quick and playful.

Levi arched a brow, not quite sure what to make of it.

“Can we be friends? I know celebrities like you might not vibe with us normies.” The guy’s grin widened, hopeful.

“That’s not the point. I don’t even know you,” Levi shot back, polite but firm.

“Rude of me. Name’s Martin.” He extended a hand, still smiling.

Levi shook it briefly.

“Still doesn’t mean we’re friends. Thanks for the water.” He stood to grab his bag.

Martin caught his wrist—gentle, but enough to stop him. “Wait up, that’s so mean. I just wanna be friends here.”

Levi sighed, glancing at the grip. “Fine.”

“Yesss!” Martin’s face lit up like he’d won something. “Can I have your number then?”

“What for?” Levi pulled his hand free, crossing his arms.

“So we can get to know each other. And your IG handle too—tons of imposters out there.” Martin pulled out his phone, ready.

“Sure.” Levi rattled off the digits and @LeviOfficial, then shouldered his bag. “I’m leaving.”

“Bye…” Martin called, voice trailing soft.

Levi headed out without a backward glance. Behind him, Martin’s smile sharpened as he tapped into Instagram.

Levi’s feed exploded with pro shots: sleek photoshoots, stage lights, workout flexes. The profile pic sealed it—Levi grinning arm-in-arm with Ginger, her head on his shoulder.

“He has a girlfriend?” Martin muttered, thumb pausing.

He scrolled anyway, tapping a recent post. Zoomed in on Levi’s sharp jawline, those dark eyes, the sweat-glistened abs from a gym mirror selfie. In, out.

“F+k, he’s cute.” Martin mumbled.

________
[𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 -6pm]

Ashton sat on the bed, shirtless, his back against the headboard while Rias straddled him, his strong hands kneading her ass slowly, possessively.

“You should’ve told me the truth about your dad. You don’t need to be ashamed that your mom was… I’m sorry,” She whispered, her voice soft against his skin.

“No problem, it’s fine,” He murmured, pulling her closer.

“I just want one thing,” he growled, burying his face into the warm curve of her neck.

She shut her eyes, a shiver running through her. “Hmm?”

“I don’t want you having anything to do with that guy. It’s already bad enough that you two are exes.” He bit her neck gently, marking her.

“You don’t have to worry,” she breathed. “I’m all yours.”

He looked up, cupped her face in his hands, and crashed his lips against hers in a hot, devouring kiss.

His tongue plunged deep, tasting her sweetness, claiming every inch of her mouth as she m+aned into him.

One hand slipped under her crop top, roaming greedily over her smooth skin, fingers tracing the underside of her br+sts.

He was rock-hard beneath her, throbbing with raw need, his body aching to bury himself inside her.

Breaking the kiss, he trailed his mouth down her chest, kissing and sucking her through the thin fabric, the outline of her nipples hardening under his hungry lips.

His hands gripped her a+s tighter as she ground against him, rolling her hips in slow, teasing circles that made his c+k strain painfully against his pants.

“F+k… Rias… I love you,” He groaned, voice thick with lust.

“I love you more,” She gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair.

Just then…

*Buzzzzzzz.*

Her phone buzzed loudly on the nightstand.

“Let me check that,” She said, starting to pull away.

“Later,” He commanded, yanking her crop top off in one swift motion.

Her full breasts spilled free, bouncing enticingly. “I wanna f+k you so hard right now.”

*Buzzzzzzzz.*

“Just a minute… f+k… Ashton,” She moaned as he latched onto her n+pple, biting and sucking with feral intensity, sending jolts of pleasure straight to her core.

*Buzzzzzzzz.*

“Fine, check it,” He relented, flopping back against the headboard, frustrated.

Rias slid off the bed, her body still humming with ar0usal, and grabbed her phone.

Her eyes widened as the screen lit up with seven texts from Romeo, each one dripping with flirty desperation that hit her like a drug:

—
Romeo: If you’re doing anything right now, ditch it and head to this address.

Romeo: Meet me at Lumière, the French Restaurant in Shibuya.

Romeo: I want us to talk about… US.

Romeo: You’re not gonna say no, are you? I know you want to see me… I can feel it.

Romeo: You can choose not to show up if you really don’t wanna see me.

Romeo: But I’d rather you come… because I badly wanna see you.

Romeo: I need to spend time with you right now. Don’t make me wait.

She bit her lip hard, pulse racing, a wild heat flooding her that drowned out everything else.

She didn’t even realize how crazed she looked, eyes glazed, body already turning toward the door.

“Who’s it?” Ashton asked, sitting up.

She blinked, snapping a lie without missing a beat. “It’s Grandpa.”

“That’s more important…?” He asked.

“Sorry, Ashton,” she said with a quick, distracted smile, pulling on her clothes in a before bolting out the door.

“Darn it!” Ashton groaned, punching the pillow.

Alone and throbbing with unspent need, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

“Hey, do you know of any clubs in Tokyo with hot chicks? I need a good fuck right now.”

___________
[𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭]

Rias got to the restaurant and headed for the counter. It was a massive place, buzzing with life.

The waitress led her straight to the VIP room—an enclosed spot with a huge plush couch and a low glass table.

There sat Romeo, lounging back, sipping red wine from a crystal glass, looking every bit the king of his domain.

“Hi,” she said, voice steady but her pulse already kicking up.

“You actually came. Thought for a second you might bail,” He replied, eyes locking on hers with that signature smirk.

“Well, I’m here.” She slid onto the couch beside him, close enough to catch the warm spice of his cologne.

“Were you excited to see me?”He leaned in, invading her space just enough to make her skin tingle.

She scoffed, crossing her arms. “Excited? Please. I came on my own terms. I could walk out right now if I wanted.”

She made a move to stand, but his hand shot out, fingers wrapping firm around her wrist, strong, warm, holding her in place without effort.

“Stay,” he murmured, voice low and commanding.

She sank back down, heart thudding.

“So why’d you call me here?” she asked, meeting his gaze.

“Hmm. Let’s just say that I want us to be close. Let’s settle whatever differences we have between us.” His eyes darkened, tracing her face.

“Close? Are we even friends?”

“I already consider you one.” He shifted closer, thigh brushing hers.

“You consider us friends? We can’t be if you haven’t asked my permission, and there’s a saying that goes…’Exes don’t stay friends.’…”

“Why? Don’t wanna get close to me?” His tone teased, but his stare burned.

“What if I say no? I have a boyfriend and this is inappropriate. And since when did you even care about me?”

He went quiet, letting the silence stretch, thick with unspoken heat.

“Tell me—why the sudden interest? I thought you hated me,” she pressed.

“And if I say I don’t?” He leaned in, eyes drilling into hers.

“You know damn well I never hated you, Rias. You were just… annoying.”

“And now? I’m not annoying anymore?” She arched a brow, but her voice softened.

“So let’s get this straight,” She said, her tone turning sultry, leaning into him just a fraction. “I know you don’t want us as ..just friends. What do you really want… from me?”

Romeo smirked, holding her gaze like a promise. His hand slid up, fingers threading into her hair, stroking slow and deliberate, sending shivers down her spine.

“Can you give me what I want?” he whispered, thumb grazing her scalp.

“Let’s see if I can,” she breathed, pulse racing.

He didn’t hesitate.

“I want us to have something real, Rias. Something hot, messy, something that’s ours alone. Now, I’m not tryna play games with you. I want us tangled together like we both know we should be.”

Her breath hitched, eyes narrowing playfully. “So you’re indirectly telling me to cheat on my boyfriend?”

He tilted his head, smirk sharpening. “Do you love him?”

“Of course. What kind of question is that?”

In one smooth move, his hand snaked around her waist—fingers splaying wide and possessive over the curve of her hip.

He yanked her forward, pulling her right onto his lap.

She landed straddling him, her hands instinctively pressing flat against his chest, feeling the hard muscle flex under her palms, the rapid thump of his heart matching hers.

Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling hot and heavy—his cologne wrapping around her like a drug, the heat of his body seeping through her clothes, making her thighs clench against his.

The closeness hit her like a wave: his firm grip anchoring her hips, the thick ridge of him pressing up against her core through his pants, every inhale pulling her deeper into his orbit.

Her skin flushed hot, her nipples tightening under her top, a slick ache building low in her belly as his warmth radiated straight through her.

“Let me rephrase that, cause I don’t think you understood my question.” He growled, lips brushing her ear, voice a velvet rumble that vibrated down her spine.

His free hand cupped her jaw, tilting her face to his. “Do you love him… more than you love me?”

“I…”

“You’d better not lie to me, S×y Cat.” He whispered, hot breath ghosting her ear, lips grazing the sensitive lobe.

The moment the words left his mouth, a rush of dark satisfaction shot through him—like he’d finally put a name to the hunger he’d been trying to ignore.

A lazy, dangerous smile tugged at his mouth as he imagined her owning that title.

Heat flared low in his belly, his body reacting before his mind could catch up, every nerve humming at the way her name curled around his tongue.

Rias squeezed her eyes shut tight, swallowing hard against the firestorm he ignited.

Why? Why the hell does he still have an effect on me like this?

“No need to answer.” He pulled back just enough for her eyes to fling open, meeting his triumphant smirk.

“I already have my answer.”

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