A lesson
VIOLET
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the faint pink imprint of my lips in the mirror. It wasn’t just the kiss that lingered.
My heart fluttered at the memory, and I shook my head, trying to focus on the book I’d brought up with me. But it was no use. Ryan had this way of taking up space in my head even when he wasn’t in the room.
I glanced toward my door, half expecting him to come barging in, teasing me about something or pulling me into his arms without a word. It was just his style—his world revolved around control, and lately, it seemed like I was the one thing that threw him off balance.
A ping from my phone interrupted my train of thoughts.I reached for my phone on the nightstand, the screen lighting up with a message from Ashley.
Ashley: Hope you didn’t forget we’re going shopping today for graduation outfits! Don’t even think about bailing.
I sighed, setting the phone back down.
Standing, I made my way to my closet, rifling through the hangers. Something casual but cute, I decided. After all, Ashley would kill me if I showed up looking like I’d just rolled out of bed. I settled on a light blue sundress, the one Ryan once said brought out my eyes.
Pulling it over my head, I caught my reflection in the mirror again. For a moment, I hesitated. The dress swayed lightly around my knees, the neckline modest but flattering. Would Ryan notice? And why did I care so much?
Shaking off the thought, I slipped into a pair of sandals and grabbed my bag. Before heading out, though, I found myself moving down the hall toward Ryan’s room. It wasn’t like I needed his permission or anything, but something about leaving without telling him didn’t feel right.
I knocked lightly but he didn't respond even after three more knocks.
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. He was sitting at his desk, sketching something in that. His hair was slightly messy, like he’d been running his hands through it, and his focus was intense.
For a moment, I just stood there, watching him. He didn’t notice me right away, which gave me time to appreciate the way the sunlight spilled through the window, highlighting his sharp features.
“Hey,” I finally said, and his head snapped up, his expression softening when he saw me.
“Hey babe” His eyes traveled down to the dress, lingering for a second longer than necessary. “You heading out?”
“Yeah,” I said, shifting awkwardly under his gaze. “Ashley and I are going to pick out graduation outfits. Thought I’d let you know.”
Ryan leaned back in his chair, his brush still in hand as he studied me. “Alone?”
I frowned. “Yes, alone. Why?”
He set the pencil down, pushing away from the desk as he stood. “I’ll drive you.”
I blinked at him. “What? You don’t need to do that.”
He grabbed his keys from the desk, completely ignoring my protest. “I know I don’t need to. I want to.”
“Ryan, it’s just a quick trip with Ashley. You’ll be bored out of your mind,” I argued, following him as he headed toward the door.
He paused in the doorway, turning back to me with a smirk. “Bored? Watching you try on clothes? Not a chance.”
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. “I thought you hated shopping.”
“Correction: I hate shopping for myself. Shopping with you? Different story.” His tone was teasing, but there was a sincerity in his eyes that made my stomach flutter.
Realizing I wasn’t going to win this argument, I sighed. “Fine. But if Ashley tries to kill you for tagging along, I’m not helping.”
He grinned. “Deal.”
Within minutes, we were in his car. The scent of his cologne filled the small space, and I couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious as he glanced over at me, his gaze lingering longer than it should have.
The car ride was peaceful, with the gentle hum of the engine. I leaned back in my seat, scrolling through my phone.
I stopped on a post and tilted my head. “Hey, Ryan, have you ever watched Prison Break?”
He glanced at me briefly before turning his eyes back to the road. “A couple of episodes. Why?”
I grinned, showing him my phone, which displayed a picture of Wentworth Miller as Michael Scofield. “This guy. He’s just...so cute. And honestly, he’s ridiculously hot too.”
Ryan’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, his jaw visibly clenching. I was so caught up in my excitement that I didn’t notice the change in his demeanor.
“They say he’s gay,” I added, scrolling through more photos. “Not that it matters, but isn’t that kind of sad? I mean, imagine him not falling for you if you ever got the chance. What a waste.” I giggled, oblivious to the icy silence settling over Ryan.
“You’re really interested in this guy, huh?” His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of tension that made me pause.
I glanced up, noticing the way his knuckles had whitened against the wheel. “What? Ryan, don’t tell me you’re jealous. It’s just a celebrity crush!”
That did it. Without a word, Ryan pulled the car to the side of the road, the tires crunching against gravel as we came to an abrupt halt.
“Why are we stopping?” I asked, confused.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Backseat,” he ordered, his voice low and commanding.
“What?” I blinked, completely lost.
“Get in the backseat, Violet. Now.”
My stomach flipped at his tone—there was no room for argument. Unsure of what was happening, I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed into the back. The second I was settled, Ryan followed, slamming the door shut behind him.
“Ryan—”
He cut me off, his hands cupping my face as he captured my mouth in a ferocious kiss. It was raw, consuming, and completely unapologetic, leaving me breathless.
His hands moved down, gripping my waist as he pulled me closer. “You don’t get it, do you?” he murmured against my lips, his voice a mix of frustration and desire.
“Get what?” I whispered, dazed.
“That you drive me insane,” he growled, his lips trailing down my neck. “Hearing you talk about another guy like that—it makes me want to lose my damn mind.I don’t care if it’s a stupid photo or a random stranger. The only guy you get to call hot is me.”
“Ryan,” I breathed, my hands gripping his shirt as his words sank in.
“You’re mine, Violet,” he said, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart race. “And I’m about to make sure you remember that
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