Chapter 5

“How did it go?”

Claire didn’t even wait for me to fully step inside the house. The moment I opened the door, her nosy tone was already hovering over me like a cloud of judgment. I rolled my eyes and brushed past her without saying a word.

“The way you’re ignoring me tells me Operation: Help Lexie Get Laid was a total disaster.”

She snorted with amusement and followed me into the kitchen, clearly enjoying this far more than she should’ve.

“It was a disaster, alright. That guy did nothing but reject me again and again,” I said through gritted teeth, tossing my bag onto the kitchen counter and scowling at the memory. “God, why do I get the feeling this whole plan is just a really, really bad idea?”

Claire grinned, offering no sympathy whatsoever. “Wow, only now you’re getting that feeling?”

I gave her another eye-roll.

“I’m serious. I’m going to get him to sleep with me. I will make him, Claire.”

She stared at me for a beat, her expression unreadable.

“Let me get this straight,” she said finally. “You’re really going to force this? You’re giving your virginity to a guy who has rejected you more than once?”

“Yep. That’s the plan.”

“And you’re okay committing a sin with this man just to get back at your dumbass ex?”

Claire looked at me like I’d completely lost it.

“I mean, that’s what we agreed on from the beginning, remember?”

I was done trying to defend myself, so I just scowled again and crossed my arms.

“Wow. You’re actually planning to corrupt some poor man’s soul just to get revenge on Rafael. You and God are chill with that?”

I froze in place.

“Oh, crap. I forgot about God.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Claire burst into uncontrollable laughter. Annoyed, I grabbed a teaspoon and chucked it at her.

“He said he’d call,” I muttered, glaring at the clock on the wall for what felt like the twentieth time that evening.

Still nothing.

Not a single text. No missed calls. It was already past 9PM, and I was starting to feel like the only reason he even asked for my number was because I pressured him into it. Ram Jordan was clearly not planning to call.

“Maybe he’s just not into you,” Claire called smugly from her bedroom. “Sleep it off, cous.”

I sat on the couch for a few more minutes, hoping for some miracle, before finally giving up. With a sigh, I got up and trudged to my room to change into my pajamas.

And then….

knock, knock, knock.

“What the hell now? If this is Rafael again, I swear…”

I stormed to the door, already half-ready to slam it shut on whoever was on the other side.

“Hi.”

He was smiling.

Ram freaking Jordan.

“Ram?” I blinked in surprise. “How did you—how do you even know where I live?”

“I have my ways,” he replied with a sly smirk. “So… still up for that drink?”

“It’s late.”

“I know,” he said with a casual shrug. “Had a crap day at work. Remembered you offering. So—what do you say?”

I hesitated, heart suddenly pounding. “O-Okay…”

“This doesn’t look like the road to any bar I know,” I said suspiciously after a few minutes of driving. “Where are we going?”

“My house,” he answered simply. “I’ve got a private bar there.”

“Your house?” I echoed, brows furrowed.

“I hope you don’t mind,” he added, flashing that annoyingly charming smile.

I stayed quiet, nodding to myself. This is what you wanted, Lexie. Just roll with it.

He was silent while driving, completely composed and unreadable, while I on the other hand was busy sneaking glances at him and unconsciously biting my lower lip.

“Stop biting your lip like that,” he said suddenly, eyes still on the road. “It makes me want to do it for you.”

My breath hitched as I quickly turned my gaze away, trying not to combust on the spot.

“Whoa. Your house is huge. Do you live here alone?” I asked as we stepped out of his car and stared up at the massive front door.

It wasn’t just a house, it was a damn palace.

“I live with staff,” he said casually.

“Yeah, but like… no family? No one special?”

He shrugged. “Women come and go.”

Ouch.

“I mean women my age. Not kids.”

Double ouch. I rolled my eyes hard enough to sprain something.

“I’m not a kid, Ram.”

He didn’t slow down or glance my way. I had to practically power-walk up the grand staircase just to catch up with him. His legs were like a runway model’s, if runway models were built like sin.

“Wait up!” I called out, slightly out of breath.

“I’m not a kid,” I repeated once I reached him, firmer this time. “I’ll say it a hundred times if I have to.”

“I already told you,” he said with a smirk. “You’re twenty-four. That’s old enough. Don’t waste your breath proving it.”

I didn’t think. I just reached out, grabbed him by the neck, and kissed him.

He froze.

I felt the tension in his muscles under my fingers, and even I was shocked by my own boldness. But what shocked me more?

He kissed me back.

It started slow, gentle, almost hesitant, then deepened. One hand found the back of my neck, the other settled firmly on my waist, and in that moment, I forgot how to breathe.

I counted five minutes in my head before finally pulling away, not because I wanted to—but because I was afraid I wouldn’t stop if I didn’t.

“Easy, kitten,” he murmured. “Careful with your claws. You might end up scratching yourself.”

I blinked, snapping out of the haze, and scowled at him. He laughed at my expression.

“I’m not a kid,” I said again.

“Whatever. Come on.”

His tone shifted, more commanding now, like he expected me to follow. And I did.

Quietly.

“Stay here,” Ram said, guiding me onto a ridiculously soft couch before disappearing through a nearby door.

I couldn’t stop staring around the place.

Is he in the mafia or something? I muttered internally, eyes wide as I took in the rich, elegant design of his home.

After a few minutes of gawking, I stood up. Nature was calling, and I had no clue where the bathroom was.

So, of course, I did the only logical thing, I followed the same door Ram went through.

“Ram?” I knocked lightly. No answer.

“Sorry, I need the bathroom- oh… my… God.”

He was naked.

Back turned, completely exposed, his body chiseled like a Greek god. Broad shoulders. Trim waist. That ass.

Was I hypnotized?

Does this guy live in the gym or what?

“I thought I told you to wait,” he said without turning around.

“Uhm yeah- I- I need to find you were naked.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

“I-I mean-”

I cleared my throat, flustered beyond belief.

“I was just having issues with the- uh, chest- ugh, no. I mean, I needed to use the bathroom!”

“There it is,” he said, pointing. “Want me to come with you?”

He was still very naked. I looked everywhere except at him.

“N-no. I’m fine. Totally fine. God’s teeth, why am I stuttering? Just… do me a favor?”

“Sure,” he said with that infuriating smile.

“Put on a damn shirt. You’re hot and it’s seriously distracting.”

He chuckled. “Sorry for being hot, Lexie. Most women enjoy seeing me naked. Though I’m not sure if it works the same for kids.”

“I’m not a kid,” I hissed again.

I thought I’d be relieved when I came out of the bathroom and saw he had finally put on some clothes.

I wasn’t.

Seriously? He put on more layers? I grumbled under my breath and rolled my eyes—even though I was the one who asked for it.

“Drink time?” Ram asked, still wearing that maddening grin.

I nodded and followed him out of the room, doing my best not to let my gaze drop to his backside again.

Stop undressing him with your eyes, Lexie. Control yourself.

“Hah! Get a grip, Lexie,” I scolded myself under my breath.

“You okay?” Ram glanced back, brows raised.

“Uh, is the AC working?”

He blinked, confused.

“It’s just really hot in here.”

I said, fanning myself with deliberate nonchalance.

He stared at me, unblinking, his eyes dark with something unreadable.

“No, it’s not hot in here, Lexie. You just accidentally saw Ram Jordan naked. That’s why you’re sweating.”

And just like that, he pinned me against the wall, kissing me like I was something he couldn’t resist, and honestly, I didn’t even try to fight it. I answered his kisses like I had no control left in my body.

Because in that moment?

I didn’t.