CHAPTER 49
ANNA’S POV
Exactly 4pm and my phone buzzed with a text from Ryan.
Ryan: I’m outside waiting for you.
My lips curved into a giggle as I quickly applied a fresh coat of lip gloss, smacked my lips together, picked up my bag, and headed out of my room. I had chosen a red flowery gown that flared above my knees, simple sandals on my feet. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt quite cute enough for a casual date.
The moment I stepped outside, my stomach did a flip. There he was, leaning against his car with his phone in his hand, his jeans and white t–shirt hugging every muscle like they had been made just for him. My mouth nearly watered at the sight because damn, he looked so hot without even trying. When he finally looked up from his phone and saw me, a huge smile broke across his face.
I walked toward him, butterflies flooding my stomach, and before I could even say a word, he grabbed me, kissed me hard, his hand sliding down to squeeze my butt as he held me tight. I gasped into his mouth, my cheeks burning. He pulled back only to whisper against my lips, You look so fucking sexy. Beautiful. Hot.”
I giggled nervously, swatting lightly at his chest. “Ryan, stop.”
“Never,” he grinned, then opened the door for me. I slid in, and the moment he got in on his side, he leaned over to steal another kiss before starting the car.
As we pulled off, he glanced at me. “Hungry?”
“Yeah,” I admitted with a smile.
“I figured,” he said. “I wanted to take you straight to the cinema, but food first. Can’t have my girl starving.”
I laughed. “You make me sound like a baby.”
“You’re worse when you’re hungry,” he teased.
“Shut up,”
“I muttered, but I couldn’t hide my smile.
He drove us to a well–known restaurant. The place was buzzing with people, but Ryan kept his hand around my waist as we walked in, leading me straight to a table near the window. He pulled out a chair for me, waited for me to sit, then sat down himself.
The waiter who came to take our order was male and instantly I felt his eyes on me. He barely looked at Ryan even when Ryan started speaking to him. Ryan listed what we wanted, his tone
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calm, but the waiter didn’t even acknowledge him properly. Instaed, he leaned toward me, smirking. “And for you, sexy?”
My eyes widened, but before I could even react, Ryan’s voice cut in, low, cold, powerful.
“What did you just call her?”
The waiter blinked, startled. “I was just-
Ryan leaned forward slowly, his voice dropping even lower, sharp as ice. “You’ll address her as ma’am or miss. Not ‘sexy.‘ Not anything else. And if your hand moves another inch toward her, I’ll make sure you never serve in this restaurant again.”
The waiter’s smirk faltered. “I… I didn’t mean-
“You didn’t think,” Ryan interrupted, his tone cutting. “That’s your mistake. Fix it.”
”
The air felt heavy. Another staff member, older, hurried over and bowed slightly. “Forgive us, Prince Ryan. He didn’t know who he was speaking to.” He turned to the waiter sharply. Apologize!”
The waiter’s face turned pale as he stammered, “I–I’m sorry, I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
Ryan didn’t even blink. He just stared coldly at him until the man dropped his gaze. Only then did Ryan nod once, dismissing him. The older staff member quickly took over, apologizing again while writing down my order.
Once they left, I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Ryan… you could’ve been calmer.”
He turned his head toward me, eyes still burning. “Calm? When he was staring at you like that? No, Anna. I don’t do calm when it comes to you.”
I chuckled softly, reaching for his hand across the table. “You don’t have to worry. I belong to you. Remember? I already carry your mark.” I tilted my chin, brushing my fingers over my collarbone. “If anyone should be worried, it’s me. You don’t have my mark, so technically you don’t belong to me yet.”
He softened instantly, his lips twitching into a small smile. “We’re bonded already, Anna. Soul to soul. That’s stronger than any mark.‘
“But I want you to have mine too,” I whispered. I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
He kissed my hand softly. “I already am. With or without a mark, I’m yours completely.”
My cheeks burned as I smiled shyly. “Good.”
Not long after, our food arrived. The tension eased, and we slipped into laughter and easy conversation. Ryan told me about his day at work, how his PA had mixed up files and almost caused chaos in the office. He groaned, rolling his eyes. “Sometimes I wonder if the guy even listens to me. Honestly, I can’t wait until you start your internship. You’ll be my PA, and at
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least then I’ll have someone I can actually trust.
I laughed. “You just want me in your office so you can boss me around.”
“”
He smirked. “Boss you around? Baby, the only thing I’ll be doing is finding excuses to keep you close. And if I get you on my office desk…” He leaned closer, his voice dipping husky. Don’t expect me to behave.”
My cheeks flamed, and I smacked his arm. “Ryan!”
He chuckled, squeezing my hand. “I’m serious though. I can’t wait. Everything’s better when you’re with me.”
