Song for the chapter: Heaven, by Julia Michaels

Trying to study for animal science isn't exactly as easy as it sounds. As a last year college student, you have all the electives to choose from, but they're hard and they expect you to know more than you should because you've been in school for so long.

On top of that, you also have to juggle the added stressor of the internship on top of that. Over the past few weeks, I had managed to work out my schedule with Lowe's in order to fit my internship hours since we we're now in the early days of September, and school started back up.

Ever since my first initial meeting with Tamika, we'd been meeting up one a week to continue to build our case with the video proof that Joey had given me and I had managed to put on a flash drive. She repeatedly warned me of the judges always ruling in favor of the parent, especially since Joey is already sixteen.

I didn't care, though. Joey's been through enough hell to have to keep enduring it because the step-monster thinks I'll back off. I won't. Joey's my sister and I'll fight as hard as I can for her.

When I told that to Tamika, she smiled and told me that she really admired that about me. And that I had reminded her of why she chose family law to begin with. It was a nice compliment to receive.

Tamika, herself, was a lovely woman. Dark skin, dark eyes. She had short brown hair and a long, lengthy body. She was a single mother of two who always made sure to make time for her kids. She did this because she loved her kids and because she wanted to help people who loved their families. I admired that about her. She's a fighter, and I know that she has a story.

I shake the thought from my head as I feel Ryker's eyes on mine. I glance up from my book, and as I suspected, he's staring at me.

"What?"

"Nothing."

I narrow my eyes at him before I look back at my page. Again, trying to study for my degree isn't as easy as it sounds. But trying to study with Ryker around is nearly impossible. He never lets me study, ever. He uses that damn cute puppy dog face and always distracts me.

I can feel his intense gaze on me again.

I look up. "What?"

He smiles mischievously. "Nothing."

"Stop it." I warn sternly.

Right now, we're sitting on my couch. I'm leaning against the arm of the couch, my legs stretched out across it. Ryker's beside me, my legs over his lap and his hands pressed against my exposed shins.

Probably the wrong day to wear shorts, but I also wasn't expecting him to show up on my one day off that I had planned to study.

"Stop what?" He asks innocently.

"Whatever you're planning. I can literally see it brewing up in there." I motion towards him without looking up at him.

"I'm hurt," Ryker scoffs. "How could you think that I'd distract you from your oh, so, very important studies?"

I look up at him, raising a brow. An evil smirk grows across his face, making me roll my eyes.

"You're such a child sometimes."

One of his hands trails up my legs, making my breathing hitch. I try to act like I'm focused on the animal diagrams and charts in the book in front of me, but I'm hyper aware of the fact that he's scooting closer, his hand skimming past my knee.

Honestly, the last time we've done anything sexual was that day before his family dinner. Which, now, was almost a month ago. I'm not sure how almost month flew by so fast. But between planning and getting ready to file a court case, starting my internship, getting back into school, and trying to see Ryker as much as I can in between...yeah, I barely had time for anything else.

"What do you think you're doing?" My voice is weak and breathless as he reaches the top of my thigh.

His dangerous hazel eyes look up at mine, making my stomach flip.

"You've been working too hard, Maddison." He reaches his other hand over, pushing his hand through my messy hair. "Don't you think?"

I practically whimper. "N-no. I need to study."

He smirks, reaching for the book in my lap. "I think you need a break."

My eyes widen as he takes the book I was clutching between my fingers and tosses it aside, landing with a heavy thud on the floor beside us. In a quick motion, he grips my legs and pulls me downward, hooking my legs around his waist. My jaw slacks as he leans only some of his body weight on me, making my heart beat rapidly.

His eyes glaze over as he looks down at me, then let his eyes trail down to my chest. I take my bottom lip between my teeth as I wait in anticipation.

"You've been a busy girl, Maddison. And I respect that. But right now, all I can think about is having your legs wrapped around my face, making you scream my name for everyone in this building to hear."

I felt hot all over. That knot was already tightening in the pit of my stomach and I felt the warmth pool in between my legs. He looked at me with such a hunger and desire that made my mouth dry.

"But of course," he uses the tips of his fingers to very lightly trace the outline of my lips. "It's up to you, baby."

I shudder at his words, which makes a knowing smirk form on his lips. He leans down, placing a kiss on my cheek. I lift my hands and fist them on the hair at the base of his neck. A shiver comes across him as he presses another kiss to my cheek.

He looks deep in my eyes, which makes my chest flutter. He gently strokes my cheek with his thumb before he dives down and claims my lips with his. Starved for his touch, I cling to him like he's my saving grace. I move my hands from his hair to his back, pulling him closer, if it was even possible.

I tighten my legs around his waist, making him mutter a low, Spanish profanity against my lips. He was suddenly very in tune with his Spanish vocabulary, and I'd be a liar if I said it didn't turn me the hell on.

He peppers kisses on my jaw down to my neck, stopping at the sensitive area below my ear. My eyes flutter closed as he gently sucks and nibbles the skin. But what took me by surprise was when he sucks harder than ever, causing pure pleasure to course through my veins.

My eyes snap open as I look at him. He just has a very naughty smirk as he looks at me, continuing to kiss my neck. One of his hands moved under my shirt, up my stomach and under my sports bra. To add to the sensation of him flicking his tongue on my neck, he gently squeezed my breast, causing a rather embarrassingly loud moan to ripple through the air.

"Your skin is so soft, Maddison." Ryker's voice is gruff as he kneads my breast, making my eyes cross. "Fuck, you look so beautiful."

I whimper in pleasure, in delight at his words. He hungrily finds my lips, not wasting any time before he slips his tongue in and explores my mouth. When his tongue touches mine, I swear I see stars. I don't know what it is about Ryker, maybe everything, but every touch sends me reeling, and I was ready for more.

"Ryker," I pause at the breathlessness laced with desire in my tone.

He looks at me, which makes me smile. I move up, pushing us into a more of a sitting position. I straddle his waist and push a hand through his hair, kissing his lips tenderly. I catch his bottom lip between my teeth, tugging at his lip ring in a teasing manner. A low groan escapes his lips which makes the heat between my legs worse.

I close my eyes, trying to muster up whatever courage I can so that I can say what I need say.

"Show me."

"Show you what?" I can hear the genuine confusion in his voice.

I open my eyes, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Show me...how to please you."

At that his eyes widened and darkened at the same time. I can see the inner struggle of him wanting to, but also that amazing, sometimes annoying, chivalrous act that he does telling me that he can wait, always putting my needs ahead of his, and saying that he wants to do right by me.

I love him for it, because it's very romantic. The fact that he's willing to wait for me to be ready to go all the way with him was touching in ways that I couldn't explain. But I also know that he's a dude and he has needs, too.

"Teach me," I feel my face heat up. "Teach me how to make you feel the way you make me feel."

I can see his chest falling up and down faster, making me press my palm to his chest. He looks at my eyes and I smile.

"I love you. I know what I want."

"Maddison," Ryker sighs, placing a hand on top of mine. "Just this alone makes me feel good. You don't have to do anything else."

Fine. If he wouldn't show me by asking nicely, I'd have to play dirty.

I lick my lips, trailing my hand down his hard stomach. His eyes are wide as he watches me.

"If you think it feels good just touching your chest," I stop at the hem of his pants. "Imagine if you taught me how to touch you where you wanted to be touched."

The moan he let out made me have to bite my lip to keep mine at bay. The hunger in his eyes was evident, and I wanted him to know that I can do this, just like he could.

"Y-fuck, Maddison." He closes his eyes as I unbutton his jeans.

"If you don't show me, I'll just learn myself." I shrug, looking up at him through my lashes.

Without giving him time to argue, I feel him—actually feel him. Like I never dared to before. I pushed my hand between his jeans and his boxers, feeling his hardness between the fabric.

"Por el amor de Dios," Ryker pants, throwing his head back.

I've never been more turned on in my life: seeing Ryker's Adam's apple bop up and down as his eyes are screwed shut and he's letting out the hottest gasps of breath. All I'm doing is touching this...thing and he's acting like I'm doing all the things he's done to me.

"I," I shake my head. "I don't know what to do next."

I feel embarrassment flood my body and my face heat up immediately. I turn my head away from him, regretting even saying anything.

"Hey," Ryker's hand caresses my cheek and turns me to look at him. "Don't be embarrassed, baby. I was the same way."

"Yeah, right." I snort.

"I was. I didn't know what to do, either. It just...comes, with more practice. But I can promise you this." He smiles. "I've never been this fucking turned on by someone just grabbing my dick before."

"Ryker!" I flush.

"What? It's true. Olivia had to do a lot for me to..." his cheeks turn pink.

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

He smiles and leans forward, kissing my lips. He looks at me lovingly as he pulls back.

"You really wanna learn?" I nod, which makes him chuckle. "Alright, baby. I'll teach you. It's mostly up to you, though."

I take my lip between my teeth as I grip his shoulder with one hand. He kisses my chin a couple times as I try to rid my stomach of the nerves. But one look at him, they evaporated. I kissed his lips, my hand trailing down his body.

"I love you, Maddison." He mutters against my lips.

"I love you, Ryker." I inhale.

The moment our eyes locked, my phone starts to ring. None of us make a move, to entranced with one another. I push some of his wavy hair from his forehead, his lips parting. When my phone starts ringing again, I press my forehead against his.

"It's okay, baby." Ryker chuckles gently. "We have all the time in the world."

I look at him, a smile on my face. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he shakes his head. "Being around you is all I need."

I feel my cheeks flush as I turn towards the table and grab my phone, pressing it against my cheek.

"Hello?"

"Maddi, great news."

"Hi, Tamika. What's up?"

"We got a court date, judge signed off on it. We'll be going before him in two weeks."

"Two weeks?" I echo.

"Yes, ma'am. Enough time for Joey's parents to be served with the subpoena and for them to get a lawyer. Everything's coming together, kid."

I nod. "Alright. Okay. That-that's awesome. Thank you for letting me know."

"Anytime, Maddi. I'll be in touch."

And just like that, she hung up. I felt Ryker lightly rubbing my shoulder.

"What was that?"

"That was Tamika. She got us a court date."

"That's a good thing though, isn't it?"

I smile. "Yeah. Of course."

He wrapped his arm around me, bringing me close to his body. But the reality and totality of the situation was here—the court battle would happen soon. And this was would make or break Joey and me. Everything that I'd been fighting so hard for.

I needed this to work out. I needed Joey to come home. I needed everything to work out the way I'd been convincing myself for so long that it would. I just needed it to.

A/N

Sorry if my lawyer talk is off, y'all. I'm in no way a lawyer and have no idea if that's the right wording to use for that situation 🙈 if not, let me know and I'll change it.

Thanks for reading, lovelies! Don't forget to vote, comment, etc!! <33