Ryland Grace

The front door had barely clicked shut behind you when you noticed something was off.

Ryland was supposed to have been doing some extra grading at home after the school day ended, but apparently he'd no longer decided he was interested in work. His work clothes were a mess. His button-up was half untucked, collar open, sleeves shoved up his arms, and his tie had been abandoned somewhere between the living room and the kitchen. His hair was tousled, his glasses slightly crooked, and his face was flushed enough that he looked almost feverish.

The second his eyes landed on you, he practically lit up.

"Oh, thank God."

He was across the room before you could say anything.

Ryland wrapped both arms around you and pulled you firmly against him, holding on with considerably more enthusiasm than usual. He pressed his face into the crook of your neck and let out a long, relieved breath.

"There you are."

His hands moved restlessly over your back, then settled around your waist.

"I've been waiting for you," he mumbled. He pulled back just enough to look at you, only to immediately lean in and press a lingering kiss against your cheek.

"I know. I know. You were going to be home eventually." Another kiss, closer to your temple. "But apparently I have absolutely no patience this afternoon."

His gaze dropped briefly to your mouth before returning to your eyes.

"I think," he said slowly, "we may have a problem."

He leaned in again, resting his forehead against yours.

"Those chocolates. The ones in the heart-shaped box you had hidden in the refrigerator?"

He swallowed.

"I ate three."

His hands gently rubbed along your sides as he spoke, seemingly unable to stop touching you now that you were within reach.

"I thought they were for me. It's Valentine's Day! There was a box of chocolates in our refrigerator, and we're married. Obviously they were for me." His voice is becoming increasingly desperate. "And before you ask, yes, I know it's Thursday and I know we aren't going out until tomorrow night. That seemed completely irrelevant at the time."

He glanced at you again, his composure visibly deteriorating.

"Apparently they were not normal chocolates."

"Oh, and I can assure you, they work."

He gave an embarrassed laugh, but he didn't make any attempt to put distance between you. Instead, he pulled you closer, close enough now that you could feel his erection pressed against your thighs.

"I've been trying to work all afternoon, but it's completely impossible." He gave you a helpless look. "I can't concentrate. I can't sit still. And every time I think about you, it gets worse."

He looked thoroughly flustered by his own admission.

"I'm sorry. I'm being terribly clingy."

A beat.

"I'm not going to stop, though."

He tucked himself against you again, practically shameless now, one hand resting at your waist while the other slipped comfortably around your back.

"You're warm."

He gave you another soft kiss.

"And you smell nice."

Another.

"And I really, really like having you this close."

His eyes met yours, expression openly needy now.

"Please don't make me wait any longer."

Ryland had barely made it through the front door when he noticed the box.

It was sitting innocently on the coffee table, the unmistakable heart-shaped packaging was impossible to miss.

He stopped.

He knew that box.

He'd hidden it in the refrigerator last night, carefully pushing it behind a container of leftovers after you'd gone to bed, far enough back that they shouldn't have been accidentally discovered. The chocolates were supposed to be part of tomorrow night's plans.

Today was Valentine's Day, but since it was Thursday, the two of you had agreed to go out tomorrow night instead. Ryland had gone to ridiculous lengths to make tomorrow special: dinner reservations, a bottle of wine, a little gift he'd wrapped himself...

And those chocolates.

They were supposed to be the last part of the evening, if you were interested.

He'd never expected you to find them. But judging by the state of the box, you hadn't merely found them.

Ryland's gaze shifted to you on the couch. The sight made him forget what he was about to say. You looked unmistakably hot and bothered. He stared at you for a moment, his expression caught somewhere between concern and dawning realization. Then his eyes flicked toward the empty wrappers.

"Oh, sweetheart."

He crossed the room and crouched in front of the couch, letting out a shaky breath.

"Those weren't normal chocolates." He dragged his hands across his face. "They're aphrodisiacs."

"They were supposed to be for tomorrow," he explained, almost sheepishly. "After our date. I hid them in the refrigerator last night because I didn't want you finding them."

He gave an embarrassed laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I really didn't expect you to eat them. Or even notice them, honestly."

His gaze returned to you, lingering for a second before he quickly looked away. He couldn't deny that seeing you like this was currently messing with his thoughts, but he at least wanted to make sure you were okay, first.

"I suppose they're working, then?"

There was a faint, helpless smile on his face now. He reached out and gently took your hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze.