Mission Love - Chasing Mr. Right ✓

Twenty- Three

Recap: We were returning back.

Ring!

The obnoxious blare of a ringtone stabbed through my dreams, mercilessly dragging me from my sweet slumber.
Ugh! Shut up. Please.
I groaned, burying myself deeper into... something soft, but oddly heavy. Wait.
Why's my blanket in a strange shape? And why does it feel like... wool?

Before I could make sense of it, a deep, annoyed groan cut through the fog.

"F*ck."

Not me. Definitely not me.
That voice was too low, too grumpy, and—oh God—too close.

My eyes snapped open, and I sat up so fast the seatbelt nearly strangled me. Oh Crap! I wasn't in my bed.
I was in a freaking car. Someone's car.

And judging by that grumpy groan, I wasn't alone.

Am I kidnapped? Shit!

Was I tied up? No. A quick wiggle confirmed that.
No sunglasses-wearing henchmen.
It was just me, sprawled in what seemed to be the seat of a car.

The realization hit me like a splash of cold water. It's Ryan's car.
I groaned, slumping back against the seat laughing nervously at my absurdity.

Me? Kidnapped? Yeah, I'd be too much trouble for them.

But why the hell was I still in his car?How long had I been asleep?
And Why does his blazer smell like pine trees?
Who even smells like pine trees?

Suddenly the driver's side door creaked open, a sharp gust of cold air hit me like nature's version of a slap. Lovely. Just what I needed.

I rubbed my face, trying to shake off the fog of sleep and sit up straighter, though my body protested every movement. By the time Ryan climbed back in, shutting the door with a soft thud, I was already fumbling with my bag, pretending to be.. awake.

"What time is it?" I croaked, my voice scratchy from sleep.

He glanced at his watch. "Three a.m."

"Three?!" I jerked upright, clutching my bag like a lifeline.
"Shouldn't we be there by now?"

"Yes but we can't," he replied flatly while casually scrolling through his phone.

"But why?"

"We're parked, it's too late and I'm tired."

"What?" I squicked out, jumping on my seat. He sheepishly grinned, running fingers through his hair. Chilled AF!

"I'm out. Goodbye."
I scrambled to untangle myself from the blazer draped over me and reached for the door handle.

Ryan sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Aisha. It's three a.m. Be reasonable."

"Exactly my point! I should be home by now, sleeping in my bed-"

"Do you even know where you are?" He cut me mid sentence, I faltered, my hand frozen on the door handle.

Did I? The realization I didn't fully know made me bristle, but before I could come up with an argument, his hand rested on my wrist, holding it gently.

"Aisha," he said quietly, "Please, stay."

"Why?"

"Because it's late, and we are both tired."

"Fine. I'll drive. Just guide me-"

"No. Absolutely not."

I frowned, brushing my hair out of my face. "Why not?"