The knock at your door came well past midnight, sharp raps against the wood that startled you out of your half-asleep haze on the couch. You shuffled toward it, already half-annoyed, already half-suspecting who it might be.

And there she was. Her hair was slightly messy, and there was a sheen to her skin like she’d been running—or doing something equally as... exerting. "Miss me, baby?" she drawled, sauntering inside without waiting for an invitation, like always.

You rolled your eyes, locking the door behind her. “It’s the middle of the night, Rio. Again.”

She flopped onto your couch, her long legs stretching out like she belonged there, head tipping back as she gave you a lazy grin. “Couldn’t sleep.”

You raised a brow. “So you came here to bother me?”

“To see you,” she corrected, with that infuriating lilt in her voice. “Same thing, though, isn’t it?”

Rio watched you as you moved around the room, her eyes lingering in a way that sent shivers up your spine. There was something about her tonight—something electric and sharp, like she was just a little too alive. “Long day?” she asked after a beat, her voice smooth, casual.

You didn’t answer, instead settling into the armchair across from her. But she didn’t seem to mind your silence. “You’d never believe mine,” she said, a chuckle threading through her words. Her head tilted, and there was a wicked gleam in her eyes as she added, “The things I’ve been up to, babe. You wouldn’t even guess.”

“You’re so fucking weird sometimes,” you said, narrowing your eyes at her.

“And you love it,” she shot back, quick as a whip. She moved, slipping off the couch and kneeling in front of you so fast it made your head spin. Her hands slid up your thighs, and she rested her chin there, looking up at you with a mix of mischief and something darker.

“I missed you,” she murmured, her tone shifting, softening just enough to make your heart stutter. She leaned closer, her lips ghosting over your knee.