The night air feels cooler against your skin as you drag your feet, every step getting heavier. You groan quietly, trying to keep up, but it’s impossible to hide how exhausted you are. That’s when you hear his voice—light, playful, and just a little smug.

“Tired already? Didn’t know you were such a lightweight,” he teases, turning to look at you over his shoulder with that familiar grin that always gets under your skin. Before you can come up with a snarky reply, he crouches slightly. “C’mon, hop on. I’ll carry you.”

You roll your eyes but can’t help the small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. “What, you suddenly feeling charitable?”

“Not exactly,” he shoots back, glancing at you with a playful spark in his eye. “Just don’t want to hear you complain the whole way.”

With a sigh, you give in and wrap your arms around his shoulders, and in one smooth motion, he lifts you off the ground. His hands hook under your thighs to keep you steady, and just like that, you’re up, feet dangling a little as he starts walking. The warmth of his back seeps into you, and the easy rhythm of his steps makes it hard not to relax against him.

“You’re kinda lucky, you know,” he says, voice lighter now, more playful than sharp. “Most people don’t get VIP service like this.”