Chapter 73: “Lo quiero de ti” – A Bold Proposition
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Ryder calls Gisela and offers himself as a casual sex partner, saying he also wants the release she mentioned earlier. Shocked, she initially refuses, arguing she needs at least to have kissed someone before agreeing to a sexual arrangement. Ryder sends a shirtless photo to prove physical attraction, but Gisela still hesitates. When she insists on the kiss requirement, Ryder hangs up abruptly. Later, during a Scrabble game with Diana and Mya, Gisela receives a new text from Ryder—the content of which is left implied.
Key Events
- Ryder phones Gisela and bluntly proposes that she use him for sex, saying she needed a release and he can provide it.
- Gisela chokes on her own spit in surprise and tries to rationalize that she was not planning to sleep with anyone; she only had an organic moment with Beckett.
- Ryder persists, reminding her of her own “itch” and “stress relief” language.
- When Gisela says she does not want pity sex, Ryder insists he wants it too—from her.
- Gisela lies and says she is not sure she is attracted to him; Ryder sends a shirtless gym photo to prove otherwise.
- She admits the photo is effective but argues that chemistry cannot be judged by a picture; she needs a kiss first.
- Ryder cuts the call, not offering a rebuttal, leaving Gisela stunned.
- Gisela returns to the living room where Diana and Mya are debating the show Fling or Forever.
- She lies that the call was about practice scheduling.
- Later, while playing Scrabble, a new text from Ryder arrives, interrupting the game.
Character Development
- Gisela: Struggles between desire and self‑protection. Her instinct is to deflect, hiding her attraction behind a demand for a kiss. She is aware that once she opens this door, there is no going back.
- Ryder: Direct and dominant; he does not beg or plead. When his offer is met with conditions, he accepts the rejection and hangs up—only to follow up with a text that likely reopens the negotiation.
- Diana and Mya: Provide a light‑hearted contrast, absorbed in a silly reality show and Scrabble, unaware of Gisela’s internal turmoil.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Explicit negotiation of intimacy: The chapter treats a friends‑with‑benefits arrangement as a deal to be discussed openly—terms, boundaries, and mutual benefit.
- The kiss as a boundary: Gisela’s insistence on kissing first symbolises her need for basic human connection before purely physical use.
- Power and vulnerability: Ryder holds power through his bluntness and his willingness to walk away; Gisela feels vulnerable because her own desire frightens her.
- The phone as a barrier and bridge: The call and text allow intimate conversation while maintaining physical distance, mirroring their ongoing push‑pull.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in the Gisela‑Ryder dynamic. The antagonistic tension that defined their early interactions shifts into a raw, sexual proposition. By having Ryder vocalise what has been simmering beneath the surface, the story forces Gisela—and the reader—to confront the possibility of a real relationship. The implied text at the end leaves the outcome open, keeping momentum high for the next chapter.
Study Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why does Gisela say she is “not sure [she’s] attracted” to Ryder, even though the evidence shows she is?
Answer: She is afraid of the consequences; once she admits her attraction and agrees to his proposal, the dynamic will change irreversibly. It is a defensive lie to buy time.
Question 2: How does Ryder’s response to her kiss requirement reveal his character?
Answer: He does not argue or negotiate. By hanging up, he signals that he respects her boundary but will not beg. His later text suggests he may offer the kiss on his own terms.
Question 3: What purpose does the Scrabble scene serve in the chapter?
Answer: It grounds the emotionally charged phone call in everyday life. The trivial argument over “Beety” and the reality‑TV debate underscore how alone Gisela feels in her uncertainty—her friends notice nothing unusual.