“He’s probably busy.” My sarcastic comment had a sad undertone. I heard it and inwardly chastised myself.
Max must have caught it too. “Faith, I’ve told you over and over that he’s just that way. He doesn’t do commitment or love.” He picked up Tyf’s hand and kissed it. “What are you going to do if he brings someone with him?”
My eyes filled with tears. I’d never thought of that. “You told him to bring someone?”
Tyf’s head snapped toward Max. “Hon, why would you do that?”
“I didn’t tell him specifically to bring someone or not to. But you know him. He does what he wants. If he could have a woman under him at all times, he would.” Max was very nonchalant, which grated on my nerves.
I closed my eyes, rested my head against the seat back, and tried not to think about what Ryker had done last night. The scenarios started: Ryker walking up to the door with women on his arm—yes, women because why should my nightmare stop at one woman? All of them going to his room and not coming out for hours. My eyes started to pulse, meaning tears were ready to fall, and I needed to keep it together.
The car slowed, and Max turned into a long driveway. I looked at their large home. It was beautiful. Mr. Morrison had done well for himself, and his lake house was more of a mansion. I loved it. It was light gray with a wraparound porch that extended to a beautiful deck on the back. Mrs. Morrison had had it professionally decorated, and there was even a small guest house so we could change our clothes without trekking water and sand through the main house. We got out of the car and followed Max inside.
He grabbed Tyf and kissed her. Then he looked back at me. “Take whichever room you want. We’ll be back.”
They raced up the stairs. To say that I was happy for them would be an understatement. To say I wasn’t jealous would be a lie.
I slowly made my way up the stairs and went to the room I had used before. The view of the lake was beautiful, and the small veranda was calling my name. To sit in peace, listen to the water, and read would be perfect. I placed my bag on the plush chair next to the bed and made my way outside.
Resting on the railing, I took a deep breath. I loved it there. I sat on the chaise in the corner and laid back. My brain was on overload thinking about Ryker showing up with someone, and I needed to calm myself. I closed my eyes. Rather than reading, I savored the feeling of the sun soaking into my skin. The warmth was calming and lulling me to sleep.
His lips were on mine as he lowered my bathing suit straps down my shoulders. His fingertips grazing my skin made me damp. We were alone—no interruptions. His blond hair moved ever so slightly in the light breeze as my fingers rested on his taut, muscular torso.
He put his hands on my face, and his deep hazel eyes met mine. “Forever. I’ve wanted you forever. I need to consume every ounce of you. I want to taste every part of you, to ravage you and make you mine, always mine. Do you understand me?”
I blinked and let my eyes talk for me. He lowered my suit to expose my breasts and ran his tongue around each one. The steel ball through his tongue rolled around my nipple. He gently bit down, making me groan in pleasure. My bathing suit was down to my ankles. I stepped out of it as he wrapped his hand around my ass, lifted my leg around his waist, and carried me to a blanket. He was on top of me, and I felt his heart on my chest.
His sexy voice made me fall deeper as he said, “Are you ready for me?”
My legs spread as his hand moved between them. He glided his finger into me and slowly moved it in and out. He slid it down toward my ass and then to my clit, making my back rise off the blanket.
“Do ya like that?”
I opened my eyes and saw his tongue stroke the finger that had just been in me. I couldn’t speak—no one had ever touched me like that—so all I did was nod. His finger went back to work, and his mouth was on my breast. I couldn’t take much more. My head rolled from side to side.
“You’re so tight. You want to come for me, don’t you? I can feel it. You’re throbbing. Your walls are tightening and sucking me in. Can you feel it? Do it now. Let it go, Faith. Tell me how much you want me. I want to feel you come in my hand. Say the words, Faith. I need to hear you say the words.”
I found my voice and shouted, “I want you, Ryker!” I felt my body tremble and release. It was the most incredible thing I’d ever felt.
“That’s my girl.”
He kissed me, and I knew that was it. He was going to be my first; my dream was coming true. His body laid on mine. All breath escaped me. I waited for him to tell me what he wanted. My heart raced, my legs trembled; the anticipation was killing me. I’d never needed anyone or anything like I needed that man.
“Faith? Can you hear me?”
My eyes slowly opened as my heart raced. Where was I? Realization set in. I was on the veranda with my hand between my legs. I looked to my left and sat up. Ryker stood there. I was completely disoriented, and my legs were shaking. I tried to act normal. I prayed I hadn’t said anything out loud and that he didn’t notice where my hand had been.
“Hey. What are you doing in my room?” I got up on wobbly legs and walked inside the welcome air-conditioning.
“Max was downstairs, and he told us all to grab a room. I thought this one was empty. Then I heard moaning, so I stepped outside.” He had a shit-eating grin. “Did you have a nice nap?”
The feeling of blood rushing into my cheeks made me even more nervous. He walked toward me, and I stepped back, making the back of my knees hit the bed. I had no choice but to sit down. I looked up at him as he lowered himself until he was leaning over me. I tilted my body back and looked at him.
His eyes were full of lust; his voice was deep and ragged. “So you want me? Is that what I heard?”
I was leaning on my elbows, and I felt them tremble. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His lips were so close to mine I almost felt him say, “Oh, I think you do.”
The knock on the door saved my ass. “I thought I told you to find a room and get back downstairs? We’re going jet skiing.” Max sounded irritated.
I pushed myself up, making Ryker step back. I grabbed my bag off the chair and hurried toward the ensuite bathroom. “I’m going to change now. Can you guys get out of my room?”
“Good idea. Let’s go, Ryker.” Max headed out.
“I’ll see ya in a few, Dude.” Ryker snickered and walked out with Max. “I’ll shut the door so you’re not interrupted… Again.” He winked and left.
Mortification wouldn’t describe what I felt. I needed to try to forget, or at least pretend, that what just happened hadn’t. I opened my bag and took out my bathing suit. When I shimmied out of my shorts, I noticed my thong was soaked. I put my head in my hands. Holy shit. I had an orgasm in front of Ryker while I said his name. How could I act as if nothing had happened?
Suddenly I didn’t feel like going jet skiing, but if I didn’t go downstairs, Max or Tyf would come looking for me. I made my way down and saw everyone standing by the sliding glass doors, waiting for me.
Tyf ran up and pulled me aside. “Are you okay? Max said that Ryker was in your room.”
“I’m fine. He thought the room was empty, that’s all.” I tried to act as nonchalant as I could. We joined the guys, and I noticed Erik wasn’t there. “Hey, isn’t Erik coming?”
Michael said, “He wasn’t feeling good this morning. I think he had too much to drink last night.” He and the guys all laughed. “He did want me to tell you that he said hi.”
“Okay, thanks.”
We walked outside and headed toward the dock where the jet skis were parked. Max handed us each a life jacket.
Ryker’s face became impassive, and he shifted back and forth. “I think I’ll wait for you all here.”
Max said, “Oh. Okay.”
That was odd. Ryker almost looked nervous. I was surprised none of the guys pressed him or ribbed him. When we were at the beach, I remembered that Ryker had said he didn’t like the water, which baffled me. He liked the beach, but not the water. Maybe he couldn’t swim. I was somewhat relieved he wasn’t going with us. Being around Ryker, I felt as though I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I never knew what was coming or how he’d react. Would he be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? Living like that was killing me.
The guys were as cheerful as ever. The buoys bounced up and down in the water as we gathered around the four jet skis for us to use.
“Lake rules state that we can jet ski between the buoys.” Max pointed at the red markers in the lake. “We can’t go past there, okay?”
We all acknowledged him. Tyf and Max got on one jet ski, and I rode with Tim. I prayed he’d go fast. I loved racing on those things. We all took off and raced between the buoys. Tim took sharp turns, making the water splash up on me. My arms tightened around him, but he was hard to hang on to. His vest was slick, and my arms weren’t long enough for me to link my hands together. A speed boat went by, and I flew off in its wake. Tim stopped the ski, chuckling. I couldn’t catch my breath because I was laughing too hard, and the look on Tim’s face was priceless. He reached down to help me back on the ski.
Trying to speak between laughs, he said, “Are you okay?”
I pushed my hair out of my eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s go catch up to them.” I settled myself back on the seat and decided to hang on to his vest at the arm holes rather than around him.
He looked back at me. “You ready?”
“Yup, hit it!”
We sped off. We were doing figure eights, and all of us wove in and out of each other. I felt as if we were out on the water for hours before I realized I’d forgotten my sunscreen. My arms were getting red, as were Tim’s.
I shouted, hoping he could hear me over the motor, “Your arms are all red.”
He looked at them and didn’t seem to care. We stayed out a bit longer, and then Max and Tyf pulled up next to us.
Max yelled, “Let’s go eat!”
He pulled out in front of us, and we made our way back to the house. When we docked the ski, Tim and I looked at each other, and we burst out in laughter. Just trying to breathe normally was a challenge.
I grabbed a towel from the dock and dried off. We walked toward the deck where Ryker was perched on a chair, a beer in front of him. His lips were pressed together in a hard line. He looked totally pissed off.
He rushed up to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
Tim walked by. “Probably because he saw you bite it.”
We broke out in hilarity again. I looked at Ryker, and he didn’t look amused.
“You need to be more careful,” he said. “She could have been hurt or worse.”
Tim pushed by him. “She’s fine. I wouldn’t have let her drown or anything.”
Ryker grabbed his arm. “It isn’t funny, man. Next time be more careful or go alone.”
Tim ripped his arm out of Ryker’s grasp. “Chill the fuck out! What’s your deal?”
Everyone was silent. Ryker’s eyes were wide, and his brows didn’t move. I didn’t know what to do, and I certainly didn’t understand what was going on. He was almost as still as a statue.
Jake said, “Why don’t we grab something to eat? What time is it anyway?”
Ryker looked at his phone and huffed. “It’s almost four. You guys were out a long time.”
Tyf’s hand went to her stomach. “No wonder my stomach’s growling. We missed lunch” She grabbed Max’s hand and bounced on her toes. “Let’s cook out.”
“Sounds great, babe. My parents had the fridge stocked for us. Let’s see what’s there.”
Max and Tyf went into the kitchen, and the rest of us remained outside. Ryker stalked away to light a cigarette. I was left standing there with Tim, Jake, and Michael.
Michael looked at Tim. “What the hell was that about? Ryker isn’t usually like that.”
Tim shrugged. “Hell if I know. But he’d better chill out, because I have no problem going rounds with him. Ever since we met him, he’s been hard to figure out. The guy has a chip on his shoulder or something, and it’s beginning to piss me off. He’s a kickass drummer, but dude needs to chill the fuck out.”
Listening to them complain about Ryker grated on my nerves. I decided to leave before they saw that I was uncomfortable. “I’m going to change. I’ll be back. I really had a blast, Tim.” I kissed his cheek. “Sorry Ryker yelled at you.”
“It’s all good. I had fun too. Let’s do it again tomorrow.” Tim kissed me back.
I swung my door open and looked at the king-sized bed. A vision of Ryker leaning over me popped into my brain. When would that stop? Would I ever get that vision out of my head? The cool ceramic tile on the bathroom floor was welcome.
I turned the shower on and hopped into the lukewarm water. While I waited for it to heat, I leaned my head back and washed the sand out of my hair. I showered, toweled off, and dried my hair. My cheeks were pink from the sun. I needed to remember to put on sunscreen. I opened my bag and grabbed a cute sundress. It was comfy, and that was what I needed. I tossed on a pair of sandals and made my way downstairs.
The smell of the grill pulled me out to the deck. Everyone had cleaned up and changed, except for Ryker. He still had on black board shorts and a blue T-shirt. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought he was a surfer.
“There she is.” Tim got up and gave me his seat. “Want a drink?”
Tim was super sweet. I never really realized what a great guy he was. Not too bad on the eyes either.
“Sure, I’ll take something. What’s everyone having?” I looked at everyone’s drinks. The guys had beer and Tyf had something else. I asked, “What are you having, Tyf?”
“Mmm, it’s a yummy frozen margarita that my man made for me.” She snickered.
“How many have you had?”
Max chimed in, “One. My lady is a lightweight. Aren’t ya, babe?”
“Yeah, yeah. Make one for Faith.”
“I don’t know if I should have one if they’re that strong.” I’d only had beer before. I could handle that, but liquor? I didn’t know if I could.
Tyf handed her glass to Max. “Well, I’ll have another.”
Why the hell not?
“Okay, me too.”
Tyf looked back at me and winked. “You’ll love it.”