Wasted Summer

by Cathryn Fox

  “Ryeland.”

  “Yeah.”

  “If being a doctor is important to you, what are you going to do about it?”

  “I don’t know. I took the LSATs and I’ve been accepted to law school. I guess I’d have to take the MCATs and start applying to med schools. It’s too late to get accepted anywhere now. I’d have to wait a year.”

  “What will your father do?”

  “I don’t know. I understand a man wanting his son to follow in his footsteps, but it’s not like I’m throwing my life away and bringing down the family name, which is the most important thing in the world to him. I wish he could just accept me for who I am and I don’t get why he can’t. Unless I become a lawyer in his firm I’ll never be good enough.” He scoffed. “None of my choices are ever good enough.”

  “Like me?” she asked quietly.

  His eyes snapped up. “No, Melody. No, don’t say that.”

  “You told me you’d never lie to me, but you lied about that fight didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, and the fight was more than just about you. So it wasn’t really a lie.”

  “They’re never going to like me, Ryeland.”

  “What matters is that I do.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Jesus, you have no idea, do you?”

  She shook her head.

  “You’re so tough, a girl who fights for what she wants, but yet you’re so sweet and genuine. You’re real, not fake, and you have this fire inside that drives you. You’re different from anyone I know.” She continued to stare at her sandwich in her lap, plucking at the foil wrapping. Wanting to pull a smile from her, he said, “You’re not even the kind of girl who worries about what her hair looks like.”

  Her eye lit and she punched him. “Hey,” she said. “I combed it and blew it dry for you.”

  He angled his head. “You did that for me?”

  “Well I couldn’t go out with it wet,” she said, like she was trying to backtrack. “It gets cold in the mountains at night.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” He pointed toward her food. “Now finish your sandwich.”

  She nodded and took another bite, smearing mustard all over her mouth. She licked it off and said, “I’m so full. I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish it.” She held the other half of her sandwich out to him, a pleading look in her eye. “Help?”

  “You sure?” he asked.

  “Positive.” As he took it from her and caught the warm smile on her face, he fought the urge to lean in for a kiss. Christ, she was so sweet, so…everything. For a brief moment he thought about asking where she was the other night, but he didn’t. Except asking meant he was letting others get into his head, and he refused to do that.

  He finished eating then crinkled the foil, tossing it into the bag. He leaned back on his elbows and glanced around at the clearing. Crickets chirped in the distance and a noise sounded in the underbrush. Melody stiffened and he wondered if it had more to do with the way he’d shifted closer than the animal lurking nearby.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  She wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the sky. Ryeland followed her gaze and took in the streaks of pink and purple bruising the horizon.

  She rubbed her hands over her arms. “Yeah, it’s just, the sun is going down and the temperature is dropping.”

  “We could always get in the hot springs.”

  “I don’t have a suit.”

  “We can wear our clothes.”

  “I guess it wouldn’t be the first time you caught me soaking wet and fully dressed.”

  “Then I take that as a yes.” He jumped to his feet and pulled her up.

  She yelled when he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the edge. “No, I was kidding.” She whacked him and wiggled to get free. Jesus, he wished she wouldn’t wiggle like that. “And we just ate.”

  “Don’t care.” He jumped, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on as the warm water enveloped them. She pushed away from him and they both came up sputtering.

  Laughing, she swiped her hair off her face and swam away. “You’re crazy.”

  “You think?”

  “Yeah, I think.”

  He moved closer when she stopped swimming, watching the way the water dripped down her face, making her look so sexy, so damn tempting. His cock thickened, need propelling him forward and urging him to act on what he was feeling. Her smile fell and her mouth opened slightly as his gaze dropped to her lips.

  He took a breath and let it out slowly as he closed the distance between them, standing so close he could feel the pounding of her heart. “You want to know what I think?”

  She stared into his eyes and he could almost hear her brain buzzing. She opened her mouth and closed it again. When she finally spoke, her voice was so soft, so quiet he had to strain to hear it.

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  With his heart picking up tempo, he ran his thumb over her cheek then cupped her chin. “What I think is I’d like to kiss you.” When she didn’t flinch, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers. His lips moved over hers, reveling in the warmth, the softness.

  “Ryeland,” she whispered into his mouth.

  “Yeah?” he asked, barely able to think straight as she melted against him. His body tightened, pleasure racing through him.

  Her breath grew shallow, her chest rising and falling quickly against his. “What are we doing?”

  “We’re kissing.”

  “Friends don’t kiss.”

  “Friends kiss,” he murmured.

  “No, they don’t.”

  Breathing hard, he rested his forehead against hers, working to keep his shit together. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked, his voice so tortured he barely recognized it. “If you want me to stop, I will. Just tell me and I will.”

  She didn’t speak for a long moment, then she finally whispered, “I don’t.”

  Thank you, Jesus.

  He pressed his lips back to hers, his hungry mouth coming down hard this time, savoring, tasting, his tongue slashing urgently against hers because he couldn’t quite get enough. Fuck. She tasted like candy and sugar and honey all rolled into one. In fact, she tasted so goddamn good, so incredibly sweet, his body screamed for more. His cock thickened, aching to be inside her.

  She moved against him, the warm water heating his body even more. Her nipples were hard, scraping against his chest in mind-blowing ways. He pushed her wet hair back and his brain shifted through all the things he wanted to do to her, all the places he wanted his mouth, as she shivered under his touch.

  Jesus he wanted, needed, more…everything. Her hands slid around his back, her fingers surfing over his body, tentatively at first, then with more urgency. He tugged her impossibly closer. She was so soft, so warm. His blood pounded harder and he could feel his brain shutting down, his body taking over. He breathed harder, deeper, struggling to keep his head on straight and his shit together before they did something she wasn’t ready for. No matter what, he wanted to be the kind of guy she needed, the guy she could trust. He inched back and sucked in a few shaky breaths to get it together.

  He wasn’t some selfish high school jock anymore, who wouldn’t think twice about taking her right here in the hot springs. Yeah, he wanted her—goddammit he wanted her—but he didn’t want to rush her and ruin things between them. Fighting an internal battle, he grabbed a fistful of his hair and tugged. He growled and that’s when he caught the way she was looking at him.

  “What?” he croaked out.

  “Do you want to know what I’m thinking?”

  Chapter Eleven

  Mel had never seen Ryeland look at her like that before, everything about him so intense, so serious. For a moment she couldn’t think, breathe…all she could think about was his mouth and how incredible it felt on hers. One of her hands brushed his without thinking, and she entwined her fingers through his.

  “T
ell me,” he said, his voice rougher than she’d ever heard it. He leaned into her, his breath warm on her face. Sexual tension arced between them and with exquisite gentleness he cupped her cheek, his callused palms rough against her flesh. “Tell me, Melody.”

  “I think you should kiss me again.”

  His eyes closed like he was in complete distress, and he crushed his hands in her hair. “Jesus, I want you so much¸” he whispered as he leaned into her and breathed a kiss over her lips, his tongue sliding over her mouth, like he was savoring the taste of her. Her toes curled and she moaned, a soft, barely there sound but it seemed to do something to him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him as he deepened the kiss, his tongue once again slipping inside to tangle with hers. She’d never tasted anything so incredible, so intoxicating. Ryeland was right, there were some things he was naturally good at because she’d never, ever been kissed like this before.

  He broke away from her lips and his mouth moved to her neck as one knee pressed against her thighs to widen them. His lips surfed over her skin, teasing the sensitive hollow of her throat as she in turn ran her hands through his hair, loving the feel of his hot mouth on her body.

  “Melody,” he murmured, his breath whispering across her collarbone and pulling a quiver from her. “Jesus, Melody. You taste so good.”

  “Rye,” she said. As soon as that one word left her mouth, Ryeland pulled back. His glance met hers, the pewter in his eyes deepening as he sucked in harsh breath. “Rye,” she said again, loving how his shortened name sounded on her tongue, but more importantly, how it affected him. She put her hand on the side of his face, noting how he lacked his usual steadiness. “Kiss me.”

  This time his mouth came down harder, crashing against hers. A growl ripped from his lungs and he slipped his hand under her shirt, running his fingers over her back. Her nipples tightened more, aching to be touched, but there was some small working brain cell telling her it was too much, too soon to be chasing second base.

  But she wanted him, wanted to feel his mouth on her body, wanted to put her lips on his in return. Wanted to feel his naked skin, his muscles, to breathe in the scent of him. Good God, she’d never felt so out of control…yet so safe. That last thought took her buy surprise. Ryeland made her feel safe. Honestly, she could no longer kid herself that they could just be friends. This thing between them was powerful, explosive…dangerous.

  His fingers burned her body, and he inched back slightly to touch her stomach. He shifted his stance, angling so he could better position himself. She could feel his hardness against her hip as his palms journeyed higher, sweeping the outer edges of her breast. His breathing changed, became faster, the water splashing around him as they moved against each other.

  She moaned and pressed her mouth to his neck, right where it met his shoulders. The salty taste of him danced on her tongue as his thumb brushed over her nipple. She murmured his name as her body flushed hotly.

  She was caught up in Ryeland, so consumed by the way he was touching her, and the things he made her feel she didn’t hear the voices until they were right beside her. She pulled back, and dipped lower into the water to hide her body’s reaction.

  “Sorry, dude,” some guy said as he stood there holding his girlfriend’s hand. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.” He jerked his head behind him. “Want us to leave…so you can, uh…”

  “It’s okay,” Mel said as the girl eyed her, a smirk on her face. Mel’s stomach plummeted. Damn, she could only imagine the rumors that would spread tomorrow. “We were just leaving.”

  Ryeland caught hold of her hand and positioned her behind him. She rounded her shoulders into herself, and crossed her other arm over her stomach.

  “You think you can turn around?” Ryeland glared at the guy and spun his finger in the air.

  “Oh, yeah, sure dude,” the guy said, his gaze lingering on Mel for just a moment longer.

  The two turned and Ryeland and Mel climbed from the water. As if sensing her unease, Ryeland kept her close, shielding her body from the intruders, and she couldn’t deny that it felt nice to be held by him. He grabbed the blanket off the ground, and when he wrapped it around her shoulders, it occurred to her how sweet and protective he was. No one had ever been so protective of her before and she was beginning to believe he was too good to be true.

  “All yours,” he said, tossing the words over his shoulder as he guided her back to the parking lot. He kept his arm around her. It was crazy how far they’d come since he’d picked her up on the side of the road, crazy how much she liked his touch and wanted to be with him.

  He tossed his bag into the back of his Wrangler and opened the passenger door for her. Before she got in he leaned into her and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “Just so you know, now that I know what it’s like to kiss you, I’m never going to stop.”

  Her insides fluttered, because the truth was, she didn’t want him to stop. “Okay,” was all she could manage to say, her throat so tight, her body so needy it was a wonder she could even think coherently.

  He brushed her hair from her face, his eyes moving over hers, like he was trying to read her. “I want you, Melody. I want you so much, but I don’t want to do anything you’re not ready for.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, and when a shiver moved through her, he mistook it for her being cold. “Get in. I’ll get the heat on.”

  A short while later he parked and walked back to her room with her. She stepped inside and hesitated. Would he want to come in? Would she let him? What would happen if she did? What did she want to happen?

  With a million questions going through her mind, she turned to look at him, and he stopped outside her door, making the decision for her. He jammed his hands deep into his pockets and leaned into her, dropping another kiss onto her mouth. He moaned, licked his lips, then fixed her with a look that said how much he wanted her…wanted more.

  “Melody.”

  “Yeah,” she said as electricity crackled between them.

  “You’d better shut this door on me.”

  His hair fell over his eyes and she fought a shiver. “Why?” she asked, her brain only partially functioning.

  “’Cause I’m real close to coming in and tossing you on that bed and fucking you all night long, and we both know you’re not ready for that.” She sucked in a breath and he continued. “I’m trying to do right by you, but Jesus, girl, a guy’s only got so much control. So shut the damn door, already.” With the non-negotiable piece of advice, she inched back and bit her bottom lip, then made a move to take the blanket off but he stopped her. “Keep it for now.”

  She took another small step into her room and he growled and pulled her back, planting his mouth on hers once again. “Fuck,” he murmured, clearly having a hard time reining himself in. Who was she to talk? She wanted more too. “I love the taste of you,” he groaned. His mouth moved over hers and a moan caught in her throat when he sucked her bottom lip. “I can’t get enough.”

  Her body reacted to his, and as much as she liked seeing him so crazed, if they kept this up, things were going to go too far too fast. “Rye,” she whispered.

  He exhaled sharply, gripped her shoulder and nudged her backward. Forehead creasing like he was in total agony, he said, “I know, I know. I’m going now.” He hesitated then said, “I’m taking my brother and sister to the drive-in tomorrow. Come with us.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t. I need to do my homework for Tuesday’s class.”

  He leaned into her again—a move she was growing accustomed to—and the softness on his face made her really believe his interest in her went deeper than sex. In fact, everything about the way he acted, treated her, told her he saw her as something more than the local whore.

  “Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked.

  His scent washed over her and her body tingled. Truthfully, it scared her a little how much she wanted to say yes, to forget about everything and just lose herself in him—again.

  �
�I work and then I have homework.”

  “I can help you with your homework.” He gave her a playful grin.

  She gave him a little shove. “I won’t get anything done if you’re here,” she said, but as she thought about it, an idea formed in the back of her mind.

  “Good night, Rye.”

  “Good night, Melody.” He hesitated for a moment and shifted uncomfortably, then a teasing look came over his face. “Just so you know, I’m a total wreck right now.”

  “Yeah,” she whispered. “Me too.”

  Mel closed her door and tore her wet dress off. She threw herself on the bed, her insides completely rattled. With her lips still tingling, she touched her mouth and couldn’t help but feel all ridiculously giddy inside. While it was silly, it was also the best feeling in the world. Heck, she really hadn’t anticipated how much that kiss would affect her.

  Ryeland.

  Oh, God, Ryeland. She hadn’t meant to get in so deep so fast, but she wanted him. It wasn’t logical, it sure as hell wasn’t smart, but like Jaelyn always said, you can’t help who you like.

  Her phone pinged as she made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

  Want to know what I think?

  She laughed and texted back. No.

  You will. Soon enough. Get some sleep, Melody.

  You too.

  She held her phone close and quickly got ready for bed. She flopped onto the mattress and pulled the blankets up, hugging herself. As she drifted off to sleep, she relived every minute with Ryeland tonight, anxious to be in his arms again, no matter how bad of an idea that was.

  Before she knew it Tuesday night was upon them and right after class, knowing Ryeland was outside waiting for her, she rushed to the library. When she found what she was looking for she sent him a text.

  Meet me inside.

  On my way.

  Mel hurried to the front door just as Ryeland was coming through it, that sexy, confident swagger of his doing ridiculous things to her pulse. His mere presence drew the attention of the other female students, but he ignored them and closed the distance between them. A question formed in those gorgeous pewter eyes as he focused solely on her and a fine shiver moved through her. Goodness, she was so aware of him, the way he moved, smiled, looked at her. Heat sang though her veins, but she forced it down.