by Shey Stahl
“What are you…a dog? Who uses their teeth, and how is that even possible?”
There I went talking too much again.
He pulled me away from the party and into the bathroom, alone. “I’ll show you.”
While I had no objections to being alone with him, I needed to know where I stood in all this and what was going on.
Nervously staring at my hands, I spoke slowly. “What are we doing? I don’t want to get in the way of you two.”
“What?” he gasped, his fingers touching under my chin, forcing me to look at him.
“I just figured—”
“You figured what?” he demanded an answer, and a jolt hit my gut at his sharp tone.
Great, I pissed him off.
“That you were with her.”
He closed his eyes and leaned in, pressing my body into the door, his bare chest hard against me. “You thought wrong.”
“About what?”
Apparently, I was mental again.
“Me. Her…” he swallowed, “us.”
“Beau…” I paused, feeling like I needed to say this now, right now. “I didn’t go into this weekend, or the last day, thinking it would go anywhere. I don’t even know how this happened or what’s happening.”
Shaking his head, he cupped my cheeks, kissing slowly and tenderly up the side of my neck, lips as soft as feathers dancing in the wind. “You thought wrong…again.”
I didn’t want to be led on or confused, and now I felt like I was. What the hell did any of this mean?
My hands moved to his shoulders, his dropped from my face to my hips, curling around the backs of my thighs to wrap my legs around his waist, before settling on my backside. “I want you again…really bad.”
As I slid my hands to his hair, he spread my legs farther and let out a low grunt when our bodies came together. “Come back with me to Mountain Brook. I’ll take you home in the morning and show you want I mean.”
His erection made it difficult for me to respond.
And when he grinded into me, pushing my bikini bottoms aside, I gave up trying.
Then he entered me and nothing more was said.
“WHERE’S BEAU?” Payton asked, looking around, at me mostly, but never talking to me directly.
Well, he was just in the bathroom with me having sex.
I did not say that. Mostly because I wasn’t that girl, and no way did I want someone like Payton mad at me.
“In the bathroom...” Miles threw his arm around my shoulder, my cheeks flushing as he did so because he knew Beau and I were in the bathroom together a few minutes ago. “I’m sure he doesn’t need company.”
“What?” Payton seemed annoyed by Miles tonight when last night they were all over each other. She glared at him, adjusting her strappy sandal shoes. She was wearing jean shorts, her bikini top, and a flannel tied up around her waist. I was wearing my bikini and Beau’s flannel, which hadn’t gone unnoticed by her.
Wade, Beau’s cousin, stuck his head down from the upper deck over the railing. “Miles, can you come up here for a second?”
Miles looked from me to Payton and then at Wade, but got up. “I’ll be right back, Legs.” He seemed to think he needed to protect me from her.
Payton wasted no time at all in sitting next to me. “There’s a lot to him, Bentley. He’s complicated, and he needs someone who understands that.”
“Who? Miles? He seems normal enough,” I stalled, knowing exactly who she was talking about.
Payton laughed sarcastically. “I’m not talking about Miles. I’m talking about Beau.”
I decided to be brave for once in my life. “What about Beau?”
“He needs someone who can understand him,” she said flatly, looking in the direction of the cabin behind us. I had a feeling she was keeping watch for Beau, who really was in the bathroom.
“Are you saying I can’t do that for him?” My brave front faded just a little.
“Yes, I am. He only just met you, and you have no idea what he’s like or been through. Bentley...” She smiled, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say it almost looked tender and she was trying to be my friend. “Beau isn’t always the good guy. He’s just the guy. The one you’ll never forget no matter what.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, because I had a feeling she was completely right. He was certainly nothing any song would capture, he was everything my heart needed that weekend.
In all my worshiping I did of Beau Ryland and my obsession with him over the years, in reality, I knew very little about who Beau was on the inside.
For that reason, I was no competition for someone like Payton, someone who knew Beau and everything he kept hidden.
“So what,” I laughed, trying to keep my voice even. “Is this like your way of telling me to back off?”
“No.” Payton stood when she noticed Beau approaching. “It’s just me letting you know if you fall, for him, you’ll never get back up.”
I had no idea what to say to that because in many ways, even after the two days I’d spent with him, I knew exactly what she meant. There was something about this guy that you couldn’t shake.
BEAU CAME BACK, his mood completely different from our time in the bathroom when he noticed Payton walking away from me. Seated near the bow of the boat, I focused on the rippling water below, unable to see much else but the way the twinkle lights above me reflected off the dark water.
“Why did you and Payton break up?” I blurted out when he put his arm around me.
“Uh…” I could tell Beau wasn’t exactly comfortable talking about him and Payton as he shifted his weight into me, squeezing my shoulder. The way he started fidgeting with the cup in his other hand confirmed my theory.
I realized I was probably invading his privacy a little and backed off. “It’s all right, you don’t have to explain.”
Beau shrugged, the motion relaxed yet suggestive to his demeanor surrounding the subject, and scratched his jaw. “It’s not that…it’s just…I don’t even know what happened.”
He certainly had a way of playing it cool, didn’t he?
“What do you mean you don’t know?” My eyes darted over his face.
He didn’t respond right away. Instead, his expression was lost, as if he was in deep thought. He didn’t want to tell me.
Reluctantly, he explained. “I left a few months after graduation and she came with me. Being on the road does things to people, and she wanted to go home. So she did. And…I made some bad decisions.”
“And by bad decisions, you mean?” Hundreds of scenarios played out in my head—women…drugs…alcohol…all of the above?
“I slept with other women. I was honest about it, and we stayed together for a while, but it wasn’t the same and she eventually left. For the last year and a half, we’ve been hooking up on occasion.” He swallowed, taking in my reaction. “I told her three months ago I was done and couldn’t keep living that way. She never had any intention of us getting back together. She just wanted to hurt me.”
I never thought Beau was that guy, one who would have cheated on his girlfriend. I think in some ways, I saw him in a little bit of a different light. In some ways, it was a letdown to hear that.
I could tell it bothered him too; it was in his pensive stare and the way he waited for me to say something in return, and the way I never did.
For the first time, I had nothing to say. I certainly didn’t blame him, people made mistakes, and it finally made sense why they were so hostile toward one another.
“Why’d you go and talk to her?” I asked Payton when Bentley snuck away to the bathroom. I’d just told Bentley I cheated on Payton. The last thing I wanted to admit to Bentley was that I was someone who would do that to a girl.
“Oh, Beau, it wasn’t meant to be mean. And what, are you afraid she’ll find out your eyes wander a lot on the road?”
“You know, I was nice to you about the song when really I should have been an asshole. Feeding her bu
llshit is where I draw the line.” She challenged me with those pouty green eyes that used to work on me. “You broke up with me, remember?”
“I do remember. And I remember you cheated on me.”
“And you fucked my brother…and all my friends, so don’t act like this when I’m…”
“You’re what? In love with the clumsy girl who tripped over you? Jesus Beau…” Her head shook, as if she was disgusted with me. I knew the fucking feeling right now, only it was her I was disgusted with. “You’ve known her what, a few hours?”
“Don’t act like I’m the bad guy.” I clarified wishing she was a man so I could shove her. Not that I would, but I wanted to. “You…” I was pissed, my breath expelling in frustration. “You fucking show up when you want something and expect me to just drop everything. Not this time. I let you string me along for the last year. Not anymore.”
The truth was, when we broke up, yeah we did the hook-ups and I silently hoped she’d take me back. Then I realized what she was doing to me while fucking my friends on the side. She was a vindictive bitch and she knew it.
She challenged me, taking in my stance, my hands on my hips. “Jesus, Beau, you don’t have to be a jerk about it.”
Payton knew she struck a nerve when I stared at her, fire in my eyes and words. “I’m the jerk?”
“Yes.”
“You know what?” I didn’t even want to deal with her anymore tonight. “Never mind. You go do whatever it is you came here to do, but you and I are done. For good.”
I didn’t wait for her to say anymore and made my way through the crowd, wanting to get back to Bentley.
I found her standing with my sister and Laney, doing shots. I wasn’t sure how she’d react after me telling her what a piece of shit I was. Would she want nothing to do with me now?
She noticed me and turned around, looking adorable with glossy eyes and her hair pulled back in the messiest bun I’d ever seen. Wrapping my hands around her middle, I drew her into my bare chest and threatened to jump in the water with her.
“Don’t you dare, Beau, I can’t afford to lose another top.”
“You’re right,” I leaned in and kissed her neck, once. “I don’t want anyone seeing you naked but me.”
We moved to a more secluded portion of the boat, and I had one thing on my mind, pressing my hips into her. After last night, and the quickie in the bathroom, I wanted more, wanted to show her she had all my attention tonight despite how many times we’d gotten interrupted.
“Beau…” She teased, trying to maneuver herself back, playing hard to get, and pointed her finger in my face. I tried to bite it. “What’s with you?”
“You’re half naked and sexy.” Slowly, I kissed her soft, sun-kissed skin, heating it to degrees she’d never felt before; I was sure of that by the way she squirmed under my touch and gave more, felt more, was more.
I felt almost domineering in a sense, the way I controlled her moves and breath, a strength only she gave me.
“I still can’t believe this is happening.” It was a quiet, throaty whisper that made my bones shake.
Maybe she’d let go of my confession and accepted I was only human?
My breath caught in my throat, my pulse beating louder than before. “Believe it, pretty girl.”
She knew what I wanted, and I certainly knew what she wanted and needed now.
“We don’t have to end this tonight.” I kissed the side of her neck with intention, tracing the gentle curve with my tongue. I whispered and begged, never wanting to let her go. “I want you to come back with me.”
“Why?” she asked, so tender, so sweet, her words as soft as summer rain. There was no more space between us, our bodies melting together.
Because it’s different with you.
Slipping my hands under the flannel, my palm spread over her back, teasing skin. There was this heat between us, stronger than the night’s air, one I hadn’t noticed until I had her alone like this. “Because I want you.”
She nodded, lips moving over mine, and her dark, pleading eyes locking on sky blue.
With no hesitation, I slid my hand lower to her ass. “I have a bed there. I could take my time with you and show you how good it can be, alone with me, in a bed.”
“Is that so?” she whispered, her heartbeat speeding with every quick breath as her arms tightened around my neck, her hips shifting against mine.
Pleasure shot through me instantly when our bodies rubbed against one another. I never wanted it to stop. Instinctively, I angled her hips to drag her over my erection. “Will you, please?”
There was no air for words, so she nodded, giving into me, or into my movements.
Removing my hand from her backside, I hooked my arm around her waist, sliding her from my lap. With one hand cradling her head, I laid her back against the wood so I was at her side.
Lips at her ear, my free hand wrapped around the back of her head, my other hand made a slow path between her legs and inside the bottoms of her bikini. It was a brave move, considering we weren’t the only ones up here, but it was dark enough no one knew exactly what I was doing but her.
“I can’t stop thinking about you,” I said, so quietly she barely heard me. Rubbing slowly, every touch building the intensity in her as her eyes drifted closed and her knees fell open for me. “That’s it, let me take care of you.”
Her eyes, so heavy, opened at my words and found the stars, her body arching at my every movement. Gripping onto my shoulders, she let me take her higher than the stars above her.
“Whiskey-lit and holdin’ on, I whisper, don’t be afraid. Baby, look up and get lost, take in the night,” I sang softly, trying to tease and tempt her, letting my voice draw out into a growl, my hardness pressing into her hip. “Make a wish on everlasting light.”
I had no idea what I was singing; I was lost in the words of something I was making up on the spot for this girl in my arms.
Her hand moved from beside her, to over mine pushing it harder against her.
I chuckled, my breath catching. “More?”
Licking her lips, she nodded shyly, her eyes finding the stars again. “I need more. Don’t stop.”
“Do you know what you’re saying?” Had she realized I couldn’t stop now, even if I wanted to?
The problem was she didn’t know what she was asking for. Not when it came to the two of us and what was developing here.
After I knew she’d come, I moved between her legs. “Just let me show you how good it can be.” I could barely catch my own breath before my mouth was on hers, trying to convince her through my kiss if she came back with me I’d make it good for her. “Come back with me, please.”
You’re about to fuck her on a boat with people surrounding. Nice, Beau. Classy.
Bentley wasn’t that type of girl though and pushed against my chest. “We can’t, Beau.” She panted against my lips. “Not here. There’s people over there.”
My stomach flipped and I looked up, they weren’t paying us any attention. In fact, it was Wade up here on the other side of the boat with Laney, and by the looks of it, they weren’t just talking.
“Are you sure?” Pulling back was hard, but I had to, for her.
I sighed, and then breathed in deep a breath of humid starry-night air, my hands on her hips moving her against me. “Come on, Bentley, just let me. I promise, I’ll be gentle with you.”
Jesus, I sound like a horny kid again begging to get laid.
She giggled. “Oh I’m sure you will, but with my luck, we’ll roll off the top in the process and either drown or everyone will see me naked.”
“I’d catch you. I won’t let you fall.”
When she started to wiggle underneath me, I kept her there and pressed my hips into her once more.
“Come on, baby.” I was begging now, especially after seeing her get off just moments ago. “We’ll be quiet.” Drawing back, I sat on my knees, moving her hips so our bodies were aligned, and then I pressed forward aga
in, letting her see how bad I wanted it. My stare was low, between her legs, feeling the dampness seeping through her bikini.
She wanted it too, only her palm came in contact with my chest, gentle touches and firm pushing. Her lashes fluttered, seeming uncomfortable under my gaze. “Not here.”
Bentley trapped me in her midnight eyes and I took a deep breath, swallowing the thick air like she punched me. I had to respect that. I wished the sun was out so I could have seen her eyes in the light; only in the sun could you see the flickers of copper in her dark brown irises. They were breathtaking.
“Then say you’ll come back with me.”
Sitting up, she kissed me, once. “I’ll come back with you.”
“Call me when you get to Michigan.”
Laney smiled, hugging me tightly to her chest as we said goodbye Monday morning. “I will.” And then she whispered, “I’m proud of you for taking the jump.”
Grinning, I couldn’t help the way my face heated, watching Beau over her shoulder.
I was proud of me too. Only took me twenty-four years, but I finally did something for me.
As I stood there, my bag on my sunburnt shoulder, Beau’s flannel tied around my waist, he gave a nod to his truck. “You comin’ pretty girl?”
I was leaving with him. I couldn’t even begin to describe the giddy feeling that gave me.
Maybe it was the lake and the feeling it gave me.
Maybe it was him and that easy grin.
I have heard people say when they think of summer, they are, or were immediately reminded of a boy and where it all started.
It didn’t start with a boy.
It started next to a fire staring up at the stars.
But it was going to end with a boy, I knew that much.
Beau invited me to his apartment in Mountain Brook.
He rented a place with Wade and Gavin. I had no idea he lived with them, but from what I could tell, he didn’t stay there often. He spent most of his time in Nashville with Sam.
I learned from Blaine, after graduating high school, Beau moved to Nashville for a little while, intending to play where he could and in any bar that would have him. He’d been writing his own songs since he was a kid and wanted to get them out there.