by Nicole Hart
The Hurricane
Copyright © 2016 Nicole Hart
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form-except in the case of brief quotations-without written permission from the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Editing by Major Bookworm Editing
Cover design by Kari March Designs
Formatting by Integrity Formatting
Dedicated to those who are lucky enough
to get a second chance,
don’t fuck it up.
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
Other Books by Nicole Hart
The Brick Wall
“I don’t know about this, Em,” I whispered nervously, as the line moved closer to the entrance.
“Just be cool, Nat. It’s fine,” Emily whispered in my ear, the smell of wine lingering to my nose, causing it an involuntary wrinkle. She never had any fear.
“My dad will kick my ass if I go to jail,” I whispered through gritted teeth. Emily let out a larger than life laugh and threw her head back dramatically. Bitch.
“You’re not going to jail,” she whispered with a giggle as she unbuttoned my sheer top, exposing my cleavage more than I was comfortable with. “Not with tits like these.”
“Today, ladies!” I heard a rumble ahead as a muscle clad man, who possibly got his shirt from the boys department, stared at us with his arms crossed over his chest. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I could tell from the nod of his head that he was pleased with Emily’s cleavage idea.
“ID’s” he grumbled, and I could feel him staring a hole through my chest.
“Sure, handsome,” Emily purred as she pulled the little rectangle of trouble out of her bikini top, making sure to give the guy a little peak in the process. The corner of his mouth turned up just a little as he took the ID from her hand.
“What about you, sweetie?”
“Here you go.” I tried to give him a sweet smile without letting the fact that my whole face was trembling with fear show through. I pulled the ID out of the back pocket of my denim shorts and handed it to him.
“Karen Chong?” The bouncer said as he lifted his sunglasses to get a better look at Emily.
“Yeah?” Emily smirked in an obnoxious tone.
“Your last name is Chong?” he said as he flipped the ID over to give it a closer inspection.
“I was adopted, not that it’s any of your business!” Emily snapped as I tried to pretend my lips were superglued together, to avoid any hint of my smile. My best friend was crazy.
The bouncer stared at the line of people behind us and then shook his head. He handed the ID’s back to us and nodded his head for us to go in. It was spring break in Corpus Christi. The poor guy had probably heard every fake ID story imaginable.
“Thanks, love,” Emily whispered as she walked past him, running her fingers along his cheek in the process. He let out a little grin and shook his head. That girl had men, young and old, wrapped her around her tiny little finger at the drop of a hat.
“Next!” he said loudly.
“Let’s get a drink,” Emily said as she locked her arm through mine. She was a piece of work.
“I gotta pee first,” I said as I spotted the neon sign, and Em headed to the bar.
I watched as all the guys stopped in their tracks as she walked by them. She drew attention wherever we went. She was blessed with this beautiful long auburn hair and emerald green eyes. Not to mention her mile long legs that she was showing off in her cut off shorts and wedges.
The next second, I hit a brick wall. Well, not literally but it sure felt like it.
“Son of a bitch!” A deep voice grumbled above me as I felt cold liquid splash against my chest. My eyes were squeezed shut and I didn’t want to open them. But when I did, it was like everything went in slow motion.
He. Was. Beautiful.
He was also pissed. I could see the vein in his neck throbbing as he grumbled curse words, and pulled his soaked t-shirt away from his chest. And his abs. Oh, my god. The t-shirt that was soaked with beer became translucent and left nothing to the imagination. Thank you, Jesus, because it was a sight for sore eyes.
But then I remembered the top half of him. The throbbing veins. Yep, pissed.
“I’m so sorry,” I squeaked and picked his empty bottle up off the floor.
I looked up at him, and realized the top half was just as perfect as the bottom. His body became perfectly still, his breathing hitched as he opened his eyes and looked into mine. The anger vanished, and a crooked little smile spread across his face. Dead. I’m dead. He’s too gorgeous. Look away, Natalie. This guy is way out of your league.
“No problem,” he said as he pulled the shirt away from his chest, and glanced down. At least he was smiling now.
“It was an accident; I’m a klutz. I really am sorry. Do you want me to get you some napkins?” I rambled as I glanced around looking for napkins, a towel, something.
“Nah, I’m good,” he said, and there was that smile again. Was that a dimple on his left cheek? I looked at his eyes that were focused on my chest. My eyes instinctively moved where his eyes were staring. Shit. My nipples didn’t stand a chance against a sheer shirt that was also covered in beer. I was so busy staring at his body that I didn’t realize mine was on display. My arms folded against my chest, trying to hide the girls that were obviously desperate for attention. That seemed to snap the sexiness in front of me out of his fixation.
“Will you excuse me please?” I said quickly, rushed past him and into the bathroom without glancing back. I was so embarrassed.
“Oh my God,” I whispered as I threw the bathroom door open and saw my reflection in the full length mirror. God, no wonder he was staring. My boobs were practically screaming at him. I grabbed the paper towels and started wiping my shirt. It was only making it worse. I glanced over at the hand dryer and had a brilliant idea. I punched the button and listened to it roar to life. I did a little back bend and placed my chest under the dryer. It was way too hot, and my chest felt like it might burst into flames any second. But I didn’t care. Maybe the heat would calm my tits.
“What the hell are you doing, Nat?” Emily giggled as she leaned down beside me, her face close to mine.
“Don’t ask,” I moaned.
Emily stood up straight and inspected my shirt then started to giggle again.
“Keep laughing,” I said, trying to be mad, but I couldn’t. I knew I looked ridiculous.
“You’re good,” she said as she ran her hands over my shirt.
“I literally ran into the hottest guy I’ve ever seen out there, and spilled his beer on both of us.”
“Tall?
Dirty blonde hair? Killer dimple? Wet t-shirt?” she asked.
“Did you see it go down?” I asked, knowing the entire bar probably witnessed it.
“No.” She laughed and shook her head. “He’s waiting outside the door,” she said quietly, and nodded her head towards the bathroom exit.
“Shut up!” I whispered.
“Swear,” she said with a grin as she made a cross over her heart.
“I think he’s waiting on you,” she said as she pulled a tube of lip gloss and a tiny bottle of perfume out of her top. I giggled as I grabbed the lip gloss out of her hand and applied a little. Em sprayed us both with the perfume, and then leaned forward and sniffed my chest.
“Good as new,” she said as she wiggled her eyebrows.
“Ready to go meet your spring fling?” she said as she gave herself one last look in the mirror.
“Hush. I don’t even know his name.” I rolled my eyes and did the same in the mirror.
“Well, you’re about to find out,” she said as she slapped my butt, and pushed me towards the door.
Here goes nothing.
Beautiful
Deep breaths.
I opened the door and tried to hide my disappointment. He wasn’t there.
“Oh well, come on.” Emily shrugged as she looped her arm through mine, and led me to a small round table next to the bar. It was the only empty table in sight and I was thankful for it. I tried to look around the bar for tall, blonde and sexy, but I didn’t want to seem obvious. I didn’t see him. What I did see was two guys staring at our table and obviously plotting their next move. They were cute, and from the way they stared as they approached our table, they knew it.
“Oh damn,” Emily whispered as she flung her hair and sat up straighter.
“Hey ladies,” the guy with black hair said. Although his mouth pretended that he was talking to the both of us, his eyes were talking to Emily.
“Hey,” Emily said, in that seductive tone that got her way every time. I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Hey there, gorgeous,” the other one said as he moved a little too close to me. I sat up straighter and pressed my back against the bar stool. He reeked of liquor and his eyes were glassy. I was grossed out already.
“Hey,” I said and looked over at my best friend, who was completely wrapped up in conversation with his friend. I didn’t want to get stuck hanging out with some drunk guy. I tried to will her to look at me with my glare. It wasn’t working.
Damn it.
“What’s your name?” he slurred.
“Um, Natalie,” I said with a sigh.
“I’m Bret. Can I buy you a drink, Natalie?”
“Nope.” I heard a deep voice behind me. “She’s got one.” Mr. Tall, Blonde and Sexy appeared directly in front of me with two beers in his hand, sliding between me and the drunk one, taking a seat at the chair next to me.
“Maybe she wants another.” Oh no, drunk guy decided he wanted to get cocky.
“Maybe you should walk away,” Mr. Tall, Blonde and Sexy said as he stood up. He ran his hands through his hair and then gave his chin a little scratch. His voice was calm, but when I noticed his left hand ball into a fist, I knew he was anything but calm.
“Um, Em, maybe we should go,” I said nervously. I didn’t want to be in the middle of a bar fight. But when I looked over, Emily wasn’t there. My eyes drifted to the dance floor, where she was headed, hand in hand with the drunk guy’s friend.
“Don’t go,” he said as he glanced down at me with those beautiful eyes. “He’s leaving.”
“Take a walk bro,” he said as he backed up just enough so my knees brushed against his legs, keeping a protective stance in front of me.
“Fuck this,” the drunk guy mumbled, and walked toward the exit. I let out a loud exhale, relieved that things didn’t get out of hand.
“Sorry,” he said as he sat back down. “You seemed uncomfortable with him.”
“Thank you, he was a little pushy,” I said as I stared at him. He really was beautiful. That dimple alone gave me butterflies.
“I’m Ryker,” he said as he held out his hand for me to take.
“Natalie,” I said quietly, and put my hand in his. He rubbed his thumb against my hand before our hands fell apart. That little gesture caused my stomach to do flips. “But most people call me Nat.”
“Nat . . .” he said and paused. “That’s cute.”
Ugh. I hated being called cute. All my life, I was cute. I hated cute. I wanted to be sexy, seductive, like Emily. But no, I was destined to be cute Nat. He must have seen the look of disappointment on my face.
“Your name is cute,” he insisted. “You’re not just cute, you’re beautiful,” he said, and gave me a heart stopping stare. That was the first time in my life that a guy had ever called me beautiful. I love him. Shut up, Nat. God.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, trying to make myself sound sexy, but it came out all mousy and ridiculous. I took a long swig of the beer in front of me. I tried to hide the look on my face as the beer hit my throat. I wasn’t a beer drinker, at all. It made me nauseous. I could hide my distaste though, I had to.
“Do you want something else?” Ryker chuckled as he stared at me. Or maybe I couldn’t. Damn.
“No, this is good,” I said as I took a small sip, and managed to smile. Disgusting.
“So, do you live in Corpus, Nat?” Ryker asked as a grin spread across his perfect face. That dimple was going to be the death of me.
“No, I wish, I love the beach. But I live in Amarillo. We’re just here for Spring Break,” I said with a smile. “What about you?”
“I live in Austin; I got a week off work, so I came down with my brother and a few of his friends,” he said as he nodded towards a table across from us. I saw a dark haired guy there, in his early twenties, maybe. He was really cute, from what I could see of him. He had a blonde draped across his lap, trying to eat his neck.
I turned back around to face Ryker, who was shaking his head and smiling, scratching his chin.
“It’s like that everywhere we go,” he said nodding towards his brother, shaking his head again. I could see the attraction, but he didn’t compare to Ryker. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I was only eighteen and hadn’t been out of the panhandle much, but they didn’t make them like Ryker up there. He was perfection.
“So how long are you here for?” he asked.
“3 more days, what about you?”
“Same,” he replied simply and then grabbed my hand, gently pulling me to my feet.
“Wanna dance?” he asked, although he was already pulling me to the crowded dance floor.
“Sure,” I giggled, and followed behind him.
We made our way to the corner of the dance floor, and Ryker pulled me into his arms. I don’t know what song was playing, it didn’t even matter. As soon as his arms were against me, everything else faded. We swayed to the music and I fell into his chest. He rubbed his fingers gently against my back as I wrapped my arms around his neck, touching the bottom of his hairline gently with my nails. I felt his sigh as he hugged me closer. How is it possible to feel so comfortable with someone you met twenty minutes ago? But I couldn’t think, I could only feel. Feel him.
“Hey, bro.” I heard a voice over my shoulder, pulling me out of my trance. My Ryker induced trance.
“What’s up?” Ryker said, clearly annoyed that we were interrupted.
“We’re heading over to Mulligan’s. I have to meet Dalton; he wants to talk to you,” his brother said as he hovered close to us.
“Cain, dude, can’t I talk to him another time?” Ryker said as he rubbed his hand down my side gently.
“He’s heading out in the morning. It won’t take long. Bring your friend,” he said as he gave me a quick nod. His blonde appeared next to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She was practically humping his leg; it’s like she couldn’t get close enough to him.
“Wait for me by the door
,” Cain mumbled to the girl as he nudged her in that direction. I looked at her and realized she was at least thirty. Don’t get me wrong, she was stunning, but she was clearly older than Cain. She was also completely infatuated with him and would do whatever he said. She proved that with a sexy pout as she walked towards the door.
“I’ll meet you in the car,” Cain said, and walked away.
“I need to go, do you want to come?” he asked. “I know you don’t really know me, but I’d like it if you came. Free drinks and I swear I’m not a psycho,” he said with a laugh as he touched my cheek.
I knew better. I had just met him. My dad was a police officer, and had spent my entire life giving me horror stories about stranger danger. Ryker was right, I didn’t know him. I didn’t know his brother. I shouldn’t do this. I knew better.
“My friend has to come with us,” I said. What the hell.
“Of course,” Ryker said as he ran his index finger down my nose gently, with that damn dimple begging to be kissed.
The Virgin Shake
Three Days Later
“Will I ever see you again?” I asked, trying not to sound like a needy girl.
But the truth was, this was the most amazing three days and I was feeling a little needy. We had spent almost every second together. I didn’t want this to end. But I knew I had to go home. I had to get back to school and Ryker had work. We had lives waiting at home, no matter how much I didn’t want to think about it.
“Absolutely,” he whispered as he hovered over me. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was soothing. The sun had set and we were on a secluded part of the beach, on a blanket in the sand. It was perfect and romantic, like something out of a movie. This was too good to be true.
“I’m not ready to leave you,” Ryker whispered as his lips brushed across my ear.
A deep sigh escaped my throat as his hot breath caused goose bumps to cover my neck. He started to shower my neck with light kisses and I wrapped my fingers in his hair.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said as he moved his lips against mine. My mouth opened for him as his tongue danced with mine. This was nice. Ryker adjusted his body as he positioned himself on top of me. I felt his hard bulge settle against me. I tried to stay calm and not let my nerves show. But my body had other plans. I continued to kiss him, but my body started to tremble. I couldn’t stop it. Sure, I was nervous, but I wanted this. I was ready to do this. I tried to move against him but the shaking was almost out of control.