Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland Book 1)

by Nikki J Summers

  He patted the space next to him, so I stepped in and closed the door behind me. Then I went over and sat on the edge of the bed. He quirked his eyebrow at me and leant up on his elbows.

  “You’re not gonna make this easy for me, are you?” he said, reaching over and stroking my arm, leaving a trail of goose-bumps behind.

  “All good things are worth fighting for,” I managed to say, even though my heart was about to burst wide open. Being on a bed with him was like every birthday and Christmas rolled into one.

  “I think we’ve done enough fighting.”

  He leant over and put his hand behind my head, pulling me down to kiss him. I gave in. I always did when it came to him. I fell onto the bed, lying half over him as he wrapped his arms around me. I loved the way his lips moulded with mine. The way our tongues laced together; tasting, teasing, opening up to one another. My hands were itching to touch him everywhere. I ran my fingers through his hair and he groaned as my nails raked over his scalp and then down to his neck. I moved lower, running my hands down his firm chest and reaching underneath his T-shirt to touch the velvet, rock-hard abs he kept hidden under there.

  “I love the way you touch me,” he whispered as his kisses moved along my jawline then down to my neck. He rolled me backwards and crawled over me, pressing me into the mattress as he kissed my neck then my shoulder. His hands skimmed down my sides, grasping my hips and then his fingers traced circles on my thighs, dancing up and under the skirt of my dress. He went back to kissing my lips, but I lost all focus as his fingers worked their way up higher, reaching my ass and squeezing hard.

  “Don’t be scared to touch me there too,” he said, leaning away slightly and looking down at where my fingers hovered over the buttons of his jeans. He lifted his T-shirt over his head and threw it to the floor, then looked at me and smirked. “I’ll let you do the rest.”

  A surge of confidence swept over me and I pulled on the buttons to loosen his jeans. Then I sat up on my knees and he lifted his hips to help me take his jeans and boxers off. His dick was long, hard and… Would you call a dick beautiful? He certainly was stunning lying here on my bed, totally naked. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was perfect.

  He sat up and pulled me to him, kissing me and running his hands through my hair. I let my fingers glide over his taut thighs and then in-between his legs, and he moved slightly, opening himself up so I could explore, touch and stroke him better. He broke our kiss so that he could watch me, panting slowly as I feathered delicate touches over him. I could tell he was as affected by this as I was.

  He took the skirt of my dress in his hands and lifted it up and over my head. Then when he saw me, sat there in my pink lacy bra and knickers, he groaned.

  “I swear to God, Em. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe your mine.” I loved that. That he said I was his.

  “So are you.” I blushed as I spoke, and I could tell by the look in his eyes he needed more. “And you’re mine.” The heat that was smouldering between us turned into a blazing inferno and I couldn’t hold back anymore. Neither one of us could.

  He pushed me down onto the bed and kissed me hard, his body covered mine and I could feel him pressing against my stomach; hard, warm and ready for me. He reached round to open the clasp of my bra and pulled it off slowly. Then he was on my chest, taking a nipple into his mouth; sucking and biting then rubbing his tongue over to ease the sting.

  The way he kissed and nibbled over me made me pulse with longing. I felt myself rubbing up against him and his hands squeezed my ass. Then he grabbed behind my thigh, nudging my legs open. His fingers were on me, circling my clit and through my wetness. I moaned quietly as he circled and stroked, spreading my wetness and making everything throb with need. When he pushed his finger inside me, I gasped, and he covered my mouth with his again, stroking his tongue in time with his finger. I rocked my hips into him, desperate for more. The way he curled his fingers inside me sent me spiralling into an ecstasy I remembered from the other night.

  I reached down to take his dick in my hand and I stroked him, matching the rhythm he’d set. He pushed his hips forward, using my hand to bring him to his own release.

  “Oh, baby. This feels so good.” Ryan grunted, as he buried his head into my neck and fucked me with his fingers. The way his thumb and palm brushed over my clit sent sparks straight through me.

  He started to piston his hips faster into my hand as he teased me between my legs. The burning tension turned to a pulse and then I could feel myself falling, heading towards something mind-blowing.

  “I’m coming, Ryan,” I managed to say just as my legs gave way and my whole body started shaking. The pulse and the sparks were insane. It was out of this world crazy shit, and I couldn’t get enough. I cried out as he carried on rubbing me, prolonging my orgasm, and then he gave a low moan, and whisper-shouted, “Fuck,” before I felt him thicken and come on my hand and the bed.

  He rode out his orgasm and then slumped over me, his head buried deep in-between my neck and my pillow. We lay together for a few minutes to catch our breath. Then Ryan lifted up slightly, kissed my nose and reached over to grab some tissues from the side of my bed to wipe away the evidence of what we’d done. I watched him, waiting to see if he’d make another move, maybe try to take it further. As much as I’d enjoyed it, I knew he wouldn’t be satisfied with just my hand for long.

  As he cleaned us both up I started to stutter over my words. “I… That was… I don’t know… I’ve never…”

  Real smooth, Em. Come on, girl. Get your shit together.

  He grinned and pulled me into him, pulling the corner of the duvet so it rested over us. “Like I said before, we have all the time in the world. No rush. No pressure. I like that we’re taking this slow.”

  I wanted to laugh. This was his version of slow? In the last two weeks I’d done more sexually than I had ever done in my whole life. His slow was pretty fast in my books, but then I started to get what he meant. He wanted me to set the pace. I had full control. Our first time together, of properly being together, was my call and he was willing to wait for as long as it took. He was the opposite of a guy like Chase, and that was a pretty rare find these days.

  “I love this… Being with you like this,” I said, breathing him in and feeling like I wanted to open myself up to him in more ways. Let him know what he meant to me.

  “I love it too.” He pulled me even closer and nuzzled into my neck. There wasn’t much space between us before, but now it was as if we were one person.

  “Why me?” I said. It wasn’t that I was doubting myself, but I wanted to know what it was he saw all those years ago. Why he’d chosen me.

  “It was always you, Em.” He settled me, so that I lay with my head on his chest and he drew slow gentle circles on my back as he spoke. “I guess the first time I really noticed you was at school, at lunchtime. Elliot Small, rotten name by the way considering his size, but that’s… Whatever. Anyway, Brandon was being a real asshole, trying to show everyone what a dude he was. He watched Elliot walking across the canteen with his lunch tray and he stuck his foot out, made the kid fall flat on his ass; spaghetti and meatballs everywhere. The kid was a fucking mess and not just from the tomato sauce. Everyone was laughing. He looked ready to burst into tears and I was just about to head over there and tell Brandon to stop being a jerk when you appeared. A five-foot-nothing firecracker, ready to tear Brandon a new one.”

  I remembered that day. That was the first time I spoke to Elliot and we became good friends after that.

  “You were fucking awesome that day. You told Brandon he was a piece of shit. Well, without the swearing, but you made him feel like a prized twat. Not many people have done that. Then you helped Elliot stand up, getting spaghetti sauce all over you as you did, and you helped him to a table, even shared your lunch with him.”

  “He ate more than I did.” I laughed at the memory. I’d had no idea Ryan had seen that.

  �
��You blew me away, Em. You were half Brandon’s size, but I reckon you’d have tried to knock him out if you could’ve. Watching you that day did something to me. Sure, there were other things, but that stands out to me. I knew then that you were the girl for me.”

  “Ryan Hardy.” I slapped his chest playfully. “You fell for the geeky, nerdy kid that no one liked.” I said it as a joke, but he didn’t take it that way. He put his hand under my chin to lift my face to his.

  “You were not geeky, nerdy or disliked. I put a bloody block on you for Christ’s sake. No one dared to go near you. But they liked you. Why wouldn’t they? They just did a really good job of hiding it. They knew I’d kick their asses if they tried anything.”

  “You’re an asshole… And thank you… I think. I really don’t know what to say.” I frowned and smiled at the same time. Confusion was becoming a good friend of mine.

  “Em, you’re the girl who flipped my whole world upside down. You might’ve been an afterthought in your parent’s lives, but not in mine. I love the way you’ve never let their negativity get to you. You’ve never let it change who you are.”

  “And who am I?” I pushed, wanting to bleed him dry of every beautiful word he had to give.

  “You’re the girl who always puts everyone else first. Family, friends, strange guys spilling their meatballs all over the place. You fight for what’s right. God knows you’ve called me and the guys out enough times over the years. You are the girl who makes people feel better just by being in a room. You have this power to make everyone feel good. It’s like a light or, I don’t know, a super power. You’re the girl who everyone wants to be with. The girl who stole my heart.”

  I was gone. I didn’t think it was possible to feel any more for this boy lying with me on my bed, but right then he stole the heart right out of my chest and claimed it as his own.

  It was official, I was falling in love with Ryan Hardy, and not knowing what to say back to him in that moment, I kissed him. I had no words. Actions would have to suffice.

  The factory was located on the outskirts of town. A prime position for the boys’ and far enough away that any noise wouldn’t disturb local residents. I was fast learning that was a win for them. No irate residents, no police presence, more time to party and make money.

  Since my first experience at the warehouse, I’d come to respect them for their work ethic and tenacity; albeit for illegal events, drinking, gambling and whatever else they could turn their hand to, but they had a real knack for it. They were driven and focused. All traits that my father had drummed into us from an early age, but he wouldn’t see it like that. If he knew I was standing in the middle of a derelict factory with hundreds of others, he’d have gone completely mental.

  “Looks like he’s moved on from Kelly.” Liv was glaring daggers at Zak as he moved through the crowd towards his D.J. set with Eloise Campbell hanging off his arm. That boy sure was spreading the love around like it was confetti.

  “You are way too good for him.” I moved so I was standing in her line of vision. Hopefully blocking out Zak’s free-loving ass. “Just don’t look. There’re loads of guys here tonight. Get with one of them and to hell with Zak.”

  “Em, I’m happy for you. You found a good one… We hope. But I’m gonna take a break from guys. A man-hoe-liday.” She stood tall as she spoke, proud of her efforts already. I didn’t believe her for a second.

  “Okay, Liv. You do you, girl.”

  “Oh, I will. I have multiple BOBs to keep me happy.” I stared at her, not having the first clue who Bob was. “You know, Bob. Battery-operated-boyfriend. You have those too, right, Em?”

  I nodded then shook my head, feeling like I’d entered another dimension.

  “Why would she need one? She’s got Ryan for that,” Effy said then blushed profusely. “I mean… I don’t… You probably… Oh shit.”

  “It’s fine, Eff. Like I said, you do you. And no, Liv. I don’t have a Bob, as you put it. But if shit hits the fan, I’ll definitely look into it.”

  “I’ll even buy you one myself.” Liv grinned from ear to ear. I’d no doubt she’d give me tips and pointers on how to use it effectively too.

  An hour later and Effy was nowhere to be seen. Probably off in a dark corner discussing brush strokes with Finn, Liv had commented and I’d had to agree. Anytime we were with the guys lately, Effy and Finn were drawn to each other. I was glad. Effy deserved some fun. Only problem was, I was stuck playing third wheel to Liv and some guy called Pete who looked like a classic stoner. So much for her man-hoe-liday. Liv was lapping up the attention like the cat that got the cream.

  I tapped her on the elbow to let her know I was going to find Ryan. I knew the guys were always busy at the beginning of these nights, but I couldn’t stay away any longer. I forced my way through the crowds and into another corridor where a partially dilapidated staircase led to the next floor.

  “Stairs are outta use. The floor’s collapsed up there,” some guy said, looking up at the flaking ceiling. I turned and headed in the opposite direction. “If you’re looking for Mathers and the fight, it’s in the basement. It was dark as fuck down there earlier, but we used the generators and the floodlights are pretty good.”

  I had no idea who this guy was, but I gave him a thumbs up and a, “Thanks,” and moved on. I made my way through the groups of people standing around smoking, drinking and dancing to the bass from the main factory floor. I soon managed to find the small set of stairs that led to the basement area. The guy was right when he’d said they’d put lights up, but it did nothing to combat the eerie, dark feeling that crept over you when you came down here. It smelt musty and metallic, like this wasn’t the first fight that’d happened down here. I shivered, but as soon as my foot hit the bottom step I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me and pull me close. A warm chest erased the chill in my bones.

  “I was about to come back up and find you.” Ryan nuzzled into my neck and kissed me. I spun in his hold and wrapped my arms around him. I felt dizzy. This boy certainly had me under his spell.

  “I got bored waiting.” I didn’t care who was watching. I didn’t care if it got back to my dad that I’d been here with Ryan. I buried my face in his T-shirt and inhaled him. Filling my lungs with everything that calmed me and blocking out the outside world.

  “I saw you with Liv and Effy.” He bent down and kissed the top of my head. “Then with Liv and Pete, but I didn’t want to interrupt you. I don’t want to be the asshole boyfriend who takes you away from your friends.”

  Boyfriend. I liked that. It made my heart swell and my stomach flip.

  “You can interrupt any time. I want you to get to know my friends. Their jury is still out on you. You need to change that.”

  He nodded and then pulled me to one side, away from the stairs and the crowds of people drifting into the basement.

  “Fuck. What the hell are they doing here?” I turned to see where he was looking and saw Chase with his older brother, Jensen, and his friend, Brodie Yates. Jensen and Brodie had gone to the same high school as us, but they were in the year above Danny and Ryan. Jensen didn’t live in Sandland anymore. Since graduating university he’d moved to London and joined some accountancy firm that my dad had dealings with. God knows what he was doing here. I wouldn’t trust him though. He might play the part of the successful honest businessman by day, but I’d heard he was a bit of a thug after hours.

  We watched them strut around like they owned the place, heads held high and chests puffed out like a trio of half-witted peacocks. Then Kian sidled up to us all flustered and flapping.

  “Ry. Jensen wants in on the fight tonight. He wants to fight Brandon.” Kian was out of breath, his eyes darting around like he expected Brandon to jump out of the shadows and tackle him to the ground.

  “Does Brandon know?” Ryan didn’t flinch. He wasn’t fazed at all by what Kian said.

  “He’s all for it. Said he’s gonna kill him. I don’t think it’s a good idea, Ry.�
�� Kian was twitchy, wringing his hands together and fidgeting on the spot. Anyone would’ve thought he’d been asked to fight Brandon himself.

  “I think it’s a great idea. Brandon needs this. He deserves it.”

  Kian snapped his jaw shut, nodded like a lunatic and then spun on his heels and walked away. I always thought he was a tad weird. That’d just proved my point. The guy was a fruit loop.

  “What’s going on? Why doesn’t Kian think it’d be a good idea for Brandon to fight Jensen? Is Jensen that good?”

  Ryan huffed and gripped me a little tighter as he glanced their way. “Jensen thinks he’s good, and five or six years ago he might’ve been better than Brandon, but not anymore. Brandon will annihilate him.”

  “So, what’s the big deal? Are you worried he’ll sue or something?”

  Ryan shook his head and then sighed, pulling me further into the corner of the basement. He looked tired, his eyes telling me that tonight was about more than a show of physical strength.

  “Do you remember when I told you about Brandon’s mum and how shitty his family life was? Well, the whole ‘social services taking him away covered in his own shit’ kind of made it to school somehow. Brandon was bullied for years by Jensen, Brodie and the rest of those assholes. They made his life hell. Some of the fucked-up shit they did to him in middle school was… Well, it was tough for us to come to terms with, let alone Brandon. I don’t know how he survived it. We helped him where we could, but we weren’t as strong back then.”

  Ryan nodded over to where Chase and his brother stood. “That guy over there is the reason Brandon worked so hard to build himself up. They’re the reason he fights like he does. When he’s psyching himself up, it’s his face he pictures in his mind. And I know for a fact that it’s Jensen he’s punching every damn time. If Jensen wants to go against Brandon, I say let him. The fucker’s owed some payback and Brandon deserves to be the one to give it to him.”

  I’d had no idea Brandon had been bullied at school. I always thought he was the bully. He’d been awful to Elliot Small and some of the other guys in the lower years. But I guess everyone has a story to tell and Brandon was carrying more baggage than I’d realised. He had a score to settle. Seems tonight was going to be the night for payback.