by A. J. Norris
Ryan ran into the warehouse, grabbed his backpack from the bottom of his bed, and then his laptop. “Why the hell would you do that?” he screamed at me while we charged toward the car.
“Because you’re a dick and I’m a vindictive bitch,” I shouted back at him.
“Fine, get in the car. I’m driving.”
I went into the passenger seat, brushing some glass shards off before I sat down.
“I’m sorry, all right?” I murmured to him as he peeled onto the highway as sirens blared behind us.
“Just, stop. It’s done. Let’s just get out of this.”
We drove in silence for about half an hour, but there was only so much I could take. Obviously, I couldn’t roll the window up as he’d broken it, and it was the middle of winter. It was freezing outside and I was shivering like crazy. I’d been trying to hide it, but my teeth started chattering and Ryan looked over at me.
He reached into the backseat and grabbed his backpack from where he’d tossed it when we got in the car. “Here, there’s a sweatshirt in there. You can use it as a blanket. We still have, like, an hour before we get there, if traffic stays light.”
“Where is there?”
“I have a buddy who owns an apartment in Napa. He’s in Japan right now, so I doubt he’ll mind if we crash there.”
“If he’s in Japan, how are we gonna get in?”
“Lucy, do you really want me to answer that question?”
“No.” I took my jacket off and tugged his sweater over my head. I looked down at the logo on the front and took a deep breath. It was Les’s college hoodie. “Ryan, where did you get this?”
“He left it at the warehouse before the heist and I knew I’d have to bring it with me. You weren’t the only one who lost a brother.”
“Tell me what happened that night,” I ordered him, staring straight ahead, trying to turn my emotions off. I needed to know the whole story.
“When we get there. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
I draped my jacket over me like a blanket and breathed in the sweater. It was Les’s favorite and he refused to toss it out even though there were holes in the sleeves. After all, he could never throw out his good luck charm. If I closed my eyes, I could see him laughing across the table from me as we sat at the bar down the street from my apartment and watched college football. He would have been great in the NFL if he hadn’t blown out his knee senior year. Les was constantly reminding us of that whenever a quarterback tried to run the ball. God, what would I do next year? It would just be me, a huge plate of nachos, and way too much beer. I was going to need to get a gym membership to take care of all that comfort eating.
As Ryan drove on, I kept my eyes closed, picturing other memories I had with Les, like the time he and I took a cross-country road trip when I graduated college, or when we sat through that ridiculous superhero movie marathon for ten hours. Or the simple memories, like having family dinner at our dining room table when our parents were alive, opening presents at Christmas, or just talking to him. If I were to think of the top ten moments of my life, Les was in all of them.
“Lucy,” Ryan said, nudging me.
Somewhere around memory four, I’d fallen asleep. I opened my eyes and stared at a classic four-story apartment complex colored with rich reds and deep browns. It was beautiful and simple at the same time. For some reason, I felt at peace with this place. Ryan grabbed his bag and his laptop from the back of the car, then he climbed out. I went to the trunk and got the money bag, rolled it up as small as I could, and shoved it into my purse. It stuck out the top, but it would work.
“Come on, let’s get inside before anyone sees us. You’re on the run with a fugitive now. If they see you, you’ll be wanted too.”
“I didn’t think about that.”
Ryan stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me. “Look, you have your share of the money. If you want to leave, that’s fine. You don’t need to stick around,” he told me, placing a gentle hand on my cheek. “I’d understand if you left.”
I covered his hand with my hand, and looked up at him. He was right. I should walk away and head back to my life. But what life was that? I had a boring job that paid the bills, no true friends, no family, and no prospects. What did I really have to lose by staying with Ryan? It’s not like he could take my virginity a second time. I needed to know why he’d given me his share of the money, but most importantly, I needed to know what happened the night of the heist.
“I’ll stay for now.”
Ryan took my hand and brought me to the apartment’s door. He reached into the flower pot next to the door and found the key. That was exactly where I kept mine, so I made a mental note to move it.
“Shoes off,” Ryan ordered when he stepped inside.
We walked into the almost empty apartment and looked around. There was a couch in the living room and a television on the wall. The kitchen was empty, and there was one stool under the breakfast bar. But the liquor cart was full.
“Someone needs to get this guy a girlfriend. I’ve never seen a worse version of a bachelor pad in my entire life,” I told Ryan as I tried to ignore the Playboy magazines on the counter with the tissue box next to it.
“Well, my friend is barely here. It’s more of a hotel for him. You should see his place just outside Tokyo. It’s decked out with all of the best technology, this elaborate art collection, and all of this modern furniture that isn’t comfortable in the slightest but looks amazing.”
“What is it with you and this connection to Tokyo? How did that even happen? Last we talked, you hadn’t even been off the west coast.”
He brought me over to the sofa and we sat down on opposite ends. Ryan smiled at me, then rubbed his face. “So, after rehab, I had a bit of trouble finding a job. I got mixed up with this group that basically were thieves for hire. We stole whatever we were commissioned to and were paid well. Eventually, this guy came to me claiming he noticed that I had a special talent. I left my old crowd and started with his. Turns out, he worked for some pretty influential guys in Tokyo. After a little while, they brought me overseas. Now, I’m part of their…”
“Gang?” I offered.
“Uh, I wouldn’t say it’s a gang. It’s more like family business. I negotiate with business associates of my employer and work out arrangements…well, let’s just say I set up deals. I don’t steal anymore. I haven’t in at least a year.”
“Then why did you help Les?”
“Come on, Lucy, you know why. Les asked me to. I’ve never been able to say ‘no’ to that kid.”
I laughed, remembering how persistent my brother could be. “Yeah, he could really talk anyone into doing whatever he wanted.” A tear fell down my cheek and I brushed it away, forcing a smile. “I guess it’s too much to ask for the bachelor to have any tissues that aren’t next to a stack of naked women?” Another tear fell.
Ryan scooted over and wiped my cheek gently. “Remember that time, in like eighth grade, we all went skiing on that school trip and Les convinced me to try the black diamond with him?”
“Yeah, what was that, like, your second time on skis?”
“I ate it about halfway through and ski patrol had to drag my ass down the mountain. It was all right. I hooked up with Mary Simpkins that night. She was diggin’ that nurse vibe.”
My face fell, remembering a different version of that night.
“Sorry, that was rude. Sometimes I forget you aren’t one of the guys.”
“Of course, but you know I’m not Les, right?” I glared at him, frustrated at how oblivious he was.
“I’m aware of that.”
“I had gone to the lodge store that night and I bought all of this stuff to keep you company. I figured you’d be bored while everyone was out skiing and you were sitting up with a broken wrist. When I knocked on your door, I heard her voice. I don’t know why I thought it would be different. I always tried so hard to get you to see me.”
Ryan reached ov
er and brushed a stray hair out of my face. “Lucy, I’ve noticed you. You were the first girl I ever noticed in that way. But what was I supposed to do? You were my best friend’s sister. I couldn’t break guy code.”
“Seriously, guy code? You expect me to believe that shit?”
Ryan got up and started pacing, running his fingers through his hair over and over again. Finally, he stopped in front me, kneeling down at my knees.
“When you were thirteen, you got seriously sick on Christmas, but didn’t tell anyone because you were afraid of ruining the holiday. But I realized it and told your mom so she could take care of you. For your sixteenth birthday, you and Les had a big party against your will because you thought no one would show up for you. Les and I went around school that day, inviting every girl we saw. You showed up to a room full of people who were all happy to see you. We shared our first dance that night. Then for your senior prom, you wore a blue dress with a sparkly top and a slit that, in my opinion, showed way too much thigh. You went with that guy, Andy. He got you guys a room, but didn’t show up. That’s because I threatened him with bodily harm if he so much as touched you.”
“There’s no way you remembered all that stuff, and you definitely didn’t have a right to screw things up with Andy.” At first, I was overly frustrated. I couldn’t believe he had the nerve to do that shit. My breathing grew heavy as I thought more about what he said. Before I realized it, my irritation changed to something else. The heat flowing through me centered between my legs and I crossed them before the feeling of arousal could fill me up any more.
He leaned closer and was now inches from my face. “Do you really think that guy was good enough for you?”
“Oh yeah, and you think you’re better?” I asked, trying hard to keep my breathing steady as the closer he got to me, the more aware I was that my arousal was spreading and my skin burned for his touch.
“No, I know I’m not right for you. It’s the other reason I’ve stayed away from you.”
“And what about that night in college? You decided you were good enough for a quick lay.”
Ryan grabbed my arms, shaking me a little. “Don’t you ever think that night wasn’t one of the best ones of my life.”
I tried to get out of his grasp, but his hold was too tight. I glared daggers at him as I gave up fighting. “You mean the night that you made me the other woman? You had a girlfriend, Ryan.”
“That night, when I was with you. Les saw me leave. He gave me this nod. I don’t know. It was like he was giving me his approval or something. I think he’s always had a feeling I liked you, but never mentioned it. Then, we were together, and it was perfect. I was going to break up with Lyndsey later that day so I could be with you. But you kicked me out, wouldn’t return my phone calls, and threatened to call security when I tried to see you at school. So, I left you alone, recognizing I couldn’t make it up to you.”
I stared at him, wide-eyed and confused. “Wait, so…” I couldn’t even get it out. He left me flabbergasted and a little dazed.
“So, what?”
“So, after all this time, you’ve, um…”
“Yes, after all this time, I’ve loved you. And not in the way I love Les, or your mom. I’ve loved you as only a powerless man can love a woman out of his league.”
“I’m not out of your league. If anything, you’re out of mine,” I insisted, afraid to look away from his intense stare.
“Where does that leave us?”
“Here, in this bachelor pad, with the cops on our tail, a bag full of money, and no idea what to do with all these old feelings.”
“You may be clueless, but I know exactly what to do with them.”
Chapter Six
Ryan removed his hands from my arms and slid them around to the back of my neck, pulling me into a kiss. The spark between us ignited again, but I didn’t fight it. Ryan sat on the couch next to me, pulling me onto his lap. I grabbed onto his jacket, used it to tug him even closer to me as the kiss deepened. My body felt alive and a moan fought to escape my lips, but Ryan wouldn’t let me go. It was almost as if this kiss was the only thing keeping him together.
I slid my hands up his strong chest and pushed his jacket off his shoulders and he let go of me just long enough to toss it on the floor. Then Ryan picked me up, laying me down on the couch and climbing on top of me as his hands found the hem of my shirt. Tenderly, he pushed my shirt up, stroking my stomach, and inching his way up toward my chest. I broke the kiss, breathing hard as I tried to find some form of control.
That concept quickly flew from my mind as Ryan moved his hand to my back, unclasping my bra expertly with one hand. I arched into him, giving him easier access to me, and his caress started. Barely touching my breast as his fingers gently grazed my skin. With each stroke, he started touching more and more of me.
“Ryan…” I murmured as he slowly crept toward my nipple. “I can’t take much more.” I moaned loudly and Ryan chuckled. I twisted my legs, trying to find some kind of relief for the pressure building inside me.
He pulled me into a seated position, yanked Les’s sweater off, pulled my shirt up, and tossed it on the floor with my bra. I then reached out and yanked his sweater, undershirt included, off over his head and gasped as I stared at his muscles.
“Oh my god.”
“Like what you see?” Ryan flexed his muscles, grinning at me as I tried not to salivate.
I’d only seen muscles like that in pornos and chick flicks. I reached out with shaky hands to feel his rock-hard abs, his chiseled chest, and his pronounced shoulders. He’d always looked good, but now he was in prime shape and I licked my lips before I could stop myself.
Ryan growled at the sight and captured my face with his hands, kissing me almost too hard. I started to pant, trying to keep up with his intensity, but it was no use as soon as he reached the button on my dress pants and then the zipper. He slipped them off my hips, leaving me lying in my black lacey thong. Then he stopped and stared, the same awe in his eyes that I’d just felt.
“Like what you see?” I asked him, feeling a sense of pride that the sight of me in my underwear was stopping him dead in his tracks.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remember. Which is saying something, since I picture that night over and over again.”
“I think it’s time for a new memory. I’ve gotten much better since then.”
“Now that sounds promising.”
I reached out, unbuttoning his jeans and undoing the zipper. Ryan stood up and I pulled his pants, and then his boxers, down. Staring for a second at him, standing at attention, and waiting for me, I was more turned on than I’d ever been in my life. I grabbed ahold of him, wrapping my fingers around him tightly, sliding up and down his shaft. I made eye contact with Ryan, and watched a fire blazing in his eyes.
Then I knelt in front of him, taking him in my mouth, and Ryan let out a groan, shaking a little on his feet. I opened wider, taking him as far as I could go, and then released him gradually, only to tease his tip with my tongue before starting again. Ryan steadied himself, placing a hand on my shoulder, and squeezed me tight with each lick.
“Damn,” Ryan groaned as I began sucking. “Lucy, Lu, I can’t…”
“Shhh,” I told him, taking him out of my mouth. I stood up, pushing him toward the couch, where he fell onto the cushions. I slowly slid my underwear down, bending seductively before tossing them to the side.
I climbed on top of him, sitting up on my knees as I hovered just over his tip. Then I pulled his face toward mine, and kissed him tenderly as I took him deep inside me.
Ryan broke the kiss, an animalistic moan bursting from his mouth. I rode on top of him, taking him deep and quickly. My head fell back as I felt my climax rushing toward me. It’d been too long since I’d felt a man like this and my body wasn’t lasting. I shifted my hips, leaning closer to him as I sped up to an almost earth shattering pace, holding onto his shoulders so tightly that my fingernails dug into him. H
e moved his hands to my hips and squeezed my ass as I screamed when ecstasy overtook me, but I forced myself to keep going.
I needed to please Ryan as well. Make up for the last time where I basically lay there in awe of his abilities. It wasn’t long, though. Ryan’s grip on me intensified and I felt him start to pulse inside me. He started to shake and I watched him succumb to his orgasm, groaning my name as he rode out the aftershocks.
“Yeah, you’ve definitely learned a thing or two,” he said, smiling up at me.
We stared at each other for a minute, not moving, just basking in a trance. Then we heard something. Ryan pulled me off him, and thrust his feet into his jeans. He rushed over to the window and cursed.
“Clothes on, now,” Ryan insisted, putting his shirt on, and tossing his boxers and sweater into his bag. He grabbed our shoes from the front door and tossed me mine.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered.
“A car door just closed and people are on the front path.”
“Do you think it’s the police? How could they find us?” I had just managed to slip into my pants and hook my bra.
He looked around for a second and his eyes settled on my phone. “They tracked your cell. I guess they made the connection between us. We gotta go.” Ryan grabbed my arm and pulled me out the back door. I broke his grip and grabbed my shirt and purse, throwing the shirt on and then pulling the bag across my body. I followed him out into the woods behind the apartment complex, leaving my phone on the couch so they couldn’t track us any further.
“What are we going to do? My car is out front.”
“Remember, my friend and I work together so we plan for these things. He has a car about a mile and a half away. We can head over there and escape before they even realize where we’re going.”
“A mile and a half. You want to run a mile and a half?” I was already gassed out and we’d been running for maybe three minutes.
Ryan looked back at me with a mischievous grin on his face. “You don’t work out? So you got that ass naturally?”
