Sweat (Sweetbriar Lake #1)

by Rebecca Jenshak

  He found her cell easily in the side pocket of her purse just as it stopped ringing. Five missed calls from Brock? Ryan put the phone back in Elle’s purse, not knowing what to think of another guy calling five times. Elle hadn’t mentioned him or anyone else for that matter. Was she dating other people? They hadn’t talked about exclusivity, but surely, she wasn’t dating someone else in town, or he’d have heard about it. Ryan grabbed the tray and headed back upstairs.

  He found Elle sitting in a chair out on the deck, a sheet wrapped around her bare shoulders. The rain had stopped, but the clouds were still dark, and it was thundering off in the distance. Ryan grew hard at just the sight of her, knowing she was naked under that sheet.

  “Hungry?” he asked as he sat the tray down and took a seat in the chair next to her.

  “I’m starving!” Elle exclaimed.

  Ryan served her food and poured the wine as he thought about how to approach the topic of dating exclusively. He hadn’t ever had to ask a girl like this. Before the accident, they had always chased him and made their intentions clear. After the crash, when he’d come to realize the women were fickler when he wasn’t a football star, he had pushed dating aside and thrown all his efforts into finishing school and saving up for his own gym.

  “Hey, I have a question for you,” Elle said as she placed her plate on the table and picked up her goblet. “I have a work event coming up.”

  “The black-tie affair that brought you to me?” Ryan asked, remembering the ball she’d wanted help getting ready for when she came for training. He shook his head wondering why in the world she’d thought she needed to prepare for such a thing but was thankful it had brought them together.

  “Yes. The Show Me Law Ball — it’s dinner, drinks, dancing, mingling with other lawyers. It’ll probably be pretty stuffy and boring, but I was wondering if you’d like to come with me?” Elle finally met his gaze. “If you have other plans or don’t want to, I—”

  Ryan placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. She rambled adorably when she was nervous, and he couldn’t believe she was nervous to ask him out.

  “I’d love to go with you.”

  ELLE STARTED A load of laundry while she busied herself with picking up the condo and getting things ready for work the following day. Ryan had dropped her off an hour earlier, and she was already missing him. She had stopped herself from sending him a text several times already because she knew he was working out, and she didn’t want to interrupt him. She was so happy that he had agreed to go to the ball. She was looking forward to it for the first time since she’d told Brock she was dating someone.

  Speaking of Brock, she still wasn’t sure what to do about him. He had called many times throughout the day and sent her a text asking her to call him. The gleeful ex-girlfriend in her was smug, but mostly she felt annoyed that he was adding confusion to what had been one of the best days of her life. She did feel she owed him an explanation for her odd behavior the last time they had spoken. No matter how terrible he had treated her in the past, it didn’t excuse her actions.

  “Might as well get it over with,” Elle said aloud.

  Brock answered on the first ring. “Elle. Finally. I’ve been trying to reach you all day.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I’ve been busy. What’s up?” She tried to sound as friendly and cool as she could.

  “I don’t know what’s happening, Elle. I’ve been thinking about us. I know you were pissed Brandy answered my phone, but it’s not serious. I want you to know that.”

  Elle let out a breath. “I was serious. I’ve met someone.” She paused, expecting him to lash out in anger. When he didn’t, she continued. “But that’s not what this is about, Brock. We’ve been over for six months. I think we both just needed time to get used to the idea of not being together anymore.”

  “You can’t mean that. Damnit, Elle, we had something so good. Please don’t throw it away. I want to come see you next weekend. Let me take you to the ball. We can talk then, and if you still feel the same way, I promise I’ll let it go.”

  She nibbled on her bottom lip, torn on how to respond. She knew she didn’t love him anymore. At least not the same way she once had. She had never been able to get past him cheating on her. If she was honest, she didn’t think she ever would.

  “No.” She shook her head, knowing he couldn’t see her, but the movement made her answer seem more resolute. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t see a future for us anymore. I’m sorry.”

  The line was heavy with silence as Elle waited for a response. When Brock hesitated, she found she just wanted it all to be over. “I gotta go, Brock. It’s getting late, and I have an early meeting tomorrow. I’ll see you at the ball.”

  “Bye, Elle.”

  She waited a moment, and when he didn’t hang up the phone, she knew it was up to her. With a sigh filled with regret for the many wasted hours crying over him and the self-hate she had put herself through thinking she wasn’t good enough, she pressed end.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  RYAN PULLED BEERS from the fridge and handed them out to the guys.

  “I don’t know about this,” Luke said as he surveyed his costume lying on the counter.

  Since Halloween fell on a Friday this year, Ryan had invited him to be part of their group costume, hoping it would provide a good opportunity for him to get to know the guys a little better. If Luke and Tori were getting serious, Ryan wanted to bring him into the circle. Jake had been welcoming and friendly, but Chris had barely said two words to him. Ryan needed to remember to ask Chris about it later.

  The plan for the night was pre-drinks at Claire’s apartment before heading to Cliff’s. The entire town really got into the holiday, making it one of Ryan’s favorites every year.

  “I don’t even know the names. Which one am I?” Luke asked, holding up the orange mask.

  Chris rolled his eyes and twisted off the cap of his beer.

  “Dude, you’re Michelangelo, Mikey. The funny and cool one,” Jake said as he pulled his own purple mask down on his face.

  Ryan and Chris tied on their matching masks, and in unison the three of them raised a beer and toasted.

  “Cowabunga, dude!”

  They caught a cab to Claire’s apartment in their costumes. Ryan was feeling lighter than he had in a while. Work was great, and things with Elle were even better. He couldn’t wait to see her. She had texted him a sexy picture earlier of what he could only guess was part of her costume. It was white and feathery, and he couldn’t wait to see it on her.

  He looked at Chris on the opposite side of the cab. He looked tense and angry, staring out the window. It was fitting, really, since he was dressed as the aggressive Raphael. Maybe Chris needed to find someone. Claire was single. Maybe he could talk with Elle and see what she thought. He shook his head at the thought. Ryan Calloway playing matchmaker… Who would have thought?

  ELLE CHECKED HER reflection one last time. Claire and Tori had already gone out to the living room to set up, but Elle couldn’t stop fidgeting with her costume. She had decided on somewhere between her normal conservative self and Claire’s insistence that Halloween costumes should be sexy. She’d picked up a short white dress from a thrift store and paired it with white feather wings. She had bought a white corset-and-garter set, complete with white fishnets, to surprise Ryan later. The top of the garter hooks peeked out just below her dress line. She was nervous — and eager — for Ryan to see her.

  “Elle, get out here!” Claire yelled from the other room.

  Elle took a deep breath and timidly walked out of Claire’s doorway into the living room.

  “Holy shit!” Tori said as her mouth hung open.

  “She cleans up well, doesn’t she?” Claire asked with a look of pride.

  Tori handed Elle a glass of wine. “My brother is one lucky guy.”

  Heat engulfed Elle’s face at all the attention, and she took a large drink of her wine. She had never dated someone with a s
ibling who was part of the same crowd. Elle liked Tori but still wasn’t sure how to be friends with her. The girl was smart and confident and, like her brother, she was fiercely loyal.

  Tori was dressed as a racecar driver in a full body suit that didn’t show any skin but showed off every single one of her hard-earned curves.

  “Are you and Ryan doing a couple’s costume?” Claire asked as she pulled wine bottles from the pantry and placed them on the counter.

  Elle opened a case of Heineken, knowing that was Ryan’s drink of choice.

  “No. He won’t even tell me what he’s going as!”

  She had been surprised Ryan was dressing up for Halloween, but it was adorable to see him so excited about it.

  “The boys always get pretty into it. Their creativity never ceases to surprise me.”

  “I can’t believe you’re going as a naughty nurse.” Elle giggled as Claire grabbed her stethoscope from her pocket and placed it around her neck, completing the outfit. “Isn’t that sort of like turning on your own kind?”

  “It’s been so long since I went to nursing school, I’m not sure people will remember and get the irony of it,” Claire said.

  Surveying the overflowing supply of beer and wine in the kitchen, Elle raised her eyebrows. “How many people are coming to this pre-party? This is a lot of booze.”

  “Why? You think we need more?” Claire asked deadpan before they both erupted into laughter.

  Tori sighed from the living room, staring down at the phone in her hand.

  “Are you texting Luke?” Claire asked, raising her voice and getting Tori’s attention.

  “Yeah, they’re just a couple blocks away,” Tori said without raising her eyes.

  “How’s he holding up?” Claire asked.

  Tori looked up and shrugged. “He says he’s having fun.”

  “Does he not like Ryan? I thought they were all friends,” Elle asked.

  “They get along fine, but Ryan is determined to make Luke one of the group,” Tori said as she returned to typing on her phone.

  “I don’t think Chris will ever let that happen,” Claire mumbled then laughed as she walked by Elle to the door.

  Elle wondered why Chris would have an issue with Luke, but Claire opened the door, and the thought was lost. The boys were hilarious dressed as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Ryan looked happier and younger than Elle had ever seen him.

  When he walked around the corner and saw her, he stopped in his tracks, causing Jake to run into him from behind.

  “What the hell, man?” Jake said as he readjusted his purple mask. Then he glanced at Elle, exaggerated a double-take, and laughed. “You’re a lucky man,” he said as he patted Ryan on the back and went around him.

  Elle blushed as Ryan continued to stare at her.

  He closed the distance between them in one large step and crushed her up against the counter. “What are you wearing?” he growled.

  “I’m an angel. See?” Elle turned to show him the wings on her back.

  “That you are, but my thoughts are far from angelic right now.” He slid his hands around her back and to the bottom of her dress, and grazed a rough hand over her garter and up toward the lacy thong.

  “Alright, you two, it’s show time,” Claire said, holding out two shot glasses.

  The look in Ryan’s eyes told her he was ready to drag her home right then, but Elle knew Claire would never let them get away that easily. She took a steadying breath and grabbed Ryan’s hand. Surely they could manage to socialize for a few hours before they snuck out.

  RYAN GROANED AS he watched Elle out on the dance floor with Claire and Tori. She was drunk and adorably sexy. She wiggled her butt with her hands over her head, giving every guy in the place a nice preview of what was underneath that little white dress. He’d had a hard on all night and was reaching the limit of how much he could take.

  He downed his glass and stood up from the bar.

  “Okay, boys. I think it’s time to get Elle home.”

  Chris held out a hand to shake and grabbed Ryan by the shoulder with his other hand. “You found a good one. Elle’s great. I’m really happy for you.”

  Ryan had forgotten to ask Elle about setting up Chris and Claire, but it would have to wait. Elle was in no shape to discuss anything. As he reached the dance floor, he could hear the girls singing along with the music about S&M. They were a damn sight. Elle squealed when Ryan walked on to the dance floor and met her gaze. She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the circle as the girls danced around him. He never danced. He always felt awkward and uncoordinated on the floor, but Elle was too sweet to resist as she swayed her body in rhythm to the music and rubbed her hands up and down his body. She inched them closer to his already uncomfortably hard dick.

  Ryan couldn’t take any more. He whispered his good-bye to Tori then picked an unsuspecting Elle up and threw her over his shoulder. She squealed with a mixture of shock and excited giggles as he carried her across the bar and out into the street.

  The night was cool and windy as they strolled to Ryan’s apartment. Normally, it was a ten-minute walk from the bar, but in Elle’s state, it would take twice as long to get there. Elle walked ahead of him and twirled, looking up at the sky.

  “I wish it would snow,” she said as she stopped and met his eyes.

  “We don’t see a lot of snow until December or January,” Ryan said.

  “I can’t wait. I want to build a snowman and make snow angels. Oh… and have a snowball fight!”

  She looked like a real angel as her face lit up with excitement, and the cool night air painted her cheeks rosy.

  She threw her arms around his neck. “We can sit in front of the fireplace and drink hot cocoa and watch the snow fall. I’ve always dreamed of being snowed in!”

  Ryan laughed. Hearing her talk about doing things together a month or two from now felt good and right. In all likelihood, though, she would already be gone to Kansas City or some other city working at a big law firm. They hadn’t discussed her impending move anymore since their first date. He ignored the thought now. He had grown attached in their short time together, and losing her was going to be harder than he wanted to admit.

  Elle stumbled into his apartment and stripped her little white dress over her head. Ryan had barely closed the door before she practically jumped into his arms. Damn, she looked good. She had on a white lace see-through bra that showed her small tight nipples. The matching white-lace thong and garter showed off her curves. It was going to be damn hard to resist her tonight, but she was too drunk for the things he wanted to do to her in that outfit.

  He reluctantly pulled away.

  “Let’s get you some water and Tylenol first.”

  He led her by the hand to his bed and pulled back the covers. “Get in. I’ll be right back.”

  “Hurry back. I want to do very, very, ver-r-ry bad things to you,” she mumbled as she slid under the covers and closed her eyes.

  She was a damn sight sprawled out in his bed, blanket tucked up under her chin. He had hoped having her covered up would make it easier to keep his hands to himself. No such luck. She made him painfully hard just being in his presence.

  He grabbed some Tylenol and water and headed back to his room. She was already fast asleep.

  “Elle, honey, wake up. Take these.”

  She sat up, eyes closed, but she took the medicine and a big gulp of water before she collapsed back on the bed. He chuckled and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before lying down beside her.

  ELLE WOKE WITH a dull headache and a heaviness in her body. Wait. No, the heaviness wasn’t in her body. It was on her body. She opened her eyes and saw Ryan beside her with a muscular arm draped over her. He was still dressed in his green pants but had taken off the turtle sweatshirt. Taking in his defined and muscular chest, she replayed the night before. The last thing she remembered was walking through the front door at Ryan’s place. Judging by the fact she was still in her lacy undergarmen
ts, it had been an uneventful evening after that. She desperately needed a drink of water and to use the bathroom, so she carefully eased Ryan’s arm off her and slipped out of bed and padded to the kitchen.

  Despite drinking a little more than she had planned, last night had been a lot of fun. She had never had a group of friends like the ones she had made in Sweetbriar. It felt amazing to be part of a group and even better to be part of this one. They seemed loyal and fun. Her friends in Phoenix had mostly been more concerned with appearances and doing things because it would look good on their social-media pages. She tried to imagine spending an evening like last night with Brock and his friends, but nothing came close to comparing to how much fun she’d just had.

  In the kitchen, she eyed a bowl of strawberries in the fridge as she grabbed a water, and a delicious idea occurred to her.

  Quietly, she tiptoed into Ryan’s bathroom with the water and strawberries in tow. She found his toothbrush and quickly brushed her teeth then rummaged in his cabinet for some deodorant and dabbed on a bit. There, she was ready.

  When she returned to the bedroom, Ryan was lying on his back with one arm over his head, making him look young and carefree. She climbed on top of him with the strawberries in hand. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw her straddling him.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he said in a gruff voice that made Elle’s whole body hum with delight.

  She placed the strawberries beside him and lay down on top of him. “Sorry about last night.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. “Nothing to be sorry about. You are an adorable drunk.”