This is war.
I run to the mod as another balloon slams into the ground behind me, splattering my ankles. Without knocking, I storm into Ryan’s place and don’t slow until I’m dripping in his living room, panting.
The instant I spot him my eyes swell with tears. I hate that I cry when I’m pissed. Or humiliated. Or mortified. Take your pick. They all fit this situation. “H-He bombed m-me.”
His eyes widen as he hurries over. He pulls more green latex out of my hair and turns an interesting shade of crimson. He then runs down the hall. When he reappears, he has this bazooka-looking thing made out of plastic pipe with a crank on the end.
I wipe at my eyes, embarrassed I’m crying over something as stupid as a water balloon attack. “What is that thing?”
“Payback,” he answers in a seriously low, dangerous voice, and throws open the kitchen window facing the Delta house. “One of the drawers has balloons. Fill them halfway with water, tie them, and bring them to me.”
“How many?”
“Five should do it.”
I feel ridiculous and yet exhilarated as I find the balloons and fill them. I had a water balloon fight with my neighbor once when I was in grade school. This is so much better.
Once I fill the final balloon and tie it off, I grab all five—make that four as I stumble and drop one. It crashes at my feet, not only soaking the floor of his kitchen, but my shoes. Still, I have four for whatever battle we are about to wage against the Delta dicks.
He’s got his gaze fixed on centering the bazooka. “Lube.”
I fall back. “Excuse me?”
“I need lube. There’s some in the nightstand in my bedroom.”
I’m not even going to touch that one. Not trying to picture what he does with his lube when he’s alone, I grab the tube and hurry back to him. “Here,” I say and thrust it at him, careful to only touch it with my thumb and index finger.
“Don’t act so grossed out.” He grabs it and slathers it inside the giant plastic tube and then all over a balloon. “It’s not like you’ve never, you know.”
“Gross.” I don’t dare admit to anything.
He stops what he’s doing and faces me. “Are you seriously saying you’ve never?”
“I’m not going to admit something like that to you.”
“That’s a yes,” he says and focuses on the bazooka. Before I can deny it, he brings up the bazooka and positions it against the windowsill. “Watch this.” He slips the balloon down the tube and turns the crank a few times. He then pushes a little button and a loud BOOM! sounds. I hurry to the window to watch the balloon launch. I can’t see anything and place my hands on his shoulders, pressing my boobs against his back just in time to watch the balloon hit one of Brad’s douchy friends. The friend stumbles back and hollers some of my favorite obscenities.
“Awesome.” I laugh.
“Incoming.”
I jump out of the way just as a multiple arsenal of water balloons make it through Ryan’s open window, bursting as they smack against him. He lowers his head and takes each one. I have to admit, I’m impressed. I would have got up and screamed like the girl I am as soon as the first one hit. Or cried, as I so maturely demonstrated earlier.
“Oh, yeah?” He lubes the remaining three balloons and slides them into the barrel. “Give it four cranks.”
“You got it.” I give it five for good measure.
He aims and pushes the button. The balloons launch and I’m laughing as they slam into each of the remaining Delta douches on the balcony. Only the balloons don’t break. They hit each guy and then the targets disappear as they fly back, out of sight.
Ryan jerks around to face me, his smoky eyes blazing. “How may turns did to you give it?”
“Five,” I say in a small voice.
“I told you four.”
“I wanted to be sure you got them.”
“Goddamn it, Emma.” He drops the gun and heads toward the door. “They could be hurt.”
Shit. Shit! This is all my fault. If they call the cops, I’ll make a full confession. If they need an ambulance, I’ll give a pint of blood. I don’t want Ryan going down for something I did.
The instant we both walk outside, we’re pummeled. Water balloons come from every direction, soaking us from head-to-toe. We just stand there, taking it. Once the last balloon hits and adds to our drenchiness, I glance at him. He glances at me.
And then we both burst out laughing.
We slop back inside before our enemies can reload and start in on round two. “I really am sorry, Ryan. I had no idea—”
He shuts me up by capturing my lips, devouring me from the inside out. I kiss him back, lost in the moment and loving it. His tongue brushes up against mine, spending time exploring my mouth. Clearly he’s taken notes from our lessons.
Finally, after I’ve lost all feeling in my knees as they threaten to give out, he releases me. I sway as his lips leave mine before I open my eyes and look at him. “What,” I pant, “was that?”
“That was fun,” he replies as he nods at the window. He then gives me a wicked look. “And so was that.”
“Wait a goddamn minute. You are not allowed to be so Don Juan about stealing kisses, buddy.”
“Why not?”
“Because I haven’t taught you that yet.”
“A guy can’t learn a few things on his own?”
“What’d you do, Google how to shock a girl into an orgasm? Jesus, Ryan. That’s so not fair.”
He loses what cute crooked grin he has. “I thought you told me to grow a set. You know, take charge.”
Shit. I’ve created a monster. “Next time warn me before you do something like that.”
“It was spontaneous.” When he jerks his gaze toward the window we’re standing in front of, I get it. He did it all for show. I don’t know if that makes me feel better or pisses me off even more. Regardless, I want to do it again.
“Let’s give them something they’ll really talk about.” Making sure we’re smack dab in front of the window so the Deltas see everything, I grab him and pull him toward me, kissing him so deeply I swear I feel him everywhere. When I sweep my tongue against his lips, he’s already poised to meet me halfway. Our tongues collide and we dance. Oh, dear God. He’s picking up on that fast. I’m really loving the way he kisses. And grabs my hair. And holds my hip with his other hand.
When he reaches around and squeezes my ass, I rock my hips against his hard cock. Wow. He’s definitely worlds above where he was our last kiss. No preemie sperm spit up. Yet.
“Now, we casually move away from the window,” I whisper into his ear. “Just watch me. You know what’s coming and can barely stand it. Although you’d rather sprint into the bedroom, you’re giving me time to warm up. Girls take a lot longer than guys.”
“They do?”
I nod as we settle on the couch, lost in our own little world. Gone is the balloon fight. We don’t even notice the water dripping from us. The colorful latex stuck in our hair and all over our clothes. We simply stare at each other as the anticipation builds between us. “Ryan?”
He leans in and barely brushes his lips against mine. Damn, he’s good at that. “Tell me what I should say right now.”
“Why don’t you give it a try?” I scoot toward him and rest my hand on his thigh.
He shakes his head. “I don’t want to screw up.”
“Try,” I urge.
“I don’t want to say anything. I just want to kiss you.”
I grin as he reads my mind. “See? You’re getting better at this. There’re times, like now, you should just let your actions speak.”
He doesn’t say another word and instead captures my lips with his, consuming them as if he’ll never have another kiss after this one. The warmth of his hand sinks into me as he rests it on my thigh before inching it higher. My clit springs to life, throbbing and pulsing like angry music at a nightclub. It demands attention, and I decide it’s time to give Ryan his n
ext lesson.
26
{Emma}
“Touch me,” I whisper against his lips. He stiffens and pulls back. His eyes are dark, almost black, as they search mine. But then he drops his gaze to his lap. “Ryan?”
“I don’t want to.”
Is he kidding right now? I’m immediately pissed. “Why the hell not?”
“Because I’m already there. If I touch you I swear to God I’ll lose it. Again.”
“Baseball,” I blurt out. Isn’t that what all the experts say guys should think about when they try to stop themselves from coming? “Think about baseball.”
“I don’t know anything about baseball.”
“How can you be a guy and not know anything about baseball?”
“Just because I’m a guy doesn’t mean I automatically like sports. It’s not a gender thing.” The hurt in his eyes sinks into me. I can’t seem to say anything right with him. “Just because you’re a girl doesn’t make you into shopping, right?”
“Sexist much?” He’s killed the mood for me, which is probably a good thing. I’m here to groom him, not have sex with him. “Let’s get to why I’m really here. Where’s your scissors?”
“Are you going to run with them this time?”
“Ha ha.” I roll my eyes. “That wasn’t even funny the first time. Sit. We need to finish your haircut.”
He covers his hair with his hand. “I thought you already cut my hair.”
“It needs to be touched up a bit. I noticed it this morning in the computer lab. It won’t take me long. Now, sit.”
“I’m not a dog.” He hands me the scissors and drops onto the barstool, his back to me. I take my time finishing the cut like I know what I’m doing. It doesn’t take nearly as long as it did Friday. Then again, I was tackling a mullet before. Today I only have to get rid of a few stragglers I missed.
“Take off your shirt,” I say as I set the scissors on the counter. He grabs his broom and sweeps up the hair. “I’m not kidding, Ryan. Take it off, big boy. You’ve got hair all over it.”
He throws his shirt over his head and I sigh as I sink down against the counter to just watch him. It’s a work of art. When he bends over to brush the hair into a dustpan, I turn my head and stare at his ass. He stands and I’m not ready to end the view. “I think you missed some. Over there.”
He eyes me and I know he’s totally on to me. But he bends over and sweeps the area anyway, giving me another chance to drool over his seriously fine backside. “Are you through?”
“I have no idea what you mean.” I feign innocence and flip my hair before stealing a quick glance at his hard abs through my veil of red waves.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“What?”
“Is this what you want?” He flexes and muscles upon muscles pop out. I fight the urge to jump into his arms and attack. He changes stances and makes a face, baring his teeth, and even growls. I laugh and cover my mouth with my hand. “What? You don’t find that sexy?”
“Not even remotely.” I push from the counter and pad into the kitchen for something to drink. “Now that your haircut is done, I need a drink.”
“There’s some rum above the fridge.”
“I don’t do rum.” I lift my hands like a mime. “After one too many rum and Cokes at a party my senior year in high school, I spent the rest of the night and the next two days puking my guts out. I can’t even smell rum now without wanting to vomit.”
“Guess I’ll never have to ask ‘why’s the rum’s gone’ with you.” His attempt at a pirate accent isn’t any better than his other accents. It still has me cracking up as I shake my head. He’s just as crazy as I am. “Did you bring shoes?”
His question throws me. I glance at the boots covering my feet.
“No, I mean running shoes.”
I shake my head. Vehemently. “I already told you. I don’t run.”
“I’ll run without you.” He says it like it’s a bad thing. I’m thrilled he’s not going to push the issue. “There’s vodka behind the rum.”
Now we’re talking. I grab the bottle and open the fridge. “Got any Red Bull?”
“I’m a gamer. Of course I have Red Bull. If you don’t see any in the fridge, look in the cupboard next to the fridge.”
I find a lone Red Bull in the fridge and crack it open. If I drink an entire can, I’ll never sleep, so I make an offering by lifting it. “Want me to make you one?”
“This early?”
Glancing at my phone, I frown. “It’s after noon. And it’s a day that ends in a ‘y’.”
“Sound logic,” he agrees with a nod. I don’t believe a word of it but make the drink anyway. When I hand it to him, he accepts and says, “Drinking in the afternoon. That’s a first for me.”
“Not for me.” I take a long, soothing drink off my vodka and Red Bull, licking my lips to catch every drop. He parts his as he watches and I love it. I lick them again. This time he grins and even chuckles.
“Do that again.”
“What?” I feign innocence before slowly running my tongue along my lower lip.
“Can I do that?”
This time I grin. “Not if you ask permission.”
He loses his smile. “Really?”
“God, Ryan. I’m kidding.” Sort of. It’s so much hotter if the guy just goes for it. Asking permission ruins the moment. As long as she’s into it. Well, and he knows she is. And…well… I realize the ambiguity in my reasoning and frown. How’s he supposed to understand what I’m saying if I don’t even understand what I’m saying?
Instead of me attempting to explain it to him when I can’t even explain it to myself, I decide to show him. Actions speak louder than words. I take a drink and purposely leave remnants of the delicious concoction on my lips and eye him seductively—well at least as seductively as I know how.
He takes the hint and approaches. It’s not a sprint or even a fast walk. He saunters, each step shooting bolts of white-hot arousal straight to my core. That look, a cross between cautious and carnal, gnaws at any doubt I could possibly have. I haven’t taught him that look, which means it’s yet another thing that comes naturally to him.
I don’t have time to question whether he’s playing me before he sweeps me into his arms and holds me tight against his hard body. Slowly—so slowly I can’t even breathe from the anticipation sending my pulse skyrocketing—he lowers his mouth to mine. But he doesn’t kiss me. He drags his tongue along my lower lip before licking his.
Oh. My. Gawd. I’ve never had anyone do that before. It blows my mind and drenches my panties. I’m panting as he steps back and flashes that cute, crooked grin. “Did I do that right?”
“You didn’t do it wrong,” I whisper as I struggle to catch my breath. He’s done just about everything right since taking me home. “Where’d you learn to do that?”
He loses his grin and cocks his head. “From you. Just now.”
“No,” I correct him with a shake of mine. “I never told you to do that.”
“You basically said for me to take control.” He shrugs and I stare at his bare shoulder. “So I did.”
I blink to break my concentration on his shoulder. “You got all that from me telling you not to ask permission?”
He nods and stares at me like an eager student. “Give me more.”
“More what?” I ask cautiously.
“Lessons. Tell me something else to do.”
I deliberate what to show him next. He’s got the kissing down. The shock factor down. Even the incredible hand-job down. I know what he really wants, but I hesitate. I don’t know if I’m okay with taking his V card. His first time should be with someone he loves. Someone he’s actually dating, at least. I don’t fall into either category.
“Ryan, I’m not sure…”
I scream when he pounces. He pulls me away from the counter, unceremoniously tosses me over his shoulder and carries me down toward his bedroom like a caveman. I can’t even take a breath, I�
�m laughing so hard. “Ryan!” I smack his ass with both my hands. “Okay, King Kong. Put me down!”
He grunts like an ape and tosses me onto his bed. He jumps on top of me and I scream again. I’m not sure how he does it, but he has us both naked in record time. He nuzzles himself between my legs as his gaze catches mine. “You were saying?”
I give him a quick kiss. “Never mind.”
“I want to try something new.”
The way he’s licking his lips, I know what he has in mind and my clit tingles in anticipation. “And you want me to show you how?”
He nods as he drops his gaze to the vee between my thighs. “I’ve never actually, you know. I’ve seen it done in porns, but never actually…uh…”
“You’re going to have to get over your aversion to just saying it. You want to taste me, go down on me, give me head, eat me—”
“I get it,” he cuts me off as color glows in his cheeks. God, could he be any cuter? He dives in and I lock my knees on his ears.
“First, you can’t just dive right in. You’re Indiana Jones and this is your quest. Slowly work up to it. Give your audience a little anticipation. Make them wait for the grand finale.”
“Ow.” He pushes his shoulders between my legs and forces them open. As he trails his lips up my thigh, I shudder. After brushing a heated breath against my drenched flesh, he kisses my other thigh. He darts his tongue out, lapping up the juices clinging to my curls. I suck in a breath, wanting him to do more than steal a quick sample.
“More,” I whisper and rock my hips, lifting them closer to his mouth.
He licks at my slit, drinking up my excitement. “Jesus, Emma. You taste incredible. Fucking unbelievable.”
I’ve never heard him drop an F-bomb and it heats me, liquefying my insides and saturating my pussy. He eagerly sucks up my juices and roams his tongue around in search for more. When he brushes my clit, I nearly jump off the bed. “Oh my God!”
I don’t have to say anything. Ryan is a quick study. He releases an assault on my clit worthy of a porn star. Holy shit. His rapid tongue flicking has me seeing fireworks behind my eyes. He digs his fingers into my hips and holds me in place at he continues his attack. I fight to breathe. He has me so close to coming I’m desperate as I grasp for that release.
Reluctant Hero (TREX Rookies Book 1) Page 19
