by Holly Hood
“But you didn’t.” Now I feel angry. “Why didn’t you ever call me and tell me that you were okay?”
“It just seemed pointless. And your parents were pissed.” He takes a drink of his water. “But I wasn’t drinking, on drugs or anything. It was just an accident.”
I never thought it was anything but that. ”I never thought it wasn’t an accident. And I’m angry that my parents stripped you of your life here and our friendship.”
Ryker touches my hand before I can pull away. “I’m not telling you this because I want you to blame your parents. I’m telling you because it did bother me. And because you did matter to me.”
I look away.
“And you still matter to me.” I look back up. “It’s been four years.”
“Four years of feeling like I lost a really important person to me.” The door opens, and the waiter comes back into the room.
I pull away from Ryker and focus on the bottle of wine. It all feels so unfair.
“Enjoy,” the waiter says. I pick up my wine glass and bring it to my lips. He said what kind of wine it was, but I wasn’t listening because all I want to do is run home to my parents and scream at them for ruining his life--making a choice for him that didn’t need to be made.
Ryker watches me finish off my wine. “Are you supposed to drink it that fast?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about wine.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“I’m mad.”
He nods. “I can see that.”
“You were happy here. You were supposed to be here.” With me. He was a good friend. A friend that I needed and was glad to have in my life.
“Let’s not do this. Let’s just enjoy the time we have.”
“Because you’re leaving.” I lick my lips. “You’re famous now and you have a whole new life.”
“I like my life, Sav.”
“Well, I don’t.” I cross my arms. I’m acting like a baby. And I don’t care if that is an issue with anyone. I have a right to be angry.
“Let’s eat and then get out of here,” Ryker says.
I shut my mouth and go along with it.
Chapter 5
“This is where you’re staying?” I look around at the luxury suite. “This is incredible.”
He nods in agreement. “There’s a hot tub on the balcony.”
We both smirk. Ryker’s livin’ the good life.
I look out the huge window overlooking the city. It’s breathtaking. “What does it feel like?”
“What does what feel like?”
I turn around. He comes closer. ”What does it feel like to be such a big deal?”
He looks down at me, concentrating on my mouth. “How about you tell me what it feels like.”
He presses himself against me, his lips searing into mine. I kiss him, and he presses me against the glass.
It feels amazing. I grab his hair pulling him closer.
I watch as he slides my dress away from my shoulder, and kisses me there. And then he looks at me. “Why didn’t we do this years ago?”
I slip my fingers through his hair. “Because you were dating a cheerleader.”
He helps me out of my dress, and I slip my shoes off.
“And you were dating some asshole.”
I stand there in my bra and panties waiting for him to make the next move. He takes his shirt off and throws it over the fancy leather chair. He undoes his pants and drops them on the floor, revealing his nicely toned body. He climbs into the big bed in the middle of the room.
“Believe me, I remember.” I climb onto the bed and look at him. He lays back on the pillows, hands behind his head. He’s looking at me, too. Admiring our nearly naked bodies seems so normal and natural.
“Whatever happened to that guy?”
“I like to think he got fat and bald,” I smirk, drawing my arms around my legs. “It makes me feel better.” I feel better thinking of him that way.
“I bet he did.” He tugs me by the ankle. “Lay down with me.”
I do, and we stare up at the ceiling. “I could get used to this life. Too bad I don’t know how to skateboard.”
Ryker laughs. “I work my ass off, asshole. I don’t just ride around on a skateboard.”
He takes my hand, playing with my fingers and lacing his with mine.
“Well, I am doing very big things with myself, too.” I roll to my side facing him, running my fingers down his arm. “I’m making a difference in the world. I’m feeding the homeless.”
“That’s awesome, Sav.” He thumbs my bottom lip and looks at me. “I think we should hang out again when I come back to town.”
I nod. “When will that be?”
“In three months.” He raises an eyebrow. “What’s that face?”
“That’s a long time.”
“Are you saying I’m not worth the wait?” He pushes my shoulder laying me down on my back and climbs on top of me.
I look up at him. “I’m saying, that’s a long time.”
“Maybe I should give you a reason to look forward to me coming back.” He slides down and loops two fingers between my underwear and hip bones, making me shudder.
“That reason feels amazing already.” And he takes my underwear off.
He tosses them over his shoulder and smiles at me. I can’t believe I am about to have sex with Ryker.
He pulls his boxers down, and I’m not disappointed in what I see. I want his dick inside of me. I want to connect with him in a way we were never able to before.
I spread my legs—waiting--and reach for him. He climbs on top of me settling between them. His messy dark hair hangs down against his face as he runs his nose against my cheek, breathing me in. He kisses me gently and pushes my legs open wider. His hands are gliding up my body. He knows just how to touch me, just what to do.
He sucks at my lower lip. “Are you ready for this?”
I nod. “Of course I am,” I murmur against his mouth.
He takes hold of my face, his hand on each side of my head and pushes inside of me. He kisses me deeply. We move like two people who want nothing more than to feel the connection they’ve been denied for so long.
He was never perfect; he made mistakes when we were in high school, but that never mattered to me because he always treated me good. He made me happy. I think he could still make me happy. I know I am happy right now, the way he is thrusting inside of me. I grab his ass and beg him to go harder. He doesn’t disappoint and speeds up, hammering into me.
“I like this reason,” I tell him, my mouth on his ear. He grows even harder, igniting more than just pleasure. It’s more than just a physical connection--it’s a satisfaction in giving myself to him—like no other sexual experience has ever made me feel.
I roll over, and he plants one kiss after another down my spine before he re-enters me from behind. I grind against him. “God, Ryker.” It all feels so good, and he makes me come. Loudly. I don’t want it to stop, so I move faster and harder against him.
“Shit,” he gasps pulling out. “Those hips.”
He snaps off the condom and pumps his dick. “Lay down.”
I do what he says, and watch as he strokes himself until he comes. He groans and drops down beside me on the bed, satisfied. “Fuck me.”
I laugh. “I just did.”
We’re both out of breath. Sex with Ryker is good—really good. “Why did you pull out?” I ask.
“It’s just a bad habit.”
“Why is it a bad habit?”
“There are a lot of girls out there who would love nothing more than to fuck me over.”
He doesn’t need to say anymore. I know what he means. “Maybe you shouldn’t fuck so many girls.”
“I probably shouldn’t, but I get bored.” He laughs and I slap him. “I’m kidding.”
“Come here.” He extends an arm, and I settle into it. “I could get used to fucking you.” He kisses me on the cheek.
“I’m playing with you.” He drops his chin down on the top of my head and sighs. ”Do you want to see me again?”
I trace a finger down the fine hairs on his chest and follow them to his happy trail. He’s still hard and probably willing to go for round two. “Yes, I want to see you again.”
“Don’t forget you said so.” He presses a kiss into my temple.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means when I show up in town to take you out again you better not say no.” He kisses me slipping me tongue, a smile showing itself on his adorable face.
“I would never tell you no.” I meet up with his tongue, the same pang of desire taking its rightful spot in my stomach. He pulls me against him. “Why would you think I would tell you no?”
He pulls away long enough to give me an answer. “Because you’re Savy. And I have been down this road too many times to count.”
“So, you think I am like every other girl you have dated?” I let him kiss me again. “I’m not like every other girl you dated.”
“No.” He shakes his head. Grasping my chin, he keeps me still and kisses me again. ”You’re nothing like anyone I ever dated. And I’m not stupid, I know other people will see that. And I’m not always around.”
“I don’t care.”
“You say that now.”
“I’ll say it in a few months,” I insist. “I’m not looking to get serious with some guy. There has to be something there.” Ever since the breakup and accident I haven’t been able to get close to anyone again. And I don’t see that changing now or anytime soon. So there’s nothing for Ryker to worry about; I will still be the same girl when he comes back.
“I miss this,” he says.
“You miss what?”
“You being your stubborn self. I knew back then that you were special, and I know it now. I know a lot about you, Sav.”
I scoff. “You only know what I let you know.”
He kisses my shoulder and leaves it at that.
Chapter 6
Sophie opens the door to her apartment, and I almost fall backwards. Luckily Ryker has me by the waist.
“Sophie,” Ryker says. His face is flushed with that yummy I-just-had-sex look smeared all over it.
“Ryker.” She takes in his rumpled clothes and raises her eyebrow. “I see you two had a good time.”
She moves out of the way so we can come inside, and then closes the door.
“We had a great time.” I smile in Ryker’s direction. He smirks playing with one of her fall candles while Sophie and I chat it up.
Sophie takes a spot on her sectional. “So Ryker, can you stay a while?”
“Sure.” He sits down. “This is a nice place.”
“You’ve already told me that.” Sophie draws up her legs and focuses on Ryker and grills him. “I bet your house is even more amazing.”
Ryker touches his baseball hat. “I don’t have a house.”
“What?” Sophie shoots me a look. I shrug. I don’t know anything about his life, other than the sex I just had with him has transformed my normally bland world into something extraordinary and fun. “You have to make enough money to afford a sweet place to live.”
Ryker shakes his head. “It’s not about the money. It’s about the time. I don’t have time to keep up with a house. I sleep in hotels all the time.”
Sophie winces. “That has to be awful. You probably don’t get any home cooked meals either, do you?”
Ryker makes a face. “A lot of beer and chicken wings.”
I smirk. “I couldn’t tell.”
Sophie giggles. “Oh, I love this. Two of my favorite people bumping uglies.”
Ryker rolls his eyes. “I never knew I was your favorite person.”
“You are now that you are bumping uglies with Savy. She needs to get laid.”
I get up; it’s my cue to excuse myself to the kitchen. Sophie’s mouth runs like a leaky faucet and rather than try to get her to shut up I decide on bottled water and some crackers. I need a little sustenance after the sex we just had.
I watch him from the kitchen, as Sophie does her best to make me look like a pathetic girl with no love life. I wonder if he thinks I’m pathetic.
Sophie comes up behind me. “Did Savy tell you that her little nephew loved the skateboard you autographed for him?”
Ryker shakes his head, settling into the cushions. “Nope. In fact, she never mentioned her family before or after the orgasm I gave her.”
Sophie lights up. “That is glorious.”
I sigh, leaning against the counter. “You guys are pathetic. I didn’t think to talk about my family while having sex with Ryker was good conversation. And it’s not like he told me anything about his family either.” There. That was fair.
Ryker turns his hat to the side. “What is it you want to know?”
I shrug. “I don’t need to know anything unless you want to tell me something.”
“Well, I don’t. Do you want to tell me anything about yours?”
I shake my head. “My dad is still an arrogant jerk most days. And my mother is always running behind him cleaning up his mouth and all the bullshit that spills out of it.”
Ryker grows tense, and it starts to feel awkward. Ryker stands up. “I have to go.”
I round the counter. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It’s been a long day.” He looks at Sophie. “Sophie, take care of her for me. And if she tries to bail when I come back to town remind her why that’s a bad idea.”
Sophie stands up, sweeping her hair off her shoulders. “I need to know the reason.”
He looks at me. “Because some things are just meant to be.”
He walks over to me. “I’ll call you when I touch down in Chicago.” His arms snake around me, and he kisses me gently on the mouth.
“Okay.” It’s all I can get out. I watch him head out the door.
I look at Sophie. I can still smell him on me--his earthy-scented cologne. I can still feel his hands on me. My heart is still hammering away in my chest, and my legs still feel like mush after the kiss we had in the hallway. “Shit.”
Sophie agrees. “Shit is right.”
Chapter 7
I gave myself an extra hour this morning, and I still managed to get lost downtown. I don’t know how I even found my way to the homeless shelter. The traffic was awful; I was stuck behind a bus and a slew of slow drivers. I didn’t get to have my coffee, and I was fighting the urge to quit before I even walked into the place. I don’t like starting anything off on the wrong foot. And that’s the way it feels this morning.
But I push forward. I open the big door to the homeless shelter and step inside. There is a long hallway with bulletin boards with all sorts of papers hanging from every one of them-- various jobs and help wanted ads. The floors are old, and a little dirty, and the place smells a bit dusty and stale.
I keep walking, and look around hoping to find someone who can guide me in the right direction.
Row after row there are tables lined up. There’s a woman setting out napkins and silverware.
So I clear my throat and say, “Hi. I’m Savy. I volunteered to work here.”
She lifts her head and stops what she is doing. “Hi, Savy. I am Lisa, one of the coordinators for meals and planning.”
I give a wave and look around. “This is…promising.”
She shakes her head. “This is a shit hole. But it serves its purpose.”
Now, I just feel weird. She puts me out of my misery before I have to ask. “Jackson is in his office. The first door on the right.”
I touch my hair hoping I am presentable enough in my jeans and t-shirt. I wasn’t told what I should wear, but I figure if I will be serving food, casual attire will work.
I give the door three soft taps and wait.
“Come in,” a strong, slightly agitated voice says.
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I was expecting an older man--not the guy sitting at the desk who looks to be around my age. He pulls his eyes away from his laptop when I come in. “I am going to assume that you are Savy…” He looks down at some papers. “Arnold.” And then he looks back up at me.
“Yes. I was the one who called last week about volunteer work. I step forward.
“Yes. You’re the first ivy-league college student I’ve ever met that would rather be here than in school.”
“Yeah, I understand that.” I touch my hair. “I just felt this was a better fit for me at this time.”
“You do know there is no pay, right?” He stands, proving to be taller than I expected him to be. And dressed a hell of a lot nicer than I am. He slips a hand into his steel gray slacks pocket and comes from around the desk.
“I do know that. I am well aware of that, believe me.”
“What’s that mean?” He cocks his head, his blue eyes looking me over.
I drop my gaze and shake my head. “It means nothing.”
“Let me show you around.” He motions to me, and I follow him to the door.
“Sorry, I’m under dressed.” I wish I would have picked the cute sweater I had in mind now.
He looks back at me. “I usually come in jeans and a t-shirt. I was at a meeting today.”
“This isn’t the only thing you do?”
He shakes his head. “No. My family owns a few companies as well. And since I’m part owner, I am forced to look like this on occasion.”
I keep my comments to myself as we reach the kitchen. He pushes open the swinging door and invites me in.
“This is where all the food is prepared.” He looks around. “I’m in the middle of finding people who want to serve it. The last guy quit when one of the homeless guys puked on him.”
I cringe. “One of the hazards of the job.”
“Indeed.” He takes a seat on top of the stainless steel counter. ”So, Savy, tell me about yourself. What could convince someone with such a promising future to come here to work?”
