Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2)

by Alyne Roberts

  The flight was five hours long, but we had a meal and movies to keep us "entertained". The flight was spent with on and off sleeping, switching seats to chat, and trading our phones for different music. Logan was unusually quiet except when he sat with Kallie. They seemed to be able to chat for about an hour before he swapped with Caleb and sat with me.

  "You gonna keep her?" he asked when he sat down.

  "She's not a stray dog," I muttered. "I'm not sure it's my choice." I couldn't stop her from leaving when we got back home. I couldn't just haul her up to my room and lock her in the apartment.

  "She needs to know what you want, dude," he laughed.

  I ignored him. I didn't know what I wanted, other than her. I wanted all of her and I wanted it all the time, but I wasn't going to force her into another life she didn't want to live. She left once and didn't come back until Scarlett needed her help. I couldn't convince myself that she didn't entirely want to be home then. She could leave again and go right back to her old ways.

  I watched her as she watched some video on Caleb's phone. She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and she laughed at whatever she saw. She looked happy. She didn't look happy when we were at her parents’ house or in her shop downtown. I knew without a doubt that I would spend every second trying to make her happy if she stayed here. I just didn't know if I was enough. That terrified me more than anything.

  When we landed, we had to run through the airport to transfer over to the flight that would take us to Hawaii. A storm had the runways in a traffic jam and we circled the airport for an additional hour, waiting to touchdown. My body was sore and I was restless from sitting all damn day. Caleb, Logan, and Adam were getting irritated as well. We checked in just in time for the next flight. Five more hours to go.

  The plane was smaller than the last three we were on. There were fewer passengers and some empty seats. The flight attendants were cheery and made jokes while giving the safety procedures, which we all had memorized by then. We all sat in our own rows this time with an empty seat for each of us if we wanted to stretch out. Which is exactly what we all did when the seat belt light went off.

  Kallie turned and faced me from the opposite side of the aisle. Logan was behind her and across from Caleb, who was behind me. Scarlett was in front of me with Adam across. We pretty much took over whole the back of the plane and we chatted loudly. It'd been a long day of traveling and the girls were starting to show it. They were exhausted and getting a little loopy.

  "Can I get you guys anything to drink?" the attendant asked our group.

  "Can we get a round of beers, and those adorable little liquor bottles?" Kallie shouted over her seat to the woman.

  "Sure thing," she laughed, and headed to the front of the plane. She came back with a cart of beers, little bottles of vodka and rum, and some cups with a bucket of ice.

  "You guys are going to be a lively bunch, I can tell," the attendant chuckled as she passed out the cans.

  "You have no idea," Scarlett laughed.

  "Let's play a game," Kallie said, sitting up and giving me an odd look. I had no idea what it meant.

  "Oh! Like what?" Scarlett squealed, moving out to the aisle.

  "I brought cards. Maybe poker or blackjack? Anyone know how to play?"

  There it is. I smiled back at her and shook my head. She was trying to out him. Probably not the best idea, as we were all in a confined space. It's not like we could kick him out after. Proving he can play a card game won't make my sister ditch the dude, either.

  "We don't have a table for that, sweetheart," I said sweetly, giving her a look. She pouted and I wanted to take her lip in my mouth.

  "Yeah, we probably shouldn't block the aisle either," Adam spoke up. Of course he was just looking out for everyone’s safety. Prick.

  "Fine," Kallie huffed, and then killed the rest of her beer. I raised an eyebrow at her, knowing she didn't eat much and it never took her long to get a buzz. We still had four hours before we landed in Kona.

  Adam pretty much ignored us as he played on his phone. Kallie and Scarlett were chatting about celebs over their seats. The attendants eventually just left a tray of drinks in an empty seat for us. We were growing louder by the minute and other passengers started to join our in on our slurred conversations.

  Kallie developed a good buzz by the halfway point of the flight. We learned way too much about the other passengers since we became one big party in the air. Kallie's eyes were starting to drift closed, and I laughed as her head rolled around and she tried to keep it up.

  "Stop laughing at me, Mr. Brooks," she pointed at me.

  "Come here. You're almost comatose," I teased.

  She pushed herself up in the seat and stumbled across the aisle to the empty seat next to me. I moved my legs down and raised my arm. She rested her head on my chest and I put my arm around her. In only a few minutes, her breathing slowed and her head got heavy on my chest.

  The rest of us soon started to quiet down. We needed to sober up before landing or else we would never find our hotel. Kallie was the only one with the info for anything to do with the trip. I was impressed she was able to put together this whole day of traveling along with a wedding ceremony and reception.

  The flight attendant waked me up a little while later. I looked around and the guys were waking up as well. They seemed sober enough now.

  "We're about to land," she whispered. "She needs to buckle up." I nodded, and she moved up to wake up my sister.

  "Baby," I said into Kallie's ear. "We're almost there."

  She yawned and looked up at me. She smiled weakly before her eyes went wide after understanding my words. "Really?"

  She flung herself over me to look out the window. "Wanna switch seats?" I asked as I ran my hand up her spine. She nodded and I stood so she could slide over.

  We buckled up and she stared out the window at the blue ocean below us. The pilot came over the speakers to tell us the weather and time. When the island came into view, we got a look at the setting sun. Pink and orange filled the sky before it met the blue ocean. Green trees covered the island and dissolved into white beaches.

  "It's beautiful," Kallie whispered next to me.

  I grabbed her hand and squeezed. I held it until we landed and she moved to grab her carry on from her seat. We were greeted and given leis inside the airport. The air was muggy and warmer than when we left Ohio this morning.

  "Oh my god! We're here!" Scarlett shouted as she ran through the airport.

  Kallie took off behind her and they skipped through the airport holding hands and laughing like fools. We found them by luggage claim, where they continued to act like children. They were obviously sleep deprived and still feeling the affects of the alcohol. Logan and I laughed at them as Caleb joined them in jumping around in a circle. Dorks. Adam just looked annoyed. I smirked as I passed him and patted him on the back. He would never survive my sister.

  There was a van sent by the resort waiting for us when we came out of the airport. Kallie really thought of everything. It was only twenty minutes to the resort. The ride was fast, and not as in time, but as in speed. Our driver was going well over the speed limit, if there was one. The road was bumpy and he took them like they were ramps. I swear we were airborne at some point.

  By the time we reached the large gates, we were all laughing and fully entertained with the ride. The long driveway emptied us in front of a huge fountain that spanned the width of the building. The resort was a white stone building with tall pillars and large glass entry doors. The sound of various gasps filled the van, and Kallie's eyes watered over.

  "Wow," Logan said.

  "It's better in real life. The photos didn't do it justice," Kallie agreed.

  We piled out and someone met us to unload our luggage. He wheeled the cart into the lobby as we followed. The lobby was massive with dark wood floors and exotic flowers potted around the room. We approached the counter were Kallie checked us in. A small waterfall ran down the wall behi
nd the receptionist as she handed over a bunch of room cards.

  "We have three separate buildings," the receptionist explained, and she led us down a hall and out in to the courtyard. "You have reserved the ocean view rooms."

  The courtyard had a small tiki bar and a fire going in a pit in the center of a brick patio. Candles lit up the area and balconies with glass railings lined the square. A suspended walkway led to a large balcony, with seating and a view of the beach. We went through a set of doors into a long hall of rooms. She gave Kallie a few more instructions about breakfast, room service, and the pools. When she left, Kallie handed us our room keys. Caleb and Logan were together, Scarlett with Adam, and I was with Kallie.

  She opened the door and I rolled our bags in. The floor was the same dark red room as the lobby. There were two king beds with white comforters and red pillows. The beds faced a wall of glass with sliding glass doors to the patio. The white sand came up the patio and the ocean sat beyond it. I couldn't wait to see the view in the light. The bathroom attached had a claw foot bathtub and a stone shower encased in glass. Everything was white, clean, and glass.

  "Two beds?" I asked Kallie when she was done checking out the room.

  "I didn't know if you wanted to share when I booked them," she shrugged.

  "What made you think that?" I asked, coming closer to her.

  "You said you wanted to room with Logan," she laughed.

  "I want to be with you," I said in a low voice as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

  "Good, because you're stuck with me down here," she teased. I could see the worry behind her eyes. She had the same thoughts about what would happen when the trip was over.

  "One bed," I told her as I kissed her neck. I felt her nod against me, and I moved my lips down her collarbone.

  I backed her up until I felt her legs hit the edge of the bed. I lifted her by the waist and put her on the soft comforter. I pushed her back and slipped off her shoes. I peeled the leggings off of her then pulled her up to lift of her shirt. When she sat in only her bra and panties, I pulled her off the bed.

  "Go shower," I said in her ear. Her body shivered.

  "Alone?"

  "Baby, you're exhausted. Go shower and you'll feel better." I pushed her gently to the door and she waved before slipping inside.

  When I heard the water running, I reached into my bag and pulled out the box I brought with me. I grabbed the Elizabeth from Kallie's bag and put them both in the room safe. I hooked the key on my key ring and shoved it in my bag. When Kallie came out, I handed her one of my shirts to change into. I always liked seeing her in my clothes. It felt like she was mine.

  By the time I came out of the shower, Kallie was fast asleep. I pulled the blanket over her and crawled up next to her. I pulled her to my chest and fell asleep with her in my arms.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Kallie

  A warm, fresh breeze blew over my face. My skin was covered by a soft fabric and held in a tight vice. Ryder. I could smell him and feel his soft breathing on the back of my neck. I slowly opened my eyes and I could see the blue ocean out the windows. I gasped and sat upright in the bed. Ryder sat up in a panic before he saw what I was looking at.

  "Wow," he said.

  "I know. This is great." I hopped out of the bed and opened the white sheer curtains the rest of the way, blinding Ryder.

  I wanted to walk out to the balcony, but was only wearing a shirt and I wasn't sure who could see me. I smiled to myself. I went on vacations with my family before, but never somewhere tropical with beaches. My dad was surprisingly more of a mountains and camping kind of guy. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, and I leaned back into Ryder's chest.

  "What are your plans for today?" he asked in my ear.

  "I have to make sure everything is set for the wedding, then we all have a lunch at this really cool coffee plantation. Then dinner here tonight."

  His started to feather kisses down the side of my neck and moving his hands up my hips to my rib cage. My eyelids shuttered closed and my body heated under his touch. We had been playing cat and mouse for the last couple days, teasing each other. I wanted more. I wanted him. I wanted him to want me.

  "We should stop," I moaned as his hands grazed my breast. He moved his hands away, and I thought he was stopping, until I felt his hands pull on the hem of the shirt. He pulled it over my head and I covered myself with my hands.

  "Don't," he demanded. He pulled my arms back down to my sides. "I want to see you."

  He slowly turned me back around and stepped back away from me. His eyes scorned over my body, making my skin burn. I was standing completely naked for him, in front of a glass wall. I itched to cover myself, but I couldn't bear to move and break his stare. He looked at me like he was memorizing me.

  "Get dressed and get out," he growled with a hard face. My heart dropped to the floor.

  "Excuse me?" I asked, shocked.

  "You need to hurry unless you want me to make you late by bending you over the bed right now. Or have you up against the window."

  My insides clenched and I felt myself get wet with his harsh words. I knew I had a million things to do, but I stood frozen in my place. My body didn't want to leave.

  "Kallie," he warned. I gulped and he grabbed me by the hand.

  He spun me around to the bed and leaned me over the edge so my chest and face were in the down comforter. I felt him rub his hard tip on my entrance and I moaned. My legs shook with anticipation and I was panting into the covers.

  "Do you want me?" he asked, leaning over me and moving my hair off my back.

  "Always," I moaned out. He pounded into me in one hard push, and I cried out at the shock and pleasure.

  He took me hard and quick as I bent over the bed. He reached deeper than he ever had before and I felt full of him. His hands massaged my breast as he planted kisses over my back and shoulders. As a tidal wave of sensations floated above me and threatened to wash over any second, my legs gave out. Ryder pushed his knees into the back on my thighs, keeping me up and pushing in at an intense angle.

  I screamed out his name when I came and clenched around him. I heard him moan my name as I felt his warmth empty inside me. He slowed his pace, bringing me slowly back down to Earth. He pulled out of me and placed a light kiss on my spine.

  "Did I hurt you?" he asked as he helped me stand up straight.

  "No," I shook my head. "But you made me late," I laughed.

  "I warned you," he called out to me as I scurried to the bathroom naked.

  I had to take a quick shower even though the bathroom was luxurious and should be used only to relax and enjoy. I applied some light makeup, dried my hair, and threw on a white summer dress. Ryder was dressed in his signature jeans and black shirt when I came out. He handed me a mug of coffee that he must have had brought up by room service. I thanked him and kissed his cheek as I ran out the door.

  I checked with the front desk and they took me to the storage room where all the decorations and flower arrangements were that I’d shipped. I asked to have the dresses brought up to my room. I made sure a few more details were confirmed with the wedding. The staff was amazing and assured me that everything was ready. They reserved enough rooms for the few guests that would be arriving tomorrow and would have the honeymoon suite ready for the night of the wedding.

  Scarlett's dad never responded to the invite. Her mom would be coming of course. Her boss, Brent, would be coming with a date as well. We didn't send many invites and no one from Adam's list responded at all. Her aunt on her mother's side was unable to attend, and again, her Dad never responded. It would be a small and intimate affair, but Scarlett was happy with that. She said everyone that mattered to her would be here.

  I tried calling Dan before I met with everyone in the courtyard. I tried calling for a few days now, but he never answered. I thought he would have had enough time to find something on Adam by now. Dan had been employed by my family for a long time and wasn't the type t
o bail on an assignment. I really didn't want to break Scarlett's heart, but I just wanted to be sure there wasn't something to worry about.

  The courtyard patio was breathtaking. Three sides surrounded by balconies and one side opening to the ocean. The area was landscaped with beautiful and exotic looking flowers. The boys sat at a table with Scarlett, looking refreshed and excited. Ryder's dark eyes watched me as I approached.

  "You guys ready?" I asked. "The Jeeps are here."

  "Jeeps? Hell yeah, let's roll," Caleb shouted before leaving us in the dust in his search of the rentals.

  I laughed and we followed him out the lobby and to the front. I rented two Jeeps because I was told the road to the plantation required an off road vehicle. Caleb was already sitting behind the wheel of one and Logan climbed in the back seat behind him. I tossed the other set of keys to Adam and pulled Ryder to get in with Caleb.

  "Why don't I get to drive?" he whined as he helped me get in the back with Logan.

  "You drive back. I didn't want to ride with them," I whispered. He nodded and got up in the front.

  The drive to the coffee plantation should have only taken twenty minutes. Seeing as I was traveling with a bunch of children, they took twice as long. Caleb would get distracted by a rough side road and took us on a ride to see if we could get stuck. Of course, we got stuck and Caleb lost his driving privileges. Adam followed behind us, refusing to partake in the fun we were having. I almost felt bad Scarlett was stuck in his car.

  We got a tour of the plantation, and I got to hold actual coffee beans. The whole place smelled like sweet coffee and I was in heaven. I wanted to just drink the air. They had a small restaurant on the property and we sat down to have lunch. It sat up on the side of a mountain and had a perfect view of the island below.

  My face hurt from smiling so much. Scarlett and I had drank a few glasses of pineapple wine because we knew the boys wouldn't let us drive back. I was starting to finally relax. I wasn't thinking about weddings or what would happen when the trip was over, I was just having fun. That's what people my age do. We have fun, live life, and worry about the consequences later.