Series Starter : Firsts in Series Collection

by Kaylee Ryan

  “We actually just graduated from college. This trip was a present from our parents. We’ve been roommates since freshman year, so they thought it was a good idea to send us off to this beautiful place to celebrate,” Stacy spills.

  He nods. “That’s a great gift. You must have great parents.”

  “Yeah, we’re really fortunate,” I chime in. Can’t let him know he affects me.

  We finish our dinner and both Stacy and I insist on helping him clean up. Afterwards, Michael suggests we walk down to the beach. He grabs us each a bottle of beer and we head for the water. Michael and Stacy stop just before the waves, but I continue on, letting the warm water flow over my feet. This place is breathtaking, and I’m sure it will be a memory I will cherish forever.

  “Mind if I join you?” His voice causes me to jump.

  He reaches out and rests his hand on my bare shoulder. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  I offer him a shy smile. “I was lost in thought.” I turn back to the expanse of the ocean before us. “I want to commit this view to memory.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean,” he says.

  Turning to face him, I mean to ask him where Stacy is, but the look in his eyes stops me. He’s not looking at the sunset; he’s looking right at me. I swallow the lump in my throat. Those eyes, I’ve never seen eyes that shade of blue before. This view is just as breathtaking as the one I was just admiring. I remind myself that I’m Paige to him. Live a little, that’s what I promised Stacy I would do.

  Forcing my eyes from his, not wanting to seem like a crazy girl, I look over my shoulder and discover Stacy isn’t there. “Where’s—”

  He answers me before I’m finished. “She said she wasn’t feeling well. Something about too much sun. She said she was going to go lie down and that you should stay and enjoy the view without her.”

  It’s with those words that I realize she’s pushing me toward him, to take a chance on a fling with this sexy stranger. I’m also positive the view she’s talking about is six foot two and standing right in front of me; it has nothing to do with Mother Nature.

  Michael reaches out and takes my hand. He laces his fingers through mine and leads me back to the dry sand. “Let’s sit.”

  I settle beside him on the sand, and he doesn’t release my hand. “Tell me more about your family,” he asks.

  Okay, this is not what I was expecting. Is this how a fling works? Do you . . . talk first? “Well, my parents have been married for twenty-five years. They met in college and married right after graduation. I have a younger brother who is starting Ohio State University in the fall. Not sure what else there is to tell.”

  “I just like the sound of your voice. I don’t care what you say, just . . . talk.”

  There is sincerity in his voice, mix that with my already nervous state, and I start spewing words just like he asked. I talk about college and how Stacy . . . Lynn and I have been roommates and best friends since day one. I talk about my major and how I have a new job I’m starting next week. I leave out where I’m working and he doesn’t seem to notice. I try to leave out as many identifying details as I possibly can. This is a fling after all, and I don’t know this guy. I stop talking as panic sets in. I’m sitting with a complete stranger in the dark on a private beach. What the hell am I thinking?

  “Hey, you okay?” He places his large hand on my knee. How is he already in tune with my emotions?

  “Yeah.” I scoot a little further away from him.

  “What happened? What did I do?” Again, the sincerity in his voice is telling me I can trust him. “Tell me.” He tucks a piece of hair, which has broken free from my ponytail, behind my ear. “Talk to me,” he urges.

  I suck in a deep breath, letting the ocean air fill my lungs, and then slowly exhale. “I was just thinking that I don’t really know you, that I’m sitting on a private beach with a complete stranger,” I admit.

  I watch as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone. “G, hey man, it’s me. Yeah, no I’m good. Listen, I need you to do me a favor. I’m sitting here with the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever met. We just had dinner and watched the sun set over the ocean. Her name is Paige. I want you to answer any questions she might have about me personally.” He then hands me the phone.

  “Hello?” I say hesitantly.

  “You must be something else to have my boy tied up in knots like this. Paige, was it?” he asks.

  “Yes,” I answer.

  “So what do you want to know?”

  “I just . . . well, I just was thinking that it might not be the smartest move to be sitting on a private beach at night with a guy I barely know,” I repeat the words, not really knowing what else to say.

  A deep chuckle booms over the line. “Let me tell you something, sweetheart, you couldn’t be in better hands. My boy will take good care of you. Hell, he sounds excited to be there with you, and lately, well, let’s just say that lately he’s not been himself. I can already tell this trip has been good for him. I assume I have you to thank for that,” he says.

  “We just met earlier today,” I argue.

  “Doesn’t matter. Something has him sounding like his old self, and since I’m not there, you get all the credit.”

  “Thank you,” I say, because what else do I say to that? I hand the phone back to Michael, and he tells his friend thank you and then hangs up.

  “I know talking to a friend of mine isn’t the best form of reassurance, but I hope it at least helped a little?” he asks, hopeful.

  “He said I couldn’t be in better hands,” I tell him.

  This causes him to smile. “G and I go way back. Listen, Paige, I would like to spend more time with you while we’re both here. I’ll be gone most of the day tomorrow, but the next day, can I see you?” Again, his voice sounds hopeful and maybe a little hesitant.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Good, let’s get you home.” He stands and offers me his hand once again, lacing his fingers through mine. We walk in silence with nothing but the sound of the waves between us.

  When we reach my house, I let go of his hand and turn to face him. “Thank you for dinner and for your company tonight. I really did have a good time, even though I freaked out a little there at the end,” the words spew from my mouth.

  “I can’t wait to see you again.”

  His words cause a flurry of butterflies in my stomach. I’m excited to spend more time with him. Deciding to take a chance, I stand on my tiptoes and place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for tonight. I’ll see you soon.” And without giving him a chance to reply, I begin my journey up the steps leading into the house, not once looking over my shoulder.

  Chatper 5

  Logan

  I wake to the sun rising over the ocean and a gentle breeze flowing through my bedroom window. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. Stacy and I took in what feels like all of Hawaii yesterday. We ended our night at a luau. It was amazing, as was the way those dancers moved.

  Today is a new day. It’s also the day I agreed to see Michael again. I don’t even know what that means really. Are we going to hang out at his place, or ours? Are we just going to chill on the beach? I don’t know, but I’m excited to see what the day holds.

  After we’ve both showered, Stacy and I sit on the deck and drink our coffee, just enjoying the beauty that is Hawaii. She and I both need at least two cups before we feel human. This is an addiction we both picked up in college.

  Ready for my second cup, I reach for Stacy’s before heading inside to fill up both. I hear him before I see him. Michael’s deep voice filters through the open door as he talks to Stacy. I’m giddy at the thought of seeing him again. Squaring my shoulders and wiping the huge-ass grin off my face, I walk back out to the deck and set Stacy’s coffee in front of her.

  “Michael, hi. Did you want a cup?” I raise my steaming cup of Joe in the air.

  “No, actually, I was wondering what you ladies had on y
our agenda today?”

  “We got nothing,” Stacy answers before I can.

  “Good, how would you like to spend the day with me?” He then focuses his gaze on me, those blue eyes sparkling in the morning sun. “You said I could see you today, so I took the liberty of chartering a . . . boat. I thought the three of us could spend the day on the water.”

  “Hell, yeah! That sounds awesome.” Stacy jumps out of her chair, still holding her coffee and not spilling a drop. How she managed to do that, I have no idea. “Let’s go, woman!” she yells over her shoulder. “Get your ass changed, adventure awaits.”

  She disappears into the house. I stand to follow her when I feel his strong arm wrap around my waist. He lowers his lips to my ear. “I’ve been counting down the minutes until I saw you again. You’re beautiful in the morning sun.” He kisses my neck right below my ear, so soft and so quick that if my body was not humming for his, I might have missed it. He releases me and I continue forward into the house.

  Turns out, the boat Michael chartered is actually a yacht. It’s spectacular and is an experience neither Stacy nor I would have gotten had we not run into him. Michael takes us on a tour of the yacht, and it’s eye opening to see how the other half lives. My parents are middle class; they both work hard for what we have. We’ve never wanted for anything, always having the comforts of home, clean clothes, new shoes, and food on the table, but this . . . this is not something that would ever have been within our means.

  Brunch is prepared for us on the top deck. Michael waves his arm toward the stairs, allowing us to go first. Stacy shoots up the steps, eager to see more. I take a more leisurely approach. One, because I don’t want to fall on my face and embarrass myself, and two, I’m hoping to get another stolen moment with him. He doesn’t disappoint as he joins me on the stairs and rests his hand on the small of my back, leading me. The heat of his touch filters through my thin tank, which is saying a lot considering the temperature out here today.

  Brunch is delicious and the company is even better. The three of us fall into easy conversation. Stacy drills Michael with questions about the yacht; she’s suddenly fascinated. This leads us to a visit with the captain of our vessel. He offers to let Stacy stand at the wheel, and she gleefully accepts. Michael and I retreat to the lower-level deck where there is more shade.

  “He’s not really going to let her drive this thing, is he?” I ask Michael.

  He throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, but it’s easy. All she has to do is steer. He won’t let us get off course.”

  “If you say so,” I mutter. I mean, really, we’re in the middle of the freaking ocean. She should not be in control.

  We sit in silence, just enjoying the day, eventually the lull of the waves and the gentle motion of the beast of a boat rock me to sleep.

  I wake later to see the sun setting in the sky. Michael stands when he sees that I’m awake. “Hey, sleepyhead,” he whispers the words.

  As I allow him to pull me to my feet, we hit a heavy wave, causing the boat to rock and me to lose my balance. Michael catches me with ease as I fall into his arms. Once I’ve regained my balance, he doesn’t let go. Instead, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him, my chest aligned with his. “What . . . what are we doing?”

  “Well, I would like to say we’re dancing,” he replies.

  “But there’s no music,” I counter.

  He’s already shaking his head. “We don’t need it.”

  “I can’t dance without music,” I try again. It’s my nerves talking. I should just shut up and enjoy having his arms wrapped around me.

  “Damn it, woman. I just needed an excuse to have you in my arms, but if it’s music you want . . .” He begins to hum a tune I’m not familiar with, but it doesn’t dampen the moment. This is by far the most romantic thing that’s ever happened to me. During this trip, since I’ve met Michael, I’ve had more romance in my life than I have ever had before. How pathetic is that?

  “Hey, you two, dinner’s ready!” Stacy yells over the railing of the upper deck.

  Michael halts his humming and his movement. Leaning down, he places a soft kiss against my forehead. He says nothing more as he places his hand on the small of my back and once again leads me up the stairs.

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  “Michael, this was so much fun!” Stacy says for the third time. Who would have thought that being at the helm of a boat would make such an impression on her?

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. What about you?” He glances over at me, before turning his eyes back to the road.

  “It was a great day. I was worried with Lynn driving, but we made it back to land safely,” I tease. She reaches to the front of his Jeep and smacks my arm.

  “Hey, we were never in any danger,” she scoffs.

  Looking back at her, I grin. This causes her to stick her tongue out at me.

  Michael pulls into our driveway and turns off the engine. Stacy is out of the car and walking toward the house, leaving the two of us alone. Taking off his seat belt, he turns in his seat to face me. Self-conscious with his eyes on me, I reach up and try to smooth away my windblown hair. Reaching over, he grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. The other takes over the job of smoothing my hair, tucking a few pieces behind my ear. It’s much more intimate when he does it.

  “I enjoyed spending the day with you,” he tells me, those blue eyes never leaving mine.

  “I had a great time, thank you for inviting us.” I remember my manners.

  “It was my pleasure, thank you for coming along. It would not have been the same without you there.”

  “Your eyes are . . . beautiful,” I blurt out. I cringe, knowing he’s going to hate being called beautiful. I can’t believe I let that slip. At least I spoke the truth.

  Leaning his body toward me, he murmurs, “Beautiful, you say? Maybe you should get a closer look.” He leans in a little further. My body betrays me and leans forward as well.

  We’re close, so close that I can feel his breath against my lips. “It’s dark. I can’t see,” I say stupidly. I know he knows that and is using it as an excuse to get closer. Gah! I’m such a dork. I don’t know how to act.

  “Doesn’t matter, Paige. All that matters is that your lips connect with mine, sooner rather than later.”

  “But I . . .”

  “Can I kiss you, Paige?” He traces my bottom lip with his thumb. “Can I taste these soft lips? I need to know how they feel against mine.”

  He doesn’t wait for me to answer before closing the distance and pressing his lips where his finger just traced. My heart jolts, and there’s a heavy rise and fall of my chest just from his touch. Michael growls and his tongue slips past my lips. His tongue dances with mine as our kiss grows more passionate.

  I have to stop this before it goes any further. Placing my hands against his chest, I push lightly. He slows the kiss and eventually pulls away. “You taste so fucking sweet.”

  WOW.

  No one has ever talked to me like that before, never lost themselves in the passion of just being next to me, kissing me. “I was afraid if I didn’t stop you, I wouldn’t,” I confess.

  “When you decide to let me inside you, I can guarantee it will not be in my fucking Jeep. You deserve better than that.”

  “How do you know? What makes you think I deserve better?” Gah! I wish I could just keep my damn mouth shut.

  Resting his forehead against mine, eyes wide open, he says, “Because I see you.” Pulling back, he softly places his lips on mine for a very brief final kiss before reaching for his door handle and climbing out of the car. I watch as he walks around the Jeep and opens my door, offering me his hand.

  Chapter 6

  Logan

  It’s been two days since I’ve seen Michael. He stopped by yesterday, but we were already out and about. He left a note on the door to call him, or stop by when we got in. I made sure we were out the door bright and early and in late, spending the day
shopping. I knew he would try to see me, and I’m . . . scared. Michael is a man’s man. He knows what he wants and he’s not afraid to take it. I’m scared to death that if I let things progress between us, he will eat me alive. I confide this in my best friend.

  “Yes! Hell yes. That is exactly what you want him to do,” Stacy says.

  “Stacy, come on. He would be disappointed, and besides that, I’m not a fling person. I’ve told you this. I just don’t have it in me.”

  “You do. You also have all that fear that you’re holding onto. We’ve spent time with him. He’s a good guy. Hell, he called his best friend and had you talk to him. You need to live for you, no one else.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Michael’s deep voice causes me to shiver. Just the sound of it brings me back to his Jeep and the kiss we shared. I’ve never in my life been kissed with so much passion and need. I’ve never had a kiss turn me on from zero to sixty so quickly either. Mr. Triple T has made kissing an art form. Just another item to add to the long list of why I would disappoint him.

  “Michael,” his name slips past my lips.

  “Paige.” Nothing else, just my name on his lips.

  “I’m going to go get some more ice for the cooler. Be back in a few.” Stacy winks at me and walks toward the house. Traitor.

  Michael sits next to me on the sand. “Why are you avoiding me, Paige?”

  “I’m not,” I lie. “We’ve just been busy.”

  “I call bullshit, beautiful. I can see it in your eyes.”

  I’m just going to throw it out there, so he can move on, so we both can. “I’m not as . . . experienced as you, and flings are not really my thing. Not only would I be out of my comfort zone, but knowing that you would be disappointed . . . well, I can’t deal with that. Avoidance is easier.” I cannot believe I just confessed that.

  Reaching over, he grabs my hand. “Paige . . . it can only be for the time we’re here, but I would like to think that what we would share between us would be more than a fling. My career is . . . complicated. I wish things could be different. For the first time in my life, I wish things were different, but the reality is they’re not.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses each of my knuckles. “As far as experience goes, you could never disappoint me. I know how to give your body what it needs to make you respond to me. I don’t want to watch you leave here in two days without knowing what it feels like to be inside of you.”