Authors: Christina Marie
~~~~
The rest of the week seemed to drag by, Hunter tried not to stare at me for too long, or call on me too often in class. After he would assign us work, he would sit down behind his desk then send me a text. I met him during lunch a couple of times in the lecture hall, I drew the line at having sex on the desk like he wanted to do though. That was entirely way to risky and just flat out asking to get caught.
Friday after class I stayed in my seat taking my time entering the last few notes he had given us. “You get them all?” He walked up behind me and kissed my shoulder. My eyes darted to the door that was luckily shut.
“Yeah.” I saved the document and closed my laptop down. “I’m going home this weekend.”
Hunter stepped back, “Oh,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “When are you coming back?”
“Probably late Sunday night. We always have family dinners on Sunday with the McAllister’s. I’ll text you when I get back.”
He took a step toward me and wrapped his arm around my waist, lowered his lips to mine and kissed me softly. “Stay the night with me Sunday?”
I pulled away and looked at him, “No way Hunter.” I shook my head.
“I’m done for the day and so are you, let’s go back to my place for a couple of hours then you can leave. At least give me that much since I won’t see you for two days.”
“I’ll…I’ll meet you there in an hour.” I turned and walked away.
I went back to the dorm and packed my bags and sent Ryder a text;
Me
:
Coming home this weekend. Will you be around
?
He didn’t respond right away so I carried my stuff out to my car, called Sarah to let her know I would be back late Sunday, then called my mom to let her know I would be leaving in a couple of hours.
I pulled up in front of Hunters house, his red Dodge 4x4 pickup was parked in the driveway. So I got out and practically sprinted to his front door. Before I could even knock he was pulling the door open and pulling me inside. In a matter of seconds I was pressed against the closed door, my legs wrapped around Hunter’s waist and then our clothes started flying around the foyer.
“God, slow down.” I breathed when I felt him nudge the head of his cock inside of me.
“Mmm…” he would push in a little more and pull out.
“Hunter you need a—“
“Fuck, hang tight.” He turned both directions looking for his jeans that were buried under my clothes. I released my legs and stood on shaky legs while he fumbled with his wallet. “Come here.” He grabbed my hand and briskly walked back to his bedroom. “If I’m not going to see you for two days, I’m going to fuck you hard enough to remind you who you belong to.” He growled as he crawled up the bed. He laid the condom unopened between my breasts then kissed down my body until he reached my pussy. His hot breath blowing across my clit sent a shiver through my body, when his tongue swiped up my slit and licked around my clit my hips bucked up. He smiled while looking up at me and placed his hand on my hips, holding me down and spread me open wider. With each lash of his tongue against my clit, his finger probing in and out of me, my climax hit so fast I was breathless. He didn’t stop though, he kissed back up my body and looked at the condom, waiting for me to put it on him. I ripped it open, pinched the tip and slowly rolled it down his length. True to his word he wasn’t gentle like usual. Each time he thrust inside of me I raked my fingernails down his back and grinded my clit against him until I was coming again and again. With one final push he stilled inside of me and moaned with his release. “I wish you didn’t have to go home.” He tried to pout.
I laughed, “If I don’t my dad will come get me.”
He winked, “Can’t have that now can we.” He kissed me then climbed off the bed and went into the bathroom. I followed him in and started the shower. He raised one eyebrow at me, “You ready again?”
I shook my head, “Not hardly.” I smiled at him then got on the shower. I knew he would follow me in. And he did.
I was rinsing the conditioner from my hair, “You want to know something funny?” He asked as he rubbed his soapy hands all over my chest and stomach then between my legs.
I moaned, “What?” I knew he was trying to work me up for shower sex.
“I thought you were a virgin when we met.”
My eyes popped open, “Why?”
He shrugged, “I just figured you would be.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
“That’s not what I meant Harley.” He argued.
“Then why bring it up?” I asked.
“I just...how old were you when you lost your virginity?” he asked me.
“Eighteen.”
He looked at me, “So it was recent?”
I nodded, “Yep just one time.”
“Who?”
Before I could even stop myself from saying his name, “Ryder.”
Hunters eyes got big, “Like, Ryder McAllister as in the McAllister’s that you have family functions with?!”
“Don’t even start. Our families are good friends, I’ve told you that.” I glared at him and got out of the shower.
“What the fuck.” He grumbled then shut the water off.
I dried of quickly then went to the front foyer and got my clothes. He was standing in the hallway in a pair of black basketball shorts that were hanging dangerously low on his hips. With his towel draped over his shoulders, his hands planted on his hips, he watched me as I got dressed.
“So you’re going to be around him all weekend and I’m not supposed to worry?”
“We’ve been friends all of our lives, it was a one-time thing. Drop it.” I buttoned my jeans.
Hunter laughed, “So you’d be okay hanging out with one of my ex fuck buddies?”
I sighed, “Hunter, we aren’t even a couple. We can’t be a couple!”
He shook his head, “So that’s how you’re looking at it?”
I threw my hands in the air, “How else am I supposed to look at it?! Nobody can know about us, we can’t go out on dates together where people might recognize us. I always have to come here.”
He didn’t say anything just nodded his head, I had pissed him off but I knew that what I said was the truth. I grabbed my purse and pulled my phone out. I had two missed calls from my mom but no text from Ryder. “I’m going to head out. I’ll text you Sunday when I get back.” I turned and walked out of his house.
The drive home by myself would be good for me, it would give me time to clear my head and figure out why I couldn’t just walk away from Hunter. I knew that I wasn’t in love with him but with each passing day—it would eventually happen.
Other than the few texts we exchanged that one night I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Harley. I had been swamped with more custom paint jobs, I had deadlines to meet and bills that needed paid. I was standing in kitchen making supper when two hands slipped around my waist.
“You look pretty deep in thought babe.” Elise kissed my shoulder.
Was she my girlfriend? Hell no and she knew it. She had started coming around more and getting clingy.
“Was just thinking about the weekend.” I told her.
“Mmm, big plans?” she asked then jumped up onto the counter. She hadn’t bothered to get dressed, instead she wrapped herself in the bed sheet.
I shrugged, “Family stuff and more paint jobs to do.”
“Your phone had a new text just a bit ago.” She handed me my phone.
I slid my finger across the screen, and read the text from Harley. She was actually coming home…tonight. The text was from over two hours ago. The text that Elise was talking about was from the body piercer that had pierced me after I lost a bet at the bike rally. I laughed and sent him back a text that everything had healed fine.
“I guess I’ll head out.” Elise said with a pout on her face.
“Why the attitude?” I asked without looking at her.
She sighed, “Ryder, I really like you. Like really, like you, but you won’t give me a chance to show you that we could actually make a good couple.”
“Sorry, you knew from the get go that I didn’t want a steady girlfriend. I’m too fucking busy to have one.”
She shook her head and went back to the bedroom. I heard the shower start, then my phone rang. It was one of the clients wanting to know how I was coming along on his tank. I ran out to the shop took a few different pictures and started sending them to him. I decided to lock everything up then go back inside. When I walked in the back door, there stood Elise at the front door wrapped in a towel talking to Harley. Harley looked past Elise’s shoulder and smiled weakly at me.
“I just thought I’d stop by and let you know I made it. I’ll uh—see you around I guess.” She turned and started toward her car.
“Fuck, get dressed.” I told Elise as I ran past her out the front door to catch up with Harley.
“Hey…stop!” I yelled. She didn’t turn to face me though. “It’s not what you think.” I said when I was standing behind her. When she finally turned and looked at me, I lost my breath. I hadn’t seen those beautiful eyes of hers in what felt like ages.
She smiled, “It’s totally okay, she doesn’t have to leave because I’m here. I’ll see you this weekend at dinner.” She started to get in her car.
“Harley stop, please.” I pressed my hand against the door to stop her from opening it.
Elise walked out of the house and to her car without saying a word to either of us. Harley watched as she drove away. I couldn’t stop staring at Harley, my fingers itched to touch her but I knew she would back away from me.
“I think I should go.” She said softly
“You’re not fucking leaving.” I gritted out through clenched teeth.
She put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow at me, “I simply stopped by because you didn’t answer my text. I figured you would be in the shop—“
I couldn’t take it anymore, I slammed my mouth to hers so hard our teeth tapped together. She sucked in a breath and fisted her hands at her sides, I tried to get her to open up so I could taste her sweet mouth but she wouldn’t. Instead she pushed as hard as she could causing me to take two steps back. “You just had your mouth only god knows where on…on her and,” she started shaking her head, “I have a fucking boyfriend.” She mumbled.
That was like a shot to the chest, “Don’t fucking accuse me of shit. Did I fuck her? Yes with my dick wrapped securely in a fucking condom. My tongue has never even touched her down there and I’ve fucking showered since this morning thank you! Glad to know you have a mother fucking boyfriend, but yet you couldn’t give me a chance. Fuck you Harley.” I turned and went inside. This was going to be a long shitty weekend, especially since I had already promised my mom that I would be there both Saturday and Sunday for our family dinners with the Russell’s.
I very rarely got on social media sites unless it was to check my business page. But Harley saying she had a boyfriend had me logging on to Facebook. Because after all, if it’s on Facebook it has to be true…right? Fuck no and people took it too god damn serious. I typed in her name and clicked on her profile. It said nothing about being in a relationship, there were no pictures of her and a ‘boyfriend’ together. There were some from the club a week and a half ago with who I assumed was her roommate Sarah. I slammed the laptop lid shit then lifted it back up to make sure I hadn’t broke the screen, then gently shut it when I didn’t see any cracks. I scrubbed my hands down my face and through my hair. After taking another shower, I decided to go into town. I wasn’t going to let Harley have the last word that was for god damn sure.
When Ryder kissed me, it took all I had not to throw myself at him. I clenched my fists at my side, fighting with myself not to let the kiss go any further than his lips pressed against mine. When I pushed him away I missed his warmth instantly. I had to leave, I couldn’t be around Ryder. I had fooled myself thinking that our friendship would ever be like it was before. I didn’t love Hunter but I didn’t want to hurt him either even though he had hurt me by lying. Being around Ryder I couldn’t think straight, all I wanted was for him to wrap his arms around me and tell me that we were meant to be together. Seeing another woman in his house shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it did either and that made me mad at myself. Ryder deserved to be happy.
I called mom to see where she was at, she told me they were at Ryder’s parents’ house getting ready to start supper. When I got there mom hugged me tightly then Sydney followed by my dad and Cade.
“You guys act like I haven’t been home in years.” I said with a laugh.
“It’s been way too long young lady.” My dad said with a grin.
I stood in the kitchen and talked to them all for a little bit, Cade and dad went back to the patio where they put supper on the grill.
“So, give us all the details. Have you met any young handsome boys yet? I mean men.” Sydney asked with a laugh.
I shrugged, I couldn’t tell them that I had. I couldn’t tell them about Hunter. “I’ve been out with Sarah a couple of times but school’s keeping me busy.”
“Good, focus on that so your dad and I don’t age twenty years while you’re away.” Mom bumped my shoulder with hers.
We talked about the different camps, competitions and conferences they had been going to and would be attending. The fitness center was doing really well, Macy had been a great addition to the staff.
“Does Ryder know your back? I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you. He’s been so busy he hardly ever comes around anymore.” Sydney said.
“I stopped by there earlier but he was…busy.”
“Speak of the devil.” She smiled big.
I turned to look out the entry way window, Ryder pulled up in a bright blue Ford pickup. I hadn’t seen that parked at his house when I was there. “Whose vehicle is that?” I asked.
“His, he bought it a couple of weeks ago. It’s one of those new Ford Raptors, he babies it just as much as he does his Fat Boy.” Sydney laughed.
When Ryder finally came inside he gave me a pointed glare before hugging both of our moms, getting a beer from the fridge and joining our dads on the patio.
My cell phone double beeped meaning it was about to die, “Crap, be right back I need to get my charger.” After digging through my overnight back I finally found it, I went back inside and plugged it in and placed it on the end table in the living room.
Supper was delicious, but barbeque ribs always made a huge mess. Numerous times mom told dad to stop smacking the sauce off of his fingers. Ryder’s phone rang so he excused himself and went inside. When I was finished with my meal I took my plate inside, rinsed it then put it in the dishwasher. I figured my phone would be charged so I went to the living room to get it, Ryder wasn’t on his phone anymore—he was holding my phone.
“What the fuck kind of asshole are you dating?” He looked up from my phone.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I lunged at him and tried to grab my phone. He pulled it away and backed me down the hallway. His stare was hard and his jaw set tight.
He looked down at my phone; “Be good while you’re there, winky face. Next text, I’m serious Harley. Next text, Don’t ignore me. Next text and this is a good one—Don’t fuck him while you’re there because I WILL know.” Ryder looked up at me. The last text was over an hour ago he told me, I yanked my phone out of his hand and tried to side step around him but he wouldn’t let me by.
“Move Ryder.” I said flatly.
Then he pushed me up against the wall, he lowered his lips next to my ear, “I’ll move alright, the last time you told me that was when you had your legs wrapped around my waist. Begging me to make you come.” I shivered. I placed my hands on his forearms, “Give us a chance Harley.” He kissed below my ear, “We can make it work.” I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss him, feel his hard toned body against me.
“You two hiding in here?” Cade called out, his footsteps growing closer. Ryder didn’t move, we stayed standing there, staring into each other’s eyes. His eyes searching mine—waiting for me to make the next move. “Uhm.” Cade was standing just a few feet from us.
“I need to leave.” I said. I couldn’t look at Ryder or his dad. I hurried out of the house and to my car. Just as I was about to get in Ryder come running out of the house.
“You’re not fucking leaving. Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on with him and why you won’t give US a chance.” He said as he pressed his hand against my car door.
“Ryder just let me leave.” I said with a shaky voice.
“Look at me god damn it!”
I couldn’t. I shook my head and tried to push his hand away from the door. But he didn’t move, then he lifted my chin. Tears pooled in my eyes, “Stop fighting it Harley, you know as well as I do this is meant to be between us.”
He wiped a tear from my cheek, “What if it’s a train wreck waiting to happen? I’d rather have you in my life as a friend than nothing at all Ryder.” I whispered.
“It’s not,” his voice was low, his eyes were searching mine, “There’s only one woman I’ll ever love and that’s you. I know you’re scared, I know you’re afraid I’ll break your heart but Harley, I won’t.” Ryder lowered his lips to mine. “We’re unstoppable Harley.” He whispered against my lips.
“I…I need to go. Give me some time, okay?”
His jaw tensed then he rested his forehead against mine, “I fucking hate waiting but I will for you. I want you to stop seeing that douche bag, he doesn’t deserve you.”
I rose up onto my tiptoes and kissed the corner of his mouth, “Thank You.” I said then got in the car once he stepped away. In the rear view mirror I stared at him, his hand clasped together on top of his head. “I love you Ryder.” I said to myself.
When I got back to my house I finally checked the other text messages, they were from Hunter.
Hunter
: I’m so fucking pissed you can’t talk to me when you’re there.
Hunter
: You’re with HIM…aren’t you?!
Hunter
: Don’t fucking ignore my text!!!!!!!!!
I powered my phone off, took a shower, and then went to bed.
~~~~
The rest of the weekend I helped out at the fitness center, went to Star’s house so she could show me all the things she brought home from their vacation.
“Tell me all about college! I bet there are a bazillion cute boys there!” she smiled so big her eyes smiled too.
I laughed, “Lots of boys yes but I sort of have a boyfriend.”
She jumped down from her bed and shut her bedroom door, “Ohhh tell me all about him.”
I told her about Hunter, the dates we had been on, the movies we had watched together, and showed her a few pictures of him on my phone.”
“Do you love him? Like you and Ryder love each other?” she asked when she handed my phone back to me.
My chest tightened. I could never have feelings for Hunter like I felt for Ryder. “I uh—we’ve only been seeing each other for a short time. I do have feelings for him though.”
“But,” she held up her index finger, “he’s not Ryder! You and Ryder are perfect for each other.” Star smiled. “He told me he loves you.” Her cheeks blushed.
“I know, he’s told me too.” I smiled at her.
“I can’t wait to see the cute babies you’ll make!”
I laughed, “Oh Star, you sure do have a wild imagination.”
When I left Stars house I went back to the fitness center, Macy was just locking up when I pulled up.
“You wanting to use the gym?” she pointed at the door.
“No it’s okay I can wait until tomorrow.”
She cocked her head to the side, “Everything okay?”
I shook my head, “Yes…no,” I blew out a breath, “Men say that we are drama but I think it’s really them.” I said.
Macy laughed, “Let’s go grab some supper and you can explain that to me.”
~~~~
“Okay,” she pushed my cell phone across the table to me after she read the texts from Hunter. Macy rubbed her temples, “He’s your Professor,” I nodded my head, “He’s obviously insecure and doesn’t trust you already and you’re technically not allowed to even have a relationship anyways.”
I lowered my head to the table, “It’s like talking in circles.” I mumbled.
“Will you be hurt if you break things off with him?”
I looked up at her, “Honestly I don’t think I will. Not as much as I hurt when I looked back at Ryder today.”
She took a bite of her salad, “I say, gently back out of this thing with Hunter because if you two get caught, all hell will break loose.”
“I know.” I wasn’t sure if I should be frustrated or pissed at myself for getting myself into this kind of mess. I tried to change the subject, “How’s Colton doing? Have you and T.C worked things out yet?”
Macy smiled, “Colton is getting so big, time goes by so fast once they reach school age. Trust me the whole thing with T.C. is an entirely different story. Another time—another place, we are friends at least.” We finished our salads, paid our bill and went to our vehicles. Before Macy got in her car she called out my name, “Harley—don’t let the one true love go,” she gave me a lopsided smile, “Live so you have no regrets.”
I smiled and nodded, “Thanks, see you the next time I’m back.” I said then drove back to my house so I could pack my bag and head back to the campus. Mom had made some cookies and bought some groceries for me to take back with me. Her and dad hugged me tightly then I left.
For the next two hours I thought about everything, I knew that I was going to hurt Hunter but in the end we’d both end up hurt no matter what.
~~~~
Sarah jumped up from the couch when I walked in, “It’s so boring without you here! Never leave me again…PLEASE.” she said with a laugh.
“Trust me, this weekend wasn’t that much fun for me either.”
We started putting the groceries away, “Do tell.” Sarah said as she lifted the lid to the container with the cookies in it. So, I told her all about Ryder, my conversation with him, and my conversation with Macy. “Wow, do you want my opinion?”
“Yes.” I sat down on the couch then she did.
“I think Macy is right you need to end this with Hunter. I’ve told you before, something just doesn’t set right with me about him. I just don’t know what yet.”
With perfect timing my phone beeped with a new text message.
Hunter
:
Are you back
?
Me
:
Yeah
Hunter
:
How long have you been back? I thought you were going to call me
.
“What’s he saying?” Sarah asked.
I shook my head and handed my phone to her. She shook her head and frowned at my phone then typed out a message but didn’t hand my phone back. “What did you send?” I asked with big eyes, my phone beeped with a message. She read it, grinned at me then handed me my phone.
Me
:
Was visiting with Sarah
Hunter
:
You’d rather hang w/ that fat cow? Nice to know where I rate
!
I couldn’t believe him, that text had me fuming mad. I loved Sarah like a sister and wasn’t going to let him talk about her like that.
Me
:
Are you being fucking serious right now
?!
Hunter
:
Wouldn’t joke about this kind of pissed off’ness babe
.
Me
:
You can go to hell
!!!!!!!!!
Hunter
:
LOL
!
“Oh my god he’s frikin crazy I think!” I was still shaking my head at my phone.