Chapter 17
Wyatt
Ruby reaches the end of the trail moments ahead of me, spinning quickly around with a look of pure joy etched across her face.
She raises her arms in triumph, beaming at me as I come to a stop before her.
“Told you,” she forces between gasps of air. “Leave me in the dust my ass.”
I laugh, leaning over to rest my hands on my knees to feign exhaustion.
“Alright,” I say. “You got me this time.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll get you the next time, too.”
“You think so, huh?”
“I know so.”
I just shake my head, standing upright again to take a look around. The best part of this trail is the end—a split path that winds slowly down towards the lake. If you time it right, as we have, you can arrive at the perfect time for sunset.
It’s a beautiful sight really, an image burned into my mind from my many summers spent here. I look again at it now, seeing Ruby turn to also take in the view.
I stare at the large expanse of water, the newly dipping sun painting its surface in reds and oranges that seem to glow with energy.
I remember my first time laying eyes on it, all those years ago. It damn near took my breath away.
Today though, I can’t seem to keep my eyes from straying away from it, pulling repeatedly to Ruby who is now standing at my side.
It’s funny how things change.
I try to keep my eyes pinned to the view we’ve all come to see, but it’s a fucking losing battle. As if magnetic, they rove continuously back to Ruby. Her red hair shines even more brightly than the setting sun.
The orange glow of the water seems to reflect from her skin, bathing her in golden tones that make her look more like a Goddess than a woman. Her eyes burn brightly, shining as she stares longingly towards the sunset.
She’s fucking breathtaking. Even more beautiful than the view we’ve come so far to take in.
She turns suddenly towards me, her full lips pulling back in an inviting smile that makes my heart lurch in my chest.
“As pretty as you remembered?”
Obviously, she means the lake, but my thoughts are somewhere else entirely. Without intending to, I take a step closer to her. My eyes locking magnetically into hers.
“Even more so. Gorgeous, really.”
Her breath seems to hitch in her throat at my words. Her chest heaves noticeably. I know I’m being very obvious here, but I can’t seem to find it in me to care.
Seeing her here, fucking shining at me like a beacon, has apparently put an end to my doubts. I can’t seem to look away from her.
She smiles shyly before taking her lip between her teeth, biting softly at the sensitive flesh.
The sight makes me instantly hard. My cock starts to strain against my pants even as my heart picks up speed in my chest.
It takes all I can not to reach out and pull her against me, to take her lip between my own teeth and see what she tastes like. I picture my hands tearing the clothes easily from her body, my mouth thoroughly exploring every perfect inch of her.
“Ruby—”
“What the fuck was that?” Jake's voice breaks in suddenly, cleanly severing my words.
I suppress the growl that threatens to erupt from me, managing to keep it to a subtle groan.
I turn to find him walking quickly towards us, his trademark grin on his face.
“What was what?” I ask
“That race! How the fuck did Ruby manage to beat you? She can’t run to save her life.”
“Hey!” she says defensively.
I force a chuckle through my lips. “Guess I’m just off my game then.”
“Um—I’ll say. That was fucking awful man. Just embarrassing.”
Ruby giggles beside me. “Yeah, it was pretty bad, Wyatt. I guess you’re just no match for me.”
I throw my hands up in mock frustration. “It was a fluke, I assure you.”
“Sure,” she says.
Her tone has changed significantly since her brother appeared, now sounding effortlessly casual. Though her eyes are another matter entirely. She looks intensely at me as she talks, unspoken thoughts seeming to pour between us.
I only wish I could decide exactly what they are.
“That’s it,” Jake says. “You and me, Wyatt. Let’s see how much of a fluke it was.”
This time my laugh is genuine. “You wanna race me Jake?”
“Fuck yeah, I do.”
“You know I’m just gonna kick your ass. You’ve never been able to beat me.”
He stands straighter, pushing his chest out dramatically and grinning like an idiot. “Yeah, well that was before you lost to Ruby of all people. Bet I can take you easily now.”
“Ah, I don’t know about that.”
“Well, let’s find out,” he says, gesturing back towards the trail.
“Alright. But I’m warning you, I’m feeling a second wind.”
He laughs, slapping me once in the back as we turn back toward the direction we came from.
“You sure you don’t need a longer break?” he jokes. “Or maybe to ask Ruby for some pointers. Maybe it’d help.”
“Very funny.”
“No really,” he says with mock sincerity. “I can wait. I mean, it’s only fair you get a little help from the master.”
“You done?” I ask, raising an eyebrow to the sound of Ruby’s giggles.
“Oh, I’m just getting started.”
I ignore him, turning pointedly back to Ruby. “Count us off?”
She nods. “Sure. One…two…three!”
I don’t hold back this time. I let my legs fly freely ahead, the loud snapping of undergrowth meeting my ears immediately.
Despite what I said earlier, Jake’s actually pretty quick when he wants to be. It’s nice to have somewhat of a challenge.
We zip quickly down the trail, feet pounding loudly as we run neck and neck.
The tree line blurs immediately beside me, the trail winding steeply downward now that we’ve turned around.
The sun, now almost fully set, has bathed the woods in a deep red glow, painting the leaves and brush in a bloody tinge. Dust clouds float freely around us, colored by the setting sun.
I hardly notice any of it though. My thoughts are firmly rooted elsewhere.
I surge quickly forward, hopping over the occasional root or stone that might trip us up, skating around things too big to jump. I’m pretty much moving on autopilot at this point.
In my head, I see nothing but Ruby; eyes burning into me, teeth clamped firmly around her full lip.
I try to calm my throbbing cock with little success. I just can’t seem to help myself. I picture her face the entire run back down the hill.