Stacey

 

Just the simple touch of his hand on mine and I feel my body come to life. Definitely something I haven’t felt in a long time, so long in fact that I forgot what it felt like.  Ryan carries on conversation with me like he’s generally interested in what I have to say; if he’s not, he sure as hell plays the part well. It’s things like this that I crave.

 

As much as he wants to hear my story, I want to hear his. He hasn’t told me anything and even though I only gave him a little, it’s the biggest part. “Ryan, I answered you so now your turn. What have your past relationships been like?” This is truly a question that I want the answer to because my mind is all over the place with it. Wondering if he’s had anything serious or just slept around.

 

Quirking his lip, he gives me a wink. “I don’t think you really want to hear that.”

 

Oh how wrong he is. “Come on. It’s only fair.” I pout, even going as far as to jet my lip out.

 

Chuckling he reaches over and rests his hand on mine. “How about you get to know me a little more before we dig into my past relationships?”

 

Part of me is disappointed, but part of me is relieved. I’d like to know why he has the reputation he does. He likes to sleep around, that much I know for sure. Although I’d like to hear why.  On the other hand, I’m starting to like him, and if I know how many women he’s been with or how he treated them, I may feel different.

 

“Fair enough. Would you like to help me with dinner,” I ask as I stand up.

 

For the next forty minutes we work side by side in the kitchen and at the grill. It feels so natural, so normal, like this is something that couples do every day.  Although I feel like it is so much more, because I haven’t had anyone cook with me probably since my freshman year of college. I’m enjoying the company, the laughs we are having about our different cooking styles, and the simple touches we share. We aren’t a couple, but this is what I feel like I’ve been missing out on.  The little things.

 

Ryan seems to be enjoying himself as well. He’s so much more relaxed than I’ve seen him yet. At the bar he seemed to be on edge with all the women and after that, well he was trying to prove to me that he wasn’t the asshole I was making him out to be. I like this side of him. It’s carefree, fun, and easy going. I really want to get to know him better.

 

After we eat, we sit on the deck and enjoy the cool evening breeze. It’s now dark out and for some reason it feels more intimate to me. I’m sure it’s all in my mind considering the last few hours have made me realize how much I not only want, but need a different life.

 

“Stacey, would you like to take a walk by the lake?” He stands up, holding his hand out to me.

I place my hand in his and he pulls me up. He leads us to a secluded spot on the lake that I’d never noticed before.  He doesn’t let go of my hand as we duck under low hanging trees through a narrow path that leads into what I can only describe as a grotto. I let go of his hand and twirl around slowly, taking it all in.  We are completely surrounded by a canopy of trees, the low hanging moon peeking through the branches. The soft breeze whispers across the lake, and small ripples lap at the shore.             

 

“Ryan, this is stunning,” I whisper.

 

“I’m glad you like it.”

 

When I turn around to face him, I notice that he’s watching my every move. The way he is looking at me, with the moonlight radiating off his deep brown eyes full of lust has me squeezing my legs together.  I can’t help but stare at him as he slowly walks toward me.  My heart beats rapidly in my chest and my breath hitches in my throat.  In this moment, although I’m not exactly sure what is going to happen, I feel a part of me come back to life.

 

Ryan runs his knuckles down my cheek, and I involuntarily lean into his touch, my eyes drifting closed at the intimate gesture. He lifts my chin so that I am looking into his eyes. “Stacey, I’ve never wanted to kiss someone as badly as I want to kiss you right now,” he says, licking his lips.

 

I feel so desired looking at the moonlight reflecting in his heated eyes.  I swallow and poke out my tongue to wet my lips.  “Kiss me,” I whisper.

 

He leans forward and presses his lips to mine, and I melt into his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck and he licks the seam of my lips, seeking entrance. I open my mouth to him and when our tongues connect I feel a fire burn throughout my whole body. Unable to control myself I moan as he sinks his fingers into my hair. He deepens the kiss, and I can’t believe the reaction my body is having to him.  It’s overwhelming, yet I want so much more.  This kiss is not what I expected, it’s slow, sweet and sensual. Almost like he is trying to express himself to me silently,  and I am more than happy to listen.

 

Breaking the kiss we both try to catch our breaths while searching each other’s eyes.  “I’ve wanted to do that since we were kids.”  He leans forward and presses a soft kiss to my lips before pulling me into his arms. I rest my head on his chest as he rubs my back, and I can’t help but smile.

 

Ryan pulls me down to sit with him on the soft grass. He places me between his legs, my back to his chest and wraps his arms around me.   “Did you create this?” I ask, looking around at the grotto.

 

He kisses the top of my head and I feel him nod. “I did.”

 

“It’s stunning,” I say looking around again. “I’m sure this has been a big hit with the ladies.” The minute the words leave my mouth I regret them. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business who you’ve brought here.”

 

“Stacey, you are the first person I’ve ever brought here.” Hearing him say it shocks me, and I turn my head to look at him. “When I first moved here, I wanted to be anywhere else, but here. My dad told me to explore, and maybe I’d find something that would make me want to stay. Looking around the lake I noticed all these trees and thought it would be amazing to be able to hide away in them.  A place to escape to. It took a lot of work and many years, but knowing what it would look like when I was done, made moving here a little easier.” It breaks my heart knowing he was so sad to leave New York, yet I feel like he is opening up to me. I’ll admit, I like it.

 

“Why did you need to move here,” I ask, placing my hands over his, trying to give him a bit of comfort.

 

“My mom walked out on my dad and me. I didn’t realize it at the time because I was too busy being a teenager, but my dad needed this move. It was his way of moving on, and he needed me for that.”

 

“Oh Ryan, I’m so sorry.” I don’t know what else to say. He’s giving me an insight to a piece of his life and it makes me feel closer to him. Wanting to change the subject because the sad voice I hear lets me know he doesn’t like visiting that part of his life. “So, do you like working construction? It looked like you work with a fun bunch of guys.”

 

He chuckles and squeezes me a little tighter. I think it’s his way of thanking me for changing the subject. “I do like my job, especially because ninety-nine percent of the time I work here at the resort. Mike and I are friends with most of the guys. They’re a great group.” He chuckles again saying, “Well most of the time.”

 

We sit in the grotto and I listen to stories of what it was like once he moved here and we laugh at all the trouble he caused. I tell him what’s be going on in New York and how much I loved coming here for the summers. It’s is crazy I never noticed him as more than my brother’s best friend before.

 

Somehow we ended up laying down, and I don’t even mind the feeling of the grass and dirt on my skin.  That’s probably because my body is too focused on the solid, muscular chest I’m resting my cheek on.  Even as we just lay here in silence, I feel there is an undeniable connection happening. Ryan surprises me when he moves, rolling me onto my back. He doesn’t say a word just takes in my face in his hands before leaning forward and claiming my lips.  This kiss is different than the first. It’s hard, rough, and commanding.  It makes my pussy ache with need, a feeling I’d forgotten about, but now it’s a sensation I suddenly crave.

 

He breaks the kiss and puts his hands on either side of my face. “What the hell are you doing to me,” he whispers before claiming my lips again.

 

I wish I had an answer for him, but I’m asking myself the same thing.