“Mm, no, I want you looking at me when you come.”
I listlessly open my eyes and stare at him. “You’re unfairly good at this.”
He turns the autopilot feature on, piercing me with his eyes. “All for you, beautiful. You close?”
“I am, actually,” I whisper, still shocked, arching my back.
“You clench that pussy like I’m in there.”
I moan, and he slowly rubs a hand on his denim, and that’s what sends me to realize that if I keep this up, I’ll actually come in seconds. I look at him, panting, my arm growing tired. “I think I’m actually gonna come.”
He grips the wheel even tighter, languidly pulling on his jeans. Ryder looks at me with that same assertive depth that he has in the ring. “Come for me, Julie,” he slowly instructs. “Eyes open.”
Goddammit, I actually do. I almost close them, but I stare into those hypnotic, imposing blue eyes as my body lurches with ecstasy. The waves lap at me, and I lean my head back, holding his gaze as something so intimate floods my body. I pull my hand out.
He removes his hand from his pants and flicks his fingers towards him. “Give me your hand.”
I do, and he puts two of my fingers in his mouth and groans, giving them a purposeful suck before letting go. “I really fucking like how you taste.”
“Damn, I just came, Joey. That’ll make me horny again.”
He flashes a smile and puts both hands back on the wheel, victory in his eyes. “I’m definitely going to keep that in my memory bank.”
I pull my dress down, my underwear actually ruined this time. “I can’t believe I did that.”
“You can be a freak with me, baby. You don’t need to hold back. I think it’s fucking hot as hell.”
“What about you over there?” I ask, smiling as a sense of calm washes over me.
“You’re already thinking of my dick so soon after coming?”
I laugh and look away, shaking my head. “You’ve always got a witty reply.”
The smile on my face spreads ear to ear, completely enamored by this man.
J U L I E
* * *
One of thefirst topics to arise after I rubbed myself in his truck is, of course, the cabin and why Ryder and his married friend Kyle choose to return year after year. It turns out that Ryder’s sister moved to Connellsville nearly a decade ago to be with her husband, and Ryder has a penchant for visiting frequently.
“I can’t believe you’ve been hanging around Connellsville for so long, and I never knew it!” I stare out at the tree-lined road. “Then again, Jeremy would have sent you love letters, so maybe it’s for the best.”
Ryder chuckles, one hand on the top of the wheel as his other arm leans on the middle console. “Itisweird how small the world is and how Connor’s family happens to be out here.”
“I guess I owehim, then,” I quip. “Or else we might not have ever met.”
“Don’t let it get to his head. He’s already Dad and husband of the year, according to Mollie.”
My smile stems from a warmth I haven’t felt in a very long time, and as we drive, the topics continue to roll with ease: from Jeremy and my life—especially when we were younger—to Ryder’s fighting and what he likes most about it, all the way to my accident that I had in college. We discuss the music we like, what a dream vacation would be—we are both mountain people—and talk about watching TV shows and movies when we were younger and comparing who watched what.
Honestly, there are never any awkward moments. It’s just genuine conversation and connection—despite the heat that burns between us—but that only enhances it, really.
After an hour and a half of driving, I partially roll down the window. We turn down a thin road with a long, beautiful drive, the trees densely packed on either side. The air is cool against my warm cheeks, bringing with it the smell of fall leaves.
After passing by a few cabins, we reach the very end of the road and park next to a log cabin. It’s a thin, two-story building that looks like newer construction with smooth finishes and large windows, the logs evenly shaped and neatly stacked.
It’s the first time that I’ve truly gotten away from the gym since Jeremy’s death. I swear I can feel the metaphorical rays of morning sunshine waking up my spirit. And, somehow, Ryder’s a part of that sunlight.
