Chapter 11 I have a feeling tonight is going to be a wild ride…
Saraphina
It was almost eight o’clock and I was all ready. I had on my tight skinny jeans and a white top that showed my shoulders. My long wavy hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail. I had put on a little bit of makeup, just some light stuff. I have never been the kind of person who spends a lot of time on how I look. Feeling good about myself, I left my room and climbed the stairs up to the attic, to Ryan’s room.
I got to his door and knocked, but there was no answer. I pushed the door open and heard the sound of water running from the bathroom inside. Ryan must still be in the shower. I had already come all the way up here, and I did not feel like going back down, so I walked in, thinking I could just wait for him.
Stepping into his room, I found myself looking at all his stuff. Ryan’s bed was just a queen-sized mattress on the floor with white sheets and blankets. On the small table next to the mattress, I saw a picture of a woman who looked so much like him that it had to be Layla. There were a few surfboards, one hanging on the wall and another lying on the floor. A bunch of surfing trophies and medals were scattered around, along with pictures of Ryan surfing and a newspaper article that called him “the best new player in town.”
I walked over to his desk and saw several books that I really liked, too. Looking at Ryan, I would never have guessed he was into reading. He even had some books by Fitzgerald, who is my favorite author.
Huh. Not bad.
The drawer on his desk was slightly open, and I saw a pile of condoms inside. I rolled my eyes.
Of course, I mumbled to myself. That seems more like him.
Then I looked over at the shelves where he kept his DVDs.
“What are you doing?” I suddenly heard Ryan’s voice.
I turned around and saw Ryan standing there half-naked, wearing only a pair of low-slung jeans. He had just gotten out of the shower, so his body was still a little wet. He was using a towel to dry his messy hair. I could not help but notice his perfect stomach muscles, the way his arms moved, and that V-shape on his lower stomach that led down into his jeans—
“Are you done staring at me?” he asked, his voice cool. He did not even seem bothered.
I gasped, horrified, and quickly looked away.
“Wow. You have Game of Thrones!” I said, too loudly, pulling out a DVD from the shelf. “It is one of my favorite shows, not including the last two seasons, though,” I rambled on. My voice sounded much too high-pitched.
Not cool, Saraphina. That was a really bad cover!
Ryan let out a low chuckle. He went to his dresser, picked out a white shirt, and pulled it over his toned body.
“I thought you told me to come find you at eight…” I kept talking, unable to stop.
He let out a sigh.
“You know, at this rate, you will be begging me to take your virginity before the summer is over,” he said, combing his hair with his fingers and not even looking at me.
I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. My face was on fire.
“Oh, hell no!” I yelled, trying to sound as firm as possible. “Only in your dreams, honey.”
“Hey, I was only joking,” Ryan said. Then he walked over to me. I should have moved out of his way, but I found I could not. I was stuck between him and the desk.
He stood right in front of me, his hand reaching around my waist, lightly brushing my hip as he rummaged in the desk drawer behind me. And I swear, he stayed there on purpose, just a moment too long, so I could smell his clean, masculine soap. Damn it. My breath caught as the scent hit me. Meanwhile, Ryan grabbed a few condom packs from the drawer and slipped them into his back pocket.
“Or was I?” he murmured, his voice low. He was looking down at me, his face only inches from mine. My cheeks burned bright red in response, and he started laughing at my reaction.
“Oh, that is just too easy,” he said, shaking his head as he stepped back. “Come on,” he added, grabbing a black hoodie from a chair and walking out of the room.
I let out a breath I did not realize I was holding and awkwardly put the DVD back on the shelf.
“That was very inappropriate, you… creep!” I called after him, trying to stand my ground.
Shit. I can feel that I am a little wet down there.
Shit, shit, shit.
Okay, I know what you are thinking.
I knew it was wrong to be so attracted to my stepbrother. Especially when he looked like Ryan Jake Williams. It was probably just my hormones acting up. Maybe it was the jet lag or the different air here. Whatever it was, I was sure this feeling would be gone in a day or two.
I will be fine. Back in his truck, we were driving through the night, and I saw Ryan sitting in the driver’s seat, glowing with confidence. As he drove, he suddenly turned to me, looking me over from head to toe with his head tilted to the side.
“Damn, you look good,” he said, nodding in approval.
“Eyes on the road,” I replied as soon as I found my voice.
He just grinned and kept driving, looking completely without shame. And damn it, my cheeks were burning up all over again.
Oh, fuck. I have a feeling tonight is going to be a wild ride…