The Ryland Rules, page 15
Once we got back, his parents were still gone. They must have gone to dinner since we were all out, anyway. Snatching the snacks from the saddlebag, I kept my eyes low and far away from him as I entered the cabin. Making a beeline for Rylee’s room. Knocking on the door, I got no answer. Just as I suspected, when I walked in, she was curled deep into the covers, snoring like a jackhammer. A mess of Advil littered on her nightstand, and a large bowl full of puke by the bed. Sighing deeply, I collected the bowl and took it to the bathroom to clean it up for her next expulsion.
Once it was all rinsed, I placed it back where she had it, and picked up the Advil, putting it back into the bottle. I giggled to myself at the strange sounds that came from her nose, now smashed into the pillow. Once everything was tidy, I set up the snacks for her and left a spoon. In a few more hours, when she awakes as a zombie, I know she will appreciate it. Leaning down to kiss her sweaty forehead, I laughed. “Always a lightweight.” Then exited the room.
Closing her door slowly so the creaking wouldn’t wake her, Ryland startled me leaning against the banister across from the door. A heartfelt look in his eyes. “Thank you for always taking care of my sister.”
I gave a curt nod, praying my eyes weren’t red still. “She may be your actual sister, but she is a sister to me as well. She’s been my everything for as long as I can remember.” Pursing my lips, I turned to head down the stairs. I didn’t have it in me to suffer any more heartbreak tonight. I just wanted to find some comfort food and indulge myself in my book, where everything worked out just how I wanted. Not a single misstep. No surprises. Just the love and instances that I so desired.
Before I could get a step away, Ryland grabbed my wrist and tugged me behind him. Swiftly pulling us into my room and shutting the door. In darkness we stood for a moment before he flipped on the light. His eyes wet as he looked at me. “What are you doing?” I muttered, keeping my gaze far away from his. Unable to watch the pain.
“Apologizing.” The earnest tone of his voice was heart wrecking, but I couldn’t entertain it. I simply couldn’t let it impede what was important. My foolishness, and how I had let this get too far.
“Don’t worry about it, ok?”
“I am going to worry!” He raked his hands through his hair. “Because I need you to understand.”
Shaking my head slowly, I wet my lower lip. “Not necessary.”
“I had arrested him a few years back, Melody. Not long after the time you would have—with him.”
Lifting my eyes, I blinked at him a few times. “For what?”
I watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed, a grief-stricken look flooding his face. “Assault. He beat his girlfriend half to death. I booked him when the neighbors called in a disturbance.” I gasped, instantly thinking, that could have been Rylee. “I had him all booked, but when it hit court, they let him go free because my arrest was invalid.”
“Invalid how?”
“This was after Mark died and I started drinking. I was drinking on the job when I made the arrest. That was why I was put in rehab. That’s also how I got suspended, and can’t take the time off while you guys are here.”
He reached out for me, and foolishly, I stepped forward. Letting him pull me into his chest. The warmth was so comforting as his protective arms circled around me completely. Holding him around the middle, I tucked my face into his chest. Letting him receive the comfort as much as I was. I didn’t know why he drank. And I didn’t know why he went to rehab. But pieces were coming together, and I was grateful he trusted me enough to share. But not only that, I was grateful that this wasn’t over just yet. As selfish as that was. I wasn’t ready to let go.
Pushing me to arm’s length, he held either side of my face cautiously. “I turned into a cop, and I shouldn’t have questioned you like that. And I’m sorry. The thought of him potentially hurting you was terrifying, and all I wanted to do was keep you safe. To make sure that you had been. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.”
I nodded slowly. “That doesn’t excuse you for lying to him. Saying you were my boyfriend. You tell people a lie like that——” Swallowing hard, I watched the gears turn behind his eyes for a moment as he raked his teeth over his lower lip.
“It doesn’t have to be a lie.”
Pulling out of his grasp, I stared at him, mouth agape for a moment. “Yes, it does, Ryland! We have rules! Rules we have to follow! There is a reason for them. No feelings! No long term! No doing anything that can let Rylee know. You agreed!” By the time the list was out of my mouth, the sting of tears filled my eyes.
Taking a step closer to me hesitantly, he reached out to grab my arms. “Is that really what you want, Melody?” Nose flaring and flushed, I blew a long breath out from pursed lips. Chewing on them as I finally shook my head no. The tears escaping from my eyes only to race down my cheeks. “Is it?” He asked again.
Rubbing my hands over my face, I let out an agitated scream that caught in my throat. The crack in my voice sounded like nothing more than a wounded animal left astray. Dropping my hands from my face, my lips were captured by his. His unbridled lust and concern flowed through the kiss like honey as he hauled me into his chest. I groaned as he finally gave me a second to breathe. “Ryland. I’m too mad right now.”
Dipping down to suck a trail of kisses down my neck, he purred against my skin. “Then take it out on me.” Coming back up to nip at my ear, I felt the wetness of his eyes on the side of my face, triggering another flow of tears to escape my own.
“What?” Breathlessly I gasped as he descended lower, now pulling on the hem of his shirt that I wore.
“Take it out on me. Whatever it takes to feel better. Let whatever this is go, give it to me.”
Nodding slowly. I weighed my options and finally decided that for as long as I could keep this up. I would at least enjoy it. And learn if make up sex was actually as good as people said it was. If he wanted to shoulder this, I’d let him. I’d put every once of confusion and pain he brought me onto his shoulders. Grabbing his face in my hands, I drug his lips back up to mine. Darting my tongue into his mouth, savoring the minty taste as my hands now fumbled to rip his shirt from his shoulders so I could touch the plains of muscle below. I had never moved so frantically and heated as I was right now.
I felt like I was choking for air, and my only chance to breathe was to nibble and kiss every inch of his body. Every once of anger quickly manifesting itself into something much worse. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I explored his neck and jaw with my lips as I backed him up to my bed. Pushing him down with one good shove. Before he could say anything, I tore off my shirt, and shimmied out of my jeans. Reaching for him directly after in a frenzied attempt to get us completely naked. His eyes watched me like a hawk as I freed him, taking his member into my hand before greedily licking its growing length for dear life. One hand tucked between my legs, readying myself for him.
I had never felt such hunger in my life, and it was almost as though it was consuming me. The raging inferno in my belly scorched me from the inside as the flickering of the flames coursed through my veins. With only one way to put it out. Climbing up onto his lap, I positioned myself over him. Feeding off the lustful look in his eyes, laced with just the slightest glint of surprise. Then, with zero hesitation, I lowered myself down onto his cock. l A low moan rolled between my lips as he stretched me in the most incredible way until I was finally comfortable. It was as though we were made perfectly to fit together. No matter how much I’d worry, or how often I convinced myself it wasn’t true. Like this—I knew we were made to come together. A perfect fit of misfits, who had no words strong enough to show what we truly wanted. What we truly felt.
Slowly at first, I rolled and rocked my hips, enjoying long drawn out groans that escaped him. His hands gripped my hips tightly as he let me move. Letting me control what was going on for as long as he could take it. Each stroke longer and more emotion filled than the last. Stoking a flame deep in the pit of my heart that I knew I couldn’t burn. But I could see the self-control had left his eyes when he finally looked at me. Their dark hazel clouded with so much desire they seemed black as night.
Tightening his grip, he pulled me down hard onto his lip, filling me completely. I squeaked at the sudden feeling, mixed with the dull ache from where his fingertips gripped into my ass. Thrusting himself up into me, I felt my world crumble around me. All strength in my legs, a thing of the past as they trembled. Struggling to hold me as the crashing waves of my release came rushing in. Before I knew it, he pushed himself to sit. Wrapping his arms around my middle to hold me upright as he continued to mercilessly thrust into me over and over, pushing me over the edge with every stroke. Leaving me melting in his arms as the final wave hit. My chest heaved as I panted for breath, struggling to keep myself quiet as my vision blurred. I couldn’t control myself as my moans became louder, my nails digging into his shoulders. Every grunt, every raspy call of my name, pushing past his lips buried into my chest as he held me impossibly close.
Everything spun until I was dizzy, and for a moment in my delirium I swore I heard him mutter, I love you. I couldn’t tell if he had, or had I just wished it as my heart cried the same. Then with one final thrust, flowed by his own release, I couldn’t hold it anymore. The most wistful cry escaped my lips. His name rolled out passionately as my body came undone around him.
Falling slack into his arms as though my soul had left my body, I clung on to him in a way I had never. My heart was pounding out of my chest, sore, and aching, and broken. A low chuckle hit my ears as I gasped for breath. “Yeah. They heard that one.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Snow Flies
Ryland~
It was way too early in the morning when I stirred in my sleep. My arm trapped voluntarily under Melody as she snored like a baby bird at first light. Looking around the room, I felt a pang of dread in my gut. We were still in Melody’s room. Sneaking out of here would be much harder than sneaking out of my room. Slowly prying my arm out from under her, I kissed her forehead before tiptoeing out of the room. Closing the door slowly behind me, I made my descent to the kitchen as swiftly as possible. With any luck, everyone would still be sleeping at this hour. The sun wasn’t even up yet. To my dismay, as I entered the kitchen, everyone was in there.
Rylee was perched up on the counter while my mom fried up some bacon and eggs. The delicious aroma now flooding my nose with a touch of coffee too. Standing by the table, my dad gave me a nod and knowing look from behind his coffee mug. “Didn’t see you at all yesterday. Melody either.” He commented through a sip.
I nodded as casually as I could. “We ran some errands. Then got some dinner.”
Rylee perked up, eyeing me over suspiciously, before setting her mug on the counter beside her. “Sure, sure.”
Narrowing my eyes at her, I walked over to the stove where mom was cooking and kissed her temple as I stole a piece of bacon. Popping it into my mouth, I avoided the curious stares on me as I went over to fix myself a cup of coffee. “And how were your errands?” Rylee finally asked with a coy tone. Turning with my now full cup, I watched as she hopped down from the counter, grabbing her own. “Come on, let’s drink these outside. Enjoy the morning.”
This was it. She knew, and she was about to disown me as her brother. I just knew it. I felt my heart plummet into my stomach as I grabbed my hoodie and pulled it on. Following her outside to the folding chairs we had on the small front porch area. She didn’t seem all too mad when she sat down, nodding to the chair next to her. But I knew it was coming.
Swallowing hard, I took a seat next to her and just waited. My chest tightening with every breath I took. Waiting for her to say anything at all. It felt like a year had passed by and I could almost visualize the snowfall, then the thaw, before she finally cleared her throat. “You know.” She sighed, dropping her head to look into her mug thoughtfully. As though she had to rehearse what she was about to say before saying it. “I saw you guys at her sweet sixteen.”
I froze, cup almost to my lips. “I went to check on her again and saw you holding her on the porch. I was so proud of you. Seeing you all domestic and caring. I couldn’t help but hold a little hope in my heart that maybe, just maybe, what you were doing meant more than just comforting my friend. Some silly thought that the two people I loved most in the world could do something more than hate each other.”
“Ryl—“
“Let me finish.” She sniffled, a hint of tears resting on her lashes. “I know you’re going to give me some BS about doing the right thing. And I know you better. I know a lot.” Turning to face me, a small, sorrowful smile crossed her lips. “I know you avoided her after that until the last time we were here. And I know something happened the night before she left. I don’t know what, but I know it had to have been something big by how she ran out of here the next day. If you think I buy her being sick, you’re wrong. I know her.”
“Rylee loo—”
“Shhh.” She raised a hand, shaking her head at me. “I heard you guys fighting last night in the room. And I heard the emmm— other activities. I get it now.” Hanging her head again, she let out a humorless laugh. “I should have guessed. The way you guys look at each other. There’s never been a question that there was love there.”
“No one said anything about love, Rylee.”
She snorted satirically. “Don’t insult my intelligence Ry. I’ve known you both my entire life and the better part of yours. I’ve seen you both love, and hate, and everything in-between and I can tell you for a damn fact, you look at each other with love.” Lifting her head once more, she looked me dead in the eye. My heart stopped at the sheer seriousness that glimmered within her gaze. “And I’m done pretending like I don’t. Make it right with Melody. Make sure she knows how you feel, because I know she loves you.” A cruel laugh broke out, a realization sparking through her. “She loved you so damn much, and I can’t believe that I’m just now seeing it. That just now, all the pieces are falling together. Why she was so hesitant, why she couldn’t look me in the eye when I talked of you. Why she begged not to return here.” Her eyes dropped again. “And if you hurt my best friend, I will chop your balls off with a rusty knife.“
Small flurries of snow swirled throughout the air as I stared back at her, dumbfounded. Wetting my lower lip, I couldn’t stop from shaking my head at her. It wasn’t that easy. Nothing in life was that easy. “You know what, Rylee. That’s all good and fine, but she doesn’t love me. If she did, she wouldn’t have made rules against me and for me, making sure this stays as nothing. Once the vacation is over, it’s over.” Running my hand through my hair I groaned. “She wants it that way. She doesn’t see me as a future. She already has one of those. A boyfriend with a good job, her life in Miami. I’m just a small town cop with a shit reputation. Everything she doesn’t want.” Sighing again, I took a drink of my coffee. “I could never ask her to stay, and I could never leave.”
“You know if you softened up, she’d see you are much more than that.” Rylee sighed sympathetically. “If you would open your damn eyes, you’d see she adores you, regardless. She probably just fears what you think of it. What you’d do to her if you ever knew. Either way, that’s your problem to fix.”
“It’s not that—”
“Simple. I know. But as for her boyfriend. She doesn’t have one of those. He told her she couldn’t come here because of you, and she dumped him.” She laughed. “He was trash anyway, good job or not. But I digress. She hates Miami and tanked her relationship—for you. For the chance to be here. You’d never be asking her to stay, Ry. She’d do it because she loves you, and she loves this place.” A tear slipped from my eye as the words sunk deep. “Melly—she’s never herself quite as much as she is here—— in this cabin. With you teasing her. This is where she always belonged.”
“So,” I exhaled sharply. “You’re not mad I’ve been—“
“Fucking my best friend?” She offered sadly, causing me to choke on my coffee. “No. I’m not. Albeit it’s strange and I will need to get used to it. But I’m not mad. I just need to know, I need you to say it.”
“Say what?”
“Tell me you’re with her because you love her. Not some hook-up, some game. Tell me you’re fucking my best friend because you want to be with her. For real.”
My throat dried. “I love her Rylee. I’ve loved her for years. Satisfied?”
“Yes.”
I nodded low as she stood up. Grabbing my hands, she guided me up to give me a hug. The snow flurries were growing dense as she finally pulled away, a soft smile on her lips. Shivering from the chilled wind around us.
“Don’t tell her, you know. Not yet. Please.”
Flipping her ponytail behind her shoulder, she winked. “I’ve been quiet for six years. Even when she mumbled your name in her sleep and decided to write a book about you guys. I can be quiet now too.”
Melody~
Busying myself by helping Alesha with breakfast, I tried to drown out the nagging thoughts in my mind. The small fight. Or was it a fight? It felt like one. Either way, it left my nerves feeling rattled and unhinged. I didn’t know what to think. What to say. Sure, Ryland and I made up last night, at least I think so. But phenomenal sex doesn’t get rid of the lingering doubts. Just as I set down the last plate of toast on the table, a frozen pair of siblings waddled into the cabin, looking as though icicles would slide out their noses. A soft dusting of snow sprinkled over their dark hair.
Putting on my most convincing smile, I called out a warm good morning to Rylee before nodding to Ryland. My smile dropped into one much softer. Hoping my eyes alone could show him it was good to see him this morning without making a show of it. Settling down at the table, me next to Ryland again. Which seemed to be the go to seating arrangement as of late. We enjoyed the breakfast that Alesha had made for us. I barely helped, so she deserved all the credit for it. The bacon was crispy. The eggs were just right, over easy like I love them. And the toast was buttered to the utmost perfection.
