Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Riley
Today marks one month since I turned eighteen.
I can’t believe how much my life has changed in such a short time.
I moved to South Carolina to go to college and spend more time with my dad, but that hasn’t happened yet.
I moved away from my best friend, Ashley, which sucks.
I met a guy who wanted to get inside my pants, and that didn’t work out.
I wouldn’t change anything, though — it's all been worth it because I met a man I fell in love with, and his dead brother’s ghost is tearing us apart.
It took every ounce of self-control I had not to go to Hunter’s last night.
I knew how upset he was when we left the beach, but I promised myself I wouldn’t give in.
I want him to trust me enough to talk to me about his brother.
If it were another girl, I could fight like hell for the man I love, but I don’t know how to compete with a ghost.
I try to call Ashley, but it goes straight to voicemail.
“Hey Ash, when you get this, could you call me? I really need someone to talk to.” I feel guilty after leaving the message since I haven’t spoken to her in a few weeks.
I’ve been so happy spending time with Hunter that I forgot about my best friend.
Opening the door, I go sit out on the balcony, taking my e-reader with me. It’s such a beautiful day, I’d be crazy not to enjoy it. There’s a light breeze coming off the ocean; it’s refreshing against my warm skin.
I lift my legs onto the railing, open my e-reader, and start reading.
I’m a sucker for a good romance, and this one hasn’t disappointed me yet.
I’m almost finished with my book when I hear a distress signal in the distance.
The public beach must be a few miles away because that’s usually when I turn back during my run.
I stand up to get a better look, but it’s too far to see without binoculars, so I race down the stairs, nearly crashing into Rosie as she heads up to put laundry away.
“Rosie, do you know if my dad has a pair of binoculars anywhere?” she looks puzzled.
“I don’t know about your dad, but I have a pair on the kitchen window. Help yourself,” she chuckles as she rounds the corner.
Snatching them from the window, I rush back upstairs two at a time.
When I step onto the balcony again, I hear sirens in the distance.
Goose bumps rise from my head to my toes; I hate that sound.
I adjust the binoculars as far as they go, and although it's a little blurry, I can make out a couple of ambulances and a large crowd. As I take in the scene, my throat goes dry and my palms start to sweat. My mind begins to play tricks on me as I picture Hunter lying on the beach, not breathing, with EMTs performing CPR. Oh my God, I’m freaking out.
Rushing down the stairs, I burst out of the kitchen door. As I turn the corner, I silently pray that his Jeep is in the driveway. It isn’t there. He went to work today… this can’t be happening.
What should I do? Should I wait to see if he comes home, or have Paul drive me there?
If he’s okay, then the joke’s on me, but if he’s not, I’ll never forgive myself.
Yesterday, I told him we needed to take a break.
What if it’s a permanent one? What if he died?
I didn’t get a chance to tell him how much I love him; I just wanted him to be honest with me.
I decide to sit on the stairs leading to his apartment, rest my arms on my knees, and bury my face in my hands to silence my sobs.
I don’t know how much time has passed when I hear a couple of car doors slam. I walk slowly down the stairs and peek around the corner. When I see Connor and Hunter walking toward the apartment, my knees weaken.
Connor says, “So I guess you’re the real hero now, right, Hunter?”
I hear a raspy chuckle from the man I love. “Yeah, my name will be in the papers, only this time it won’t be in the police reports.” They both burst out laughing until Hunter starts coughing and can’t catch his breath.
When I step out of the shadows, both heads snap up instantly. I look into his eyes as I feel my lip start to tremble. I’m so relieved he’s okay.
In just a few quick steps, he’s by my side. “Riley, what’s wrong?” His voice sounds hoarse.
“I heard all the sirens down at the beach. I was afraid something had happened to you.” A whimper escapes as he rubs my arms to warm them.
“We were blowing our whistles and yelling for everyone to get out of the water because of the riptide,” started Connor. “There was this kid who got caught in it. He started going under when Hunter dove in; the guy didn’t even hesitate. He saved that kid’s life. He was fucking incredible!”
“I was just doing my job, that’s all. Isn’t that what they pay me for?” He smiles at Connor like it’s no big deal.
One moment I’m hysterical, and the next, I’m pissed. When I put my hands flat on his chest and push him, he’s caught off guard and stumbles backward. “Do you have a death wish or were you just doing your job?” I jab my finger into his chest with each word.
He raises his hands in surrender. “Seriously? I don’t have time for this shit right now, Riley,” he growls at me.
Connor steps between me and Hunter. “Riley, don’t. He’s been through enough today. They wanted to take him to the hospital, but he refused. He drank quite a bit of the Atlantic Ocean, so go easy on him.”
Walking around Connor, I look at Hunter, and his gaze drops because he knows exactly what I meant by death wish.
“I’m sorry, I was afraid that something happened to you today, and I didn’t get a chance to tell you how much you mean to me.
” He immediately holds me in his arms as if he’s never letting me go.
“Do you have this covered, Riley? Because he needs to be observed for twenty-four hours. I was going to stay, but since you’re here, I’ll get going. Oh, and I’ll bring your Jeep back after work tomorrow, Hunter.” He winks, blowing us a kiss before peeling out of the driveway.
* * *
Hunter
I don’t dare tell her that I might have died saving that kid today.
I knew I should have waited for backup before entering the water, but I couldn’t.
Every second I hesitated could have cost him his life, so I did what I was paid to do.
The kid panicked, trying to pull me down with him, but once I got a solid grip on him, I knew we’d be fine.
Riptides are brutal, but once you realize you have to swim horizontally until you pass it, you’re out of danger.
That’s why I’m drained; I hit it dead-on so I wouldn’t waste time. Thank God I’m a strong swimmer.
What she said to me earlier really struck a chord—the part about not having the chance to tell me how much I mean to her—because that’s exactly how I felt when Brady died. I was also angry at him.
“Stop fussing over me, I’m fine.” She keeps tucking the blanket around me as if it’s winter. It’s summer, for God’s sake. I’m sweating my balls off.
“I just want to make sure you have everything you need.” She’s sitting in the recliner with her legs tucked under her. She doesn’t understand. I need her.
“Baby, I’d like it much better if you would come snuggle with me over here,” I say, giving her my saddest puppy dog look.
She ambles over to the couch, almost hesitantly. “Riley, tell me what’s on your mind. I know something’s bothering you.” When I reach for her hand, she grabs it, and I pull her down to sit beside me so I can wrap my arms around her.
“I was so scared when I heard the alarm. I used Rosie’s binoculars to see what was happening. I started to have a panic attack when I thought it could be you; I wanted to ask Paul to take me so I could check on you.”
“I’m not going to lie; it was pretty intense.
By the time I reached him, he had swallowed quite a bit of water.
He clawed at me, pulling me under, so I drank my share too.
” I cup her chin, making sure she’s looking into my eyes, and stroke my thumb over her bottom lip.
“All I could think about was you and what you said yesterday about needing a break. I was afraid I’d never get a chance to kiss you again.
” She gasps before straddling my hips, her arms circling my neck.
“I’m sorry. I was selfish and stubborn yesterday.
I see now that everyone’s different. I talk a lot about everything that’s happened to me, but you’re more guarded, and I need to respect that.
I love you so much, babe. Consider our breakup over; it was the longest twenty-four hours of my life. ” I can’t help but chuckle.
“I love you more. I’m never letting you go again, no matter how much you bitch.
” I tease her ribs as she squirms in my lap, throwing her head back and laughing uncontrollably.
I start to feel aroused by her jerky movements against the hardness in my shorts, and suddenly her body stops as she presses against it.
Her head snaps down as she searches my eyes; my hands tangle in her hair as I pull her mouth to mine.
My tongue brushes against her lips. They eagerly part to let me explore that sweet mouth.
Her tongue slides over mine, and I can’t help the moan that escapes me; she whimpers against my lips, showing she wants this as much as I do.
I run my hands under her shirt, grazing my knuckles across her smooth, flat stomach.
Moving my fingers upward, I gently press them over the soft fabric of her bra.
I rub my thumbs against the thin material, making her nipples harden instantly.
“Riley, I need to be inside you," I breathe softly against her lips.
“I’m not sure if you’re supposed to have sex; Connor said I need to observe you.” I can’t help but grin like a fool.
“Then why don’t you observe me making love to you.” I grab her ass with both hands, get up from the couch, and carry her into my bedroom.
She stands at the edge of the bed with her back against my chest. I remove her shirt and then slide down her shorts.
When she’s only in her bra and panties, I kiss her neck, shoulders, back, and thighs, then work my way back up to her neck.
I unclasp her bra and let it fall to the floor.
I hook my thumbs into her panties and slide them down her hips.
As I press my hands against her stomach, I pull her tighter against my erection, her hips instantly grind against me.
Sliding my hand down further than the curve of her stomach, I feel how wet she is for me.
Using my two fingers, I rub her swollen bud as she spreads her legs further apart to give me easy access.
Slipping my two fingers inside of her, she moans and leans her head against my chest. I pump them in and out of her while using my other hand to cup her breast. I circle my thumb around her hardened nipple and pinch it lightly in between my thumb and forefinger.
“Hunter, I want you.” She’s rocking against the palm of my hand.
“Baby, kneel on the edge of the bed; I want to fuck you from behind,” I rip off my clothes and position myself behind her, pushing her down onto the mattress with her ass in the air.
I rub myself along her slick folds, lingering on her swollen clit until she’s bucking against me, wanting more.
Grasping her hips, I’m inside of her in one quick thrust; she’s so damn tight.
I slide almost all the way out before slamming back in.
When I reach around her so I can pinch her nipples, she cries out, “Oh God, I’m coming. ”
She grips me tightly as her muscles pull me in and send me over the edge. My mouth presses against her back, my cries muffled against her damp skin as I finally release inside her, filling her completely.