21. Rebecca
Chapter twenty-one
Rebecca
Watermelon
I sprint to the bathroom, my heart racing with adrenaline. My face burns with a mix of arousal and fear.
That was... holy fuck.
That was dangerously exhilarating. Anyone could have caught me and Danny in the act...
I force myself to look in the mirror, trying to compose myself, but my hair is a tangled mess and my makeup is smeared from urgent kisses. A faint whimpering noise comes from one stall, snapping me back to reality as guilt and shame wash over me like scalding water.
I push open the heavy stall door, revealing Ally standing inside. Her usually bright eyes are red and swollen with tears, her cheeks streaked with mascara. I cautiously approach her, my heart racing with concern.
"Ally, are you okay?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm.
She shakes her head, unable to speak as she rushes past me towards the sink. She frantically splashes water on her face, trying to wash away the evidence of her emotional breakdown. The sound of the rushing water mixes with her sobs, echoing through the empty bathroom. My heart aches for her as I stand there helplessly, unsure of what to say or do to comfort her in this moment of vulnerability.
“I’m so sorry. I thought I was alone.”
A soft smile curves my lips as I reply, "You're fine." My eyes flicker down to the towel in my hand, remnants of the wild encounter with Danny still clinging to its fabric. My thoughts drift to him and the way his lips devoured every inch of my skin, igniting a fire within me that still burns. I shiver as waves of pleasure wash over me at the memory. "Just cleaning up," I say, trying to steady my voice. “Is there anything I can help with?”
Ally shakes her head, a mixture of emotions swirling in her eyes. "No," she says with a heavy sigh. "I'm just so confused. I love this person with all my heart, but I can't keep going through this cycle of uncertainty and pain. It's tearing me apart."
As I listen to her words, memories flood my mind - of Danny and myself, of Cat and Penny with their own tumultuous relationships.
"Boys can be the worst," I say with a wry chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
Ally lets out a genuine laugh, though there is still sadness behind it. "That they are. He can be so sweet and loving one moment, but then he turns into this cold, cruel person the next."
I raise my eyebrow, a mischievous glint in my eye as I understand exactly what she means. "Well, considering Ryan is part of the Elite Five..." Ally's eyes widen in shock and she gasps, unable to believe that I figured it out.
"How did you know? I never even said his name!" she exclaims in disbelief.
I chuckle, the memories flooding back as I look at her knowingly. "I've seen. I've heard. After all, I lived with Danny."
Ally lets out a deep sigh, her shoulders sagging as she rests them against the cool bathroom counter. "It's so complicated with Ryan. At first, I just needed his help. But then... it turned into something more. How do you escape them?"
A bitter smile tugs at my lips as I remember Penny's words. "You can't. They become a part of you, buried under your skin like a tattoo."
Ally's expression turns to one of horror as she realizes the truth of my words. "Oh god..."
A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I remember being in Ally's position not too long ago. "Okay, so you both like each other," I say, gesturing between her and Ryan with a nod.
Ally nods hesitantly.
"What's the issue? Have you both admitted your feelings aloud?" I press.
Ally's gaze falls to the floor. "Yes, we have. But... we made a mistake. A big mistake that could cost me my life. And Ryan's."
I place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What happened?"
"I tried to handle it, but he got really upset," she explains, looking up at the ceiling in frustration. "Now I'm trying to find a solution, but he keeps bulldozing over me."
I let out a sympathetic sigh, knowing all too well how these boys handle problems. "Fuck him. Do what you think is right. Will your solution actually solve the problem?"
"Yes," Ally replies confidently, but then her expression turns uncertain. "But there are other issues with my solution... And I'm not sure if it's the best choice."
Ally's soft cries echo off the bathroom walls as I try to console her.
"Then talk to Ryan about it. Talk to your friends," I suggest, hoping to ease some of her pain.
She half laughs, but her tears keep falling. "If you haven't noticed, I'm crying in the bathroom. I don't have friends."
I laugh with her, trying to lighten the mood. "Girl, same here. Well, actually, I have Penny and Cat now. They dragged me into their group, and I gotta be honest. I love it."
A small smile tugs at Ally's lips. "They've always been kind to me."
"They are." Reaching into my purse, I pull out a makeup wipe and hand it to Ally. "Here. And here's my number. We're friends now. And when you're ready to tell me more about this problem, I'll be here."
As she takes the number from me, I can already feel our bond forming. In this moment, we may not have been the best of friends, but we were there for each other - two strangers brought together by a shared experience in a bathroom stall.
M y day at school is finally over, and I head home, eager to finish my homework. Suddenly, I freeze in my tracks as I remember the dreaded group project I have yet to start. A wave of frustration washes over me.
Just then, there's a gentle knock on my bedroom door. Katya peeks her head in with a warm smile. "You have a guest at the front door."
Following her down the stairs, I catch sight of my dad and Katya sharing a sweet kiss. It warms my heart to see them so in love.
As I open the front door, my eyes widen in shock. Standing before me is none other than the devil himself, smirking with an air of superiority.
Danny.
With a quick push, I close the door behind me before turning to face him. “What are you doing here?”
A mischievous grin spreads across his face. “Coming to see you.”
I raise an eyebrow, not buying his innocent act. “Why, Danny?” My tone is more statement than question.
He takes a step closer, invading my personal space. “Why? Oh, I think you know why.”
My cheeks heat up as he leans down and softly kisses me. I try to push him away gently. “Danny…”
But he tugs on my ponytail, pulling my head back as he nibbles on my earlobe.
My body shivers and I can feel myself leaning into him, unable to resist his touch. Every nerve in my body is on fire.
He huskily whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “I will never stop kissing you. Wanna know why?”
I whimper at his words, unable to control myself.
“Because you are mine, butterfly. All fucking mine .”
He pulls back and kisses me with such intensity and passion that it consumes me. It's everything I crave and want from him.
But then Danny suddenly breaks the kiss. “So, are you gonna invite me in?”
My mind is so flustered by his words and actions that I struggle to form a coherent response.
As we stand on the porch, the door opens behind us and Katya enters, an all-knowing grin spreading across her face. "Come on in! I just took some cookies out of the oven." Her voice is warm and inviting.
We step inside and my dad immediately walks over, eyeing Danny up and down with a mixture of disapproval and knowingness. He knows what has happened between us - that Danny and I had crossed a line and had sex.
It's embarrassing.
It's mortifying.
But as much as I want to cringe away from my dad's intense gaze, I can't help but let a little smile slip. This is exactly how a family is - awkward, uncomfortable moments mixed in with love and support.
Thankfully, Katya breaks the ice. "How was school today, kids?"
And just like that, I was transported back to earlier in the day when Danny had been fucking me on the desk. The heat rises to my cheeks as I try to focus on something else.
"It was fine," I manage to reply, forcing a casual tone. "We have a project to work on."
Danny chuckles beside me, his fingers playfully trailing along my back. We both know what I'm really thinking about.
My dad steps in front of me, effectively cutting off my view of Danny. "Door stays open," he says sternly.
Danny nods in understanding and then surprises me by extending his hand towards my dad. "I want to apologize, sir. I was irresponsible and careless. I should have done better by taking care of Becca. I can promise you it will never happen again."
My dad raises an eyebrow skeptically. "Never?"
Danny laughs confidently. "Not until Becca has my last name."
I turn to him in shock, feeling my jaw drop open. "Danny!"
Katya laughs as she joins us. "I like him," she declares.
I groan, feeling my face flush with embarrassment. "This is the worst," I mutter under my breath. "We'll be upstairs."
We ascend the steps, Danny's presence just inches behind me. As I enter my bedroom, I turn to face him, my heart racing with anticipation.
"The project," I remind him sternly. "That's all we're working on tonight. No touching."
Danny just chuckles, his eyes glimmering mischievously as he leans in closer. "Whatever you say," he teases.
I quickly cross the room to my desk, opening my notebooks and trying to focus on the task at hand. But Danny stands behind me, his warm hand resting lightly on my hip.
" Danny ," I warn, feeling a familiar flutter in my stomach at his touch.
He ignores me and leans down, pressing soft kisses against the sensitive skin on the back of my neck. My mind goes blank for a moment as I try to resist the urge to give in to him.
I struggle to maintain my composure as Danny's lips trail down my neck. My breath catches in my throat and I grip the edge of my desk, trying to steady myself.
"Danny," I whisper, my voice a mix of warning and desire. "We can't. My dad and Katya are right downstairs."
He chuckles softly against my skin; the vibration sending shivers down my spine. "Then I guess you'll have to be very, very quiet, butterfly ."
His hands slide around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. I can feel the solid warmth of his body pressed against mine, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to melt into him completely.
"The project," I manage to say, though my resolve is quickly crumbling. "We really need to work on it."
Danny spins me around to face him, his eyes dark with desire. "We will," he promises, his voice low and husky. "But first..."
Danny captures my lips in a searing kiss, stealing my breath away. My knees go weak and I clutch at his shoulders for support. His hands roam over my body, igniting sparks of pleasure everywhere he touches.
I know I should stop this. I know my dad and Katya are just downstairs. But I can't resist him. I never can.
Danny lifts me onto the desk, scattering papers and pens to the floor. He steps between my legs, pressing his body flush against mine. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer.
"Danny," I gasp as he trails hot kisses down my neck. "We can't... not here..."
But even as I protest, my hands are sliding under his shirt, tracing the hard planes of his abs. Danny groans softly against my skin.
"Shh," Danny murmurs against my neck. "Remember, we have to be quiet."
His hands slide under my shirt, caressing my skin with a touch that sets me on fire. I bite my lip to stifle a moan as he palms my breast through my bra.
Suddenly, we hear footsteps on the stairs. We spring apart, frantically straightening our clothes and trying to look innocent. I grab a textbook and flip it open just as Katya appears in the doorway.
"Everything okay up here?" she asks, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Fine!" I squeak, my voice unnaturally high. "Just working on our project."
Danny nods, the picture of innocence. "Yes, ma'am. Very interesting stuff."
Katya smirks, clearly not fooled. "Well, don't work too hard. Dinner will be ready in about an hour."
She gives us a knowing look before heading back downstairs. As soon as she's gone, I let out a shaky breath and bury my face in my hands.
"Oh my god, that was so close," I groan.
Danny chuckles and pulls me into his arms. "Relax, Becs. She didn't see anything."
I look up at him, my cheeks still flushed. "We really need to be more careful. And we actually do need to work on this project."
Danny sighs dramatically. "Fine, fine. All work and no play." But there's a glimmer in his eye that tells me he's not done with me yet.
And it absolutely thrills me.