Page 156 of Tiny Fractures

“It’s October! I’m not going in the ocean,” I protest, incredulous that she would even suggest this nonsense.

She laughs. “For the hot tub, silly!”

***

Vada picks me up in the afternoon to head to Shane’s. It’s cold today, and everyone is hanging out inside the house. I spot Ronan immediately when I walk in. He’s standing by the kitchen counter, resting on his crutches. He’s wearing black jeans and a black hoodie, and he looks hot as hell in all black. I admire him for a few seconds, relishing the fact that he is mine and I am his, while he chats with Shane with a smile on his face. I’m so relieved to have him home. There was a huge, gaping hole in our midst with him gone. There’s still a slight bruise under his left eye, and the scars haven’t begun to fade yet, but all that doesn’t take away from his perfect features. If anything, it makes him even more gorgeous.

I wave to the others as I leave Vada’s side and make my way over to Ronan, whose eyes meet mine.

“Hey baby,” he says, moving his left crutch to the other side so he can wrap his arm around my waist and pull me in for a deep kiss.

I taste the tequila on his tongue and pull back, eyeing him. “You’re drinking?” I ask, a bit surprised. I’m not totally sure he’s recovered enough to drink, and I wonder how the alcohol might interact with the pain medication he still takes.

He just shrugs.

“He’s had a few already,” Shane chimes in, giving me an apologetic look.

I turn my attention back to Ronan. He doesn’t look intoxicated, but I decide to keep a close eye on him nonetheless.

“Don’t worry so much about me, baby. I’m fine,” Ronan assures me. “And I figured since I’m not really supposed to be here right now, I might as well make the most of it.”

I don’t really understand what he means by that, but I don’t have a chance to ask him about it. My concerns evaporate when Ronan’s hand on my low back pulls me close to his body and he kisses me again, urging me to part my lips. When I do, he slips his tongue deep into my mouth. My breath hitches, and a moan involuntarily escapes me as my knees buckle. Ronan’s right hand snaps to the counter, steadying himself as his left hand on my back holds me up. I loop my arms tightly around his neck and pull myself closer to him, crashing my chest against his, eliciting a groan from Ronan. I need to be better about being gentle while he recovers from his injuries.

I vaguely notice Shane mumbling something under his breath as he leaves the kitchen to give us some privacy and joins the others in the living room.

Ronan’s lips are hot on mine, and I feel as though my whole body is on fire. He continues to devour me, our tongues entwined, his hand on my back, while I hold onto him tightly, not ever wanting to let him go. His lips leave my mouth, kissing my jawline, my neck, before his head dips down and he kisses my collarbone as I let my head fall back. That sensitive spot between my thighs is already beginning to pulse, aching with need for him.

“I want you so badly,” Ronan groans against my skin, inhaling sharply, and a shiver travels through my whole body. I can feel the sexual tension between us, the need pooling deep in my core. I want him just as badly; the memories of our one night together are fresh in my mind as if it happened only yesterday.

Just then, Vada comes bounding into the kitchen. “Oh, hey lovebirds,” she chirps.

Ronan groans, lifting his head. “I’m starting to think you’ve made it your personal mission to find the worst possible timing for joining us.”

Vada laughs. “Gotta keep you kids innocent, right?” She pokes Ronan’s biceps as she passes him on her way to the fridge, where she grabs a can of soda. “We’re hopping into the hot tub. You guys coming?” she asks, opening the can with a click and a hiss.

“Umm…” I look at Ronan, and he raises his eyebrows, leaving the decision up to me. “I guess so.” I can tell Ronan was hoping for a different answer, but I smile at him. “I’m going to go put on my swimsuit,” I say, and wink at him.

“Yay!” Vada exclaims. “I’ll see you in the hot tub.” She leaves the kitchen and walks out onto the deck where the others are already in their swimsuits, ready to take a dip in the warm, bubbling water.

“Are you coming, too?” I ask Ronan, who has replaced his crutches and is getting ready to limp out of the kitchen.

“I’m not sure I should yet,” he says. “But don’t worry, I’ll still enjoy myself admiring you in your swimsuit.” And now it’s his turn to wink at me as I grin at him.

I walk into one of the spare bedrooms and lock the door behind me. I take my light-blue two-piece swimsuit out of my bag and strip down, replacing my bra and panties with the simple bikini bottoms and top, which I tie in the back. I stuff my clothes into my bag, leaving it at the foot of the bed, and unlock the door to walk to the deck and get in the hot tub.

I open the door and jump backwards. Ronan’s standing right in front of me, his hand up like he was about to knock.

He chuckles when he sees me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare the shit out of you,” he says, but then his eyes darken as he takes in my barely dressed body. “God, baby,” he says, his voice ragged. “You are absolutely perfect.”

He takes a step toward me, reaches his left hand around my lower back, and pulls me in toward him with his crutches still supporting him. He crashes his lips against mine. My arms encircle him and I open my mouth eagerly, letting him taste me, tasting him in return.

He urges me backwards until the back of my knees bump against the soft bed.

“Hold on,” Ronan breathes, and breaks the contact with me to lean back, push the door shut, and lock it. My heart is kicking in my chest in anticipation of his body on mine, and he doesn’t disappoint. His hands are back on me in less than a second, as are his lips. There’s a desperate urgency in the way he touches me, like it’s this or death for him. He kisses me, nipping my bottom lip, then leaving hot trails on my jawline. He kisses and licks as he works his way down to my neck, then my collarbone, where he grazes his teeth against my sensitive skin. It’s instinctive, animalistic maybe, and so arousing. I feel my desire for him between my thighs, feel it soaking into my bikini bottoms as my body readies itself to receive him.

My fingers hook the belt loops of Ronan’s jeans, and I eagerly pull him toward me so I can feel his hips against mine. I slide both my hands underneath his hoodie, under his shirt, and hungrily feel his bare skin. His abs are taut under my fingers and I take my time touching him, outlining his muscles, feeling him, traveling up to his chest as Ronan continues to tease my skin. He drops his crutches, taking all weight off his injured leg, to let his warm hands roam my naked back until, finally, with two quick pulls, he undoes the strings on my swimsuit top, which falls off me and to the floor.

Needing to feel his skin against me, I push up the hem of his hoodie and shirt, which he hastily pulls over his head. I allow my hands to run all over his chest and back down to his stomach, purposely tracing his prominent scars, wishing my touch would erase them. My hands slide down farther and I fumble with the button on his jeans, undoing it. I hesitate for a moment, then simply slide my hand down inside his boxer briefs. I encircle him and stroke his hardness, surprising us both with my forwardness. He is thick and rock-hard in my hand, though his skin is silky as I stroke his length from the base to the tip. His hips buck slightly when my fist bumps against the ridge just under the head.

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