Page 55 of Only One Bed: Anthology Vol. 1
The thought made my face go hot. I’d turned around on Ryan, sure, but now I was out here just blatantly having sexual thoughts? I was in more trouble than I thought, headed straight toward an unexpected heartbreak tomorrow morning on top of everything else. That’s how it would have to end unless I put a stop to any kind of fooling around right now.
My most immediate problem, though, was that I had to brush my teeth before I went to sleep, which meant making eye contact with Ryan at some point or another, unless I wanted to wait until he fell asleep. I had to be quick, grabbing my flashlight and toothbrush and rushing to the bathrooms while I brushed so I could get back before he did. It was anxiety hell, but I made it, grabbing my bag to protect it from the rain and tearing my bra and jeans off before I wriggled into my sleeping bag. If I had to get up in the night I'd need to find my pajama pants, but I didn't want to have to talk to Ryan, and the best way to avoid that was to pretend to be asleep.
I heard Ryan messing around outside when the first few patters of rain hit the tent. Overwhelmed by guilt but not willing to get up, I called his name.
"Yeah?"
"Are you gonna sleep in your truck?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Come in here with me, okay? You'll be more comfortable. You're too much boy for that cab."
Ryan unzipped the tent to poke his head inside. "Too much boy?" he asked. His face was all hopeful amusement, lit from beneath by his lantern.
"You're like eight feet tall. Get in here." There was plenty of room for both of us inside, Ryan's sleeping bag snugging in right next to mine with my backpack at my feet. The one that had the satin bonnet in it, but I wasn't about to put that on in front of a cute guy. My edges could survive one night. The way I was feeling, my emotions could not survive a possible explanation of Black Hair Stuff. "What about all your stuff?"
"I put it in the truck, too," he said. I hadn't even noticed on my dash back to the tent. He must have stopped to brush his teeth, too, because he smelled minty. I'd had all the time in the world, and I'd made myself nervous for nothing. "Are you okay?" Ryan asked again.
"I came out here to get less stressed, not more," I said.
"Am I stressing you out?"
"Thinking about what happens after this weekend is stressing me out." I couldn’t look at him when I said it, afraid of what I’d see in his eyes. Afraid he’d know that I wasn’t just talking about facing my real life, and that he’d think I was an absolute dipshit for wishing our time together wouldn’t end. "I got fired on Tuesday and then spent a bunch of money to come camping this weekend because I wanted to escape so bad."
"Oh no," said Ryan.
"Yeah. Not my best move."
"Are you gonna be okay?" He asked. I bit my lip. I was currently not okay at all, but I’d already told him too much. “Mat?”
I looked up at him, found my eyes drawn to his. They were almost gold in the lantern light, and for the first time I noticed how large they were, how beautiful. There was a hint of sadness to his brow, his carefree attitude slowly melting away. Night was when we were too tired to pretend, and I was afraid to speak.
For a while, it seemed like Ryan was too. He propped himself up on his elbow.
"Money-wise, I mean. Will you be okay?" He asked again, breaking the tension.
"I have some savings. And I can always move back in with my mom. She's been wanting me to stay with her for like the last ten years. She says she misses cooking with me."
"That makes sense. You're fun."
"I'm the worst housekeeper on Earth," I said. "I don't know why I'm telling you this."
"It's cozy in here. Like a sleepover. That's when you tell secrets and stuff."
"Then you have to tell me a secret. That's just fair," I said. Ryan smiled the softest smile I'd ever seen.
"My secret is that I have a crush on you," he said.
"That doesn't count, I –"
Ryan’s lips met mine, sending the last words spiraling out of my brain. Being so close made all the air leave my lungs, my fingers tingling as they found their way into his hair. His arms were strong and comforting, and I wondered how I hadn't noticed how solid he was until he pulled my warm sleeping bag open with the harsh sawing sound of a zipper being dragged open, his body blocking the cool air that rushed over my skin. I slid my hands into Ryan's shirt, brushing my fingers across his skin until goosebumps rose there. His dick pressed against my thigh, as his hands wandered from my waist to my hips to my ass, as if looking for something to hold onto, to find purchase.
I squeaked when he squeezed hard, warmth flooding through me. Ryan’s lips left mine, and he laughed, but it wasn’t the clear, sudden laugh I had grown used to. It was a chuckle deep in the back of his throat, husky and surprisingly sensual, muffled as he pressed his lips against the sensitive skin of my throat.
Shivers scudded across my skin, and I writhed against him. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Ryan was the kind of tease who would test my patience and break down all my walls.
The sky opened up, rain pounding on the fabric above us. The air had gotten chilly, making my nipples hard and sensitive to Ryan’s touch when his hands found my breasts. His warm lips and fingers sent waves of pleasure from my breasts straight down between my legs. When I shifted my body against his, Ryan's hand slipped into my panties, gently caressing but never touching my clit or dipping inside. The anticipation was killing me, a wordless sound of desire escaping my lips before I could stop it. Still he teased, kissing his way down my belly but never going further until I whispered please.
