Page 7 of Paradise (Alphas Forever 4)

Gemma

For the next two weeks, every day Brandon is gone, I ride over to the marina to meet Ryan. I go out on the boat with him if he has a charter, and he takes me around the island and shows me little hidden beaches if he doesn’t. I like it best, though, when he takes me out to the reef, when it’s just the two of us and we have to ocean to ourselves.

I haven’t slept with him yet, though. He still insists on pleasuring me and nothing more. Not that I’m complaining. Every day that I’m with him, he finds new ways to give me crazy pleasure with his tongue and his fingers. This morning, he bent me over the rail, spread my legs apart, and slipped his fingers in me from behind, commanding me to come as he fingered me. He’s so nasty sometimes and I love it.

Like, I really love it. I never even knew you could come that hard.

Now, it’s later in the day, and I’ve just arrived back home. I’m hoping to make it to my room without waking up Brandon. I’m not ready to explain anything to my brother just yet. I roll the bike as quietly as possible to the patio, pushing at the kickstand with my toes. Then I quietly head inside.

“Hey, baby sis. What’s going on?”

I fall back against the door and slap my hand against my chest. “Christ, Brandon. You trying to give me a heart attack?”

Brandon leans against the kitchen counter and crunches on an apple. “Where you been?”

“Nowhere, really. I found your bike and went for a ride. Hope that’s okay.” I start inching toward the hallway.

“It’s all good. It’s not like I use it. I never have time.” Brandon studies me for a second. “Hey, sorry I haven’t been around much. You find anything fun to do?”

“Well…Ryan…”

“Say what now?” Brandon’s brows practically hit his hairline. “Ryan is the fun thing you found to do?”

“No, that’s not—” I stammer.

“Jesus. Your face is turning red. What’s going on, Gemma?” Brandon has the same look on his face as he did when he threatened to beat up Max Granger for kissing me when I was eight.

“Nothing,” I say. I clear my throat. “A couple weeks ago, I was bored, so I rode the bike around. And when I went by the marina, I saw Ryan, so we had lunch together. We’ve been hanging out ever since. It’s not a big deal.”

“I know that Ryan’s a pretty big dude, but I can still take him,” says Brandon. He crunches his apple again. Hard.

“Violence is unnecessary.” I roll my eyes and turn to head to the guest room.

“Seriously, though, Gemma. Don’t get caught up with Ryan,” says Brandon. “I’ve already told you about him. He’s a nice guy, but he’s way too old for you. And he’s grumpy. He’s old and grumpy.”

I make a rude gesture at Brandon and ignore the grumbles that come in response.

* * *

It’s a few days later,and Brandon is gone again for the day. And, unfortunately, it looks like I’m stuck here at the condo. It’s raining. Harder than I’ve ever seen before. There’s loud thunder punctuated with bright streaks of purple lightening.

I stare at the rain sluicing down the patio doors. I wonder what Ryan is doing right now. He can’t be doing any work on the boat, can he?

I pick up my phone and tap, bringing up his number. Last night, after he made me come for the third time that day, he grabbed my phone and typed his number in, his gaze intense as he told me to call or text at any time for any reason.

I mean…boredom is a good reason, right?

Staying dry?I type. Before I can tap send, though, a loud knock on the door makes me jump.

“Gemma?” a voice calls through the door.

Ryan. My heart swells.

I jump up and run to the door, throwing it open. Ryan is standing there, rainwater dripping down his face. His clothes are soaked through. He raises his hand, pushing the water out of his eyes.

“Hi,” he says.

“What are you doing? Get in here, you’re soaked.” I grab his arm and pull him inside. Water immediately starts to puddle around his shoes.

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