Page 40 of Coastal Rewind

“What’s life without a few stupid choices?” I said before leaning down and kissing the spot where her neck met her shoulder. “It’s boring, Sunshine. And you’re anything but boring.” I took a step back and laced my fingers into hers. “Come on, let’s go dance.”

She perked up and we started back toward the party. I pulled her in front of the stage and wrapped my arms around her middle, her back pressed to my chest.

She smiled over her shoulder at me as the sound of classic seventies songs rang out around us. She looked so happy and full of life. I couldn’t help the feeling that I was going to hold onto her as long as she would let me so a little bit of her joy for life rubbed off onto me.

The Uber dropped us at the house and I reached a hand out for Ryleigh to take before helping her out of the vehicle. She laughed and stumbled on her feet before I wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her into me. I hadn’t seen Ryleigh tipsy before and she was so fucking cute I couldn’t stand it.

I punched in the key code and opened the door. Zane, Tucker, and Mack popped their heads up from the couch, each one with a shit-eating grin as their eyes fell to the hand I had firmly planted on Ryleigh’s hip.

“There’s the birthday girl,” Zane said as he stood.

“What are you guys doing here?” Ryleigh asked, leaning more of her weight into my side which I happily supported by wrapping my arm tighter around her waist.

“We were on babysitting duty. Sorry we missed the party.” Mack smiled as he pulled his keys out of his pocket.

“It was a fun party,” Ryleigh said with a little giggle. I wouldn’t normally describe Ryleigh as a bubbly girl, but when she drank she suddenly was bursting with giggles.

“I’m sure it was.” Tucker fucking winked at me.

I glanced down at my watch. “You can all leave now. Thanks for your help.” I couldn’t get them and their fucking knowing looks out of my house fast enough.

The moment the door closed, Ryleigh spun in my arms and pressed her mouth to mine. My arms wrapped around her on instinct as she melted into me. I started walking her backward until we passed through the kitchen to the hallway that led to our rooms. When we reached her door, I pushed her against it with one arm on the door above her head and the other cupping her jaw.

It took everything in me but I finally broke our kiss and leaned my forehead against hers.

“What happens now?” she whispered, not opening her eyes.

“Well, Sunshine, now you open that door and take your cute little ass to bed,” I whispered back.

“Are you coming with me?” She blinked up at me through thick lashes.

I shook my head which caused her to stick her bottom lip out in a pout. I ran my thumb over her plush bottom lip, pulling it down so it barely exposed her bottom teeth.

“The first time I fuck you won’t be when you’re drunk, baby. I’m going to chase you and you’re going to let me. And when I finally get you in my bed, it’ll be because you can’t imagine yourself anywhere else.”

A little whimper escaped her as she sagged back against the door. I leaned in again and whispered against her lips, “Happy birthday, Sunshine,” before giving her a soft kiss and backing away toward my door.

“Good night, Superstar,” she whispered back before opening her door and slipping inside.

I stripped down to my briefs and crawled into bed, fighting every urge in my body to take back those words and hold her the entire night. I wasn’t going to touch her without explicit consent, but I just wanted to feel her breaths on my skin as she fell asleep in my arms. I stared at the ceiling, restless, for hours until I managed to close my eyes and drift to sleep.

When my alarm went off, I rubbed my eyes that, I was positive, were bloodshot. I peeled myself out of bed and slipped on a pair of sweatpants before walking out to the kitchen. The air already smelled like fresh coffee and bacon. Ryleigh was leaning with her elbows on the counter, a steaming mug in her hands with her head slung low as MJ happily munched on bacon and eggs at the dining room table.

I walked up to the coffee machine and poured myself a cup before leaning on the edge of the counter. “I’m surprised you’re up so early. I was going to cook you breakfast for once.”

Ryleigh groaned and glared up at me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say my little nomad was hungover.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said, bringing her mug to her lips.

“Go sit down. I’ll make you a plate.” I pointed my mug at the table and she followed my directions without argument.

I plated us both eggs and bacon before walking over and placing one in front of her. She picked up a fork but looked a little green as she stared at it.

“Eat the eggs, Sunshine. It’ll help.”

She scrunched her cute little nose but forked up some eggs and forced them into her mouth.

I leaned down until my mouth was just above her ear. “Good girl,” I whispered.