Page 31 of Coastal Rewind

Something in my chest felt tight at the thought of Ryleigh going out on the town with her sisters. What if she met someone? Was she dating?

“I’m not sure where we’re going is my definition of fun but it’ll be nice to be out with them.”

I was going to respond but before I could, Ryleigh dropped her shorts and walked down the steps into the pool. Her ass was on full display in her black bikini bottoms.

I stripped my shirt and followed her into the water in a trance. I was unable to look away or even form words when I looked at her sometimes.

MJ swam laps around the pool as music played on the outdoor speakers. We laughed and splashed each other while the sun beat down on us. I hadn’t seen MJ smile this big in a really long time as he and Ryleigh threw a ball back and forth. It was the perfect day.

It was the type of day I craved.

Normal.

A foam ball came flying at my face and hit me square in the forehead with a thud. MJ burst into giggles and Ryleigh covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her own.

“Who did it?” I said in a stern voice.

MJ pointed at Ryleigh, whose jaw dropped as she mouthed, Traitor.

I dove for her as she squealed and tried to get away. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into me, causing her to gasp.

“Think you’re funny, Sunshine?” I growled in her ear.

She shook her head no, but her giggle betrayed her. I lifted her out of the water as she screamed, “I’m sorry! It was an accident!”

I tossed her forward, plunging her into the water with a splash. When her head emerged and she wiped her hair out of her eyes, we looked at each other and then to MJ and the three of us laughed so hard tears threatened to spill out of my eyes.

The entire afternoon we played in the pool and then I cooked us all a nice dinner. By the time I put MJ to bed, he was spent. I closed MJ’s door after putting him to bed and strolled out to the living room to pour myself a drink.

This was the first time in a long time I’d come home from a trip and didn’t feel guilty over the time I missed with MJ. He had a great week and I didn’t have to stress.

It was a nice feeling.

A new feeling.

I sank down onto the couch and took a sip of my whiskey, the exhaustion from travel days and games hitting my body suddenly like a train. I could feel my eyes starting to droop but they shot open when I heard the sound of heels on the hardwood floor. I stood and turned to see Ryleigh walking out of her room in an outfit that had my dick standing at attention.

She was wearing a silky slip dress and black peep-toe heels. My eyes slowly trailed down to the slit that sat dangerously high on her toned leg. Her hair was in a single braid down her back with little curled pieces hanging in her face.

This was a far cry from her leggings and yellow Converse sneakers.

Her eyes flicked up at me and my heart started again when I caught a glimpse of the smirk on her lips.

“Do I look okay?” she asked as she did a little spin.

I nodded and swallowed. “You look amazing.”

Her phone dinged with a message and she started toward the door with her head down, typing out a reply. I followed her, catching up in a few long strides. As she reached for the doorknob, I slapped a hand above her head. It was like I had no control over what I was feeling, but something inside of me was coming to life.

I wasn’t this guy. I didn’t get broody and protective about women. I didn’t tell them what to do or insist they hang out with me. I rarely even spoke to them. But something about Ryleigh had the feral energy under my skin buzzing.

Ryleigh didn’t turn around but I could see her breaths coming in faster. I was having an effect on her—and I liked it. The thought of her going out had my anxiety up but I was relieved at the fact that she likely wasn’t bold enough to bring a strange man home for a hookup.

This was new territory for us.

Not that there even was an us.

“If you need me tonight, you call. Okay?” I whispered.