Element, Part 1 (15 page)

“You weren’t kiddin’ when you said the view was awesome.
Your aunt’s place is kickin’.” Ryan walked over to the tall pane windows in the
living room.

She walked up behind him. “I told you.” The setting sun
reflected a warm glow off of Lady Bird Lake into the condo. It set the mood perfectly
for a romantic evening.

“So what’s for dinner? It smells wonderful.”

“Pasta. Ravioli, filled with chicken, spinach and feta
cheese. Which I need to check on,” she said walking back into the kitchen.

“Sounds delicious.” He followed her and then stopped and picked
up her MP3 player. She heard him change the music to a romantic country ballad.
He had to be the most romantic guy ever. He walked over to the kitchen and leaned
against the black granite bar, right behind her. “Thanks for cooking. I really
appreciate it.”

“Sure, no problem.” She stirred the pasta sauce and turned
off the heat. She dipped her finger into the sauce.

“Hey, be careful, that looks hot,” he said as she tasted the
sauce. He took her hand and examined her finger. “You didn’t burn yourself or
your tongue?”

She shook her head. “No.” Then realized what she did wasn’t
very smart. Steam swirled up from the pot and the spoon she held in her other
hand. She could have burned herself. But she didn’t. Why did her mind turn to
mush when she was around Ryan?

“Is it ready?” He placed her finger in his mouth, sucking
off the rest of the sauce.

Her body clammed up and the spoon slid out of her hand back
in the pot. “Ummm…” The slickness of his tongue and the grip of his lips around
her finger made her body quiver and shake.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist.” He winked and then kissed the
top of her hand.

She smiled, still unable to speak. Why did he insist on
teasing her like this?

He kept her hand in his and placed her other hand around his
neck.  He swung her around and gazed into her eyes. “May I have this dance?”  

“Ummm… sure.” Natalie nodded, completely awestruck by the
way he was sweeping her off her feet. “I hope I remember how to two-step.” Her
feet stumbled as she tried to recall the steps. She had only danced with him
that one time at the bar, but it didn’t take long for her to follow his lead.
Their bodies synced perfectly together, sliding across the tile floor. 

“Well Miss Vega, you do know how to two-step.” He danced
with her, around the kitchen island, holding her body close to his.

She followed his every movement, not missing a step. “I
guess.” She tilted her head to the side. Her heart beat wildly as they danced
around the kitchen and into the dining room. He drove her absolutely crazy.

He spun her around and then dipped her. He held onto her and
sang along with the song, “All I can think about is gettin’ you home.” His deep
raspy voice sent a tingling sensation that flowed down to her toes. Not only
was he a great dancer but a great singer too.

Her body cried out for him and she struggled to fight off
the forbidden thoughts and temptations. The emotions from her heart took over
and she sang back. “Honey, there sure ain’t nothing like you loving me all
night long.”

Ryan’s eyes gleamed in pleasure. “Tonight’s all about giving
you what you want.”

She whimpered low in her throat. “You’re killing me.”

“And you’re torturing me.” He pulled her up and swept the
strands of hair away from her face. She couldn’t stand the tension any longer
and apparently, neither could he. Their lips crashed together. His lips
devoured hers and she responded feverishly, swirling her tongue with his. He
made her hot and filled her body with fire.  Never had she felt like this before.
There was something different this time, a desire, an attraction, and a need
beyond control.

“Oh my God… your body feels incredible.” She glided
her hands over every inch of his well-defined body. She couldn’t get enough of
him. He trailed sensual kisses from her neck down to her bare shoulders, giving
her tingles from head to toe. She buried her face in the nape of his neck. The
sweet and spicy smell of his cologne intoxicated her. She wanted him, despite
what they vowed not to do.

Ryan slid his hands down her back as he continued to caress
her shoulders and her neck with his lips. He gave her butt a gentle squeeze and
then spread his hands over the sides of her thighs, running his hands up and
down. He whispered in her ear, “Your body’s amazing,” and then trailed his
tongue down to her collarbone.

“Oh Ryan…” She whimpered out, running her hands up and down
his chest, eager to touch his skin. With one quick sweep she ripped open the pearl
snaps from his shirt. She dragged her palms across his hard pecs and up his
chest. His skin felt tight and smooth and she wanted to run her tongue up and
down him. With little effort he lifted her off the ground, allowing her to wrap
her legs around his waist. 

They kissed, tongues fused together until they panted for
air. He stumbled around the kitchen and dining area, fighting to keep upright
with her clinging to his waist. He pinned her against the wall, pressing his
body firmly against hers. His kisses scorched her skin and she moaned in
pleasure. He took her hands and braced them up above her head. She throbbed
from head to toe and could barely breathe.  The sensations were amazing and she
thought she might explode at any moment. 

“You are so hot, baby.” He panted, continuing to dominate
her with the flicks of his tongue.

“You have me so…” She nipped at his lip, ready to devour
him. Fighting her inner desires was harder than she thought.

“No. I mean, your body is really burning hot. Are you sure
you don’t have a fever?” Ryan pulled back slightly, giving her a quick look
over.

“What? No. I just want you so bad.”  Sweat trickled down the
sides of her forehead. She was hot, burning hot. Her insides felt like they
were on fire. She ignored the heat, eager to show him how much she wanted him.

“I want you too, baby.” His voice was hot and heavy.  

He released her from the wall and held on to her tightly.
She cupped her hands around his face and traced her tongue along his luscious
lips. He sealed his mouth to hers, kissing her with intense passion. Her
fingers ravaged through his hair, unable to get enough of him. He began making
his way to the couch with her in his arms when her foot hit the wine decanter.
The bottle hit the floor, splashing red wine all over the mahogany wood floor. 

“Oh crap.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.” He relaxed his
arms and she lowered to her feet.

“Forget about it.” She guided his mouth back to hers. Never
had she been the aggressive one but for some reason she couldn’t control
herself. She had to have him.

He kissed her and then pulled back. “I’m sorry, Natalie. I
didn’t mean for us to get this far…. I better go.” He straightened his shirt
and started to button it.

“No. Please don’t go.” She reached her hand out but he
didn’t respond. She covered her face with her hands. She felt terrible for
leading him on. The attraction she had for him was beyond containable. Why
couldn’t she control herself? She lowered her hands. “I’m sorry. It’s all my
fault.”

“No, it’s my fault. I started it. I should have never licked
your finger. I… I can’t control myself when I’m around you.” He ran his fingers
through his matted hair and paced back and forth.

Her heart ached. Why did wanting him hurt so bad? “I can’t
help myself either Ryan. I have no self-control when I’m around you.  I can’t
wait to talk to you, to see you. I long for you to kiss me, touch me. I’m… ”
She swallowed hard. Was this what she thought it was?

He stopped and looked at her. “I know. I feel it too.” He
pulled her into his arms and held her close. So close that she felt his heart
beating against her chest.

He stared deep in to her eyes. So deep that she swore his
soul touched hers. “I’m falling in love with you, Natalie Vega.”

She smiled, tears rolling down her cheeks. “So am I, Ryan Garrett.”

Chapter 7:  The Transformation

Ryan heard pounding in the faint
distance and pulled a pillow over his head. When he heard the knock again he
opened his eyes. He jumped up out of bed when he realized the knock came from
his front door.

“Okay, I’m comin’,” he shouted,
pulling a shirt over his head and tripping over the covers hanging off the edge
of his bed.

He looked out the peep hole and
saw Sal, standing outside. He opened the door. “Hey man, what’s up?” He ran his
hands through his matted hair.

“Hey dude, I’ve been texting and
calling you since last night. I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“Sorry, I guess my phone died.”

“Can I come in?” Sal took a step
forward.

“Yeah.” Ryan opened the door
further. “What time is it?” He walked to the kitchen, squinting to see the
clock on the microwave.

“It’s noon. Were you still
asleep?” Sal shut the door behind him. 

Ryan picked up his phone from
the bar and plugged it in to the charger. He yawned and shook his head. “Yeah.
I guess my body needed sleep from the busy week.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t from
last night with Natalie?” Sal took a seat on the couch and leaned forward with
his arms hanging over his knees.

“What?” Ryan winced and rubbed
his eyes with his hands.

Sal let out a slight smirk and
shook his head. “Oh come on, man. You don’t have to lie to me. You didn’t
answer your phone all night and you’re just waking up. So much for keeping to
your word.”

Ryan walked to the living room
and leaned over on the back of a chair. How could he convince Sal that he spoke
the truth? “Man, I’m not lying. My phone died. I got home around eleven last
night. And yes, I kept my promise.”

“So, if I go and check your
room, I won’t find her in there?” Sal narrowed his eyes at him.

Ryan stood up, surprised that
Sal didn’t believe him. “No man. Natalie didn’t come home with me.” He pointed
toward his bedroom. “Go and check if you like.”

“So, you didn’t spend the night
with her and she didn’t come home with you. Nothing happened.” Sal furrowed his
brow, apparently not convinced.

“Well, I wouldn’t say nothing
happened. In fact, things got really heated and… I almost gave in. This is
harder than I thought dude. I don’t know how my parents or your parents did
it.”

“I know, it’s not easy.” Sal
shook his head.

“I can’t explain it. When it
comes to Natalie, I can’t seem to control myself.” Ryan leaned back over the
chair and buried his fingers in his hair. Why was this so difficult? He held
out this long and never did it with Jen. Why was it harder when it came to
Natalie?

“It’s hard with any girl. You
know that, but I’m proud of you. You kept to your word and walked away.”

He did feel proud about keeping
to his word, but every encounter with Natalie proved to be harder. His
attraction for her pulled from deep inside of him. It stirred every emotion and
ignited a need that teetered on the edge of uncontrollable recklessness. His
love for her spread like a wildfire, consuming him entirely.

Ryan lowered his hands from his
face and looked up at Sal. “Thanks for being my accountability partner.”

Sal got up and patted him on the
shoulder. “That’s what cousins are for.”

Ryan let out a slight smile,
thankful for having Sal not only as his cousin but as a great friend too. They
grew up together and were practically brothers. They were there for each other,
through good times and bad. Sal supported him when he had his football injury,
encouraging him not to give up. He also helped him move on with his life after
Jen broke up with him. When Ryan decided he needed a fresh start, Sal urged him
to transfer to UT with him. If not for Sal, Ryan didn’t know where he would be
today.

For a second, Ryan felt bad that
he hadn’t been supporting his cousin in return. Back in high school, they both
pledged to wait until marriage to have sex, following in the footsteps of both
their parents. Ryan kept to his promise but Sal slipped when he became serious
with his high school girlfriend. After they broke up, Sal decided he would refrain
until he married. He wanted to try again and do what was right.

“What about you and Lise? She
seems a little wild and adventurous if you ask me.”

Sal rolled his eyes. “That’s an
understatement. She’s a wild one alright.  It’s been a struggle for me too.
Since I already know what it feels like, it makes me want to do it again. She’s
no virgin either and turning her down is harder for me than it probably is for
you turning down Natalie.”

“I don’t know man, it’s been
unbearable. I’ve never struggled like this before. Not even with Jen. There is
something about Natalie and it’s not all about the sex. It’s the way she
smiles, her wittiness, her scent, her baby blue eyes and the way she hides
behind her glasses when she’s nervous.  I can’t stop thinking about her. ”

“Oh no.” Sal’s head dropped down
toward the floor.

“What?” Ryan arched his neck
back.

Sal shook his head. “Dude,
listen to yourself. It’s all over for you, man.”

Ryan knew exactly what he meant.
Although he didn’t mind admitting this to his cousin, he didn’t want his
vulnerability to show. When it came to Sal, he usually figured things out on
his own before Ryan told him. He was very intuitive and thought things through,
kind of like Natalie.