Loving Enough (The Enough Series Book 2) (23 page)

Rylee

The party is scheduled to start at four o’clock this
afternoon. I am lying in bed watching highlights from last night’s baseball
games. Austin kept me up half the night, reminding me why I cannot say no to
him. I’m not complaining, but I am a little tired. It’s a good tired, though. A
smile breaks across my face at the memory.

A thundering bark, laughter and galloping steps up the
stairs, snap me back to reality. Boss comes through the bedroom door with Ryker
on his heels. Ryker is carrying something wrapped in a paper towel. Boss bounds
onto the bed, followed by his little boy shadow. Ryker sidles up next to me
before placing the mysterious paper in my lap.

“Daddy said we should make you breakfast, so I brought you a
bagel.” His face is alight with sweetness and reminds me of his father in so
many ways.

“That is very sweet. Thank you.” My smile is genuine as I
take the first bite of my favorite blueberry bagel.

“Is it good? I tried to get it up here before it got cold,
like Bella said.”

His eyes beg for approval, which I give in spades.

“Mmm huh. It is perfect.”

Bella’s presence here this early is strange. I can’t imagine
why she would be here before nine on a Saturday. Ryker changes the television
channel to cartoons and is lying flat on his belly next to Boss.

“Hey, Ryker.” It takes him a moment and a few more mentions
of his name for him to hear me.

“Yeah?” He answers, still focused on the screen.

“Where is your daddy?”

“He’s downstairs talking to Bella. She brought him something
in a little box, and a big sack.”

“Do you know what she brought him?”

He doesn’t hear my latest question, as his attention is solely
on the antics of the animated characters. I have no idea what this cartoon is
and don’t intend to watch long enough to find out. After finishing my bagel, I
slide out of bed unnoticed by the boy or the dog.

My curiosity gets the best of me, so I slip into my robe and
go in search of that man of mine. I hit the bottom of the stairs in time to see
Austin hugging Bella goodbye at the door and thanking her for all of her help.
She flashes me a guilty smile and a small wave on her way out the door.

“See you at noon, girly.”

The door closes behind her and I am enveloped in all things
Austin. He is wrapped around me and kissing me before I have a chance to ask
what the heck is going on. I try to push away, but he pulls me tighter. I
giggle and he kisses me harder and we continue to dance this little jig until I
grab a handful of hair at the back of his neck and pull.

His eyes dance with pleasure when he takes in my smiling yet
confused face.

“So are you going to tell me what you and Bella are up to?”

“Nope,” he answers with finality.

“What do you mean nope?” I ask with mock aggravation.

His hands come up to frame my face as he leans in a breath
away from my lips.

“I mean I am not telling you. You will find out soon
enough.”

Then his lips crash to mine before he spins around and dashes
up the stairs with a chuckle, yelling for Ryker.

I am left with a smile on my face, lust in my eyes, and
confusion on the brain. He is up to something, but I will let him have his fun
for now. I need to shower and finish the last few items on my to-do list before
meeting Bella at the bakery.

A few minutes after noon, I am sitting outside the bakery
when Bella comes striding up in her cut-off shorts, t-shirt, and a ball cap. As
I smile at her, my eyebrows rise in question of this morning’s covert meeting.

She shakes her head and throws up her arms in defeat.

“Don’t even ask. I’m sworn to secrecy. We all are.” Tilting
my head in silent question of her last statement, she simply swears. “Shit. Forget
that and don’t ask me anything. I won’t tell you.”

I stand up, embracing her in a friendly hug. “Come on,
Bella. You know you want to spill. Please.”

She stomps the ground with authority. “No. Now let’s go get the
goodies so I can go home and primp before the party.”

Knowing Bella will not tell me anything unless she wants to,
I let it go. We step into the bakery, greeted by a rush of cool air and the
smell of fresh-baked cookies. The cool air is a nice break from the humid
summer air outside. It is like heaven in this place. We check on the three hundred
luau-themed cookies decorated in bright shades of pink, yellow, blue, and green.
The cookies were due to be ready at noon, but they ask for a little more time
to finish boxing them up. We climb into Austin’s Rover and head for the grocery
store to grab ice and drinks.

After one final stop at the liquor store to pick up what
feels like one of everything, we drive back towards the bakery and Bella’s car.
The boys from the bakery help load the boxes into the back of the Rover. Thankfully
I am only a few blocks from home, so there is less chance of them being broken
on the drive. Between the cookies, ice, liquor, juice boxes, and sodas, the
back of the truck is loaded down.

Driving like an elderly grandmother out for a Sunday stroll,
I nearly jump out of my skin when the phone rings through the speakers.

“Hello?”

“Ry, there is a truck here with all kinds of tables and chairs.
Where do you want them?” Austin asks with what sounds like chaos in the
background.

“I’ll be there in five minutes. Have them sit tight until
then.”

“K, thanks baby.”

Commotion erupts and I hear Austin holler at Ryker before
the line goes dead. I have a feeling today is going to be a long day.

Passing through the front gate, I find the catering truck
and the party rental truck parked on the front drive. Not wanting to walk
through the disarray with all of my goods, I pull around the back into the garage.

To my amazement, I find Eric, Austin, J, and Ruzek all
standing in the garage as the door rises. Austin shakes his head before lacing
his fingers behind his head and walking over as I open my door.

 “Really, Ry? Today you use the garage?”

He is referring to the fact that, in all the time I have
lived here, I have never parked in the garage.

I’m not sure why he is upset, but I assume it has something
to do with my entire family standing here like they have been caught red-handed.
To my knowledge, they were all either busy or working this weekend and couldn’t
make it to the party. Looks like Austin is hiding more than a secret meeting with
Bella.

“I’m sorry, Aus. I didn’t want to carry all of this stuff
through the mess out front.”

My voice conveys my shock at his scolding tone. I hop out of
the car and step around him to open the back before he stops me with firm hands
on my shoulders. I don’t turn to face him.

“I’m sorry, Ry. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

My suspicions are growing as the day goes. First, the early
morning exchange with Bella and now my family, minus Bode, are here. He is up
to something. Instead of asking a question I know he will avoid, I simply show
him my gratitude by leaning up and placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, it’s a wonderful surprise.”

Moments later, my favorite men envelop me from all sides. I haven’t
seen any of them much lately, since I have been so wrapped up in Austin. J is
walking and looks fantastic. All outward signs of the accident have been erased.
It has been a month since the last time I saw him.

Clinging to my big brother, I cannot help grinning, but I’m
curious where Dani is.

“Where’s Dani? Did she come too?”

He clutches his heart with mock hurt. “What? I’m not enough
for you?”

Everyone laughs and they share a few conspicuous glances. There
is something going on that everyone is privy to but me.

“No. You’re always good, but I like Dani. Please tell me you
didn’t dump her.”

J squeezes me into his side. “No, she’s here. She is settling
in down the street.”

“Good. I was afraid I would have to yell at you. Now why
don’t you boys help me get all this shit in the house?”

They each grab bags and boxes and trail one another into the
house. I turn to grab an armload after watching them walk away.

“Is there room in this lovefest for one more?”

“Bode!”

“Hey, baby girl,” he says, sweeping me into a bear hug.

Happy tears stream down my cheeks. The last time I saw Bode
was when he walked out of J’s hospital room a few months ago. We have spoken
once a week since, but it has felt distant. I was afraid our relationship would
be forever altered by his confession. Him being here now gives me hope I was
wrong.

“I missed you so much,” I whisper before he sets me down.

“Me, too, baby girl. Me, too.” He wipes the tears away with
an appraising smile.

“What are you doing here?” I wonder aloud.

“That boy toy of yours invited me and I thought it was about
time I came home for a couple days.”

“I’m so glad you’re here. Jesus, I can’t believe you’re
here.”

He retorts in true Bode fashion. “Believe, baby. You know
you can’t have a real party without me.”

His grandiose smile warms my heart and I look forward to a
weekend full of family time.

The door to the house opens and Austin comes out, but he stops
and takes in the sight of Bode and me. His eyes search mine for approval and
find nothing but love. That he invited Bode here means a lot. It wasn’t long
ago that he was jealous of the relationship I have with my longtime friend.

I mouth ‘I love you’ to him as he walks through the garage
towards us.

He shakes Bode’s hand as he slides his other arm around me.
“Glad you could make it, bro.”

“Me, too. J let me know the surprise was off, so I came
early. Hope you don’t mind.”

Austin looks down at me, grinning like an idiot. “Nah, man.
Anything that can put a smile on her face is good by me.”

Another load for each of the guys and myself and the car is
empty. We spend the next few hours catching up and directing the party set-up. Shortly
before four o’clock, I am upstairs changing into a simple blue sundress and
sandals when Austin comes in.

Rylee

Excitement fueling my system, I jump up, throw my arms
around his neck, and wrap my legs around him in one fell swoop. My enthusiasm
sends him stumbling backwards until he braces us against the wall. After
kissing him once, I lean back and find those stunning blue eyes I adore.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” I question,
overrun by my feelings for him.

 The corners of his mouth turn up, revealing the world’s
most beautiful smile. “If it is half as much as I love you, then I am the
luckiest guy in the world.”

With no words to respond to his heart-melting confession, I
mold my lips to his while reaching over to close our bedroom door. Strong hands
slide beneath my dress, up my thighs, and pull me tighter against him. My hands
fist in his hair as our tongues dance to a song sung by our hearts.

He spins us around, putting my back flat against the door. I
break the kiss to run my tongue along his strong jaw. The roughness of his five
o’clock shadow ignites a fire only he can extinguish. I jerk his shirt off with
ease.

“We have company downstairs, Ry.”

The indecision in his voice is as obvious as the erection
pushing against my center. Kissing my way down his neck, I reply, “I can be
quiet if you can.”

“Fuck, Ry - ”

I interrupt his statement by sliding my mouth over his, while
trying to unbutton his shorts with one hand. I’m unable to get it undone on my
own, so he slides one arm under my ass, lifting me as he flicks the button and they
fall to the floor. Only two thin pieces of cloth separate his cock from the
place I want it.

His fingers push my panties aside before plunging deep
within me. “You are so wet, baby.”

My mouth closes over his shoulder, biting down as he pushes
my body higher towards release.

“Please, Aus, I want you,” I pant, wanting to feel all of
him.

In one continuous motion, he slides his fingers out and
replaces them with his solid cock. His lips crash to mine, swallowing the
scream that was coming.

The thrusts start slow as he licks and nips down my neck.
Then at once, he bites my nipple through the thin fabric of my dress, sending convulsions
of pleasure through me. My orgasm builds to its peak as his rhythm increases.

Holding my hands above my head with one of his, he rocks
into me, tightening my core towards another release.

His mouth consumes me again before he demands, “Come with me,
baby. Give me one more.”

The feel of his deep rasp against my heated skin sends me
tumbling towards ecstasy with him. He slams into me before finding his own
release, with my name a plea on his lips.

Still connected intimately, our heavy breathing is the only
sound in the room. I glide my hands down his glistening back and up again. The
feel of his skin and relaxed muscles after sex is one of my favorite things. It
is the one time I know he will not stop my exploration of his body.

My hands make their way to his face, which is buried against
my chest. I bring his gaze to mine.

“I can promise you that I love you as much as you do me.”

He blinks those long eyelashes before nodding in assent. “I
might need you to show me a few more times, just to be sure.”

Laughter breaks our connection and I slowly slide down him
until my feet hit the floor.

“Oh honey, I am sure that can be arranged,” I quip as I make
my way into the bathroom to clean up and change clothes again. These are
wrinkled and smell of sex in the best way possible. 

With five minutes to spare before guests are due to arrive,
Austin and I make our way into the kitchen where everyone is gathered. Bella
gives me a knowing look and I blush. I had hoped that nobody would miss us during
our little rendezvous. Thankfully, all the men in the room are family so they
will pretend we were never gone. It’s easier for them that way.

Bella and I take a walk through the house and out on the
patio to check on the status of everything. It is perfect. The tiki bars are
set up and tended by a young guy and girl. The lifeguards are in place around
the Olympic size in-ground pool, so that parents can enjoy the party without
worrying about their kids.

When we stop to take it all in, she takes my focus with her
giddy demeanor.

“I am so glad Austin found you. You two are amazing together,
Rylee. I have never seen him so happy.”

“Me too, Bella. He is amazing. I love him so much,” I tell
her, hoping she understands how much I love him.

There is nothing in this world I would not do for that man.
He is it for me, I know that. No one will ever complete me the way he does.

“I know you do.” She hugs me. “Now let’s go party.”

The party is in full swing an hour later, with kids jumping
in and out of the pool, adults conversing, and fun being had by everyone.
Austin has introduced me to so many people that there is no way I will ever
remember all their names. The one introduction that catches me off guard is to Makayla.

Makayla is a beautiful girl with blue eyes, long blonde
hair, and even longer legs. She made the trip with Bode. I can barely believe
my ears when he introduces his new girlfriend. She is from Australia and has my
best friend’s heart.

Makayla, Dani, Bella, and I are sitting around the patio
table, chatting and watching the boys play volleyball in the pool with the
kids. Austin has Ryker on his shoulders and they are intensely guarding against
the playful spikes coming from the opposite team. Everyone is having a great
time and, best of all, my amazing man is beaming with happiness as he winks my
way.

We sit and chat about many things and, to my surprise,
Makayla fits right in. She tells us how she and Bode met at a surfing
competition about two months ago and have been inseparable ever since. The glow
in her eyes when she talks about him lets me know he isn’t in this alone. I
like her.

Bella and I make the rounds, checking in on everyone. It
seems that the party is an overwhelming success. We have a flag football game
going on outside, a video game tournament going on inside, lots of food,
drinks, and fun for everyone.

The party winds down when most of the parents take their
tired kids home to bed. Bella and I say goodbye and thank everyone for coming. Somehow,
during this time, I lost track of Austin and the rest of our clan.

“Bella, have you seen Austin or any of the rest of the guys?”
I ask, walking back through the house.

She glances over her shoulder and then back out the door
before answering. “No. Maybe they are out back somewhere.”

“I’m going to check,” I say as I walk towards the patio
door.

“Okay. I’m just going to clean some of this up and I’ll meet
you out there.”

I step out of the back doors to find the entire yard empty.
Confused, I turn to go back in the house when Ryker comes running up.

“Rylee, Rylee,” he sing-songs.

“Hey buddy, what’s going on? I was just looking for your
dad.”

“I know where he is, but I can’t tell you. Come with me for
your big surprise.”

“What big surprise?” I look around and find Bella holding
back an enormous smile.

“Come on and I will show you. It will be the best surprise
ever,” Ryker says, pulling me towards the house. I look back in question to
Bella, who now has tears in her eyes.

“Go, Ry,” is all she says.