Swept (14 page)

An image flutters through my mind of Gabriel ripping off my dress and having his way with me. I let myself enjoy the fantasy, snapping out of it when there’s a knock at my door. I open the door and see Ryan standing before me in a suit and tie. I’ve seen him dressed up, but tonight I realize just how good he looks. Suddenly the same fantasy flickers into my mind, only this time Ryan is ripping my dress off of me instead. I raise my eyebrow liking where this is going, interrupted by the sound of Gabriel’s voice.

“You look amazing,” he says in awe.

I blush, “You look great too.”

Ryan holds out his hand, “Are you ready?”

I hold up a finger and grab my purse off the table and walk back to Ryan, “Now I am,” I smile taking his hand.

I never thought that a gesture, like holding his hand would be this simple. In my mind I imagined it would feel weird. He’s been my friend for so long. I’ve never allowed myself to get this close to him. I’m surprised at the ease as we connect on a new level. We just work.

Arriving at Ryan’s car; I marvel. I wasn’t expecting to see the silver, 1967 Shelby Mustang sitting in the parking lot. Ryan and his father have been working on this car for years. It still wasn’t finished when Ryan left for college.

I slide my hand over the hood of the car, “It looks amazing.”

Ryan opens my door for me, “It does, but not as amazing as you, and I’ve been saving it just for this night.”

Blushing I sit down into the cool black leather seat. I’m amazed at the details Ryan and his father have put into the car. Ryan sits down in the driver’s seat and the engine purrs to life when he starts it. Ryan peels out of the parking lot and I gasp and brace myself against the door.

Ryan chuckles, I’ve always wanted to do that.” He glances at me, “How was your day?”

I tell him about my visit with Kelly, and skip the part about the flyers and my chat with Gabriel. Ryan is in such a good mood and it’s a perfect night. I don’t want to ruin it by upsetting him. I brag to him about catching up on my homework. Ryan congratulates me, “Sounds like you deserve to celebrate.”

I beam at him, “I missed you though, and I really like studying with you, it’s not the same without you.” I’m taken aback by my honesty. I’ve never spoken to Ryan like this. Where is this coming from?

Ryan reaches over and grabs my hand, “I’ve missed you too, more than you know.” Something swirls deep inside of me; I shift in my seat trying to place it. I finally realize what it is; I have real feelings for Ryan, feelings that go beyond just friendship. It’s not lust that I crave with him, but a relationship. I’ve always had a relationship with him, but now I feel the dynamic changing. I feel myself falling for him and I can see myself with him, loving him and enjoying him.

Ryan pulls up to the front entrance of a restaurant called, “Imperial Fire.” He turns the engine off and a valet in uniform opens my door. Ryan hands him the keys, and I take hold of Ryan’s arm as he escorts me inside. Ryan gives his name to the Maitre D`. He leads us towards a table, and Ryan taps him on the shoulder, “I’m sorry, but can we be seated over there?” he indicates to a table by the window that has a candle burning in the middle of the table; the setting looks picturesque. The Maitre D` seats us at the table and hands us the menu, “I already know what we’re going to order,” Ryan says; my eyes bulge in surprise. Ryan spouts off what he wants and orders for me as well. I’ve never had anyone do this, order my food for me, except maybe my mother when I was five. I don’t know how to react. Should I feel offended? A part of me is, but there’s a part of me that likes the fact that I don’t have to decide on what to eat. Ryan knows me well. He knows what I like and what I don’t like. I decide to trust his choice and I smile at him.

Ryan and I spend the evening chatting, and carefully navigating around the subject of Gabriel. As we talk I see a new side of Ryan I’ve never seen before. I see a man that can take care of a lady. I see someone that is gentle, yet in control. I find it attractive, yet scary. I’ve always made decisions about what I want, and it seems that Ryan wants to call the shots. He controls the conversation, but he’s smooth about it. There’s a part of me that likes the fact that he’s this way. I don’t have to do anything but comply. It’s such a weird feeling for me to have someone in control. I think back to all the times I’ve shared with Ryan; him calling me when I was sick, him offering to carry my books for me, driving me places, standing up for me when there was someone being mean to me. My feelings for him are being solidified as I begin to really see the man sitting in front of me.

Our food comes and I enjoy it thoroughly. After dessert, Ryan pays the check, helps me out of my chair and we walk outside and wait for the valet to bring the car around. Ryan looks deep into my eyes and tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear. My cheek tingles where his fingers brushed by. Ryan leans close and I know he’s going to kiss me. He doesn’t have to say anything. We both feel it, and I lean in too. The night has been perfect and what better way to end it than with a kiss. Our lips meet and fireworks seem to go off as we kiss. It is electrifying. I thought my kiss with Gabriel was hot, but this was even hotter. Ryan’s lips take control and set the pace of our kiss. I can feel his passion and love for me as he holds my body tight. It’s over and he releases me. I sway and smile stupidly. My mind tries to grasp and rationalize what just happened. How is it that my friend Ryan, is now possibly more than my friend Ryan?

Ryan leads me to the car, and opens my door for me, closing it as soon as I’m in, he jumps into the driver’s seat and we drive off into the night.

Chapter Twenty One

Walk

R
yan pulls into dimly lit parking lot. Yellow lights sparkle overhead, as a few stars twinkle in a dark blue back drop. He turns to me, “Want to go for a walk?”

I look down at my strappy green heels, “I’m not wearing the right shoes for a walk.”

Ryan smiles “Don’t worry about that, I’ve got it covered.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll be right back,” Ryan answers as he gets out of the car.

I hear noises in the trunk of the car, and then the door slams shut. Ryan opens my door and hands me a pair of shoes and socks. I look at the tag on the shoes; they’re my size. I thank Ryan and put them on, wondering how he got my shoe size, but then the answer becomes obvious. He’s my friend and he knows me well, so of course he would know my shoe size. Ryan helps me out of the car and we walk towards a path hand in hand. It’s a mild night with a warm breeze, the moon peaks behind the trees, and more stars shimmer as twilight turns into night. I breathe in the fresh air and slowly let it out, savoring the scent. It really is a perfect night. We walk down the path hand in hand talking about the fun times that we’ve shared. We laugh as we enjoy each other’s company. Ryan makes everything easy, I don’t have to worry about telling him stories of boyfriends in my past, or telling him about why I act the way I do. Then I remember, He doesn’t know about Gabriel. I feel guilty and ashamed. It’s only fair that I tell him. I stop and turn to him. I must have looked worried because Ryan stops, “What’s wrong?” he asks studying my face.

I look down at the pavement and shuffle my feet, “I don’t want to ruin a perfect night,”

Ryan reaches for my hand, clasping it, “Then, don’t.” and walks forward.

“But it’s important.” I plead.

“Let’s just enjoy the evening, right here, right now. We can worry about whatever else is so important later.” Ryan urges.

“Okay,” I comply falling into step with him. We turn around and start walking back towards the car; we continue to reminisce as we go. Before I know it, we’re at the car again

“I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time how I feel about you.” He pauses and holds his hands in mine. “When I saw you kissing Gabriel I couldn’t let you go. I’m just sorry I acted the way I did and I regret that I waited so long to tell you.”

“Why didn’t you say something before?”

“I couldn’t; I wasn’t sure what your reaction would be.”

“Why now? What changed?” I ask my eyes searching his

“Because I can’t stand the thought of losing you; I don’t know what it is about being here, but I feel bolder. I feel more empowered to get what I want and I want you, Crystal. Every single time I would see you with some other guy I would wish it was me. Every single time you had your heart shattered, I was wishing I could tell you and make you understand how I felt; my heart would break with yours. I hated seeing you in pain. When I saw you with Gabriel, I couldn’t bare it. If your heart broke again I’m afraid it would be my un-doing. I can’t go through that again. I can’t bear to see you break. I want you to be with me. I promise to never hurt you, to always love you. I want to be your guide and help you get what you want. I want to protect you from any storms that may come your way. I want to make your life easy. I want to…”

I break him off pressing my lips against his. There’s so much passion in our kiss, and for the first time I can see our lives together. With him I’m safe. There is no uncertainty, and I find comfort in that.

Ryan pulls away; we enter the car and Ryan drives, taking me back to my dorm. I stare at him as we go; trying to wrap my head around what just happened. I know he will do everything that he promises, and I know he’ll take care of me, because he always has, for the first time, I’m not afraid of what life may bring, because Ryan is here with me, and he’s in love with me.

We pull into the parking lot by my dorm. He leans close to me and we kiss again, and I melt as we kiss. I feel like a puddle of goo and I want him closer to me. I want him to hold me, I want him to touch me and I want to make love with him. I’m taken aback, there’s a difference between what I want with Gabriel and what I want with Ryan. Gabriel, I wanted to fuck, I wanted him to pound into me, and have hot dirty sex, but Ryan? I want slow passion filled sex; the kind that you see in the movies when two lovers finally come together for the first time. It’s beautiful and magical all at once.

Ryan gets out of the car and opens my door for me. He holds my hand as I stand up out of his car, and we walk hand in hand towards the entrance to my dorm. I see Gabriel walking towards me. What is he doing here? I wonder.

“Crystal.” He says grabbing my hand

“Gabriel? What’s going on?” I ask stopping.

“What are you doing here?” Ryan asks.

“Did you tell him about us?” Gabriel asks

“I-I tried, but I didn’t get the chance,” I stammer.

“What are you talking about?” Ryan asks.

“Can we go to my dorm?” I say to Ryan “I want to talk to both of you.”

“Before we go…” Gabriel puts his hand on my face and pulls me into a kiss. He has so much passion and lust behind his kiss. My body stirs and I want more. Ryan pulls Gabriel away from me and holds the collar of his shirt in his hand, his other hand is a fist cocked back ready to punch.

“Ryan, if you care about me you’ll stop right now,” I command. Ryan slowly relaxes and lets Gabriel go. Gabriel straightens his shirt.

“You like him.” Ryan states.

“Yes.” I answer.

Ryan turns to me and kisses me. His kiss is fierce, and burns with desire. I didn’t think Ryan was capable of such desire.

Ryan releases me. “Can we please go to my dorm so we can talk?” I ask, pleading to both Ryan and Gabriel. They don’t answer, but they follow me into my dorm. They avoid each other’s eyes as I let myself in. I turn around and Ryan kisses me again, with the same fierceness as before. Gabriel pulls me away and kisses me; I feel his hand in the middle of my back and his other hand reaches up and slips part of my dress down my shoulder. Ryan comes up behind me and begins kissing my neck. I’m sandwiched between them, as they take turns kissing me. Gabriel finds the zipper on the side of my dress and unzips it. My dress falls to my feet. Ryan’s hands move to the middle of my back and unclasps my bra; it falls on the floor. He moves his hands to the front of my body and caresses each breast. Gabriel drops to his knees and pulls my panties down. I’m naked, and I’m panting. I don’t have time to think as I feel Gabriel’s hand caress my pussy, and Ryan occupies my breasts and my mouth.

I feel overcome as they focus on me. Never would I have imagined that this would ever happen. Ryan tweaks my nipples and I moan at the conjoined feeling of both of them working my body. I want them to feel what I’m feeling. I pull my mouth away from Ryan and I reach for Gabriel, I reach for the bottom of his shirt and pull it over his head. I move my hands down his muscular body to the top of his pants; I undo them and pull them down his legs revealing his huge erection. I wrap my hand around his boner and slide my hand up and down his shaft, and then I turn to Ryan. I pull his shirt off, and he kisses me, I undo his pants and he pulls them down. Still connected at the mouth, I reach my hand down and feel his penis. He’s not as long as Gabriel, but I can’t wrap my hand all the way around it. I move my hand up and down his cock, and he breathes heavily. I motion for Gabriel to come closer and I grasp his erection with my other hand. I move my hands up and down trying to extend the same pleasure they’re giving me. I’m covered in kisses as they both move their mouths all over my body, tasting me.

I turn to Gabriel and I get down on my knees. I put his penis in my mouth and begin to suck, taking him in as far as I can. I play with his sack, and with my other hand I jerk Ryan off. I stop, and then turn to Ryan; I put his cock in my mouth, sucking as I move him deeper into my mouth. I reach over and jerk Gabriel off. Ryan moans as I bob my head and swirl my tongue and he thrust his hips, making it hard to keep up with him. Gabriel sits down next to me and plays with my breast; He reaches his other hand between my legs and penetrates me with his fingers. He alternates rubbing my clitoris and sliding his fingers in and out of me. Ryan backs away from me and gets on the floor next to me. He sucks on the breast that Gabriel isn’t touching. I moan as I feel tendrils of pleasure course through my body. I lean my head onto Ryan’s shoulder, breathing heavily. Gabriel moves his hand away from my pussy and I feel Ryan’s hand take his place. My breathing gets harder as Ryan moves his fingers inside of me. I feel his fingers move faster and faster coaxing me to come. I feel the pleasure build as my body heats up. “Come for me,” Ryan commands, and I unravel at his words; moaning my orgasm.