“You had better hang on tight. We wouldn’t want you to go flying off the back now, would we?” Ryker jokes as he reaches back and grabs hold of my arms, wrapping them around his center. I don’t hesitate to tighten my grip around him, mainly because I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of him more than I already have. But also just on instinct. It feels nice to be this close to him. Something inside of me almost purrs in satisfaction at our close proximity.
“Let’s go!” Ransom yells before revving his engine and taking off at full speed across the water. His twin shouts something I can’t make out over the roar of the engines and swiftly takes off after him. I watch in amazement as they fly across the water.
“Try to keep up, love birds!” Remi calls over her shoulder before shooting after her siblings, easily catching up. I’m thankful my face is hidden from Ryker, so he can’t see the blush that works it’s way up my face from her words. I’ve known Ryker for less than a day, why would she say something like that?
“Ready?” Ryker asks, and I feel his chest vibrate when he speaks.
“What are you waiting for?” I ask, trying to sound braver than I am.
I barely get the words out of my mouth before we’re zipping across the water, the jet ski bouncing slightly from the small waves the others have caused.
As if my death grip on him already wasn’t enough, I can’t help tightening it more. It’s a lot bumpier than I’d originally thought it would be, but it’s also exhilarating. I can’t help the squeal of delight that escapes my throat when Ryker takes a quick turn and water sprays all over.
Looking around him, I can’t see his siblings anymore. “Sorry, you can’t keep up with them with me on the back of this thing,” I shout over the sound of the engine.
“Who says I’m not exactly where I want to be?” he calls out over his shoulder. I can only see the corner of his mouth from this angle, but I can see that it’s curved up in a grin.
“If you say so. You’re more than welcome to dump my ass off back at camp if you want to go after them,” I can’t help but offer, afraid I’m holding him back.
“Trying to get rid of me already?” I feel his chest rumble as he laughs, and his shoulders shake slightly.
“Never.”
And I honestly mean that.
Ryker and I fly across the water. All my nerves from earlier have dispersed, and I’m now fully enjoying my time on the water, but mostly, I’m enjoying my time with him. He teases me every time I shriek when he makes a turn too fast or when the jet ski shakes us too much for my liking. I’ve also been laughing more with him than I have with anymore, even when it’s at my expense.
“Okay, you’re doing that on purpose now!” I whine when another splash of water hits us. The first couple times he caused it to happen were funny, but now I’m soaked head to toe and look like I’ve been caught in a torrential downpour of rain.
“A little water never hurt anyone!” Ryker snickers back at me while he continues to direct the jet ski into tight circles. We spin and spin around, over and over again, until I feel sick to my stomach.
I squeeze him tight and rest my head against his shoulder blade, my eyes closed tight to avoid getting any more lake water in my eyes. “Ryker!” I plead. “Stop!”
“What’s the magic word?”
“Seriously?”
“Nope. Not even close.”
“Ryker!” I squeal when he goes even faster.
“Wrong again. Are you even trying?”
“Please!”
“Wrong, but since I’m such a nice person, I’ll stop anyway.” The jet ski slows, and finally, we come to a complete stop. Ryker cuts the engine, and for the first time in almost an hour, it’s silent. I hadn’t realized how loud it was until now. “By the way, the correct answer was Ryker Weylyn is the most amazing and handsome person I know.”
“You said magic word, not words,” I remind him, grinning. My face actually hurts from how much I’ve been smiling.
Since we had been moving so fast, I hadn’t been able to really look at my surroundings. The water is beautiful and glittering in the sunlight, almost like the glow around Ryker. The trees are so green, and they reflect off the water, creating a mirrored effect. Something I would love to draw someday if I can ever get myself to draw something other than the black wolf from my dreams. My eyes scan ahead of us, and I notice a house.
Unlike the Weylyns’ large log cabin-style home, this one is more modern with large windows and contemporary architecture. It looks like whoever owns it now hasn’t taken care of the property. The shrubs are overgrown, and the trim paint around the large windows is faded and chipping away. But the house looks like it could be bright and happy again with a little bit of love.
“Who used to live there?” I ask him. “Can we go closer?”
The happy look that had been on Ryker’s face all day slips away. “That was the Thorne’s home.”
“Grey used to live there?” I loosen my hold on him, removing my arms from around his waist. “Do her parents not live there anymore?”
“Her parents also died. It’s been empty ever since the accident.” He stares straight ahead. “I used to sneak in there years ago when I was missing them. Well, missing her.”
“She must have meant a lot to you since you had to leave Montana all together to get away from it all.” I know I’m pushing now, but for some reason, I
