The Ryland Rules Read online

  Rule 1: Never be alone with Ryland. As he took another step closer to me, closing the gap between us swiftly, a breath hitched in my throat. The warm woodsy smell of his masculine presence filling my senses. Flooding my body with a heat that gave me shivers to my core. Gnawing on my lower lip, I took a step back. Rule one… broken.

  Rule 2: Never make eye contact with Ryland. With one more step, he was close enough for me to see the very inner details of the tattoo on his arm, the thickness of his lashes, the stubble on his jaw. Every movement he made so painfully obvious. Taking another step back, I found my eyes desperately locked on his. Gazing down at me like a hunter stalking his prey, the captivating hazel eyes darkened before me. Rule two… broken.

  Rule 3: Make nothing more than small talk with Ryland. With one last step forward from him and one back from me, I bumped into the large wooden table. Instinctively, my hands grasped the edge on either side of my hips as I tried to control my breathing. My chest rising so far, it interfered with my vision as I watched him stalk closer. His head now tilting, a coy smirk swept across his full lips.

  “Well? What did you say, Melly?” He raised a brow, his low tone taunting me. Chewing my lower lip nervously, I sucked in a breath and held it. Rule three… broken.

  Rule 4: Do not touch him or let him touch you. EVER! Placing his hands on mine, he caged me against the table. It was right then that I really felt the impact of his size compared to my own. I wasn’t short, but he still towered over me, leaving me to feel tiny as he leaned his face down lower to mine. His warm breath on my neck made my skin tingle; a shiver creeped its way up my spine.

  Placing his lips near my ear, he growled. “I think you said… me.”

  I gulped so loud I knew he heard it. He scoffed before moving his hand from mine to my thigh. I gasped, startled by the bolt of electricity that fired across my leg. He was so close — I felt my breath slip away from me as he rubbed slow circles over the bare skin with his thumb. Just barely grazing the frayed end of my jean shorts. “Don’t be so shy.”

  I averted my gaze, only to find his hand cupping my chin; his thumb resting on my lower lip. Stroking over it slowly, he gave a smile when my lips parted. His hooded eyes flickered down to them for a moment before he leaned in. Pressing his lips to mine. It was gentle and slow——painful somehow. The way our breath mingled together as his hands found their way to my hips was unbearable. My lips tingled, aching for more. Despite my better judgement, I pressed my chest up into his. My hands snaked up to his neck, where I wrapped my arms around. Pulling him down into me.

  “Melody.” He groaned hoarsely. As though he had been waiting patiently for me to make any move at all, his movements quickly become needy. His tongue brushing over my lower lip demanding entrance. Parting my lips, he took no time before he danced his tongue around mine. His hands gripped my hips roughly as he sat me on the table. His hands then wandered to my knees, pushing them open so he could stand between them, pressing his arousal against my already aching core. Never breaking the feverish kiss that was melting me. My whole body felt alight. My mind screamed at me for being so stupid, but I couldn’t pull myself away. The addicting, dizzy feeling of falling consumed me as I pressed my body tighter against his.

  The distinct, intoxicating taste of wintergreen on his tongue mingled with mine passionately. The way his hands burned on my skin as they snaked up the front of my shirt, dizzying. I was lost, drifting over the edge, and there wasn’t anything I could do to stop myself. I was too far gone.

  Snaking his hands up further, his fingertips danced under my breasts, his lips finally leaving mine to trail slow kisses down my jaw and neck. His tongue brushed against my skin as he left open mouth kisses down to my collarbone. Rolling my head back, I basked in how wrong this was, but how good it felt. Being the girl Ryland wanted this time. A stream of soft moans dripped from my lips as his fingers trailed up further, cupping my breasts in his large, calloused hands. I hissed as he pinched my right nipple and rolled it between his fingers while his other hand massaged my other breast greedily. Bringing his lips back to mine, I sighed as the air left my lungs. Pulling my arms down, I flattened my palms to his chest, aching to touch more of him. His muscles tightened under my touch, his entire body rigid as I trailed my fingers down lower and lower. Tracing over the washboard below them.

  I would regret this. I knew that for sure. But I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like. Even for a moment.

  Both of us were panting as he pulled back and dropped his forehead onto mine. My fingers strummed along the drawstring of his sweats, tented by his erection that was pressed tight against my aching center. Burning through the thick cotton material. His hands moved down slowly, resting on my upper thighs. “Melody.” He gasped, his chest heaving breathlessly against mine. “I want you so fucking bad.”

  I swallowed hard, mind foggy and reeling. My throat went dry as I opened my eyes, only to find him peering back down at me. Dark eyes hooded with desire. Pleading with me. His grip on my thighs tightened before he moved a hand, brushing the back of his fingers over my core. His eyes searching mine as I whined as though he was gauging my reaction. I squirmed a little, arousal pooling from me and soaking my panties. That slightest touch sending tracks of fire through me, leaving me aching for more.

  “I will make you cum over and over baby,” he murmured, brushing his fingers over me again painfully slow. “Just let me have you. Let me make you feel good.”

  Sucking in a sharp breath, I pulled my lower lip between my teeth. Those words rolling from that hauntingly sexy voice sent ice down my spine. My body tingled wildly as I finally released my lower lip. My eyes glued to his as his hand brushed over me once more, making an involuntary moan leave my lips. Closing my eyes shut tight, I nodded. “You won’t regret it.” He promised, but I knew better. So much better.

  His lips crashed down onto mine as he quickly worked to unbutton my shorts. Just as the small brass button popped open, the sound of footsteps echoed from the other room. My eyes shot open wide and Ryland backed away from me like he had been burned. “Run to the bathroom.” He groaned, running his hand through his hair and trying to adjust himself so he could hide his situation. Hopping down from the table, I dashed to the connecting bathroom and shut the door quietly.

  I couldn’t risk turning on the light, so I stumbled in the darkness, feeling around until I felt the faucet. Backing myself to the pedestal sink, I slipped down to the floor and hugged my knees. Fisting my hair, I panted for breath. I couldn’t seem to catch it, no matter how hard I tried. Tears brimming in my eyes, I felt my heart stop when I heard Rylee’s voice from beyond the door.

  “I thought I heard Melody in here.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Mountain Girl

  Waking up in a cold sweat that peppered my forehead, I gasped. My chest heaving and my thighs damp, I pushed the dream from my mind. Ashamed that after these years, I still could feel it like it was yesterday. Grabbing an ivory pillow from my bed, I shoved my face into its plush and let out a wrathful scream. Lowering the pillow, I took a series of slow, calming breaths. Looking around my loft, I pulled the pillow away and sighed, relieved to be in my bed at home. Surrounded by my plants and dozens of throw pillows. All was right in the world. Well — aside from my pathetic mind. As my feet hit the floor and I began stretching, I heard Rylee storm to the bottom of the wooden stairs that lead to my loft.

  “Are you ok?!” she called up.

  “I’m fine!” I called back dismissively as I rose to my feet, stretching my back out once more. Letting a wide yawn escape me, I grabbed up my silk, ivory robe from the nearby wicker chair and went downstairs.

  It was bright throughout the house as the morning sunlight cascaded through the windows. Bouncing off the pale colors of our boho apartment beautifully. Scurrying to the bathroom, I quickly hopped into the shower and scrubbed off the memory of his hands. Shaking my head at myself in disappointment. I should have been over this years ago. There was no reason for these memories to come flooding back. They meant nothing, they never did. I had a good life here in Miami. I was no longer the girl who fell so hard, so fast. I was different now. Things had changed since I left Montana, and for the better. I was making progress on my book. I had good freelance gigs and a decent enough boyfriend. That pathetic young girl who fell into his arms was gone. Or at least that’s what I’d like to believe.

  Throwing on my favorite caramel colored bell bottoms and an airy ivory top, I spun in the mirror. Ruffling my fingers through my hair, I let the natural waves separate and fall damply around my shoulders. Giving a small smile to myself in the mirror, I sighed. My golden brown eyes in the mirror calling me out for being a liar. Oh, how I wish I could have gotten blue eyes. Blue eyes could hide the lies from me. Rolling them, I grabbed my crocheted butterscotch shawl and threw it over my shoulders before entering the kitchen where Rylee sat at the glass dinner table. Still in her yoga pants and giant university shirt from last night. She peaked up from the medical textbooks she had her nose buried in and quirked a brow.

  “You good?” She offered a faint chuckle, trying to mask the concern in her voice.

  I nodded, giving her a halfhearted shrug. “Weird dream.” I waved my hand as though it would erase it as I went over to the coffeemaker and grabbed a pod. Popping it into the machine, I grabbed my favorite mug, painted to look like a deep purple crystal. The smell of freshly brewed cappuccino filled my nose, and I groaned sleepily, giving one last yawn for good measure. Finally, holding the piping hot cup in my hand, I went to sit across from Rylee.

  “How’s the studying?” I asked, peaking at her book littered with highlighted portions. Each word looking as foreign as Latin to me.

  She groaned. Dropping her head into the textb
ook. Her long black hair fanning around the book and table as she grabbed two fistfuls. “My mind is turning into mush. I should have done something easier with my life like you.”

  I gasped playfully, placing a hand over my heart in feigned offense as she pulled her head up to look at me. “I resent that! It takes great struggle to do what I do!”

  Rylee giggled. “Bullshit, you just daydream and write it down.”

  “But writing it down is difficult.” I defended. She rolled her eyes.

  Finally pulling her face the rest of the way up from the book, she smoothed her hair back. “Well, happy anniversary. Figured I should tell you before I forget.”

  My brows knit together as I glanced back at her from over my steaming mug. Anniversary? Did I have an anniversary? As I racked my brain for what the day even was, all aspects of time a foreign concept to me anymore, she burst out into laughter. Her hazel eyes dancing playfully. “Yeah! Your anniversary. You and Liam have been together for a year… as of today. You have a celebratory lunch with him and everything. Did you forget?” Blinking at her in astonishment, I lowered my mug slowly to the table, still unsure if she was joking.

  My heart dropped. Shit! She was right! I had completely forgotten. Dropping my face into my palms, I shook my head. Had it really been a year already? That didn’t seem right in my mind, but I guess it had been. Scolding myself for forgetting, I sighed into my hands. “Actually.” Rylee chirped. “You should probably get ready. It’s almost eleven.”

  I groaned loudly and marched my way back up to the loft, debating if I should just go as I was. It wouldn’t matter what I wore anyway, it wasn’t like Liam ever paid much attention anyhow. It would save me time to just go as I was, anyway. It wasn’t like I couldn’t come up with an excuse if, by some miracle; he noticed what I was wearing. Glancing around my room, I fumbled around, looking for my phone. It wasn’t on the charger by my bed. I couldn’t remember the last time I had looked at it, either. It was more or less for show, not for go. It wasn’t like I answered anyone but Liam or Rylee, and I knew neither would be calling. Finally, I heard a buzzing coming from beside my nightstand. Got you! Rushing over to it, following the sound of the phone rumbling between the shabby white table and the wall, I plucked it up. Liam’s name flashed on the caller ID, and I sighed.

  “Hey babe.”

  “Uh, hey. Look Melody, I have a problem, and I’m going to have to cancel lunch.” He sounded panicked, some sort of loud buzzing sounding from his line.

  “Is everything ok?” I raised a brow, looking off at the macrame I had hanging on the wall.

  “I blew a tire, and I need to get a tow. I don’t know how long that’ll take.”

  “Just change the tire Liam.” I shrugged, as if he could see me, while chewing on my thumbnail. “You’ve got a spare, right?”

  He groaned with frustration. “Hell, I don’t know if I have a spare Melody! I can’t change a tire on the interstate!” He whined. I could almost picture him moving his hand around agitatedly as that annoying vein on his neck popped out, pressing into the collar of his polo.

  Sighing deeply, I released my nail. “Text me exactly where you are. No need to pay for a tow. I’ll come help.”

  “Melody! No, wait.” I heard him protest as I hung up the phone. Rolling my eyes. Sometimes I wondered how he even wiped his own ass. As far as ‘manly’ responsibilities, he knew nothing. Hell, even his callous free hands showed he hadn’t done a day of hard work in his life. Not that there was anything wrong with it, there wasn’t, and usually I didn’t mind it. I wasn’t accustomed to it, that was all. I grew up in a different part of the world, and I acknowledged that.

  Skipping down the stairs again, I called out to Rylee that I was leaving and dashed out of the door. Grabbing my purse off the hook on the way. Slinging the strap over my shoulder, keys in hand, I wandered to the side parking lot where my black Jeep Wrangler was parked. Sticking out like the beautiful eyesore it was. Grinning to myself, I hopped in and threw her into gear, checking my phone to see if he sent a basic location. Which he kind of tried to. Good thing for him, I knew where he was heading, otherwise I would have no clue the whereabouts. Pulling out onto the road, I merged through the lunchtime traffic of Miami. Singing along the country song on the radio.

  After a little while of traveling up the interstate, I saw his new impala off on the side. A tire completely blown and shredded around his car, pieces scattered across the four-lane interstate like chocolate chips on a cookie. Followed by a long line of tar marks. Slowly, I pulled up behind his car and saw him leaning against it. His phone was glued to his ear as he adjusted the violet polo shirt he was wearing. I internally gagged. I hated that shirt so much it hurt. Hopping out of my jeep with a less than graceful jump, he finally saw me and waved. Taking slow steps over to me as he dodged the chunks of tire as though they would permanently destroy his khakis. “Hey babe.” He sighed, pressing a quick, chaste kiss on my lips.

  I smiled faintly before placing my hands on my hips. “Pop your trunk.”

  He gave me a sideways glance, as if I was joking. I widened my eyes at him, wordlessly asking him why he hadn’t done it already. This tire would not change itself. It would be pretty cool if it did, but I digress. He clicked the automatic opener on his key fob and the trunk popped open. In a second, I was pulling out his golf-clubs, emergency pack (which he didn’t bother to touch) and gym bag to free the trapdoor on the bottom. I could feel his curious eyes on me all the while, as though he did not know that was there. Which wasn’t a surprise for me in the slightest. Finally, I pulled up the carpeting and opened the hatch.

  “Bingo.” I mused as I locked eyes with the tire, jack and tire iron tucked perfectly in the bottom.

  Liam peaked over my shoulder curiously. “How did you know that was there?”

  “Most cars have a spare in the trunk like this.” I waved him back as I pulled everything out. Grunting and groaning as I tried to deadlift the tire out. Earning no help from Liam at all as the grease stained my once favorite shirt. Rolling my eyes, I set up the jack and used my boot to pump the car up. Watching as it slowly rose enough for me to pull what was left of the old tire off.

  “I didn’t know you could change a tire.” Liam murmured in astonishment as he leaned against the bumper. I sighed. Had he ever listened to a thing I said over the last year, he probably would have.

  “Rylee’s brother taught her and I how to change a tire, oil, whatever. Just the basics in case we ever got stranded. Shredding a tire like this is pretty common back home, those mountains are killer on a car.” I explained as I got the old tire off. With a huff, I drug the new one over and lifted it up. Placing it in the place of the once shredded one.

  “Isn’t there anyone to call out there?”

  I looked up at him from where I was squatting. The rush of cars blowing by us was going easily 75 to 80mph. “There is. But being caught up in the mountains alone as a girl is pretty dangerous. It’s better to know how to take care of it yourself, so you're not stranded and waiting. Especially when the snow flies.”

  Liam grunted. “I forgot. You’re a mountain girl. Canada right?”

  I felt like my eyes were going to have a toned six pack after the amount of rolling they were doing. I exhaled through my nose as I put the lug-nuts back on. “Montana. I’m from Montana, Liam.”

  We had been together for an entire year, yet it seemed he didn’t know me at all. He knew I was pretty, and I made his family furious. ‘The hippie girl’, as they liked to call me, wasn’t all too accepted in their ritzy circle. Which was fine. It just hurt a little that he couldn’t remember even the foggiest detail about my life, but I could remember every aspect of his law internship. His family. His hopes and dreams. Finally, with a grunt, I released the jack and pulled it out. Wiping my hands on the corduroy of my pants, I grimaced at what was once a nice outfit. Now covered in grease and black stains. Ones I knew would not come out.