When Love and Hate Reunite: Closed Thread

[SandS13]

She wasn't entirely sure he would recognize it, would remember but it seemed that muscle memory was powerful, even after all this time. It just proved that they still had that connection, time couldn't change that.

Chloe felt him relax just enough to acknowledge the message she was silently giving him.

She barely kept her anger in check. "You know, Hannah..." Her tone was sharp. "You said you liked my books right? Let's just remember for a moment that I am Leigh Norris and how much you enjoy my writing."

Chloe let that sink in for a moment. "All that 'kinky' sex that gets your conservative pussy wet?" She air quoted the word, tossing it back at Hannah. "That comes from my life. We did the things you read about."

She straightened up. Lifted her chin. "Ryan is very sweet. Sweetest lover I have ever had. Most passionate too. Wildest, certainly. I was no one's whore but I was his. In ways you will never experience because you are too uptight to consider how good you have it with him."

Chloe turned and looked up at Ryan. She opened her mouth, just a little as if she might say something but instead just stepped away a little. She didn’t want to intrude more than she had but she also knew Ryan was still very angry. Jonathan moved to stand beside her.

 

[The_gladiator]

Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “I only skim or even skip those parts.” She said indignantly. “They’re the only blemishes on your excellent writing.”

Ryan’s eyes widened at that. He didn’t say anything though, he wasn’t ready to open his mouth and stick his foot in it. This was not the time to tell Hannah that those were the best parts of Chloe’s books. Chloe went on to detail what they had been to one another, to tell what he had meant to her. Hannah’s eyes widened as Chloe spoke.

However, he did stick his foot in it when Chloe turned to face him. She looked up at him. Those snapping fire eyes softening the second they touched him. His did too. It was a stolen moment, in the middle of that chaos. “Thank you little one,” he said softly. Hopefully too low for Hannah to hear but probably not. He lifted his hand as if to brush her cheek, but didn’t finally turning back to his fiancé.

Hannah let her mouth open like a fish out of water. “I don’t even know you Ryan Matthew.” She snarled, “I’m not sure you’re someone I want to know either, if this is who you are. You have never looked at me like that, you have never called me that.”

Ryan sighed, “You get uptight if I simply touch you. How could we ever form a tight bond?”

“Why would you ask me to marry you then. If she is what you want.”

“She and I ended a long time ago.”

“Bull shit, I saw how you touched one another. How often have you fucked her in the last month?”

Ryan didn’t know how to argue with that, and didn’t bother to, “I asked you to marry me because you were safe, our relationship was stable. I thought you would make a good mother to my children.”

“And she wouldn’t,”

“I didn’t say that. Chloe would make an excellent mother, as I said our time ended a long time ago.”

“I can’t handle this Ryan. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Ryan sighed and nodded, “I’ll take you to the hotel.”

“I don’t want to be around you either, call me a cab. As far as I’m concerned you are not welcome in my hotel room tonight. I have to decide if I want to even be with you anymore. I don’t think you understand how upset I am right now.”

Ryan could only shrug, “Fine, I’ll stay somewhere else. “He said, figuring it was a nice night he could sleep in the bed of his truck if he had to, wouldn’t be the first time.

“I might not be there in the morning.” With that Hannah stalked off throwing over her shoulder, “You are not the man I thought I knew Ryan.”

“You most definitely are the woman I thought I knew,” Ryan said softly, his shoulders slumping. He turned towards the bar, “Need another drink.” He muttered to himself. He flashed a bitter smile at the people watching “Show’s over folks, back to your regularly scheduled fun.” His eyes met Chloe’s briefly, but he didn’t say anything to her. He wanted to ask her for a word, but decided it was too soon, that was too awkward. His life was blowing up, yet again, and as usual Chloe was in the thick of it.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe stood there, her heart hurting for him as she watched his relationship break down in front of everyone. Hannah was angry but at the moment all Chloe could think about was his words.

Thank you little one. It both touched her and tore at her. This whole situation was a mess. She could feel the eyes on the little scene. He didn't deserve this and he certainly didn't deserve for it to go down here, so publicly.

She tensed as Hannah commented that she wasn't sure she wanted to know someone like him. In truth, Chloe was moments from smacking the woman. Her hands balled into fists. It all dropped away, like cold water down her back as Ryan said he asked her to marry him because Hannah was safe.

Safe.

Chloe wasn't sure why that hurt so much. She deserved it though. She couldn't forget that she had hurt him, badly. Of course she wasn't safe. She never was. She was the unpredictable one between them.

For the briefest moment their eyes met. So brief. Too brief. Chloe went to step forward to follow him but Johnathan stepped in the way.

"Hey, how about you let me get you out of here?"

Chloe forced a smile. "I think it would be best if I left on my own. You know, keep a little bit of dignity in all this?" She looked around him to see Hank bringing Ryan a beer. He was always good that way. It made sense that he went into bartending. Hank was always quick to see what someone needed and to lend an ear.

She looked back at Johnathan, missing that Hank was gesturing to Johnathan and Chloe.

"I think you have more dignity here than they did. I mean that was pretty cruel of Ryan. Bringing her here, with us and her not knowing any of his past? He was asking for trouble with her." His hands were on her arms, subtly steering her towards the doors.

"Ryan isn't cruel." Chloe's nostrils flared. "No, you can't blame him for trying to change his life. To put this behind him."

Johnathan turned her a little, a hand on her back. He was using her being distracted to try and usher her out. "I am just saying, it probably wasn't the smartest move on his part."

"You can be a real ass, you know that?" Chloe said.

 

[The_gladiator]

Hank intercepted Ryan and handed him a beer. Ryan frowned at it; he’d wanted more whiskey. However, he didn’t argue and started to drink it. “You just going to let him carry her off into the sunset?” Hank asked pointing to Where Johnathan seemed to be shepherding Chloe out.

“She can take care of herself.” Ryan said in a tone that was very uncharacteristically like Ryan.

“After you publicly claimed her again. Seriously man, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I did not publicly claim her,” Did he? He wondered to himself. They’d all seen them together. Johnathan wouldn’t have tried that shit 15 years ago. Ryan was content to let it all slide until he remembered her resistance to Johnathan’s touch before. She didn’t seem to be resisting now, but the memory of it and that protective streak being awakened had him on alert.

“She doesn’t look too keen on his attention.” Hank said. And Hanks opinion added weight to his gut instinct and he moved.

“Was lookin for a good fight,” Ryan commented handing Hank the empty beer glass.

“Don’t start no shit buddy.”

Ryan arrived just in time to hear Chloe say to Johnathan that he was an ass sometimes. “Hasn’t changed much in 15 years, then, has he?” Ryan’s drawl was overly calm. His posture was anything but calm. “You alright Chloe Girl?” he asked circling Johnathan so he was now behind the other man and he could meet Chloe’s gaze over his shoulder. He hadn’t planned on using his other nickname for her, it just slipped out, he made no effort to correct it though. “Hank seemed to think there was a problem here, asked me to come check on y’all.” Ryan’s accent thickened as his anger grew. He had taken steps to make himself sound like a city boy, but he still drove a truck, he knew where his roots were and they showed when he was about to start something.

 

[SandS13]

"Sure but I am a fun ass." Johnathan tried to guide her out the door.

Chloe tried to pull away but he kept his hand on arm.

You alright Chloe Girl?

Her stomach flipped. No one had called her that in over ten years. The only person to call her that was Ryan. She swallowed and looked up, seeing him standing behind Johnathan.

"She's fine, right Chloe girl?" Johnathan smiled. "We were heading out and eventually to the after party."

Her eyes widened. "I never said I was going. In fact, I said I wanted to leave alone."

She wanted desperately to go to Ryan, to press her face into his chest and just feel safe again. She shook Johnathan's hand off.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan saw read as the rat bastard used his name for Chloe. The only thing that kept him from hitting the smug fuck was that Chloe shook free of his grip.

Given the choice Ryan had always opted to protect Chloe over fight another. So, once she was free, and he could tell she was rattled he lifted his arm in invitation. He knew that look in her eye. It was the same look that she used to get. The look that said that play had gone too far, and she needed out, needed comfort. “Come Chloe,” his voice was suddenly much softer, gentle. “Let’s sit down and talk. Johnathan, if he knows what’s good for him, was just leaving, he said it himself. Step along now,” That last part was harsh again, but how he addressed Chloe when addressing her directly was soft, gentle. It had taken all his effort not to call her baby girl or some other endearment in that moment. He was torn between wanting to protect Chloe, and kick Johnathan’s ass. So far, the former was winning, and he had given Johnathan a way to bow out gracefully.

There were so many emotions going on inside Ryan. He was honestly pissed at her, but he still had honor, he was not going to stand by and watch this ass hat upset her. If there was some way to help her, he knew in that moment that he would. He just wanted her to come to him and tuck herself under his arm, against his chest, right where she fit so well.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe was bordering on tears. She was trying hard to keep it together but the night had gotten away from her. She was supposed to be here to apologize to Ryan, not this...

She started to move towards him but stopped, leaning in close to Johnathan. "Don't ever call me that again." There was venom behind her words.

Johnathan nodded slowly. He wanted to argue to flirt and try to convince her but he watched her go to Ryan and knew it was hopeless. She would always be his. He put his hands up and began to back away.

Chloe moved in and melted into Ryan's arm. Her face went into his chest and for a moment she buried it there, hiding and pretending the evening hadn't happened. She took a deep breath, inhaling his scent.

"Let's talk." She managed to get the words out. She stayed close to him, perfectly placed under his arm.

Where she belonged.

 

[The_gladiator]

The corners of Ryan’s mouth twitched into a smile as Chloe put Johnathan in his place, refusing to allow him to call her that, to call her his name for her.

He held her, his hand on the bare skin of her upper back again. Just like during the dance. “I’ve got you honey,” he whispered against the curls on the top of her head. That hair. He wanted to rip the offending pins out by the handfuls so it would cascade in waves like it should. He twitched his hand like he was going to do just that, however he didn’t. He had helped to fuck up her night enough, he wouldn’t mess up her hair as well. She probably knew him well enough to know his thoughts, though.

Keeping her under his arm he headed for a table. He sat her down and let his hands rest on her shoulders, massaging gently. He wanted to loosen her tension, plus the connection helped lower his blood pressure, for now. She was tense and he dug his thumbs into her shoulders. “Breath for me little one,” he whispered in her ear bending low so she could hear him, “Let me help you.” He stood up to keep working on her shoulders. This standing position still let him stay on guard to make sure people left Chloe and he alone for a bit. “I promise I won’t cop a feel when I’m done massaging you, like I did when we were together,” he joked offhandedly.

 

[SandS13]

Oh god....he felt good. Too good. Chloe tried to regain her composure. She held her breath, his fingers were on her back. Her eyes closed as he whispered into his hair. She resisted the urge to take it down for him.

Unlike with Johnathan, Chloe was relaxed as Ryan led her to the table. His hands were on her shoulders. He was massaging her. He teased and Chloe let out a groan. She reached up, grabbing his hand. "Ryan, come and sit. Please. Your touch is relaxing but it also....It is making it hard to think."

She turned and guided him to come and sit. Her hand held his. "Ryan- tonight. This isn't what I had hoped was going to happen." Her eyes shone with tears. They met his. "Fuck..I want to kiss you so badly right now..." She whispered it.

"Before you get too angry with me, let me say thank you for that, with Johnathan."

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan let her take his hand and urge him to sit. He smiled just a bit. He was surprised she was being so open. However, her words made him conscious of what he had done. He didn’t pull away though. Her hand felt so good. He had always loved her hands. Honestly most people did once they saw what she could do with them. He had to squash that thought.

He lifted a brow as she mentioned that she wanted to kiss him. He couldn’t deny that he had thought about it for sure, mostly as she looked up at him when they danced. He wished they didn’t have to talk; they could just get lost in touch again like when they danced.

“Tonight’s been a rollercoaster Chloe Girl. I can’t lie about that. I did not expect you to move me so much. I didn’t plan to lose my fiancé tonight,” he shrugged, “But it will always be my job to protect you from guys like that.” He lifted his hand as if to cut off any protest she might level, “I know it’s not really my job, but I can’t just let that role go.” He looked into her eyes for a long moment, free hand keeping her from looking away, fingertips on her cheek. He then did something that he had promised her he would never do, he brought something up that he had agreed he would never mention again. However, he did not bring it up for the reasons she had made him promise not to bring it up. She had made him promise to never lecture her about it. He wasn’t, he was just wanting her to seek inside herself to hear proof of his words. “Don’t forget I carried you out of Thompson’s party.” He didn’t have to tell her it was less than two weeks after she had dumped him. By all rights he should have hated her, she sure hated him. To this day Ryan didn’t know what all had been done to her. However, he had seen enough to pull her out of there. In her drunken state she had fallen into the same comfortable trust, allowing his protection, though had not been happy about it when she sobered up. Her last wrods had been and you had better never mention this again either. Was that the last time he had seen her? He wondered, but wasn’t sure.

 

[SandS13]

"It has been a rollercoaster." Chloe bit back her emotions as he called her his pet name again. She was his. Even after all these years she was his through and through. She couldn't deny it. And wouldn't insult him by saying otherwise.

She went pale, grew uncomfortable at the talk of that night. That night, when he happened into the party. Came to find her drunk and in pain. She had let things get too far, things Ryan would have never let happen. When he happened upon her she was a mess and beyond upset. She never wanted him to see her that way.

Chloe looked down. She was exhausted. She began to pull the pins from her hair, red locks falling as the little pile of pins grew on the table.

"I never wanted you to feel like you had to. I never expected it but fuck, if I didn't welcome your presence. Tonight..." She inhaled. "I'd be lying if I said it didn't hit every nerve in my body Ryan."

She looked at him, eyes meeting his. "For fuck's sakes I got my self off in the bathroom because of you. Rolllercoaster is an understatement."

 

[The_gladiator]

He listened to her reply. He could see her discomfort as she spoke, as he reminded her of that night. “It’s not something I had to do, it’s something I do.” He threw up his hands almost willing her to understand. “It’s just how I am with you, the way we were, fuck… are together.” How did he put into words what their dynamic was like? She knew.

He watched her slowly taking her hair down. His eyes never left her movement. It was almost like he was watching the unwrapping of a present. He actually folded his hands atop the table so that he didn’t reach for her, to run his fingers through it. “Fuck you’re still so beautiful,” he muttered.

He was a bit shocked that she mentioned having cum in the bathroom. He smiled a bit at that a smirk that told her how hot he found that. “At least you have gotten off tonight. You made me hard as a rock with that touch on my arm in the beginning, with the first word you uttered. Who the fuck knew that ‘can I cut in’ would be good enough to turn me on? Does that make me sound pathetic?” he asked trying to lighten the mood a bit. They had once been able to laugh at their situations. As she continued letting her hair down, he could now see that he was right, it wasn’t as long as it used to be, but it still fell down her back in waves. He finally watched her run her hands through it to free the last of the waves. Having it down, and not touching it was clearly paining Ryan. His eyes never left her though even as he clasped his hands tighter on the table. He wanted to make a quip about how she had better be planning on letting him play with her hair if she was going to take it down like that, but restrained himself

 

[SandS13]

Chloe ran her hand through her hair, shaking it out so it was once more loose and down her back. Her eyes met his. "No it doesn't make you sound pathetic. We can't argue that even after everything that we just...effect each other."

She placed her hands flat on the table. She slid them slowly towards his. He was so tense, his hands clasped so tightly that she could see his knuckles turning white even in this dim light. Her fingertips brushed his woven fingers.

Chloe wanted to talk about...well everything but she also didn't want to lose this moment when he wasn't angry, when she wasn't upset. Just them...

The music changed an a number of people got up to dance. The song was slow, a favourite of their youth and one guaranteed to pack the floor with couples and give chaperones heart attacks. "That's cute. Greg is dancing with Jeannie. Just like winter formal. He is married to a wonderful man named Marcus now. I saw them at a party a year ago. Look, there's Will and Annie. And Vanessa and Sam. Wow...lot of memories on the floor..."

Hank put down two whiskeys. "Only thing missing from the picture is you two." He walked away.

 

[The_gladiator]

Her hands met his. So soft, so tentative. His eyes tore away from hers to where she touched him. Her hands slid over his, palms warm as she surrounded his hands. It was a gentle urging to relax. She had always done that to him. Be it anxiety, anger or depression, her touch was always there to sooth him with touch. She had a talent with words, that was more than obvious as she was an author, but she had lived her life as a dancer, she knew the language of movement, knew what the slightest expression and the slightest movements could convey. This had translated naturally into the love language of touch, that only continued to blossom when she learned how tactile Ryan really was.

Ryan felt her exert slight pressure urging him to release his grip. Finally, he did, letting his hands fall into each of hers, palms up.

He felt the tension release as she started pointing out couples. “Is it take your old flame for a turn?” Ryan asked as he took the glass of whiskey from Hank. “Dammit hank, you call this shit whiskey?” he asked after he took a sip. “What are we, 18 again? Can’t the class afford better?” Despite his bitching he was smiling.

Finally, his gaze returned to Chloe. “He says it’s missing us. We can’t let him down, can we? Someone has to show them how it’s done.” He was challenging her again, just like before.

 

[SandS13]

It took a lot of control to keep her hands just on his. Chloe wanted to run a hand up his arm, over his shoulder, the back of his neck. She wanted to get him to relax. She felt limited to his hands but that was likely for the best.

His hands opened and she let her thumbs stroke his palms gently.

She smiled as Ryan teased Hank.

"Hey, you two finished the good stuff earlier remember? Be lucky you got any whiskey at all there cowboy..." He walked away, laughing.

Chloe let out a shuddering breath. She should do it? Let him take her in his arms again? She wanted to feel him against her but was it the smart move?

Fuck smart. The night was confusing enough why not simply go for broke?

"Let's do it. We owe it to them to show them how its done." She smiled and stood. "Lead the way baby." Her hand was out for him to take.

 

[The_gladiator]

Her touch felt way too good. She had always touched him like no other. Even Ryan couldn’t quantify exactly what she did that was so different. It was like she spoke his language.

She was standing now, hand out. He rose and smiled. Even her simple calling him baby made him shiver. He could hear that as she whispered it in his ear, urging him to cum for her. He gripped the table for a moment while that body memory swept through him. “Fuck,” he breathed.

Gathering himself together again he took her hand. He allowed himself to hold her hand properly, sliding their fingers through one another, lacing fingers as they held hands. Another thrill swept through him. He looked into her eyes briefly and she could see the wonder of that touch to him. This was a woman who used to be his everything. And he could not believe how much she still could affect him.

 

[SandS13]

There was the briefest moment when Chloe thought she had fucked up. She had called him baby and he tensed in an odd way. But then she looked him over and she saw it. The way his hand gripped the table. The shiver. Her eyes unconsciously glanced to his crotch.

He led her to the dance floor and once again she was in his arms. It was perfect. Ryan looked into her eyes briefly and Her knees went a little weak. Her nipples hardened and pressed against her dress.

He could still make every fibre of her body, every nerve alight and raw, hungry for him to touch her like only Ryan could. Oh yes, they played with others, had adventurous sex but at the end of the night when the fun was done it was just them.

Chloe pressed closer, her arm circling his neck. "Like before, baby."

 

[The_gladiator]

They united together again, this time without the awkward period. Their bodies knew one another. Both might be a bit heavier, but at the core things hadn’t changed. Her arms slid up and around his neck. She didn’t maintain a distance this time and he almost groaned to feel her breasts press and rub to her chest. “Yes, just like before,” he echoed after getting another thrill as she called him baby again. This close she would be aware of his excitement; he couldn’t hide it.

Ryan, never one for awkward silence, spoke up, “You know you were voted as the girl in our class to have the best breasts?” it was a little stupid factoid, but he told her anyway, just to break the silence. He couldn’t let things get too tense. He almost made himself laugh, when they were talking earlier all he wanted to do was get lost in her body, now that he had the chance to do just that, he nervously kept talking.

 

[SandS13]

It was like walking into the past. This place, this song and these people on the dance floor. They were all older and had different lives now but right now, they were teenagers again. She wished it were true, that she could relive the years after highschool again and then, fix the mistake she had made by not believing Ryan. When she learned the truth the grief and guilt she felt was ten times worse than the pain of learning of the supposed betrayal to begin with. He had never deserved that.

She didn't want to think about that now. This moment, in his arms was good. Chloe pressed closer. She could feel how much he liked this, how much he was enjoying holding her and dancing with her. Her arm tightened on his neck. There was almost no space between them now. He smelt good. Not the same as highschool, he had switched aftershave or cologne. Likely to what Hannah liked.

Ryan's comment drew her out of her thoughts. Her teeth worried her lower lip. He only got like this when he was unsure. "You were voted best ass. Best stare, too." Chloe smiled. Her eyes searched his. "I am making you nervous." She looked pained.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ryan felt her press closer and could almost hear himself moan, it was a deep noise in the back of his throat, that she might be able to feel through his chest. He laughed at her rejoinders about what he was voted. “Are you sure I didn’t get that vote because the rumors that I let you peg me went around school? More than any workout I ever did? That being said of course I won best stare, I gave it enough, people trying to steal my girl. Which was pretty stupid if you really think about it, because if they were polite, I gladly shared you, I just didn’t let people get dickish about it.”

His hand slid higher up her back, barely brushing the ends of her hair now. It was so close to being in it, among all those waves of red. He finally seemed to be relaxing a little as they went down the rabbit hole of memories. Ryan was only truly nervous when he thought about things, when he just felt, things were wonderful. “Of course you do Chloe girl, think about it. I am holding the woman who used to be my everything in my arms. The woman who can say any number of things and make me hard as a rock or break me for years. It’s a little intimidating, don’t you think? Top it off my Fiancé just abandoned me because I have a past. I might have deserved that one, still doesn’t make it easy. And as the icing on the cake, I did not expect you to feel so fucking good in my arms. The only thing missing from this is actually bending down to kiss you, like I did when we danced to this all those years ago. However, if I kiss you, I will be lost, you know that as well as I do. Do we really want this to end in bed together? That’s where it’s heading, you know that as well as I do, no bullshit.” That had once been something they had said to one another to reassure the other they weren’t lying, no bullshit, because they couldn’t bullshit one another, the other always knew. His piece said Ryan actually pressed his chin to the top of her head so he didn’t have to keep looking into those eyes, the green eyes he wanted to get lost in. He knew that wouldn’t last long though, she would pull back to reply to his verbal diarrhea and he would be lost to her. He wasn’t so sure that was a bad thing, though.

 

[SandS13]

She felt as if she couldn't catch her breath. His words, the utter honesty that was pouring out of him was overwhelming. He held her, his head resting on the top of hers. His hand was there, on her back.

It felt like they were on a precipice. If she looked up he would see it all in her eyes. If his hand moved up and into her hair the way she knew he wanted they would be done. Her heart beat hard.

"I have never stopped being your girl." It was whispered against his chest. Chloe had her eyes closed. Now was the moment. Everything was about to change.

Very slowly she pulled her head back and looked up at him. Her hand moved from his neck to his cheek and Chloe forced him to look down at her. "No bullshit."

No faltering, no blinking even. She wanted him to know how much she still loved him. How everyday he entered her mind, even briefly. A song, a scent, the smallest things could bring him to the forefront of her mind.

"We are going to kiss. If it is as good as the rest of this then fuck it. We can tackle the rest as it comes. There is a lot here. Between us."

Chloe's green eyes shone like emeralds as she stared up at him. "Will you kiss me Ryan? Put your hand in my hair and kiss me, babe. Please." The last word was a pleading whisper.

She held her breath. Her eyes never wavered from his. The song ended, the dance floor changed to new partners, new moves. They remained as if frozen for a moment. Chloe couldn't hear the music or the sounds of people's voices. All there was was Ryan and the sound of her pulse in her ears.

 

[The_gladiator]

She did the expected, she pulled back to look at him. What she said was not expected, however. Still his girl, they would kiss, they’d sort things out. Could he trust it, could he believe it?

Then she asked him if he would kiss her, challenged him to kiss her and begged him to kiss her all in the same breath. It was a dizzying ride through his emotions as she spoke. He was already looking down at her, her hand on his face. Her hand was so soft. Would it be so wrong? She smelled the same as she always had. He could smell the perfume she had most likely dabbed on her wrist.

He started by pressing his lips to her wrist, wanting that, the smell of her. So many memories, and it was so close. As she touched him, he kissed her a feather light brush across the tender flesh of her inner wrist. That hadn’t quite been what she asked, but it was very Ryan.

Finally, he turned his head back to her face, his eyes fluttering open again, they had closed as he had kissed her skin, taken in that familiar scent. He lowered his head slowly towards hers. Finally, he was there, her lips under his. He was hyper aware of everything. Even something so simple as she wore no lip gloss, she knew he wasn’t fond of the feel of it on him, hadn’t she been wearing something earlier? He didn’t remember, all he knew now is she had none. Her lips were full and soft, just as he remembered. Ryan’s lip muscles were strong, a brass player for many years. She met his kiss. There was no tongue this first time. It was a heartbeat stretching into eternity.

His hand finished that journey he wanted to make, sliding into her hair, helplessly twining fingers through the waterfall of waves, moaning into her mouth, so pliant, so willing. He could have plundered her mouth, she would have allowed it, he could tell. He knew by the way she parted her lips just a little bit that he could have invited himself into her mouth, but Ryan was very aware of their audience and to be honest he was still nervous. However, with how good the kiss felt, how right, he knew the next kiss wouldn’t be so gentle, that if he got a second chance, he would take full advantage of every opportunity her kiss hinted at.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe closed her eyes. His lips were on her wrist. It was not the kiss she had wanted but it was the best kiss she had had in a very long time. It was more intimate than if he had just gone and full out kissed her. No, this gesture...this was purely Ryan.

She remembered the feel of his lips, their touch, even there on the delicate skin of her wrist. It was impossibly light.

Chloe held her breath. If he stopped there she would respect it, cherish it. She hoped it was just a way open the connection once more though.

She couldn't think as his lips met hers. It was like connecting two wires, a spark then the electricity flowed. This was not the kiss of young, inexperienced love. This was not the kiss of comfortable partners. This was intimacy in physical form. From the way their lips met to the way his hands ended up in her hair it was the perfect kiss. It was the kiss that spoke of love, understanding, hurt and happiness. It was everything.

Chloe leaned into him. He was leaving her breathless, weak and wanting him more than was possible. It wasn't just physical desire. No, her heart missed him. Her soul missed him. He was the part of her that had been missing. Her arm held him around the neck, her other his body. She tilted her head. The feel of his hands in her hair was like coming home again. He felt like home.

Those around them stared. There were murmurs. There were smiles and smirks.

Chloe never wanted it to end but knew it would. She slowly became aware of the world around her.

 

[The_gladiator]

They were as one being, locked in each other’s arms. It was a moment Ryan wished would never end. But end it did. He smiled at her a bit sheepishly as he too became aware of the whispers and the smiles. “We have an audience per usual,” he whispered against her lips, by no means complaining.

“Why don’t all get a room?” Ryan could only laugh helplessly against Chloe’s lips as Roger’s voice into the peace of their stolen moment. “I think there’s even a few left at the resort,” the class president added. Ryan didn’t have to look to hear the smirk in Roger’s voice.

“I’m seriously considering it,” Ryan said finally looking over at the other man. It was half the truth and half just said to get rid of him. He wondered what Chloe would say to him as Roger walked off towards the bar.

 

[SandS13]

Chloe kept her eyes closed. His breath on her lips as he talked caused a shiver to run through her body. Her nipples hardened.

Ryan laughed and she smiled. His words surprised her. It wasn't that they weren't attracted to each other. That was obvious. It wasn't that they wanted to be close. Again, that was obvious. It was that he was considering acting on those feelings. As of this moment he was still engaged. Chloe didn't think it was going to be that way come the morning but she also wasn't going to assume Ryan wanted to give up that life yet.

Hannah had been safe. He had a life free of her chaos.

Chloe looked up at him. "All you have to do is tell me to come and I will. Say the word Ryan and I will leave with you."