Watch Me Follow (Page 34)

I kick off my sandals and shimmy out of my shorts before whipping off my tank. Ryker steps out of his shoes and his eyes widen while he scans my bikini-clad figure.

With a little swivel of my hips, I ask, “Do you like it?”

“You’re too fucking hot,” he groans. “Good thing we’re about to cool off.”

When Ryker ditches his shirt, my mouth goes dry at his muscular chest. I gulp loudly before fanning my face.

He reaches forward and laces our fingers together. His lips latch onto mine as he drags me closer. I let his mouth distract me and don’t realize we’re about to go over until the last second. My eyes dart down into the sparkling water and my feet shuffle nervously.

“Wait a minute. We’re really high up. What if it’s not deep enough? I might have miscalculated this part of the adventure,” I reason weakly.

“Too late, you already suggested it.” He chuckles before clutching my hand tighter. “This spot is meant for diving. Hold on, Sunshine. Ready?” Ryker asks while tugging me closer to the edge.

My muscles ache with tension as I stare into his blue depths, syphoning courage from him. In the next beat, my eyes squeeze shut as my nails dig into his skin. Everything within me clenches as I blindly nod. Then we’re falling, soaring together, before crashing into the cold water. My system is shocked momentarily from the drop but quickly kickstarts triple time. We’re completely submerged but Ryker’s grip never falters as he kicks to the surface. I gasp after breaking through, sucking in air hungrily before blinking to clear my vision. When my gaze locks with his, we both start laughing.

“That was really fun,” I pant while moving into him.

Ryker draws me closer with one arm before paddling us toward a shallow alcove.

“Your heart is pounding,” he says while propping me against the cool stone wall but the chill doesn’t faze me.

My concentration is securely fastened elsewhere.

I have a personal peepshow to his fantastic upper body, my sight overwhelmed by washboard abs and concrete pecs. It’s like a switch is flipped and suddenly hot desire pumps through me. Ryker’s ropey veins trail down his forearms and my fingers trace the curving tracks. My ankles cross against his ass before cinching the hold, which securely wedges him between my thighs. I’m deliciously pinned between his solid hardness and the unforgiving rock behind me.

“I’m excited,” I purr while arching against him.

Ryker licks up my neck before asking, “For which part, Sunshine?”

Before surrendering to his worship, I manage to respond with a breathy murmur.

“Our entire future.”

Ryker

I’ve been basking in the sunshine and forgot to watch for torrential downpours.

ALL TOO SOON our time at the lake has come to an end and it’s time to head back.

We’re going home.

I never had much reason to use that term before the brilliant ray of light currently sitting next to me in the truck strolled into my dark existence. Until we move to Denten in a few weeks, Lennon wants to spend our nights in the sunshine room. It’ll be sad to leave that special spot but the sheer excitement of having our own space outweighs any melancholy. The studio loft in that sleepy little town is somewhere we’ll share as a new chapter in our journey begins. Filling all the pages of our love story will be the greatest honor of my life.

We already have a great head start.

Lennon stares out the window, watching the campsite disappear into the distance.

“That was a magical trip,” she sighs wistfully before facing me. “We’ll have to visit again.”

“All that alone time with you? Sign me up every day.” I kiss her palm.

“Cuddling in that tiny tent,” she replies softly.

“Watching the stars.”

“Roasting marshmallows by the fire.”

“Hiding out under the waterfall.”

“Lounging on the raft.”

“You in a string bikini with no one else around.”

She chuckles before adding, “The jump was my favorite.”

“And what happened right after.” A groan rumbles from my chest.

“You’re so bad.” She swats my shoulder before I capture her hand again.

“Well, you’re irresistible.” My lips dust across her silky skin, sucking lighting on her wrist for a sweet taste.

Our playful banter continues the entire ride until we’re pulling into the apartment parking lot. My head rests against the seat as I twist toward her.

“Where to next, Sunshine?”

Lennon bites her lip.

“A hot shower would be great. Maybe some packing. But for our firsts, did you see the billboard advertising that festival in Belleson next weekend? Where there’s something fun for everyone?” She raises a brow in question. “I’ve never been to a carnival. Think of all the possibilities. The Ferris Wheel, cotton candy, fried food, tractor pull, those huge stuffed animals that aren’t practical by any means,” she rattles off the choices while I soak up her desire to spend time with me.

“Endless options,” I say with a wink as a plan solidifies in my mind.

She blows me a kiss before hopping out. Warmth spreads through my chest before racing down my limbs. For once in my life, everything is perfect.

As I join her unloading the car, someone calls out.

“Lennon?”

She spins around and her eyes expand to saucer-size.

“Mom?” The question wobbles from her mouth. “Dad?” she sputters as her father steps out of the car. “What are you guys doing here?” Her fingers tremble in my grasp and I’m on instant alert as dread snakes up my torso.

“We came to convince you that moving further away is a mistake. It’s clear just showing up was the right choice,” her dad announces while glaring at me. “You,” he points at me with a steady finger. “Get your filthy hands off my daughter this instant. I’m not sure what the hell’s been going on but it’s over now.”

Lennon swallows loudly, the gulp dropping into my gut like a ton of lead.

“This i-is Ry-Ryker. H-he’s my boyfr-friend,” she stammers quietly. She stiffens her posture before adding, “I love him and he loves me.”

“That’s ludicrous,” he snorts before crossing his arms in front of him, his weathered features stern and hard. “There’s no way you expect me to believe you care for this man.”

Her expression crumples from his tone and my fury barrels forward. Lennon tucks her chin before glancing at me.

“We’re moving in together. Ryker is going to live with me.” A small grin lifts the corner of her lips. She’s so brave, my beautiful girl. Even in front of their misplaced ridicule, she shimmers bright.

“The hell you are,” her father bellows but the gruff sound holds no weight. “What on God’s green Earth makes you think we’ll allow that?”

Lennon’s eyes ignite into aqua flames as she pins him in her stare.

“You don’t have to agree. I’m very much a consenting adult who’s capable of making her own choices. Ryker and I are happy, and that’s all that matters.”

My chest swells with pride as her bold words sink into my pores, but her parents aren’t packing up yet.

Her mother’s audible gasp snags my concentration.

“Oh, my stars. This is getting out of hand! Lennon Elizabeth, you’ve been spending time with this . . . this beast of a man? He could hurt you!” she squawks and the shriek pierces my eardrums but I don’t flinch. “He’s the size of two men. What the hell is wrong with you? Can you not see the menace in his crazy looking eyes?” Her palms wave wildly toward me as she keeps spewing hate. “I knew you should have come home. There’s no one here to keep you safe. Not even that worthless friend of yours. She’s probably behind all this—”

“I keep her safe,” I growl under my breath, full of fight and thunder. My interruption won’t help their opinion of me but hopefully it’ll tell them I’m fucking serious. And pissed the hell off.

“What did you say to my wife? How dare you talk to her that way,” her father spits back at me. “Maybe we should call the police. I’m concerned you’ve brainwashed her into believing your bullshit.”

Their harsh judgements bounce right off me, there’s nothing they can say that will wound me. I’ve heard far worse and have no reason to listen. Lennon’s mine and always will be. She told me we’re forever and that’s all I need. The lies they’re weaving don’t bother me and the verbal lashings cause no damage. My only concern is Lennon and keeping her safe.

I take a defiant step forward, covering her from their hateful stares as my shoulders set with steel.

“Go ahead. They’ll appreciate knowing that you’ve come to where we live and are tossing out outlandish accusations. You’re a bitter—”

“Ryker, please stop!” Lennon’s sharp scold cuts me off. Her harsh tone is a slap across my face I wasn’t expecting so her yanking grip around my flexed bicep goes unnoticed.

Ice dumps in my veins as she pulls me aside. I freeze next to her. My heart drops to the concrete through my feet, shattering into a million broken pieces around us. I can’t run away or think of what to say, all that pounds into me is her resounding rejection. Lennon’s lips are moving as she talks to me but all I hear is the whooshing of the past dragging me down.