Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2) (11 page)

"Okay," Logan started. "I’ve never have been in love before."

The circle went silent, stifling out the roar of the party around us. It became a game of Russian roulette. If you pulled the trigger, you were dead. All of our hands inched up to our mouths, not quite taking the plunge. Glaring at Logan, Scarlett took her gulp as she should be, despite what the rest of us thought. Chloe took a drink while Kallie and I stared at each other. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Logan chug the rest of his bottle. Kallie's eyes stayed on mine while her cup slowly lifted to her mouth and she downed it.

I didn't let go of her stare while I quickly downed mine. "I never believed in happy endings," I challenged, lifting a new bottle that Logan handed me. Kallie's eyes glazed over as she stood abruptly. She turned and walked away from our circle and toward the house. Caleb made a move to follow, but Logan stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. I wouldn't have stopped him so nicely.
 

"You're an ass," Scarlett muttered.

"Damn right." I stood and followed the path she took.
 

I knew she didn't go inside. I walked past the front porch and along the side of the house until I saw her small shadow leaning up against the siding. She was flush against the wall as I approached. I knew that game was a bad idea. I would get my sister back later for her stupid idea. She knew damn well what she was doing.
 

"Go away," she said as I got closer.
 

"I can't," I admitted.
 

I walked over here, but had no idea what to say to her. Was I here to apologize? Did I want to fight? I took in her small shadow in the darkness. She looked deflated as she hunched over. I may have meant what I said back there, but I hated seeing her upset and hurt.
 

"Just go away, please," she pleaded, looking up at me.
 

A lot was said back at the fire. She ran away, fell in love, and I didn't believe in happy endings. She never had a dick in her mouth and never had a one-night stand. She was innocent and I wasn't, but she had loved me at one time. I loved her at one time too, inexperienced and naive as she was.

Kallie

Ryder stalked closer in the dark. He humiliated me back there. They all did, although I didn't think they meant to. Ryder put a hand on each side of my head on the wall behind me, boxing me in. I could smell his familiar scent of gasoline and soap with a hint of smoke from the fire. Every nerve was on edge ever since I drove into this town. He was pinching each one, testing the breaking point.

I couldn't escape without making a run for it and causing a scene. I looked up into his dark face, waiting for his next test of endurance. He could push me, he could question me, but I wasn't backing down. That's all I ever did in life— shrink away in the shadows and try to blend in. It was pointless and empty. Most of all, I was exhausted by it. If you wanted something from me then you were out of luck.

His lips crashed to mine and sent a shockwave through me. I expected yelling or pushing away, not this. I clung to him as he pushed into me and nibbled on my bottom lip. He already worked me up at the apartment in an attempt to prove a point, and his effect on me still hadn’t worn off. My lips were still tingling and my body was still aching.
 

His fingertips dug into my hips. I squeezed his biceps to keep my knees from giving out on me. "You drive me fucking crazy," he whispered roughly against my lips.
 

He pulled away and stared down at me. I panted and held his gaze. I wanted him and would take whatever I could have of him. My body refused to know what my brain knew. I’d end up with a broken heart.
 

"You're like a damn magnet, pulling me in," he growled.

"And you pushing away," I said back.
 

He lips were back on mine, shutting me up. I ran my fingers in his hair and hitched a leg up on his waist, feeling the affect I was having on him. A rumble in his chest vibrated through me, and my body heated up from the inside out. A fireball started deep inside and was growing, consuming all of me.
 

"I need you," I whispered with my head tilted back as he sucked on the spot where my pulse was pounding.
 

He shook his head, but made no move to pull away or stop the torture. His hands moved under my hoodie and up my ribcage. I sucked in a breath, feeling his calloused hands tickle my skin. "Please," I said into his ear.

He pulled away quickly, and my body slid back down to the ground. My head was still foggy as he grabbed my hand and dragged me through the dark yard. He moved quickly and silently away from the light and sounds of the party. When my eyes adjusted to the pitch black, I saw a small shed.

Ryder yanked open the door and pulled me in behind him. Slamming the door closed, he turned and picked me up by the waist. I wrapped my legs around him and held on to his shoulders. He walked as I kissed him fiercely. We hit something solid and I was placed on a high counter. Putting his hand on my chest, he pushed me away slightly.
 

I started to protest, but felt his fingers at the bottom on my jeans. With one hand, he unbuttoned them and slid down the zipper. His other hand was still over my raging heart, no doubt feeling the way he affected me. He wrapped an arm around my back and kissed along my jaw line while he lifted me up, using his free hand to slide my jeans down my legs.
 

I felt the rough wood under my bare skin, but I didn't care. This was compulsive and ill-advised, but I couldn't make myself stop. I ran my hands under his shirt and dragged my nails down the hard muscles of his back. He hissed and squeezed me harder into his body. I could feel the bulge of his jeans between my bare thighs.
 

"Please," I pleaded breathlessly.

That was the final plea to make him finish what he started. He pulled down his jeans and I felt his smooth skin at my entrance. He slid over my wetness and I leaned my head back in a whimper. I cried out into the darkness when he thrusted into me, ready to fall apart at any second. I dug my nails deeper into his skin to keep myself grounded.

"Fuck," he grunted, and his jaw clenched. He glared down at me, full of lust and anger. It was almost terrifying, but mostly the hottest thing I've ever seen. "Why can't I fucking stay away from you?"

I squeezed my legs around him, and his eyes closed tightly. "Because you don't want to."

"Fuck," he growled, punching the wall behind me. The movement jolted him inside of me, and I moaned out, needing more.
 

He brought his gaze back down to me and pulled out slightly, slamming back in with a force. I scratched down his back and cried out his name.
 

"Harder," I breathed out.
 

He obliged, pounding into me harder. I clung to him as he hit deeper inside of me. This wasn't sweet or loving. It was needy, compulsive, hard, and relentless. I cried his name out over and over as I was shoved to the edge. Sensations erupted inside of me, and I came hard and quick. The wave washed over me with little warning, leaving me screaming and convulsing around him.

Ryder cursed as he lifted up my shirt and pulled out of me quickly. I felt the hot liquid on my stomach as every muscle in his body went rock hard. I released my death grip on his shoulders and gently soothed out the scratches I left. The shed was hot and stuffy. Ryder rested his forehead on mine, our pants filling the small space between our mouths.
 

"Don't move," he said as he pulled away from me. He moved around the dark room before coming back and wiping off my stomach with what felt like a paper towel. He easily lifted me off the bench and set me down on the ground. My jeans and panties were still around one ankle, so I bent over and pulled them back up.
 

"Did I hurt you?" he asked me while I tried to smooth out my hair.
 

"Not in a bad way," I told him honestly. I may have bruises from his fingers digging into my hips, and he was probably bleeding from my nails, but I was definitely sore in all the right places.
 

He put his hand on the back of my head and pulled me in for a rough kiss. His breathing was still labored when he pulled away and rested his forehead on mine. "I hate what you make me do," he said quietly.
 

"I know," I agreed, stepping back out of his hold. I walked past him and pulled open the door, looking back at him. I wasn't going to let him ruin it by telling me how much he didn't want me. He wanted to tell me this was a mistake, that he shouldn't have done it. It was all lies, and we both knew it. He wasn't ready to let me have all of him yet, that much I could tell. I didn't need him to tell me and make me feel even worse.
 

"Coming?" I asked him when he didn't follow. He nodded, and I led us back to the fire pit.
 

Our group was still in the same circle as we left them. Chloe saw us first and her smile grew. I casually took my previous seat and accepted the fresh drink she handed me. Ryder sat back down as well while they laughed at us.
 

"I never had sex in the workshop," Logan announced, lifting his almost empty beer.
 

I laughed and took a drink. Ryder punched his friend in the shoulder before taking one too. After that, no more comments were made. The game was forgotten while the boys told stories about growing up together. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard about a story of Logan streaking at a high school football game.
 

I was feeling lightheaded from the beer and Scarlett was slurring when she suggested dancing. She stumbled over toward a truck playing some country music and Chloe rushed to help her stay upright. She looked back at me and I shook my head at her. We were in no condition to be dancing in the back of pickup trucks. I stood to help reign in Scarlett when Ryder abruptly grabbed my arm as I went to pass.

He pulled me down to his face and said in my ear, "Bad idea, sweetheart. You know what your dancing does to me."
 

I shivered at his words and almost contemplated dancing anyway. I glanced at the girls and saw Scarlett trying to pull herself up into a truck and failing. "Don't tempt me," I smiled at him.
 

I broke from his grasp and rushed over them. Scarlett was sitting on the tailgate, laughing hysterically. I looked to the guys for help. Logan got up and marched over. Picking her up, he hoisted her over his shoulder. She yelled and pounded on his back while he carried her off.
 

"Ready to go?" Ryder asked behind me. I nodded and we followed him to an SUV I have never seen before.
 

"Look's like Devon is the DD for the night," Logan said as we walked us over. "We try to have one at every party. Like a taxi service," he explained to Chloe.

"You're chariot awaits," a guy said as he did a bow for us. I've seen him around the parties here before, but had never officially met him. He pulled open the back doors and Chloe climbed in. Scarlett was already sitting in the back, pouting. I climbed in as well while Ryder got into the front seat.
 

"Thank you for choosing Devon's Driving tonight. I am Devon and will be your designated driver. Please remain seated for the duration of the ride and keep all body parts inside the vehicle at all time," he said in a fake announcer voice, making us laugh.

"My place," Ryder instructed him.
 

"You're a lucky bastard," the driver said as we pulled out of the drive and onto the dark back roads. "Dragging around three beautiful ladies all night."

"One is my sister, prick," Ryder laughed. "Eyes on the road."

Devon pulled his eyes off the rearview mirror and back to the road. My body tingled with awareness when I realized the route we would be taking. The rest of the car must have felt it is as well because the air became tense and thick. Scarlett gently squeezed my hand, and Ryder's face went tight and hard. We drove past the tree in silence and finally parked at the apartment. Devon and Ryder came around to open the doors for us and we piled out on unsteady legs.
 

"Need some help upstairs?" Devon asked Ryder.

"I got it," he almost growled as he pulled me a little closer.
 

We thanked Devon, and Ryder handed him some cash. Ryder had to carry his sister upstairs, as she was worse off than Chloe and me. Scarlett passed out almost as soon as she hit the mattress. Chloe quickly joined Scarlett in her bed and left me with either the couch or Ryder's bed. That was most likely not a coincidence.

I came out of the bedroom and Ryder was leaning on the counter in the kitchen. He watched me while I went to the couch and laid down. If he wanted me in his bed, he would either need to ask or put me there. I made enough moves of my own tonight. It was time I put it out there and let it simmer.
 

I quickly started to drift off from the alcohol and excitement of the day. I felt lips touch my forehead just before giving completely into sleep. I smiled but didn't move as I let sleep continue to take me under. It was a sweet gesture that I was sure he wouldn't make if he knew I was awake.