Free Because of You by Connie Lafortune

so I try biting hard on his lip before passing out. When he presses his arousal against my core I realize he thinks I’m turned on. Dear God, help me or I’m going to be raped on this very beach. There’s no one home but when his mouth wanders down my chest I scream bloody murder, praying someone will hear me.

Hunter
    I asked Alex if he would mind finishing my shift for me today. After running into Riley on the beach, I don’t want her hanging out with Parker anymore. She’s mine. I’m getting out of the Jeep when I hear the cry of the gulls flying over. Then I hear it again but the gulls are long gone. I go racing around the corner to see Parker on top of Riley by the edge of the water.
    What the Hell!
    Racing across the yard I fling open the gate as I sprint down to the beach. He’s got his mouth against the curve of her breasts, I’m going to fucking kill him! Putting him into a choke hold causes him to let go of Riley as I jerk him off her. When I stand him up in front of me I see the fear in his eyes before I punch him in his preppy face. Hitting the ground he throws his hands up in surrender. He doesn’t want to fight me, the pussy.
    My body’s shaking from the adrenaline rush that’s pulsating through me. “You have ten seconds to get the fuck out of here, or I won’t be responsible for what happens next. ” Riley steps between us, wrapping her arms around me. I nuzzle my face in her neck and breathe her in. I realize at this very moment that I couldn’t survive if anything happened to her.
    Glancing up I see that preppy’s long gone. “You know I could have kicked his ass with one hand tied behind my back?” She smiles against my chest.
    “I’ve no doubt in my mind you would have won, but I don’t want you getting in trouble because of me. ” She gazes up at me and my heart melts.
    “Do you want to talk about it?” I want to know if he tried this before.
    “That wasn’t the same Parker who hung out with me last week. It was almost like he was drunk, but he didn’t smell like alcohol. ” She stares into space as she trembles.
    “Maybe he’s high on drugs or something. You should talk to your dad about it. ” I watch as she picks up the blanket.
    “Maybe I will; he can talk to Parker’s dad. What are you doing home from work so early?” Her smile lights up her face.
    “After seeing you earlier today, I wanted to talk to you. ” Grabbing the blanket from her I lay it on the ground. Sitting down I pull her onto my lap, circling my arms around her. My chin rests on her shoulder as she snuggles against me.
    “Riley, before you came there was an emptiness inside of me. But the moment I saw you sitting by the pool that morning, I knew what I was missing. You . I have never wanted anyone the way I want you. I don’t want to fight it anymore. You already stole my heart, now I need you to take the rest of me. ” My heart’s thudding inside my chest, I just bared my soul and I’m hoping she feels the same.

Chapter Fourteen

Riley
    This is the moment I’ve been longing for. For him to admit that he wants me as much as I want him. But after what just happened on the beach with Parker, it feels wrong. There’s no way I’m telling him it was Parker who caused the jet ski debacle. He would lose it.
    Grabbing his hand I place it over my heart as I gaze into his anxious eyes. “I want you to know that you already own my heart. I gave it to you the day I looked in the mirror and discovered the person you see when you look at me, not the devil my mother made me out to be. You know I’m the one who’s been pushing you to take this to the next level, but after everything that happened today with Parker, I don’t want our first time to be a reminder of that. ” Suddenly I think of Parker’s lips on my breasts, causing me to shudder.
    He leans his forehead against mine. “I would never push you to do anything you’re not ready for. You know that, right?”
    “I know, I trust you