Free Before Ryan Was Mine (The Remembrance Trilogy - Prequel) by Kahlen Aymes Page A

and hoodie I’d thrown on that morning. The purple coat that was shoved under my left arm was the first one I could grab as I’d rushed from my father’s house. The first impression with Ryan’s family certainly would not be what I wanted. The butterflies did somersaults in my stomach again, and I swallowed hard, wishing I had a soda or bottle of water with me. There were plenty of places to stop and pick one up, but my anxiousness to get to Ryan overshadowed the need. My iPhone blipped in the front pocket of my sweatshirt, and my hand plunged in to retrieve it, a smile already plastered on my face. Typical impatience from Ryan, only this time, I mirrored the feeling.
    Jules? You here?
    I furiously typed my answer one-handed as I pulled my luggage behind me and made my way past the security checkpoint where out-going passengers were being screened. The lines were insane and I was thankful I didn’t have to fight that mess.
    Yeah. Walking into the main terminal.
    The airport was huge, and the walk seemed endless, but when I saw the glass windows at the front of the terminal come into view, my eyes began the search for Ryan. He was leaning up against one of the large pillars, nonchalantly scanning the crowd, his hands shoved unceremoniously into the front pockets of his jeans, a black leather jacket covering his broad shoulders. My heart did the little flip it always did when I saw him, and as usual, I pushed it away. He was so gorgeous. I did have breasts and a vagina, so I wasn’t sure why I expected to be immune to the incredible pull he held over women. Even Brian, an openly gay student who was a member of my philosophy discussion group, would gape and drool. Every time Ryan would come pick me up after one of our study sessions at the campus library, the guy would make it ridiculously obvious he was attracted. Ryan’s discomfort on such occasions was palpable and I thought, hilarious.
    “Brian is no different than the hordes of women fawning all over you constantly. That doesn’t seem to bother you, Matthews!” I’d mumbled under my breath. “And, he’s prettier than some of them.”
    He’d had the grace to blush and shot me a look that could kill, his eyes warning me to stop my goading. “Shut up or I’ll punish you,” he warned with a quirk of his lips. “His dick would be the difference.” Later, he’d held me down in my dorm room and tickled me furiously until I was screaming with laughter and begging him to stop the torture. He didn’t let me go until I promised I’d never tease him about Brian again.
    Ryan’s face lit up with a brilliant smile when he caught sight of me. He quickly came forward and wrapped me in a tight bear hug. The scent of his cologne engulfed me as his arms tightened around my shoulders. I inhaled as deeply as I could, closing my eyes as my cheek pressed into the soft material of his sweatshirt over the solid muscles of his chest and my arms wound around his waist. I was keen on memorizing how he smelled and how it felt to be held in his strong arms. My coat dropped to the floor and the handle of my carry-on clanked against the tile as it dropped. Ryan had hugged me before. He’d given me numerous piggyback rides and slung his arm around my shoulders on countless occasions, but this hug had me plastered against every inch of his body, my softness smashed to the hard contours of his male form, my breasts crushed against his chest. It felt amazing, and I was in heaven. I felt flustered and unsettled as I moved back to glance up into his face. His blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
    “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said. His voice oozed over me as his hands grabbed my shoulders. “My mom is circling the terminals and should be around to pick us up in a couple of minutes.”
    “I didn’t have time to get ready. I look a mess. Thanks for that.”
    Ryan chuckled and bent to pick up my bag and coat. He pushed the handle down and easily slung the bag over his shoulder