Paradise Bound (bxb)

Chapter 6

"MATTHEW PHOENIX CASTLEROCK! How dare you not tell me about your date with Ryder right away" I held my phone away from my ear as Jace's voice shrilled.

"You know, I wasn't expecting a howler at 8am" I stated and I was met with silence. He usually loves my Harry Potter references. I sighed.

"I know, I know I'm sorry" I winced as he growled. Jace rarely gets mad but when he does he means business.

"Why did you tell Amber and not me?" He asked with hurt flooding from his voice.

"I didn't mean to not tell you, I just remembered her saying if anything happened to let her know cause she's happy for me" I told him.

"You couldn't have texted me at the same time" he deadpanned.

"Honestly, I would've rather had told you about it this weekend"

"Yeah well Amber told Corrine who told Kota who obviously told me" he huffed.

"I didn't tell her about it, I just said I was going on a date beforehand....I was saving the deets for you, Jem, don't worry"

"Sooooo, how'd it go?" he asked excitedly.

"We went to dinner and then took a walk" I said with a smile on my face.

"Anything exciting happen?" He asked hinting oh so subtly. Note the sarcasm

"We kissed" I murmured

"Awwwwwwww" he cooed and a blush formed on my face even though he couldn't see me "Did you like it?"

"Of course I did, I've been dying to kiss him since the road trip...it was different but in a good way"

"Are you coming home this weekend?"

"Yeah, Ryder is too by the way" I told him while throwing my blanket off my body.

"Alright, awesome! Can't wait to see you Mattsy. I miss you" I could hear the pout in his voice.

"I miss you too, but I gotta get ready for class and I'll see you tomorrow after I get off work"

"Okay, let me know when you guys leave"

"Sure thing, Jem. Love yous!"

"Love yous Mattsy!" He said before the line went dead. I can't wait to go home tomorrow for a little bit. It will be nice to get back to familiar surroundings and seeing my family. Not that it's been too long but I'm quite the family man if I do say so myself. For now, I just have to get through today and half of tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ugh, Finally" I groaned as I pulled the black apron over my head. Brandi laughed copying my actions.

"Cause it's so hard being a barista" she teased.

"It is, all the college students trying to get their caffeine fix" I exasperated, my hands pulling my cheeks down so I felt my bottom eyelids stretch down. She snorted.

"Gosh you look soooooo sexy right now" she laughed.

"He always does" Ryder's voice chimed in out of nowhere, making me whip around to see him standing in the entry way with his signature smirk on his handsome face. I felt the heat crawl up my neck to my cheeks.

"Awww lover boy to the rescue" Brandi cooed. After a few days of working together and Ry popping in, she put the pieces together of something sparking between him and I. I swear women can be FBI detectives or some s**t. Today, I told her about our date yesterday to confirm her theory even more.

"Hey, Ry. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Figured to just pick you up from work and get on the road " he shrugged. I looked at him, puzzled. "Did you need to pack anything?" He then asked after assessing my facial expressions.

"Well, not exactly. I left clothes at home for when I visit but...but I was gonna drive?"

"Nah, it's okay. I'm tagging along last minute so I can drive us" his smile gleaming in the lights of the café.

"Ohkie...See you Monday, Brandi" I waved at her as she hung up her apron.

"Have fun and drive safe!" She called after us, as we left the shop.

Ryder's car was parked a couple spaces up, against the curb. He opened the door for me and shut it after I climbed into the seat.

"You know, you don't have to keep doing that" I told him as he climbed in the driver's side.

"I know, but I like to be a gentleman. If you want me to stop, I will" he said as his eyes met mine.

"No, it's fine. I just didn't want you thinking I expect it every time" I muttered and my peripheral caught his tongue wetting his lips. I was tempted to flick my eyes to the action but I kept them on his eyes. Is it too early to want to ravish him every time I see him now?

Jeez, one kiss and I'm addicted. Can't help it though, it was just...perfect, thrilling even. His soft lips moving with mine in what I could compare to a synchronized dance.

"Matt" Ryder's voice cut through my thoughts and I instantly refocused on him, narrowing my eyes.

"I don't like when you call me that" I mumbled with a frown.

"I know but you weren't answering me" he snickered "Where'd you go?"

"Just thinking" I answered and he nodded.

"Okay, Well do you need anything from your dorm or are we good to go?"

"All good" I told him before he put the car in drive and started our small journey home.

After about fifteen minutes of staring out the window, I glanced over at him driving. I studied the way he drove with his left hand on the steering wheel, his fingers wrapped around it, his arms flexing with the slightest steering correction and his relaxed face. I looked at his other hand that rested on the gear shift. Should I hold his hand? I question myself. With Amber, I would just do it. Maybe because he's a guy? Or is it just myself setting boundaries since we haven't established anything? Then again, if I were riding with a girl I was interested in, I'd do it with or without a title. Ugh, I'm just making things complicated on myself for no damn reason. It's just Ryder for crying out loud. I mentally groaned at myself.

As if reading my thoughts, Ryder's hand flipped palm up, fingers parted awaiting my hand. I gently slipped my hand in his, our fingers intertwining.

"So" he simply said

"So" I repeated and he smiled.

"Tell me something about you, we already know each other's favorites and s**t but tell me something about childhood Matthew" he said and I blew out a breath.

"Well...uh it really wasn't all that interesting" I laughed "I mean I met Jace when we were just little tikes and we did everything together like normal kids. I think the most interesting thing we did was find an abandoned tree house" I shrugged "Otherwise, pretty plain Jane childhood, what about you?

"Well mine was not exactly what you call your normal" he laughed "Since my mom passed away after giving birth, it was just my dad and since he has his company I was mostly cared for by nannies. Every summer I would get sent off to my aunt in France...I was home schooled until I threw a fit about not being around kids my age, so when I got to middle school age I was able to make 'friends'. They weren't really friends since they only seen me for what I had to offer" he frowned. "Now the only friends I have are you, Landon and my step brothers"

"How many boyfriends have you had?" I blurted.

"Just two"

"Why didn't they work out?" I asked curiously.

"They sort of fell into the category with my 'friends' only wanting what I had to offer" he told me.

" I'm not like that" I said quietly.

"I know" he squeezed my hand lightly with a small smile.

"Are you jealous that Genevieve will have the attention that you should've had from your dad?"

"I mean...kind if sort of, but at the same time I understood it. He didn't expect his wife to pass and he owns a big company" he shrugged "Do I resent him sometimes for the lack of attention? I'd be lying if I said no but I'm also understanding"

"You have a good head on your shoulders" I complimented.

"Thanks, I have a good head somewhere else too" he glanced over with a wink. "Also can give good head"

"And you lost it" we both laughed.

"How many girlfriends have you had?" He asked me. I noticed an hour had already gone by from us talking.

"Three"

"What happened?"

"Well the first one was just a middle school fling really. The second one, we got serious and I ended up saying I love you to her only to find out she was dating another dude at the same time. Then there was Amber, which you already know why we ended" I stated. He had a thoughtful look on his face.

"I never said I love you to anybody" he mentioned after a bit of silence.

"Why not?"

"Because I never felt it, you don't say it unless you mean it...Well that's how I think and I just never got to that stage"

"I get what you mean" I nodded.

The rest of the drive we ended up talking about random s**t like TV shows we want to binge, college, work and even football since the Verlice twins are playing in Boston in two weeks.

Finally, we pulled up to Jace's house. Ryder parked the car and we got out of the car. Walking up to the door, I remembered the last time I just walked in so I ended up knocking on the door. Ryder gave me an odd look.

"I walked in on Dakota and Jace" I mumbled and in return Ryder snorted in amusement.

Jace opened the door and flung into my arms.

"Mattsy! I missed youuuuuuu" he mock sobbed. I squeezed him back before he stepped back and fist bumped Ryder. "Hey broski" he stepped back in the house and we followed him in, shutting the door behind us.

"Everybody home?" I asked him as we walked into the living room. Dakota was lounging in the recliner.

"Yep" Jace chirped "Oh, mom made your favorite by the way" he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Cherry cheesecake?!" I questioned excitedly.

"Yeppers" Jace smiled. I squealed and ran to the kitchen. I threw open the fridge door and the container holding the delicious dessert was sitting on the shelf. I grabbed it out and set it on the counter, looking in the drawer for a fork and a knife to cut myself a piece. I wiggled my fingers while opening the cupboards for a plate. I don't care what anyone says because cherry cheesecake is like s*x in my mouth delicious.

I cut a nice sized piece and set it on my plate before returning the container in the fridge. I know she makes extra cherry sauce, I thought to myself. Aha, there it is. I grabbed the small tub, opened the lid and poured some extra cherry goodness over my slice.

Putting a piece in my mouth I moaned at the delicious balance of creamy and tangy.

"Damn" I heard Ryder growl "It'd be more arousing if I was the one making you moan though" Ryder whispered in my ear. I yelped I surprise and turned to face him.

"Want some?" I asked gesturing to my plate with the fork. "It's my favorite" he just stared at me intently before leaning up slightly, his tongue darting out. I felt his tongue lick under my lip.

"Mmm cherry is my favorite" he gave a smirk. I shivered, my hands twitching to pull him closer but stopping myself mid-action. His eyes glanced down at my hands and confusion flashed across his face.

"You're acting weird. Why?" He asked.

"It's nothing" I tried to deflect, averting my eyes to the floor.

"Matthew, c'mon tell me" he said putting his finger under my chin. A sense of Deja vu occurred.

"I don't know how to act around you" I admitted sheepishly.

"What do you mean?" He questioned.

He listened intently as I told him all the thoughts I've had about just grabbing him and ravishing him to holding his hand in the car. When I was done, he simply smiled and stepped closer until we were chest to chest and my back against the counter.

"Oh, my little sunflower" he said softly while he grabbed both of my hands with his "Don't be afraid to grab me, touch me" he stated and placed my hands on his ass. I felt my cheeks heat at the action, but it awakened my southern region with excitement. "Or kiss me" he finished placing a kiss on my chin, trailing them down to my neck. I tilted my head slightly to give him better access.

"Matthew" his lips ghosting against my skin.

"Yeah?" I rasped out.

"Can I claim you as mine?" He asked seductively. My mind flashed back to the time where he told me he would mark me if I was his. I shivered in delight.

I looked him in the eyes as I replied "Yes"

"Good" he smiled before his lips landed on the perfect spot on my neck. My breath hitched at the slight sting of pain from the suction of his lips. My fingers flexed gripping his ass tightly, pulling him closer to where a friction between our crotches made a small moan bubble out from my lips. He pulled away momentarily.

"That's more like it" I heard him whisper before he continued his assault on my neck. I let my eyes shut and head fall back against the cupboards while I kept moving our bottom halves together. Totally disregarding the fact we were in Jace's kitchen, my moans continued. The stimulation was pure bliss and I swear I could c*m like this if we continued.

"Final-f*****g-ly" Dakota's voice cut through the foggy daze of pleasure I was receiving. We both stilled before turning our heads in the direction we heard his voice. "The tension between you two was so thick you could cut it with a knife" he stated.

"Dakota" I groaned

"Cockblock" I then muttered quietly making Ryder chuckle.

"Hey at least I didn't walk in while you guys were having s*x" he said dully.

"You were in the living room!" I exasperated.

"It's my house" Dakota bit back and I rolled my eyes.

"Kota! Stop harassing Matt" Jace yelled from the living room. Dakota scoffed walking back into the living room with us following.

"I can harass him if I want to" he huffed.

"And I can abstain s*x from you" Jace retorted.

"You wouldn't" Dakota said in disbelief, narrowing his eyes at Jace.

"Try me" Jace stated with a challenging stare.

"Damn, what happened to my sweet and innocent Jacey baby" Dakota whined.

"You tainted him with your d**k" Jace said with a shrug.

"True, very true" he nodded in agreement before walking over to Jace and leaning down "I can taint you even more, if you'd like" he whispered with a nip to Jace's ear.

"Alright, I think that's our cue to leave" I said aloud. Jace's face was red as he pushed Dakota back.

"No, no stay. You behave" he pointed a finger at Dakota. Dakota mock snapped his teeth at his finger.

"Oh, I forgot my cheesecake" I suddenly remembered my forgotten slice on the counter

"Understandable. You were a bit distracted" Ryder said with a smirk. I groaned and retreated back to the kitchen to eat my delicious dessert in peace.