One Hot Summer

Chapter 8: His POV

BENNETT

It had been years since I’d partied at my moms house. Apparently, my sister threw parties often while mom was away.

Surprisingly, I was actually excited about this. I’d invited a girl I’d seen through town a few times, Sky. We’d been flirting and I wanted to see if she was all bark and no bite. She was small and feisty with dark brown hair that I wanted to grip onto.

Sky stood next to me and didn’t waste anytime putting her mouth to work. Olivia, Milo, and a few other guards found me and made their way over.

“Nice house” Olivia says giving me a high five.

“It’s my moms” I say gripping sky around the waist.

We talked about the pool and other mundane things as music blared around us.

In all honesty, I was ready to make a break for the bedroom and have some playtime with sky when I saw my sister and Riley descending the stairs.

Jesus, I thought my tongue was hanging out of my head. My eyes roamed up and down Riley’s body. Instantly sporting a hard-on I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Her blonde hair was curled down her back. Her breasts were pushed up in her dress and bounced with each step.

This dress left little to the imagination and trust me, I was imagining.

Riley made her way through the crowd toward Olivia and I was thankful to get a closer look. A pained look crossed over my face as I had to work hard to stop myself from moving toward her.

Part of me was glad when she and Olivia disappeared. Sky got to work again rubbing her hands up and down my chest, pressing her lips against my neck which was a happy distraction. Except, all I could think about was Riley rubbing her hands down my chest, Riley kissing my neck, Riley pressed against me. s**t.

Trying to force her out of my mind, I took to making out with Sky. She certainly was eager and that seemed to help until I f*****g opened my eyes and saw that asshole, James. My eyes followed him and Riley through the crowd.

Riley, in her tipsy state handed me her beer. “Hold this” she demanded. I didn’t say anything, just took a sip of her beer. Sky wanted to dance but I don’t dance. She started pouting so I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the couch. The further away I could get from Riley, the better.

Sky started in again on devouring my lips and neck. It was a welcomed distraction but I still kept my eye on Riley. Part of me was internally happy that James stormed away from her. That guy was seriously the worst. He doesn’t deserve her. Hell, no one deserves her.

“When can we get out of here?” Sky asks me. I shrug my shoulders, “soon” I say still holding onto Riley’s beer.

Striding toward me with a purpose, Riley plucks the beer out of my hands and chugs it.

“You okay” I ask her. She shakes her head no.

“Maybe you should slow down” I tell her. She flips me the bird which surprises yet also excites me. When I jumped up and grab her wrist I didn’t mean to cause her to stumble. She fell into my arms, our faces closer than I’d like them to be. Her face is even more beautiful up close. f**k! This is my sisters best friend.

“Please just be careful” I tell her, clearing my throat. A look of longing crosses her face for a brief moment before it changes, her response truly shocking me.

“Save it for a girl who is your type”.

There’s nothing I can do but watch her walk away. What the hell is wrong with me?

After that, I couldn’t focus. Not even on Sky. I felt terrible about that but my mind was stuck on Riley. Had I truly hurt her feelings when I said she wasn’t my type? She wasn’t my type. She has a boyfriend. She shouldn’t be upset.

My heart thumps in my chest when she walks into the house with tears flooding down her face. My first instinct is to comfort her and I’m on my feet. She’s my sisters best friend, I feel protective over her.

Brynn jumps in, rightfully. James is hot on Riley’s heels. He grips her arm and rage shoots through my body. I don’t like how he’s holding her. She slaps him across the face causing a silence to break out in the house, the only sound being the music in the background.

Riley’s eyes search the room as she realizes that she’s just put on a show for everyone.

Her eyes lock onto mine and she marched up to me. My first thought was that a slap was coming in my direction as well. All I know is that I don’t quite remember what happened next because my lips were suddenly being smothered in the sweetest taste.

It took a hot second for my brain to register what was happening but hell, as soon as I realized that this gorgeous woman was kissing me I was lost in my mind.

Her lips, her lips were full and soft. She smelled like apples with a hint of peonies. My arms instinctively wrapped around her small waist. I’m still not sure if it was just because I was properly returning her kiss or because I didn’t want her to slip away from me.

I needed more, I wanted to taste more of her. I slowly push my tongue past her lips eager to indulge in the taste of her mouth. My god is was unlike any kiss I’d ever had. Thankfully she pulled away because I don’t think I would’ve.

The second Riley was up the stairs, all hell broke loose in the living room. Brynn had jumped on top of James and was smacking him.

“What the f**k did you do to her, you asshole!”she shouted yanking on his hair.

“Get off of me!” He yelled trying to throw her off.

Thankfully his buddy, John was able to pull her off of him. He made a break for the stairs to follow Riley but I’d be damned if I was going to let him upset her more. Nick and I helped keep him off the stairs.

“What the hell happened?” I asked trying to get to the bottom of things.

“None of your damn business!” The asshole had the nerve to say. I glared at his best friend letting him know I wanted an answer.

“She caught him with another girl” his friend caved quickly.

“It was just a misund..” James tried to say but was interrupted when my fist met his jaw. He fell back into his friend, stunned.

“Get the f**k out of my house” I shout.

“No, let me talk to my girlfriend” he argued, holding his jaw.

“Ex..girlfriend” I correct him. With the help Nick and Milo we were able to physically remove him.

As we turned to go back into the house I saw Olivia and Brynn coming back down the stairs.

“Is she okay?” I ask.

“She’s not answering my text” Nick says looking concerned as well.

Olivia shakes her head.

“She just wants to be left alone” Brynn says looking around for James.

“He’s gone” I tell her.

“Damn, I was hoping to get more than a handful of hair” she says and I can tell she’s serious.

Nick and Milo laugh, “between the two of you I’d be surprised if he shows his face around here again” Nick says. Brynn looks at me. I show her my bloodied knuckles.

Her eyes go wide and she pulls me off to the side.

“What’s going on between you two?” She asks.

I shake my head, “what do you mean?” I ask.

Brynn crosses her arms.

“I’m not blind. I saw the kiss, Bennett” she says. I smirk, thinking about it.

“I was just helping out my sisters best friend” I say. She eyes me carefully.

“You swear?” She asks. I nod.

“Okay good, I need a drink” she says moving back toward the party.

I glance up the stairs debating whether or not I should go up. Looking around I’m not sure anyone would notice if I left, sky maybe but I’ll explain it to her later.

Without thinking my shoes are already moving up the steps. When I get to Riley’s door I hesitate for a moment before jiggling the door knob. Locked as expected. I walk to the bathroom door but it’s locked too so I move to my bedroom and try my bathroom door but she’s a smart girl. She locked my bathroom door too.

I grab a small tool and make my way back to the bedroom door. With a few small turns and prods I feel the lock release. The room is dark and silent.

“I swear to god if that’s you James” she says quietly.

“It’s just me” I reassure her sitting on the edge of the bed.

“What are you doing?” She asks trying to hide her tear soaked face.

“Just let me be here right now” I tell her scooting behind her. Right now I’m just desperate to hold her, to comfort her.

She turns to face me, her face is red.

“Ben, I only kissed you in the heat of the moment. It meant nothing”

I smirk at her response. I know her kiss was a revenge kiss and yet…it didn’t feel like just that.

“I know, Riley. Just let me be here for you” I tell her. She nods at me and turns back on her side.

“Can I hold you?” I boldly ask. She turns her head back to me looking unsure.

“I promise, I’ll behave” I chuckle.

“Okay” she sighs.

I start to move off the bed to take my pants off but stop suddenly, “Would you rather me keep my clothes on?” I ask, my heart racing. Her response surprises the hell out of me.

“No, that’s okay” she whispers.

Carefully moving off the bed I remove my belt and slide my jeans off before removing my shirt.

I move back under the covers and edge closer, pulling her body against me. She fits perfectly in my arms and her smell is intoxicating.

I’ve never been nervous sleeping next to girls before and yet I find myself carefully settling my arm over her stomach.

My breath hitches in the back of my throat as I lay on the pillow beside her.

“Riley..” I whisper.

She mumbles in response.

“I’m sorry” I tell her. She doesn’t respond so I know she’s already fell asleep.

Why does this girl already have a hold on me? There’s something about her. She’s not like the girls I normally go for. However, I swore to my sister that there was nothing going on and I intend to keep it that way.

I tighten my grip around her waist and settle in closing my eyes, falling asleep faster than I have in months.