Hearts on Fire Read online

  I walked into the café a few minutes before noon. Tori was already seated and waving at me frantically.

  I threw my purse on the empty chair. “I saw you. You didn’t have to flag me down like you were hailing a cab,” I laughed, giving her a big hug.

  “I haven’t seen you in so long. I thought maybe you’d forgotten what I looked like,” she teased.

  I rolled my eyes, “Don’t be so over dramatic. I just saw you last night.”

  “True,” she said. “But it’s been like two weeks since we’ve really had a chance to talk. What’s going on with you? Chris told me about what happened at the marina. I know you didn’t want to talk about it last night. But what happened?” Concern filled her voice.

  Just then the waitress came to take our order, giving me chance to stall. When she walked away, Tori raised her eyebrow questioningly.

  I looked down at my hands. “Honestly. It was scary. One of the member’s son had too much to drink out on the water. When he came back to the marina, he was totally plastered. He grabbed my arm and tried to haul me onto his boat.” I paused, remembering the crazy look in his eyes and rubbed my arm where his hands had bruised me.

  “Did he hurt you?” she asked.

  I showed her my arm. “Just this and my knee. I got a gash from falling onto the dock, but it’s healing. His groping hands were the worst. The way he touched me, creeped me out.”

  “And?” Tori probed.

  “And, I was scared. And then Tyler showed up out of nowhere. He clocked the guy in the face and he went down. End of story,” I sighed.

  “Our Tyler? I have to be honest, I really never thought he had it in him. I’ve never seen him be aggressive,” she said.

  “He was like my knight in shining armor. He took care of me all night long.” I gave her a sideways glance, “Then he came back later and REALLY took care of me. If you know what I mean…?”

  “Oh my god,” she squealed. “Did he fuck you that night?”

  I threw my hand over her mouth and looked around to see if she had attracted any attention. I looked back at her. “Yes!” I said definitively. “And it was sooo good. And last night. Even better!” I giggled.

  She pulled my hand from her mouth. “Who are you? Not even six months ago, I was trying to convince you to let him in, and now you’re like some…some sex maniac!”

  I rolled my eyes at her again. “I swear you have a flair for drama. I’m not a sex maniac,” I assured her. “It’s just that when I’m with him, nothing else seems to matter.”

  “You totally love him, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I do,” I confided. “I know that this sounds silly, but he is my everything. I can’t imagine life without him. I don’t know how to explain it.”

  “You don’t have to. I get it. I’m that way with Chris. So….how is the sex?” she said, leaning close and whispering. “Does he make you…” she spoke even quieter “does he make you come?”

  “Yeah,” I said dreamily. “Every. Single. Time. At least twice.”

  She squealed again, clapping her hands in excitement, “I am so happy for you!”

  “I know. I am happy. But do you think it can really last? He’s leaving in less than a month. I don’t know how I’m going to survive it. What if he gets to MSU and forgets about me?” I worried.

  “He’s not going to forget about you. He’s as in love with you, as you are with him,” she assured me.

  “I’m so used to seeing him every day,” I sighed. “It’s going to be hard.”

  It’s called Skype sex, honey. I’m pretty sure it’s why Skype was invented.”

  “Oh…I can’t do that. Seriously? That would be totally embarrassing,” I cringed at the idea.

  “Trust me! Have I ever steered you wrong? Chris and I have done it. Sure it was awkward at first, but it’s totally erotic. Knowing you can see, but you can’t touch. It’s my personal 3am porno pleasure,” she giggled so hard that she snorted.

  I swear when Tori and I got together it was always a good time. She could make me laugh like no one else. She was good for the soul and truly the best friend anyone could ever ask for. “You’re sick. You know that?”

  “Yeah, but you love me anyways!”

  “I do. You’re the best!”

  Tori and I finished our lunch and made plans for later in the week. Tyler’s uncle had agreed to let us take his boat out on Wednesday night. I knew Tyler wouldn’t mind the extra company. The four of us really hadn’t spent that much time together this summer, and it was long overdue.

  Wednesday evening, Tyler, Chris and Tori met me at the marina. We carried everything we would need onto his uncle’s speedboat. It was an inboard cabin cruiser with a sun deck. Awesome for laying out and getting laid. Not that there would be much of the latter, since we had company. But a girl could dream.

  “You ready for this, baby?” Tyler questioned.

  “So ready,” I flashed him an excited smile.

  “Okay, lovebirds. Enough of the googly eyes at each other,” Chris teased. “Let’s get this party started!”

  “Hell yeah!” Tyler exclaimed. “Let’s do this.”

  We all took our seats, as Tyler started the engine and eased the boat out of the slip. Once we made it out of the “no wake” zone, he opened up the throttle and sped off across the lake towards Gull Island. I leaned back on the lounger, letting my long hair fly out behind me. I couldn’t erase the silly grin from my face. Using my sunglasses to shield my eyes, I took him in.

  I knew my man was sexy, but seeing him command the boat, like he owned the lake was totally turning me on. He was shirtless, showing off his lean, defined muscles. His board shorts hug low on his hips, accentuating that “V” that I loved so much. He was all mine. Something I still had a hard time grasping at times.

  He found a spot in the lake that was somewhat shallow and slowed the engine. There were a lot of boats out on the lake tonight, trying to enjoy the hot summer evening. Tyler and Chris anchored the boat in about four feet of water. Deep enough to enjoy the water, but shallow enough that we could get out and walk around.

  We turned up the radio and cracked the cooler. Even though we were all under age, the marine patrol sheriffs wouldn’t really bother us, as long as we kept our drinks covered. This area was a haven for underage drinking, and unless you acted stupid, no one would say a word. It was an unsaid rule among boaters, who were all there to have a good time.

  Chris and Tyler both grabbed beers, while Tori and I went for the wine coolers. I stripped off my cover-up, baring my black string bikini. I gazed over at Tyler, knowing he would be watching and it would drive him crazy. I saw his tongue dart out and run over his bottom lip, as he let out a soft groan. Yeah, mission accomplished.

  Tori leaned over to me, “You are sooo evil,” she whispered. “I like this side of you!”

  “Come on, girl,” I beckoned. “Let’s go catch some rays.”

  “Right behind you, girlfriend,” she answered.

  We made our way to the sundeck on the front of the boat, spread out our towels, and soaked in the sun.

  Chapter 26

  Tyler

  I watched as Kyla pulled her cover-up over her head, arched her back and stuck out her tits. I took in every delicious curve of her body, as she peeked over her shoulder at me. Yeah, she knew what she was doing to me. I couldn’t pull my eyes from her as I said to Chris, “I swear that girl is trying to kill me.”

  I set my beer down, threw my hat down, and jumped off the back of the boat into the lake. The cold water was just what I needed to calm my raging hard-on. I dunked my head, grabbed my hat and turned it backwards on my head. Chris followed me in as I grabbed my beer off the deck of the boat.

  Chris and I clinked our bottles, “Dude, I don’t even know who that girl is. I’ve known Kyla forever and she’s always been quiet and shy. Her nose has always been in a book,” Chris stated matter-of-factly. “Whatever you’ve done, looks good on her,” he smiled smugly.

 
I gave Chris a light punch to the shoulder, “Really? What if I said something like that about Tori?”

  “Well, that would just be weird.” Chris took a long draw off his beer and shook his head.

  “But it’s okay for you to say it about Kyla? What the fuck?” I questioned.

  “I’ve known her longer,” he shrugged. “Seriously, I think you’ve been really good for her.”

  “Thanks, man. I can’t believe we have less than a month left before I leave for school. It’s going to be really hard being away from her,” I admitted. “It could be weeks before I see her. That’s a loooong time, if you know what I mean.”

  “Two words for you. Skype sex,” Chris waggled his eyebrows.

  “Are you kidding me? She’ll never agree to that,” surprise laced my voice.

  “That’s what you think now, but Tori said no at first, too. Now, she’s like a fuckin’ addict,” Chris groaned. “Not that I’m complaining. I love that girl. She’s insatiable,” he said knocking back the last of his beer. “I’m gonna grab another, you want one?”

  “Sure. I could go for another.” Skype sex? I guess it could be worth a try. No way it could replace having her underneath me, but it would be better than nothing.

  Chris handed me my beer and popped back into the water. “Can you do me a favor?” I asked.

  “Sure, man. What do you need?”

  “Can you watch out for her while I’m gone? Not just here, but at Western, too?” I felt kind of strange asking Chris this, but I trusted him. And with Kyla and Tori being so close, I knew he would be seeing her a lot.

  “You afraid she’s gonna cheat?” he questioned.

  “What? No!” I almost choked on my beer. “We’re solid. It’s just that, the shit that happened the other day at the marina has me worried. I forget sometimes how tiny she is. I won’t be able to be there for her, and it would make me feel better to know that you had her back.”

  “Tori and I have got it handled. Those two will be roommates, and I’ll be in the same dorm. You know I don’t mind kicking a little ass, if needed,” he assured me. “We won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “Thanks, man,” I knuckle bumped him. “You’re the best.”

  “Yeah, I am, aren’t I?”

  Asshole!

  The sky turned pink and orange as the sun started setting over the lake. We had made it back to the marina just before the sun dipped below the horizon.

  “Thanks for letting us come out with you guys tonight,” Chris said as he took Tori’s hand to help her off the boat. He looked back at us. “You guys wanna go grab something to eat?”

  “Nah,” I answered, slipping my arm around Kyla’s shoulder. “I think we’re hanging out here for a little longer.”

  Kyla snuggled into my side and wrapped herself around me. “Tyler’s going to show me the rest of the boat,” she giggled.

  “Gotcha,” Chris let out a knowing laugh. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do.”

  “Well, that leaves the possibilities wide open, man,” I joked.

  “Don’t you know it?” Chris clasped my hand, giving it a hard shake.

  Tori leaned over to give Kyla a hug, “See ya later girl.” Then whispered loudly in Kyla’s ear, “Call me!”

  Kyla nodded and waved good-bye to our friends.

  I looked at Kyla and laughed, “That girl is about as subtle as a hurricane.”

  I wrapped my arms back around her and pulled her close. I buried my face in her hair, taking in the sweet coconut smell that was all her. “Come on, let me show you the cabin.” I led her down the steps that opened up into a small room and bathroom. There was a full sized bed crammed into the small space.

  Kyla spun around, threw her arms out and flopped back on the bed. “This is so cool!”

  “You like it?” I asked, sitting down next to her and rubbing my hand over her leg.

  “I love it! Think we could just spend the night here?” she looked at me seductively.

  A deep growl escaped my chest, “I’d love to, but I think your dad might kill me.”

  “You’re right,” she let out a big huff. “He’s been really cool lately. No sense in rocking the boat.”

  “Oh baby, we’re still going to rock the boat.” I laid over her and pressed my lips to hers. I started to slip her cover-up over her head and ran my hands along her stomach. “You know what this bikini does to me?”

  She let out a little giggle and feigned innocence, “What? This old thing? It’s just a bathing suit, Ty.”

  “You little minx. You know exactly what this does to me.” I ran my fingers under the strings that covered her hips.

  She batted her eyelashes at me and smiled, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Then let me show you.” I crawled over her body and pulled the strings that held her suit together. I ran my hands over every surface and curve of her beautiful body as she moaned softly. I pushed my trunks down, slipped a condom on, and eased her legs apart. I slid into her heat as her legs wrapped around my waist. I made slow, lazy love to her. We rocked the boat and let the waves of pleasure consume us long into the night.

  Chapter 27

  Kyla

  July was coming to an end. Tyler and I had made the most of every single moment we’d had together. We’d fucked and made love - yes, there was a difference- more times than I could count.

  I loved when he was rough with me, because I felt alive and safe in his arms. I knew he would never hurt me and if I said “stop”, he would.

  I never did.

  I loved when he was soft and tender with me too. When he whispered kisses across my skin, making tingles run along my spine. When he made me feel like I’m beautiful.

  I’m not.

  But, he thought I was. And that was all that mattered. For now.

  I wasn’t stupid. I knew when he left for MSU next week, our lives would change. He’d be a quarterback at a Big 10 school. The girls would fall in love with him. He’d be sought after, and hunted down by the girls that wanted to be able to say they’d slept with the quarterback. I knew he loved me, but I hoped he could resist the temptations that would surround him.

  I hoped he loved me enough.

  If we weren’t going to different schools, I wouldn’t have been so worried. Everyone would know we were together. But with me being at Western, they wouldn’t. I had

  decided not to try out for Western’s cheerleading team. I needed to be a Tyler’s games. Those girls needed to see us together. To know Tyler and I were a couple.

  I trusted him. I did. It was the slutty chicks I didn’t trust. They wouldn’t care if he was mine. They’d try to take him anyway.

  I would never have asked him to give up his dreams for me. Those were his to keep, not mine to take. I should have just gone to MSU with him. With my grades, I could have gotten a scholarship to go there, too. But WMU had the graphic design and advertising program I wanted.

  I thought that this would be easy. The two universities were only an hour and a half apart. But the distance that would be between us was becoming a reality and I was scared.

  I wasn’t worried about being tempted by other guys. I knew from that first kiss in his car on Homecoming night. I knew he was it for me. I knew he would steal my heart and hold it in the palm of his hand. I knew that he was my forever.

  I hoped I was his.

  I finished packing my bags for our trip to the lake house. Tyler would be here shortly to pick me up. Then we would go to Chris’s house to meet him and Tori. I lugged my bags down the stairs and placed them in the front hall. We would be gone for six days. Two days later he would be gone. I was going to squeeze every ounce of pleasure I could from the next week.

  I heard his car pull up and the door close. When he opened our front door, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. He returned the kiss, but looked around to see where my parents were. “They’re in the kitchen,” I whispered. He nodded and kissed me deeper.

&nb
sp; We broke apart and walked to the kitchen to say good-bye. It was still fairly early, and my mom and dad were just finishing their morning coffee. “Okay, we’re ready to leave,” I said cheerily.

  My dad motioned to the two empty chairs at the table, “Have a seat. I want to talk to the two of you.”

  Oh shit!

  We had no choice, so we quietly sat down and gave each other the What the Fuck? look. We knew what was coming. The “Talk”.

  My dad looked at both of us and started, “You know I have my reservations about this trip. But, you’re both adults now and can make your own decisions.” He looked at Tyler and continued, “You’ve earned my respect this summer, Tyler. But this is still my little girl.”

  Tyler kept his eyes trained on my dad and showed confidence with his words, “I understand Mr. O’Malley. I hope you know I would never hurt Kyla or disrespect her. I think you know I love her.”

  My dad nodded. “I do. And she loves you,” he said. “I also know we,” he turned to my mom lovingly and took her hand, “we were eighteen when Kyla was born. We were young once and I understand. But, it wasn’t planned and it wasn’t easy. All I’m saying is… be careful. You both have bright futures and babies change everything.”

  “Dad, we know all this.” I swallowed down the bile in my throat as I said the next part. “We’re careful.” Ugh! I just admitted to my parents that we were having sex! Please! Can we just leave now!

  My mom stood from the table and looked at my dad, “I think they got the message and they have a long drive. We should let them get going.” Thank you mom!!!

  I kissed my mom and dad good-bye. Tyler shook my dad’s hand and hugged my mother. We gathered all my bags and headed out to the car, as my parents stood in the driveway and watched us pack up. “What do you have in here? You do realize we’re only going to be gone six days, right?” he said as he threw my bags in the trunk with his one duffle bag.

  “A girl’s got to be prepared, right?” I gave him my best flirty smile and fluttered my eyelashes at him. I shrugged my shoulders at him, “Girls have a lot of stuff.”