Snaking my arm around his waist, I say, "Jase. He and Mark will be back Saturday."
He rolls on his side and props himself up on his elbow. Looking down at me, he says, "Stop thinking," as he leans down and nuzzles his head in my neck, lightly nipping on the sensitive flesh. Goosebumps begin to prick on my skin. Raising his head, my hands holding his face, he says, "Do you know how beautiful you look right now?"
His words make my heart quicken, and I pull his face down to me and kiss him.
"Are you guys all packed up?" his mother asks as Ryan pulls out some cold pizza for us to eat.
We spent the morning lying in bed, dozing in and out of sleep, and just enjoying the calm of being alone.
Handing me a slice, he turns to her and says, "Yeah, I have to go to my office and get a bunch of paperwork done, and Candace has to work tonight."
The three of us sit together at the table, eating cold leftover pizza. I sit and listen to Ryan and his mother talk to each other. They have a natural flow and connection between them, and it's apparent that the two of them are really close.
"Candace, will you take a quick walk with me on the beach before you go?" she asks.
I look up at Ryan, and he smiles at me before getting up from the table. Turning to look at Donna, I answer, "Yeah. Let me go grab my rain boots."
The mist is light this morning, as we walk along the firm puddled sand. The wind is kicking hard, and the waves are rough as they crash along the shore.
"I'm sorry if I pushed too much yesterday," she says, looking at me over her shoulder.
"You didn't. I don't ever talk about that stuff with anyone, but it felt nice to unload a little of it."
"I feel just awful about what you've been through, and I want you to know, that even though we just met, you can talk to me whenever you want. I'll give you my number before you leave. Call me, please."
I nod my head and say, "Okay."
"Everyone needs a parent they can depend on, including you, dear."
I'm taken back by her words. Donna has such a warm and maternal demeanor.
She stops and turns to face me when she says, "He hasn't always had it easy, you know? He doesn't let a lot of people in, but I know you're special to him, which makes you special to me. From what Ryan has told me, he's really lucky to have you."
We stand there, facing each other, and I'm at a complete loss for words. Where have these people been? Why are they just now in my life? Why couldn't I have met Ryan years ago? I could have possibly been saved from so much, and now I feel like I could destroy this if he knew my secret. Standing on this beach right now with his mother, I vow to do everything I can to bury this deep down. If he knew, he would never look at me the way he does now. He would be disgusted, and everything would crumble. I can't have that happen. I've lost Kimber, I've lost my parents, I've even lost myself; I can't lose anyone else.
When Ryan pulls up to my house, I quickly jump out to stretch after the long drive. Ryan gets my bag and walks me inside. He follows me back to my room as I go to put my bag away. I turn to look at him standing in the doorway. He's looking around my room as if he is taking in every detail.
"What?" I question, feeling a little too self-conscious of my belongings.
He walks right up to me and scoops me up in his arms. I love it when he holds me like this, I think he gets a kick out of how light I am and picks me up often. I wrap my arms around his neck and giggle as I look down at him.
"You've got a lot of ballet shit in here," he says, and I can't help but laugh at him.
"Yeah, I do."
Leaning my head down, we spend the next few minutes kissing each other. He is always so patient with his kisses, never rushing. It's perfect. He walks over to my bed and lays us down. He doesn't push to go any further than kissing, and I thank God for that because I don't think I am capable of doing anything else. He just holds me.
"What time do you have to be at work?" he asks.
"At seven. I have to close, so I won't be home till midnight."
"Come to my place tonight."
"I don't...I," I stumble over my words, not really knowing what to say, but stop trying when I hear Ryan chuckle at me.
"Why are you nervous? You've slept with me for the past two nights."
"Stop laughing at me," I say as I nudge him in the ribs. "And that was just a little different."
"Why?"
"Because your mother was there."
He starts laughing again, and I know he's not doing it to be rude, but I'm scared. This makes me nervous, and I don't know how to explain it to him. I'm sure most girls wouldn't have an issue with this. Most would be doing more than kissing like a couple of kids, but I don't know what I'm doing, and this scares the shit out of me.
When he realizes that I'm no longer talking, he shifts over me, and in a more serious tone asks, "What's going on?"
I shake my head, because what could I possibly say to a twenty-eight-year-old man that isn't going to sound completely pathetic.
"Talk to me."
"I don't know what to say," I tell him honestly.
"Say what you're thinking, babe."
"I told you that I don't do this well. I just...I don't." Taking a deep breath I close my eyes and continue, "I don't do this, I'm..." Shit. Why can't I get my words out without sounding like an idiot?