Page 56 of Jerk

The smell of tobacco fills my nose. It blends with the smell of damp earth. Rolling over, Ryung stares at me like a problem he can’t solve, cigarette dangling off his lips. He reaches forward, pulling a twig out of my hair, his bare chest still on display.

“For a queen, you snore like a frog.” He sits with an elbow against his knee, his eyes roaming my face. “You okay?”

My brows knit while I try to get my bearings. Then it all comes roaring back to me. His body pressed against mine. On the tree, on the muddy ground, bent over a nearby rock. Having sex with Rye lasted way longer than the storm. Way longer than I ever intended. One slip-up and I couldn’t get enough.

Am I happy my folks left me on an island? Fuck no. But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling a weight off my chest that he’s still here.

His eyes fall to my body, and it’s only then I realize I’m wearing his shirt, still damp on my skin. “Why wouldn’t I beokay?” It’s like my brain hasn’t caught up with what happened last night. “Of course, I’m okay, no thanks to you.”

“You were screaming something different last night.” My cheeks burn under the sun, Rye’s dark eyes sparkling a shimmer of dark blue in the light.

“Last night was a mistake,” I blurt out the words, even with my legs still weak from his onslaught.

He puffs, his eyes on my face with that same look he had last night. Right before we kissed. “Okay.”

My heart sinks. “Rye, I?—”

The sound of a motor comes from nearby, loud enough to cut off my words.

Pushing off the ground, I look towards the dock, wondering if it’s my parents making their return.

The boat comes closer. So does the person driving it.

Mac.

He waves at us, my gaze turning back to Rye.

He smirks. “Told you. I just needed time.”

TWENTY-ONE

RYE

“So,what the hell happened at Silver Lake?"

Mac starts the inquisition I expected.

He looks at me from behind his glass filled with dark liquor, the fireplace roaring in his office.

A lot happened at Silver Lake. A lot I’ve tried to wrap my head around. The problem is, whenever I do, all I remember is my hand wrapped around her throat.

“Last night was a mistake.”

It didn’tfeellike a mistake.

“Yeah, what happened?” Ember presses. She tries to get Hannah’s attention from behind her canvas by the bay window.

Hannah avoids Ember’s eyes, sitting on the floor in front of the vintage fireplace. She cradles a mug of coffee held up to her face, still in a rawer state than I’m used to. Her hair hangs damp from her long shower, an oversized hoodie over her small frame.

It takes everything not to take her to one of the many empty rooms and ask her if my cock deep inside her still feels like a mistake.

“What are you two hiding?” Mac asks when neither of us answers.

Hannah finds my gaze. I arch a brow.

I don’t know if I should be the one to share what happened. I don’t know if she’s ready for everyone else to see that side of her. Before I can think it through, she nods, giving me the green light.

Turning my attention back to Mac, his eyes narrow, looking between us, like he's trying to read our cues.