Page 10 of Ride or Die (The Shores #1)

CHAPTER

TEN

ADDICTED

LAYLA

Normally, I’m a pretty levelheaded girl.

My mind is quite analytical. I like to examine data, determine the probability of outcomes based on that data, and research.

I’m a realist and don’t believe in things like fate or the universe.

There is usually a logical explanation behind everything that happens.

I wouldn’t let something like a boy get in the way of my goals or interrupt my train of thought.

I used to laugh at desperate girls who were fawning over boys.

Like it was the most important thing in the world to be noticed by them.

I used to think girls like Simone, who go out of their way to dress up and look good to get attention, were pathetic, sad excuses for women everywhere.

Maybe it's because boys never paid attention to me, so I put this guard up, telling myself it was all so stupid. But, now that I’ve actually kissed one, I can see where they are coming from. It's like I’ve been floating on air ever since Colton and I hung out, and I can’t get him out of my head.

I didn’t see him for the rest of the weekend, but we texted non-stop and even did homework together on video call. Aside from a brief period on Saturday night, where I’m sure he was out street racing, he was attentive and interested in everything about me.

Honestly, I’m glad we weren’t around each other because I would have jumped his bones way too easily. After feeling his hands all over me and his tongue in my mouth, I’m ready to combust. Given the opportunity, I would one hundred percent give my innocence to the bad boy of The Shores.

No matter how sexually stimulated he makes me, I have to make him work for me at least a little. To think I have to wait until Friday for our date is excruciating.

He lives two streets over and could have easily come over to push for more, but he didn’t.

Being who he is, he’s never had to work for a girl’s affection, so this must be entirely new to him.

I see depth behind his eyes, a soul that is much more than the hard exterior he puts out there.

It makes me hopeful that maybe he genuinely wants to be with me, but I’m still wary that it’s all a prank.

It’s Monday right before the morning rush, and I am sitting in the back room finishing a muffin and coffee while my leg shakes beneath me. Elliott passes by, backtracking to eye me up suspiciously from the doorway.

“What has you all worked up? I never see you this way.” He sweeps his pointed finger the length of my body.

I lean back and sigh. “Okay, promise not to tell anyone? I don’t really have friends and I could use some advice.” His eyes widen and he nods, taking a seat across from me.

He pushes his glasses up with his finger and leans in. “Spill girl.”

“Okay, so a guy I’ve had a crush on for years told me he likes me and kissed me last week. It was my first kiss, too. Well, first make-out session, really.”

“Oooh, I like where this is going!” he practically squeals, making me giggle before I continue.

“Then we spent all weekend texting and video chatting. It’s just, he’s popular and I’m not, and I’m worried I’m some prank, and he will break my heart and embarrass me,” I say, nervously biting my lip.

Elliott nods, taking everything in.

“He asked me on a date this Friday to meet his friends and get dessert after. I don’t know what to do.

I avoided actually spending time with him all weekend to keep this from going too fast, and later today I’m going to see him again for the first time since we kissed.

I’m super nervous.” My hands fidget in my lap.

Elliott leans back in his seat and crosses his arms. “Your first kiss, eh? That’s a big one. Does he know it was?”

I nod. "Mhm, he most definitely did. He kissed me, then said he's had a crush on me for years. We've gone to school together since I was eleven."

Elliott nods a few more times before resting his elbows on the table.

“Well, here’s the thing about relationships and love.

Every time you put yourself out there, you risk getting hurt.

But all those awesome private, intimate moments are worth putting yourself out there.

The companionship alone is worth it. Yeah, sometimes you get your heart broken, but you dust yourself off and move on.

And sometimes you hear these beautiful stories of soulmates who find each other young, and there is never anyone else for them.

But you have to put yourself out there to find that person. ”

I mull that over for a second. He’s right, I can’t be safe and closed off forever out of fear, or I'll always be alone.

“Besides, you’re gorgeous. Is it really that odd that a popular hottie could want you?”

“Elliott, I’m the loser good girl where I come from. No one pays attention to me, people don’t like me. Guys like him don’t go for girls like me,” I say quietly, my shaky hand grabbing my coffee to take a sip.

“I don’t know why they call you that. What, because you’re good at school?

They are all missing out, Layla. Besides, I think you’re awesome, so fuck the rest of those people.

As for the new hunk, I say go for it. He’s kissed you, told you he likes you, wants to introduce you to his friends?

What do you have to lose? Your virginity perhaps? ” He chuckles.

“Oh shut up, leave me alone.” I bury my head in my arms, embarrassed. Obviously, if I admitted it was my first kiss, it would mean I’m still a virgin.

“Get over it. No one cares these days. I can’t wait to hear you tell me about your first time.” He gives me a wide smile, gets up, and ruffles my hair. “C'mon, let's get out there. It’s about to get busy, hot stuff.”

After my shift, I head over to the library.

I selected an online literature credit as an elective and had to do some research for it.

It’s not the most interesting course, but it’s a nice change from all the business terminology and number crunching in my mandatory courses.

It's also allowed me to expand my reading selection and try new things I normally would never read.

The poet I am researching now has brought me to the third floor, in the deep back corners of the library. I swear the area is dusty from the lack of foot traffic. Clearly, very few people read 16th-century literature for fun.

My finger drags along the book spines as I try to locate the three I am interested in. As I peruse, I sense a presence behind me and stiffen. The air gets thick and heavy with his scent, and I turn to see Colton sauntering towards me.

Swallowing becomes difficult as I take in his features under the low light that highlights him perfectly.

He’s wearing a blue hoodie with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his tattoos, stonewash jeans, and white sneakers. A chain hangs around his neck, and his hair peeks out the side of his backwards hat.

His hands dip into his pockets as he closes the space between us, and my heart races. The closer he gets, the more intense the ache in my core grows. I cannot get over the effect he has on me, and he hasn’t even touched me.

Now that I've tasted him, it's that much worse.

He stops right beside me and leans his shoulder against the shelf, a playful smirk on his lips. “Hey, Layla,” he purrs. “I missed driving you this morning. I stopped by your house.”

I shrug nonchalantly, trying to remain calm. “I took the train. I worked at six.”

Playing it cool, I find the book I am looking for and pull it from the shelf. I continue on my quest, dragging my finger along to locate my next one.

“How did you find me up here?” I ask, focused on the catalog numbers.

“I was walking in and saw you get up from your spot, so I dropped my shit with yours and followed you up here. I’ve been waiting all weekend to see you again. I couldn’t wait any longer.”

“Isn’t that a little…stalkerish? Following a lone woman up to a dark corner of the library?” I bite my cheek, trying to suppress a smile as I look at him.

He shrugs and licks his lips, his eyes trailing over my face as he examines me.

“Not really. Not when she already knows how I feel about her and how badly I want her. I’m not stalking at all. I’m pursuing what I want.” His confident voice is as smooth as silk, and I subconsciously clench my thighs together to ease my throbbing pussy.

I am not living in a dream. He actually wants me. I can feel the energy radiating off of him, and once again, I am looking at a version of this man I have never seen before.

Colton moves right behind me, boxing me in against the shelf. “And I know she wants me too,” he whispers in my ear, sending chills throughout my body.

Feeling his large body against my back, I place the book on the shelf.

I can’t help but lean my head back against his broad chest. A small moan escapes me as he gently caresses my arms, his fingertips stroking my skin all the way down until he interlaces our fingers.

The contrast of his tattooed arms against my ink-free skin makes my mouth water.

He wraps our arms around my front, hugging me against his body. His long arms envelop me, cocooning me into his embrace. I feel safe in his arms. Something about this just feels so right.

His face burrows into my neck as he breathes me in, and now it’s his turn to moan.

“Mmm…you smell so fucking good, like a vacation,” he groans.

I feel his lips gently press against my neck, peppering me with little kisses.

Goosebumps prick along my skin, and electricity shoots through every nerve in my body. I feel like I’m vibrating.

Hell, I probably am.

"I've longed to hold you like this for years," he murmurs, in a haze of his own. His words make me lean into him even more, and he holds me tighter in response.

“Colt,” I whimper. I want him to kiss me so fucking badly.

I let go of his hands and turn in his arms, looking down each side of the aisle to make sure we are alone.

His hands move to my waist, gripping me tightly as if he’s afraid to ever let me go, and his gray-blue eyes lock onto mine, his pupils dilating with each shallow breath we take.

Drawn together like moths to a flame, he dips down and I tiptoe up, our mouths colliding.

My arms wrap around his strong neck and shoulders as he effortlessly lifts me, hugging me to him as his mouth devours mine.

This kiss is fire, his tongue gliding perfectly with mine, kissing me deeply, passionately, as if he’s been waiting for this moment for years.

Colt’s hands move to support me under my ass and my legs wrap around his waist, fitting us together like two pieces of a puzzle.

The kiss gets more heated as he pushes me against the shelf, grinding into me.

We’re making out in the stacks, and it is so incredibly hot.

I want this man more than my last breath.

Excitement rushes through me, feeling his hardness pressed against my hot center, my panties soaking with arousal, knowing I can create this reaction from him.

With every swipe of his tongue against mine, my innocence fades, and I know I’d give it up entirely to this man if given the chance.

Fuck, I’d do it on the floor right now if we weren’t in public.

We reluctantly pull apart, resting our foreheads together and breathing heavily.

“Jesus, Layla, I love kissing you. I can’t get enough,” he rasps. I can’t help but giggle as he puts me down, still holding onto me.

“Tell me what days you work. Like I said, you’re not taking the train anymore. I’ll drive you. I don’t care what time.” His thumb rubs my chin, his eyes filled with adoration that I still find hard to believe.

“Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I work at sex.” I close my eyes and shake my head vigorously, embarrassment flushing my skin as he chuckles. “I mean six. Tuesdays and Thursdays are regular classes.” I can’t keep my thoughts straight. This guy has me under his spell.

“That wasn’t so hard, now was it?” He smiles as he tucks my hair behind my ear, his eyes darkening with lust as his thumb traces my bottom lip.

My mouth parts for him and my tongue comes out, licking him.

His eyes flash with desire as he dips his thumb into my mouth.

My tongue twirls around the tip, his teeth sinking into his lip as he watches me.

Who am I? Why am I doing these things?

“Fuck,” he groans and removes his thumb from my mouth. This guy has me so riled up that I can’t help myself. I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and pull him down to kiss me. He gives me the cheekiest grin before our lips meet again.

I’m addicted to kissing Colt, and I cannot wait for our date. Maybe then I can taste a little bit more…