This girl gets me.
Soon enough we’ve triple checked for any forgotten items, stuffed the truck to the max, and are ready for whatever tonight brings us.
I’m hoping for a yes.
Lennon
Every single one of my firsts belongs to you. I want you to have them all.
“RY, I’M FALLING! Slow down!” Another obnoxious squeal peals from my lips as I flop against his back.
My legs tighten around his waist while I cling to his chest as Ryker continues bounding gleefully through the rowdy fairgrounds. His head turns to me as he laughs loudly.
“Your first piggyback ride is meant to be bumpy and ridiculous. I’d never let you go,” he reassures me while squeezing my bare thighs.
We’ve only been here for an hour but I’m already having the best time. Ryker scarfed down an order of cheese curds while I stuffed my face with cotton candy. We went round and round on the Ferris Wheel, exchanging plenty of heated kisses and teasing touches. The ride ended with both of us extra hot and bothered but the sexual frustration morphed after a few obviously rigged carnival games.
Ryker hops to a stop near the carousel and swings me around to his front. The move is smooth and polished, as if he’s done it a hundred times. Somethings work easily the first try, like us, figuring it out as we go.
“I always knew it would be like this,” I murmur into his ear.
“What would be, Sunshine?”
I sigh softly, the bliss rushing out of me and into him.
“Being here, in love with you. Having a bright future, because of you. Starting a happy life together and having the freedom to choose whatever we want. The list is full of endless possibilities. Do you see it?” I ask after pulling away to stare into his relaxed blue orbs.
“I’ve always seen it, Sunshine,” he mumbles while rubbing our noses together. “Since the very beginning and for the rest of our lives.”
He pushes my back against the chain-link fence near the carousel before dropping his lips to mine, my mouth opens immediately so his tongue can stroke inside. The rainbow of fluorescent bulbs casts an iridescent glow and this moment is magical. My fingers race up his neck to drag against his buzzed hair, the friction from my nails has him moaning into me. I answer by sucking his lip between my teeth, nipping and nibbling the plump flesh. Ryker shoves me harder into the metal behind me just as someone makes a gagging noise.
“Getting a fucking room. We don’t wanna watch that nasty shit,” some stranger shouts at us.
Ryker’s posture stiffens in my arms at the taunting and the lid to my newly discovered temper loosens, ready to lash out at the interruption. These idiots should get an earful from me but I take a deep breath to avoid a fight.
“It’s okay, Ry. They’re just a bunch of assholes,” I reassure him.
He dusts my lips in a scorching kiss before breaking away again.
“I could care less about those losers or what they think. Let them fucking gawk. I’ve got the most gorgeous girl with me, of course they’re jealous.” He smirks against my answering grin, the expressions blending into a radiant display of affection as our lips brush. “What bothers me is them wanting us to hide how we feel. We’ve been locked away far too long already, there’s no going back. I’m ready to show off to anyone willing to look,” he proclaims in a volume meant to be heard.
As more barbs and jeers are tossed at us, he’s able to throw the ridicule away like the worthless words they are. This guy slays me a little more each day. His confidence finally shines through and the sight is truly astounding. Ryker is inspiration personified, a warrior surviving a lifetime of misery, and I’m the one here to witness it.
“Sunshine? Are you alright? Want me to shut those jerks up?” He asks quietly, the concern heavy in his deep voice.
I shake my head and gulp in some fresh air.
“I love you so much, Ry. That’s all.”
“Well, good thing I love you more,” his voice is clear and sure.
Before I can argue, our mouths fuse again. Maybe to prove a point but also because we can’t stop the pull. Lips glide and tongues tangle, never getting enough of the erupting sparks our connection offers.
Ryker jerks away and pants, “Let’s go into the Fun House.”
“Now? But—”
“Trust me, I’m all for exposing our love but certain things are meant just for us.”
Excited tingles spread out from my lower belly. If he’s cool with acting on our building lust, I guess it’s another first to cross off the list.
Ryker laces our fingers before striding off in the direction of the neon painted building offering an array of mazes, mirrors, and wacky wonder. My clammy palm sticks to his but I don’t mind the heat. My mind is caught up on the sensual slide I hope we’ll feeling very soon.
I see Ryker hand the attendant money before murmuring, “Keep everyone else out for at least twenty minutes.”
The guy’s eyes widen as he peeks at the cash, clearly impressed with the amount. “You got it, buddy. Have fun!” He exclaims behind us as we rush into a dark tunnel.
We duck under some low ceilings before weaving through a twisted hallway, chuckling and giggling the entire way. I’m all turned around and couldn’t find the exit if forced but apparently that’s okay for a bit. We stumble into a room where mirrors cover every surface. The reflections stop me in my tracks. All around me, every direction I turn, is us. Red faced, mussed hair, matching grins plastered on our faces, and totally in love. The vision injects me with a direct hit of sentimental goo and suddenly I want some mush with the steamy stuff.
“Why do you love me?” I ask Ryker while turning toward him, no longer staring at our reflection but at the man in front of me.
He hums softly as his ocean waves crash into me.
“I think a better question is why not?”
I give him a sassy eyebrow, reading his obvious excitement but demanding sweet seduction first.
Ryker chuckles before drawing me into his arms.
“Well, for starters you’re super-hot,” he says and I elbow his side. After an exaggerated oof, he pecks my forehead and continues. “You’re my sunshine, a beam of guiding light in all the shadows. The air that keeps me living, the blood that allows my heart to beat, everything good that’s ever been. You give me purpose where there wasn’t any. Because of you, there’s happiness. You’re the only one who sees me . . .” His voice trails off.
We’re quiet for a few beats and restlessness begins prodding at my spine.
“Don’t you wanna ask me why I love you?” I question softly after tucking my chin.
He takes a step back before clasping my left hand in both of his. “There’s actually something else I want to ask you, Sunshine.” Ryker takes a shuddering breath and my mind whirls with possibilities. “I know there’s a lot to be done that won’t happen overnight. I’m a work in progress, but I’m yours. I’m your weirdo and you’re my goofball, we make sense together. Maybe we’re not normal or typical by average standards, definitely not perfect, but I’d rather be different with you regardless. Fuck fitting in and screw everyone against us. We’ll fight on the same side, all day and night. I’ll be your team, just us two against the world,” he whispers before wiping the tears from my cheeks. I’m crying uncontrollably but can still see him clearly, the words from his mouth ring loudly in my ears. “Thank you for loving me, Lennon,” he utters quietly before kissing my wrist.
Ryker drops to one knee and a gasp escapes me without warning but the shocked sound is expected. Shiny beams cast off the reflective surfaces, attempting to draw my gaze away but I’m locked on his glittering eyes. His grandest gesture of love is being displayed all around us by this house of mirrors, but all I see is Ryker in front of me.
“We don’t have to get married tomorrow or the next day but sometime. For now, just wear my ring and promise to love me always. Will you trade your name for mine and marry me, Sunshine?” Ryker asks with tears streaking down his face. He opens a small velvet box and the contents make me dizzy.
“Ryker! Is that a—”
“Sun? Yes,” he cuts in smoothly. “I had it custom made, just for you. It’s as unique and different as we are. Will you be my sunshine forever?”
I’m already nodding but shout yes several times for good measure. Ryker slips the ring over my knuckle, the blazing yellow diamond winking at me as it nestles on top of my finger. The brilliant center rock is surrounded by swirling and swooping rows encrusted with smaller clear stones, mimicking the sun with flames surrounding it. The countless gems sparkle in the mirrors, twinkling like real stars, but we’re not paying attention.
My eyes bounce between my fiancé and the symbol of our future while his never waver from me. Ryker’s hands cup my jaw before tilting my face to him. His thumbs swipe under my eyes before he melts my soul a bit more.
“So much blue looking back at me,” he informs before blessing me with a searing kiss, locking us together in more ways than one.
Ryker
I've lived a life of mayhem and destruction, a chaotic tornado sent to ruin. Everyone knew to steer clear, and give me plenty of space to pass in a flurry, except Lennon. Beyond reason and control, she approached the storm with a smile on her face.