Chapter Ten
Summer rolled over just as her bedroom door peaked open. She smiled to herself, part of her still sleeping. He was here. Ryan ducked his head round the corner. It was six thirty in the morning but he was always awake this early. Neil Roberts had left fifteen minutes ago and Ryan had waited a good enough amount of time to ensure there was no return on Neil's part before he made his way to Summer's room.
It had become a regular thing now, he already awake, waiting for Neil to leave and then making a mad dash to Summer's room. He took off his shirt and slipped under the duvet covers. The first time he'd done this on a whim, shortly after their return from Palm Springs, he had quickly grown accustomed to sharing the same bed as Summer and didn't like sleeping in his own. Summer, had not stirred at all until she woke up when she nearly punched him in the face. After getting over the initial shock of finding someone in her bed, Summer had quickly kissed Ryan and proclaimed it was the most romantic thing ever.
Now, after three weeks of continuous early morning visits, Ryan found that although still half-asleep Summer was there waiting for him. She quickly tucked herself into his side, wrapping her arm around his waist and soon was fast asleep. Ryan didn't go back to sleep, once he was awake that was it for him but he enjoyed listening to Summer talk in her sleep, most of the time it was about silly things, shopping and something about shoes matching a dress but every now and then she uttered his name. Hearing his name on her lips was enough to keep him being with her.
He'd never really been one for breaking the rules before, well not since leaving high school and nine times out of ten that was because there was someone encouraging him to do so. This, this was all him. He was breaking every rule under the sun to lie in this bed with Summer, if Neil Roberts was to walk in, he'd be history. Summer tightened her grip on his waist, making it all worth it.
A couple of hours passed before Summer even began stirring, Ryan knew he still had another hour to go before she was fully awake. He began rubbing soft circles on her shoulder, carefully tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He preferred it much more when he could see her face.
Ryan was just lost in thought when he felt soft fingers brush against his skin. He grinned. When was she going to realise that he wasn't, in the slightest bit, ticklish? He stayed still until her fingers made his way to his arms and he made a grab for her.
Summer squealed as Ryan sat up and in one swift movement caught her in his arms, tightening his grip to ensure she couldn't escape. All Ryan saw was jet black hair in his face as Summer whipped her head back and forth attempting to escape Ryan's clutches. Whilst Ryan wasn't ticklish, Summer on the other hand was and as Ryan remembered this particular fact about her, he began his torture.
But Summer, it seemed had a game plan. As soon as Ryan's fingers collided with her skin in the worst way possible, she began grinding herself into his lap, hoping to distract him. It worked. Ryan coughed as Summer giggled quietly to herself.
"Oh, two can play at that game." He murmured as he placed soft kisses on her neck, trailing towards her lips but never kissing him. Ryan Atwood didn't win many competitions but he was determined to win this one.
It didn't take much to get Summer hot and bothered, honestly the fact that he was already half naked was enough but just a little nip of her ear and a gentle graze of her left breast had her like putty in his hands. He'd never felt so accomplished.
"So, what are your plans for the day?" Ryan asked Summer, whilst he fixed up some breakfast for the two of them. Due to Summer's incessant need with eating out, Ryan was astounded to know that Summer didn't even know how to cook bacon and eggs. What? He'd finally managed to drag the two of them out of bed as Summer rolled of him after round two. Though he wasn't actually old – 24 isn't old is it? – being with Summer made him feel young again. He liked the feeling, the last few years he'd been so wrapped up in building his career and not wanting to head into the same direction as his father and Trey, he'd forgotten how to have fun.
"Oh, I was gonna go hang out with Seth for a bit. He wanted to give me the latest details on that guy he met at Palm Springs." Summer mentally blushed a little as all the memories of her with Ryan came flooding back. Ryan looked at her.
"Really?" Summer rolled her eyes as she fixed them both a couple of drinks.
"Okay. So I want the latest details but Seth is happy to share." Ryan chuckled, Summer was such a one of a kind. And that's why he loved her. Shit, there's that word again. "You wanna come over? I'm sure Seth won't mind." Ryan arched his eyebrow, yeah I know that. Summer giggled. "He doesn't want to do you that much. Okay a lot. Maybe it's best you don't taunt him with your…hotness." She winked.
Just as Summer was heading past him towards the fridge, Ryan slipped his hands round her waist and pulled her towards him. Summer turned around to look at him, quickly placing a soft kiss on his lips whilst Ryan was grinning to himself.
"What was that for?" Ryan shrugged, ignored her question and pulled her in for another kiss, this time he wasn't intending there to be anything soft or quick about it. The kiss became heated as Summer brushed her fingers through Ryan's hair, lightly gripping it as Ryan entered his tongue into her mouth. His hands found their way to her backside as he hoisted her up. Summer wrapped her legs around Ryan.
"What do you say…you arrive a little later at Seth's than planned?" Ryan grinned as he leaned in for another kiss, suggestively glancing upstairs. Summer smiled.
"I think that's a really great plan."
Two hours later, Ryan pulled up outside the Cohen's house. He wasn't dressed in his usual attire, donning some jeans for once. Summer had forced him to go shopping a week ago and he had finally given in to being her full grown Ken doll. Luke had said something along the lines of being whipped. He was ashamed to say it was completely and totally true.
"You coming in or hanging out here?" Summer asked as she undid her seatbelt. She didn't like the idea of Ryan staying in the car by himself and if he was going to, she'd make sure she didn't stay long. Ryan glanced around the driveway and saw a familiar car parked up. He undid his seatbelt and took the keys from the ignition. Summer looked surprised.
"I think I'm going to come in but I'm gonna have a chat with Sandy."
"Sandy?" Ryan chucked at Summer's obvious confusion. "I didn't know that you knew Mr Cohen." Ryan shrugged.
"He helped me out a few years back." Ryan trailed off and silently added; "I owe him everything." He felt Summer's soft hand take hold of his, he looked up to find her softly smiling at him. "He's the reason I have this job."
"Then I guess I owe him everything too." Summer said as she leant in to kiss him.
They stepped out of the car and Summer slipped her hand into Ryan's, she felt him tense up a little and hastily let go. Immediately, Ryan felt terrible, gave her a small smile and grabbed hold of her hand, walking her to the steps.
They let go once they reached the door, Summer suddenly conscious of Mr Cohen since he was friends with her father. Sandy answered the door.
"Summer!" He boomed. "Good to see ya, Seth's upstairs." He glanced to the young man standing next to her and beamed. He stepped forward and took Ryan's hand to shake it. "Ryan. It's so good to see you. Come on in, both of you." The pair of them grinning, stepped inside. Sandy turned around and offered a drink to Summer who politely declined and headed upstairs to see Seth. She glanced at Ryan, smiling at him. Ryan returned the smile as Sandy watched the exchange between the two.
"So, drink?" Ryan nodded and Sandy gestured for him to follow him into the kitchen. He grabbed them both a beer, he wasn't one for afternoon drinking but it wasn't every day that he got to spend the afternoon with Ryan.
"Thanks Sandy." Ryan replied when Sandy handed him his beer. Nice and chilled, just the way I like it.
"So, how you finding the Robert's residence?" Ryan shrugged, it was an effort to not come out and say that it was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
"It's good. It's a good job, I er…thank you for getting me the job. Really." Sandy smiled. Ryan Atwood would never change.
"It's no problem. You needed a chance and you took it."
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you though Sandy." Ryan smiled at the older man, appreciatively. He thought much more of this man then he ever had of his own father. When they had first met when he was just sixteen, sometimes he wished that Sandy Cohen had been his real father.
"Nonsense, Ryan. You got yourself here. No one else." Ryan opened his mouth to argue back but Sandy held up his hand to stop him. "I mean that. Sure, you were going down a path when I met you but you could have easily returned to that path at any given time. But you haven't and now you're here. That…that's all down to you."
Ryan was silent for a few moments, allowing Sandy's words to sink into him. Okay, so it was his choice that he was here and his choices, he wasn't going to lie; he'd had many tempting offers to return to where he was but he had chosen not to. But still, he wouldn't be here, in Orange County with a kick ass paying job and a woman he was deeply in love with – yes, love- he was finally ready to admit. That was all Sandy but he couldn't actually thank him for that particular part.
"What about Summer?"
"What?" Ryan looked up so fast, he could have had whiplash. His eyes were wide and if Sandy was sure, he was blushing. That was all he needed to convince him.
"What's it like to be guarding her." Sandy watched as relief flooded Ryan's face. He had never been very good at hiding his emotions. He mentally chuckled.
"It's good. A little difficult at first but Summer came around to the idea."
"Yeah, she's a lovely girl. Seems to have a little obsession with last names." Ryan grinned.
"Yes, she loves to call me Atwood." He couldn't wipe the smile of his face even if he wanted to, images of Summer calling him Atwood over and over flashed through his mind. Sandy stared at him.
"You're a fool." He said softly. The smile was gone as Ryan looked up at Sandy. His friend. "Of all the girls you could have fallen in love with…It had to have been Summer." He sighed.
"It wasn't…I…" Ryan sighed as well as he tried to find the best way to defend himself. He couldn't. "I tried to fight it."
"You made a mistake?" Sandy offered. A part of him hoping that this was just a fling, for Ryan and his careers sake. He'd worked so hard, he didn't want to see him lose it all.
"No!" Ryan half-shouted. That was all Sandy needed to hear.
"I'm happy for you." He simply stated. Ryan shot him a confused look.
"You are?" Sandy nodded, deepening his confusions. Minutes ago, he was calling him a fool and now he was happy for him?
"I wish that it was under circumstances and I really hope this doesn't mess up your career but even I, just after an hour…" Sandy chuckled. "Can see how much you love her." Ryan didn't say anything. What was there to say? "I can see how much she loves you too." That got Ryan's attention. Sandy smiled, of course Ryan was oblivious to that. No doubt, thinking he wasn't worthy of Summer's love. "The way she looked at you on the stairs gave it away."
Even Ryan couldn't fight the smile that came across his face, hearing that.
Ryan leaned in to kiss Summer once more. She had insisted on cooking some dinner for the both of them though Ryan wasn't sure exactly what she was cooking. He would have to try and eat it anyway. Good boyfriend and all that. He kissed her neck, placing his hands on each side of her waist as he stood behind her. Summer grinned as she continued to stir the sauce.
Ryan always got more affectionate towards the end of the day, most likely because her father was going to be home soon and it would be a while again until they could show one another some affection.
Summer turned down the heat on the stove and turned around to face him, kissing him fully on the mouth. Ryan snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her body up against his own as Summer's hands were already finding their way into his hair.
This was it. The moment he'd been contemplating and non-stop thinking about for weeks on end. He was going to say it. Those scary but meaningful three words. Here goes.
"What the hell is going on here?" Summer and Ryan jumped apart from one another to find none other than Neil Roberts staring at them; looking the most furious Summer had ever seen him.