Anna POV
I must have been uncomfortable because when I woke up, I felt the weight of Ryan's arm on my back. The clock read 2:14 so I knew I had to drift back to sleep. But I couldn't. I didn't want to move because I didn't want to wake him but after being able to only move my head for 10 minutes, I took a chance. I slowly and carefully moved my body till I fell on the floor in a light thud. I went to the bathroom to pee but when I returned, aided by the soft moonlight and the fact my eyes had gotten used to the darkness, I noticed that Ryan was sitting up with this back on the headboard, the pillow propped in between, acting as a cushion.
I pretended not to see him, lay on my side on the bed and covered up with my blanket. We'd barely exchanged two words since our kiss.
When I made my departure, I didn't know what to expect but I was glad that he didn' t follow me. But after a while I'd begun to worry. The sun had been gone for hours and he was still on deck. I didn't know what to do. Was I supposed to go and check up on him? I couldn't make up my mind so I stayed put. I'd just begun to prepare ramen noodles when I heard the rustling of his feet on the steps. He walked in without a word. In fact, other than the thanks he expressed when I handed him the steaming bowl, the only sounds that could be heard that evening emanated from the television. I was already asleep when he joined me in bed.
The clock read 2:29. I lay in my spot, acutely aware that he was most likely staring at me when I heard him ask, "What? You want me to move back to the couch?"
I turned my head to him. He looked even better in dim lights. I don't know, his face just seemed sharper, more alert. "Did I say that? Of course not," I muttered.
"Is that a yes? I didn't hear you."
I sat up and looked at him. "I said no."
He reached for the lamp but I stopped him. "If you put the light on, there's no way I'm going to fall asleep again."
"I guess that's true."
I looked at everything in the room but him. I didn't know what to do next. Was I supposed to lay back or talk to him?
He chose to speak. "Anna, is this how it's going to be for the rest of the trip?"
He usually slept in a wife beater and shorts, but I guess because it was a warm night, he'd taken it off and laid it on the night table. I looked at his chest, all toned and taut, divided into well defined sections, and all I could think was I had a hot guy I was interested in, staring at me and all I could give him was attitude.
"Anna, answer me, is this how it's going to be?"
I shook my head. "No. But we need to get some sleep," I said, pushing my body further down the bed and lying down. Shortly after, he joined me.
I lay, praying that sleep would find me but for some reason it chose to be elusive. And I knew that Ryan was also awake. I didn't hear the sounds of gentle breathing I'd become accustomed to. Instead, it was silent, almost as if he was trying his best to pretend to be sleeping. My eyes shot at the clock and I saw that it was 2:47. I turned around to face him. I half-expected him to pretend to be asleep but he didn't bother.
"Ryan," I said softly, "I think we should talk."
"You don't say," he replied dryly.
I moved a little closer to him. "I don't understand what happened with us, we used to be so comfortable with one another." The light highlighted his well toned outline and I just wanted to run my fingers along him.
"Anna, you tell me, it was cool till you -"
My lips stopped his stunned mouth. My teeth and tongue nibbled and teased his lips before he gave up and let me in. His mouth was hot and tasted a little of mouthwash. He couldn't have been asleep for long. I pushed myself even closer and ran my fingers along his hard arms.
He pulled his head backwards and looked into my eyes curiously. "What do you think you are doing?"
"What does it look like?"
"Anna, that came from nowhere. I kissed you a few hours ago and you ran away. Suddenly, it's alright? What's going on?"
I didn't know either. All I was sure was that I liked the way his kissed and I wanted to enjoy him a bit more. I made a mental note to check my ovulation calendar and kissed him again. We were making out when he stopped me again.
"Anna," he said.
"What now?" I asked a little frustrated. This was not the way it was meant to go. Guys are horndogs who take it whenever they can get it. They are not supposed to be interrupt make-out sessions to chat.
"I just wanted to make sure you didn't see Seth in the closet," he deadpanned.
I laughed. "Don't be silly, Ryan," I said, replacing my lips back on his.
"I'm serious," he said, stopping once again, except this time, he spoke directly into my mouth.
I grunted and moved my head a few inches away. I realized it wasn't ladylike or attractive but he'd begun to annoy me. For weeks I'd been trying to make him talk, not just pointless chatter, but actually have a real conversation, but he chose the time I wanted to taste him all over to have 'talks.'
I frowned at him. I'd become so used to the light that I could practically make out every inch of his face. His eyes were even more expressive in the dark and they were telling me he was a little unsure. And that was a little frightening.
"What happened today with the boat. What was that all about?" he asked.
I looked away. "I told you, I thought I saw him."
"Are you sure that's all?"
I was tired of getting grilled. Sure I was sure. Or not. But did it matter? He was asking too many questions. "You don't want to do this?" I asked, frustrated. I turned and move further away.
He grabbed my hand to stop me. "No, Anna, that's not it at all."
I looked back at him. "Then what?"
He looked down my body and back at my face. "I just want to make sure you are okay with this."
My temper flared. "I've kissed you, like, twice in, like, ten minutes. Isn't that -"
It was his turn to shut me up with a kiss. He put his arm over my waist and pulled me to him. Through my flimsy nightgown, I felt my nipples graze his chest. With his heavy tongue still in my mouth, his fingers teased my neck and traveled down till it got to my breasts, then they took a detour and played with my flesh. After moving back a little, he slid his hand over my breast and tweaked my nipple. If I didn't have something obstructing me, my moan would have been louder - his fingers were cold and well, I was kind of horny.
About ten minutes later, I was over him, kissing his hard belly, trying my best to avoid the slight hairs when he tapped my head. I looked up at him. "What now?"
"Do you have something?"
"Something?"
"Yes, a condom."
I slid off him, propped my head with my bent arm and looked at him. "Condom? We need a condom? We are just making out," I pointed out.
He nodded. "I know, but just in case. Do you?"
"Me? What about you? Isn't every guy supposed to carry one in his pocket?"
He wiped his mouth with his hand, another gesture I noticed he did when he was thinking. "Nope, not me."
I thought about it for a moment. "I guess that's a good thing. I would have been worried if you'd brought some with you."
"So..."
I looked at the drawer the lamp was standing on. "Yep, I believe I do."
He looked surprised. "Anna, you brought condoms with you?"
I smirked. "Don't be silly, remember this is my parents' boat. The last time I looked into that drawer," I said pointing at it, "there were some there."
He turned around, opened it and felt inside it. He shook his head. "Nope. Nothing there."
I slid across and over him to see for myself. I had to shut my eyes at the sudden sharp light of the lamp but when I looked inside the drawer, I saw that he was right.
I switched the light off and moved back to my side and frowned. "I guess they are all gone." Then I thought about the implications of that statement and almost gagged.
"Yuck, that's so nasty."
"What?"
I looked at him and saw that he was genuinely concerned.
"The condoms are all gone," I repeated.
"So?"
"This is my parents' boat. The last time I checked, there were some in there. Now, there are none..."
His expression changed from one of confusion to amusement when it dawned on him. He let out a soft laugh.
I folded my arms. "You suck. Why did you have to bring that up? Now I have all sorts of images in my head. I am going to have to get a lobotomy."
He pulled me closer and kissed me fiercely. "Don't worry, I'll help you forget."
"How?"
He landed soft swift kisses all over my face. "Don't worry, I can be creative."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me," he said, kissing my chin.
----
I woke up still tingly. Ryan was fast asleep when I took a shower and went upstairs to handle the steering wheel. I honestly didn't know what to think. Ryan seemed so different in bed. Not that I had experienced all he could offer, but from what I could tell, he wasn't as reserved, as self conscious and he really meant it when he claimed to be creative. I couldn't go as far as saying it was the best sexual experience in my life but it ranked pretty high. And for non-sex, it was pretty damn good. In addition, to his credit, he'd found an erogenous zone around my pelvic bone.
I didn't even know what we were; dating, summer fling, friends with benefits or what? We hadn't discussed anything and I was confused as hell. I liked him, I really did. But I lived in Pittsburgh, he in Chino and 17 year olds had no business embarking on long distance relationships. That was problematic enough without piling the issues that came from my being his best friend/brother's ex, him possibly becoming the father of another girl's child and Marissa. I still didn't even know if they were still together. Not really having a clue, I decided that I'll play it by ear and let his reactions guide me.
I took the fact that he walked up almost two hours later than he usually did as the first sign. The worried/unsure/it's-not-you-but-me/lets-not-do-this-again look on his face was the second. I knew there was no way I was going to let him give me a speech so I beat him to the punch. The least I could do was leave with some dignity. I didn't even let his raw sexiness in those light, tan pants sway me.
"Morning Ryan. I've thought about it and I think that what happened last night was a huge mistake. I'm sorry and I wish it was different but obviously, it can't go anywhere, right? It was fun, but not meant to be, but no regrets, right?" I said quickly. I ended it with a hopefully smile.
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Anna. I'm having problems reaching the Cohens."
"Oh. Do you mind if I try?" I said.
"Be my guest," he said, stepping aside.
-----
Ryan POV
Anna was sitting next to me, dialing the number for the fourth time. I already knew our phone was working because I'd called Theresa four times just to make sure. I even went as far as calling my bank and that worked too. I was getting really worried. Other than not usually having trouble reaching them, they seemed to always await my call. But for some reason, it was different today. The call seemed to go through, but it just kept ringing. The home phone, Sandy's and Kirsten's . They just keep ringing and ringing. And it didn't feel right.
Anna tapped me. I looked at her and she nodded, indicating that someone had picked up. I heaved a sigh of relief.
"Hello," she said into the phone.
Her little speech had annoyed me. What the hell was her problem? I thought we both had a good time and she had to know that I liked her as I'd already said so, so I didn't get it. I decided to get to the bottom of it right after my conversation with Sandy, Kirsten or whomever Anna was speaking to. I figured there were only so many places she could hide on our little boat and eventually, she'd have to tell me what the hell was bothering her.
I looked at her and saw that her face had turned white. I stopped breathing.
"Alright," she was saying into the phone, "I'll give it to Ryan now."
I grabbed the phone from her but hesitantly put it to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Kiddo," Sandy said in that cheerful tone he reserved for bad news. "How's your trip?"
"Sandy, what's going on?"
"Oh, nothing definite," he said evasively.
"Sandy, please tell me. Is it Seth?"
"Well, we don't really know."
"What's going on?"
"The Coast Guard called about a body washing up around the Bay Area."
My throat tightened. "That can't be Seth," I muttered, hoping that saying those words might make it true.
"I don't think so either, but he matched his description and was wearing a watch that's similar to one his grandma gave him for his Bar Mitzvah."
"He's never shown me that watch before so why would he take it with him?"
"That's that I think. It's not something he normally wears but Kirsten ransacked his room and it's nowhere to be found."
I tasted bile. "Where are you?" I whispered. I could barely speak.
"We are still in Newport. Kirsten and I have been looking through all the rooms for that watch. We are searching her Dad's house if it's not here."
"I'm sure it's not him," I reassured, even though I wasn't sure I believed the words myself. But I had to be right, it just couldn't be Seth. It just couldn't.
"Yes, me too. I just hope we don't have to make the drive down there. I know there's no way Kirsten is going to let us fly after this."
"Yes."
"Well, take care of Anna, alright? And make sure you stay safe -those waters can be dangerous."
"We will Sandy. We arrive in Honolulu tomorrow."
"Alright, Sandy. Take care."
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A/N: Boo to PG 13. I disagree with anyone who claims it's R (unless it's a site administrator).