Continuing the further adventures of the irrepressible Kimmie and Ryan the stud.

Also available on LJ (see link on our profile page) if you prefer an R-rated version (just a few changes) and replies to your feedback.

DISCLAIMER: We do not own anything OC related. Kimmie, on the other hand, is all ours (and JBKAF Productions')

Please review at will – we love the feedback!

---- - - - - - ---- - - - - - - -- - - - - - --- -- - - -- - - - -- - - --

Chapter 12: Heart- to-heart

I know I've gone too far when Ryan's eyes flash and turn cold. He steps away from me and glares at the phone in his hand as it vibrates.

"Yeah?" he answers, lowering his gaze.

And then something flickers across his face that I've never seen before. It's a mixture of hurt, fear and shock or something and his body stiffens with tension. "How'd you get this number?" he asks as he bolts from the room.

"I think Chino's really pissed," Luke says. God, this is all my fault.

"I was just joking around…" I didn't mean to hurt his feelings.

"I think…are you sure nothing happened last night, Kimmie?" He's pulling on his shirt.

"You tried to kiss me and I dumped mudslides on you." He doesn't need to know that he actually kissed me or that I actually got into it for a minute.

"I…I'm sorry. You're here with Chino and I know better…" Luke apologizes. "I'll go order breakfast. Tell Chino I'm sorry…"

Why am I such a slut? I've been flirting with Luke all weekend and Ryan doesn't deserve that. We're just friends but I'm here with him and I shouldn't have been lusting after his friend.

He's standing by the door of the bedroom with one hand clenched on the knob.

"What do you want from me?" he's saying.

I put my hand on his back and he flinches, glancing at me. But his eyes don't really see me, it's like he's looking through me. I know he's mad, but whoever he's talking to has his full attention.

"I can't talk to you when you're like this…" He takes a few steps and sits down on the bed.

I've never seen him look like this. He's hard and cold but…he's in pain, too. Whoever he's talking to is having an effect on him. I'm an awful person, he probably really needed this vacation and I've ruined it for him.

"Fuck you." He closes his phone and clenches it tightly in his fist, drawing back his arm as if he's going to hurl it at the wall. But he stops, acknowledging my presence again.

"Ryan…are you okay?"

"Fine," he mutters. He gets up and goes to the dresser and starts pulling out clothes. His jeans are stiff with dried mudslides and I can tell that he's still tense because of the muscles in his back.

"I'm sorry, stud, about this morning…"

"Don't," he says suddenly. "I have no hold on you. If you want Luke, I can't stop you." He runs a hand through his hair. He looks so tired.

"I don't want Luke…" I want Ryan. "I was just fucking around…" Ryan's my friend. Not Luke. We'll probably never see each other again but Ryan's one of my only friends. "Who were you talking to?"

"Nobody…" he mutters. "We should probably start getting our stuff together." He turns his back on me again.

"Ryan…" I can't take him being upset. I put my hand on his back and kiss his shoulder. I'll make him feel better the only way I know how. I place another kiss on his collarbone.

"Don't…not now," he whispers.

"You're so tense…" I wrap my arms around him and keep kissing him. He doesn't respond, he doesn't move at all, he just stands there so I finally stop. "Ryan."

He turns suddenly and takes my arms in his hands, shoving me onto the bed. He quickly moves to close the door with a slam and before I can react, he straddles me, kissing me deeply. I reach up for the button on his jeans but he pins my hands. He holds my arms loosely above my head with one hand as he kisses me desperately until I'm out of breath. I can definitely handle this no talk, all action Ryan.

He unbuttons his pants with one hand and kicks his stiff jeans off, then pulls my panties off roughly before pressing his body onto mine and kissing me again, hard.

He's ready with the condom and when he enters me, I can't stop from crying out, he's got me hot already with his strong, silent act.

His kisses muffle my moans, and he closes his eyes as I start to respond to his thrusts. Jesus, this is going to be the fastest…

"Oh, god, Ryan, Ryan!!!" Ooops – poor Luke. Again.

But as soon as I get off, he stops, rolling off me and standing up while I'm still shaking. What the hell?

"I'm sorry…" he says, rushing into the bathroom.

I would normally feel used but he didn't even get off, he'd just given me what I'd asked him for and then rushed out. I feel like I used him.

Stud, what's up?

------ - --- - ------- -- -- --- - --- -- ------------- -- -- --------- -- -------- - - ---- -- - --- - --------- - - ----- - - - - - -- -------

I can barely focus after I slam the door and lock it behind me, but I know that I was wrong to fuck Kimmie just now. I wanted to get off, just to forget what just happened, and I wanted to hurt her because of this stupid Luke thing. It felt wrong, and I shouldn't have tried. Still, at least she came.

I'm still very much in need of release, and as I turn the shower on as hot as I can bear it, I close my eyes and see her face as she starts moaning my name, nails digging in my back. I let my hand slip down and finish what we started, spurred on by visions of Kimmie's luscious tits, her tight ass, her endless tanned legs and the unbelievably loud noises she makes when we're fucking, and then I stay under the shower until I turn lobster-red.

God, what am I doing? As I step out of the shower, I realize that in the past half hour I've threatened Luke, had an angry fuck and been thoroughly cussed out by my mother. And upon getting home I have to look forward to Seth being pissed at me, Summer's wrath and most likely, angry Cohens.

Today is not exactly looking out to be a good day.

I can't believe Sandy gave my mother my phone number. She's really pissed that I wouldn't let Sandy bail her out.

I get dressed and when I step out, Kimmie's sitting on the bed. She's clean and dressed in a short pink skirt and white tube top.

"Hi," she says, sizing me up.

"Hey."

"What's going on with you?"

I owe her an explanation. I got jealous and she's made it clear that there's nothing between us. I could scratch my mood up to my hangover or my Mom's call, anything and it would probably be enough to pacify her. But I can't think of anything to say.

"Are you angry at me? I know I was flirting with Luke but it was all in fun, I didn't mean…" she starts, her lips doing that sultry pout.

"It's cool. We're cool. Everything's fine."

"You're lying, stud. Why'd you apologize earlier?" She gets straight to the point.

"I didn't mean to be so rough…"

"I'm a big girl," she says, standing up. She's staring at me and it's clear that she has something she wants to say to me. Finally, she surprises me. "Can I give you a hug?"

I don't have a chance to respond and she wraps her arms around me. I bury my face in her hair despite myself. Maybe I need to hug more often.

"You needed to talk and I molested you. I'm sorry. We're friends and I haven't really been acting like one. I got so caught up in how hot you are that I didn't…" she whispers.

"It's okay, Kimmie."

She releases me and runs her hands down my arms, holding my hands as she steps back. "Are you sure? Are you okay? Are you still mad?"

I don't know why, but I can't really stay mad at her. She's hot-blooded and she can't help it. I have to accept her as a friend and enjoy what we have right now. I don't think she'd fuck Luke under my nose and I can't blame Luke for wanting her.

"No. I'm not mad." I lean over and kiss her and I can feel her smile as her hands suddenly find their place on my ass. She's still Kimmie.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise…" she says when I pull away.

"I need to apologize to Luke." I'm still not in the mood for sex and even though I hate the confused pout she's looking at me with, I need to take a step back. Its bad enough I had to finish what I started in the bathroom by myself but I don't want to have to turn her down again. Kimmie does not like to be turned down. I wouldn't have gotten so jealous over her if I wasn't into her. I need to get my bearings again. I need to get back to Newport and face what I have coming to me.

"I think he's getting us breakfast," she says, trying to play off that she's not hurt at my subject change. "I'll get our stuff together."

It's nice of her to give Luke and me some time to talk. I follow my nose to the kitchen where Luke has apparently already had breakfast delivered.

"Hey, man. If you still want to punch me, I guess I deserve it. I'm sorry…" Luke says immediately, guilt all over his face.

"It's cool. Kimmie and me…we're not exclusive. She's a free agent. I had no right to go off on you."

"She's here with you, man. She came here with you," Luke says.

"Yeah, well, it's not like we're going out together," I reply. "There's nothing permanent between us, man."

"Still," he says, not believing me. "I was an ass."

"That hasn't changed," I joke and he gives me a glare. "What's all this?"

"Breakfast…I felt like I needed to do something to make up for being such a drunken ass last night so I ordered in. Dad sends his regards, he won't get to see you before you guys leave."

Thank God for small blessings. "Cool."

"So, who was on the phone earlier, man? You looked like somebody died. Did Summer go to the Cohens about Kimmie?" he asks.

I really don't want to tell him about my mom's call but I owe him an explanation, too. I must have really looked sprung since both Luke and Kimmie are asking about it. But I'm really tired of lying.

"Dude?"

"It was nobody."

He's staring at me but finally he nods. "Okay, man. Good luck with 'nobody," he says quietly. Kimmie walks in as he's finishing his statement.

"I just don't want to talk about it, Luke. It wasn't anyone you know." God, they're nosy today.

"Who would be calling you that I don't know?" Luke scoffs. He's starting to piss me off again.

Kimmie glances between us. She'd probably enjoy seeing us fighting but for now, she doesn't say anything.

"Damn, Luke, just drop it…"

"Fine," he snaps. "Enjoy your breakfast…" He storms out of the kitchen.

"We're all a little hungover, stud," she says quietly.

She's right. I can't seem to do anything right today. I leave Kimmie again and go looking for Luke. He's outside on the patio. I walk over to him and raise my hands so he knows I'm not going to hit him.

"Look, man. My mom called. She just got out of jail and felt like she needed to remind me of how much of a useless bastard I am for not letting Sandy bail her out. Okay? Didn't mean to set you off again, I just didn't want to talk about it," I say in a rush. I'm so tired of hurting people's feelings just because I don't want to talk.

His face immediately drops in regret. "I'm sorry, man, I wasn't…"

"Now come inside and let's have a smoke before breakfast. The pot should ease all our hangovers."

--- - -- - --- --- - -- - ------ -- - -- ------------------- --------------- - - ------

A joint, a lot of coffee and a huge breakfast later, the day starts to look better. Ryan has calmed down, although he's still withdrawn, and Luke is trying to make up for last night by being extra nice and playing the perfect host.

As for me, I try to keep my mouth shut rather than say stupid-ass things that will piss Ryan off. He still hasn't told me who was on the phone earlier. I guess I can wait until he wants to share. In the meantime, I've packed our bags and tidied the guest room.

"So when are you guys due back in Newport?" Luke asks.

Ryan shrugs. "Either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. It's kind of flexible. See how the driving goes."

Huh. I was definitely counting on us spending Tuesday night together… Oh well, I'll just have to convince him. There's plenty of time ahead for us to make up. And I want to make up. I can't stand distant Ryan. He looks wounded, and lost, and unhappy – and I want to make him feel better.

Luke gives us both huge hugs when we leave. "I'm sorry I kissed you," he whispers into my ear as he lets go, but he squeezes my arm, too. Ah. So he does remember something.

"Me too," I smile back. And I mean it, but… it was nice.

Ryan pats his back awkwardly when Luke grabs him. "Chino, I swear I'll behave like a gentleman next time. But you can't turn up with such a hottie and expect me not to notice."

"You can't help it if you're a slut," Ryan replies, and he definitely sounds like he's cheering up.

------ ---- - ----------- -- - - ---- ------------------- ---------------

The morning's drive is uneventful. It's a bright, sunny day, Ryan is focusing on the road, I'm keeping quiet (although it's killing me) and we're listening to some local radio station, which is dishing out recent hits. After a couple of hours, I'm ready to explode.

"Hey, stud, what do you say to a stop so we can stretch our legs?"

He looks at me briefly and shrugs. "Sure."

"Look, there's a turnoff coming which can take us to a nice forested area," I say, showing him the map I've been amusing myself with for the past hour. "We could have a walk or something."

"A walk, huh? I never thought of you as a hiker, Kimmie," he teases. Good, he's more relaxed. I was right to let him have his quiet time.

"Ryan, when will you learn that I am actually full of surprises?"

He smiles. "Yeah, I guess I should get this in my head."

Half and hour later, I've put on a pair of pants and some sneakers, we've stocked up on water and sandwiches at a small shop, and we're hiking on a forest trail. The air is cool under the branches, and it's oddly restful in the filtered green sunlight.

Ryan sets a good pace, and I think he's surprised I can keep up. Well, stud, how do you think I keep myself fit for all our acrobatics?

There's something about hiking which really works out all the stress, not to mention our lingering hangovers. We only walk for a couple of hours, but by the time we get back to the car, we are both much more relaxed. Ryan slings an arm around my shoulders on the way down the last trail, and I feel like he's finally forgiving me for being a stupid slut.

I think I still owe him an apology. But I should wait until we've stopped for the evening.

Back on the interstate, we chat and try to decide where to stop for the night. Neither of us is in a hurry to get back to Newport, and I still think we might take it slow and spend Tuesday night on the road. Besides, we're both tired after last night and we don't want to spend too long driving.

We settle on a place called Weed, because we can't resist the name, and it's on the slopes of Mount Shasta, which sounds like a nice and wholesome place to spend a night.

By the time we've checked in and dropped our bags, we're both ravenous so we barely stop before going out in search of dinner. Ryan gets to choose, so we end up in a steakhouse and order rare steaks. I could eat a cow after the hangover, the earlier walk, and now the bracing mountain air, which really tickles my appetite.

So we're sat across a wooden table, and I think the time has come for me to eat humble pie.

"Ryan, I think I owe you an apology."

"Huh?" His blue eyes look confused. Aw, he's so cute.

"I behaved like an ass in Portland. And like a complete slut. You had every right to be pissed at me."

He shrugs. "It's okay, Kimmie. It's not like we ever said we were exclusive or anything." And for some reason the way he says it stings a little. Actually, scratch a little. A lot.

"No, it's not okay. He's a friend of yours. We were staying there together – I shouldn't have been flirting with him. I really am sorry."

He gives me a searching look. "Did anything happen between the two of you? Because I thought…"

I hang my head in shame. "When you were in the bathroom yesterday, Luke did make a move on me – he was very drunk, and so was I. He kissed me. I stopped him but…" I don't really want to explain it in detail but I think Ryan understands. He raises an eyebrow.

"Stud, I thought it was you at first. And I was wasted… and then I told him to fuck off, and he was kind of persistent…"

"And that's how we ended up covered in mudslides," he finishes.

"Yes. But really, Ryan, I am sorry." And I stretch my arm across the table and take his hand in mine. He is surprised, but he squeezes back.

I'm not quite done. "I feel I let you down – after all the support you gave me when we went to see assface Jay. You had my back there, Ryan, and I'd basically lied to you to get you to come to UCLA. The thing is, I've been pretty shitty to you. I don't want you to think I'm taking you for granted."

He's looking really surprised now. He cocks his head sideways and observes me for a second.

"That's all I had to say. But I… I hope I haven't ruined this for you. Because you were pretty pissed this morning." There. I'm done.

"Kimmie, this morning wasn't really about you," he says. "Well, okay, I was hungover, and pissed at Luke and at you, yes, because… I guess, because I was jealous." And as he says that I want to grin. Yesss! I knew it – and he's admitting it, too. Not that there is anything serious between us, but… it's nice to know.

"That phone call, it was my mom," he says, looking serious. He stops, and I can tell it costs him to say more. But he does. "She's been giving me grief. She calls me sometimes out of the blue, when she's drunk, and just swears at me. It's… hard. She's an alcoholic and a complete bitch, but she's my mom." He sighs. "So, you know, it makes me angry. And upset. I'm sorry, too, for this morning."

And he has such a hangdog expression on his face that I get up and slide next to him in the booth and hug him. He relaxes into the hug and wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer. I don't know how long we stay there, but the waitress has to cough discreetly when she turns up with our food.

After dinner, we walk out of the restaurant with our arms around each other. It's funny, I have no problem molesting Ryan in public, but these sweet public displays of innocent affection make me feel all shy. And warm and fuzzy inside.

Damn, I am losing my edge.

I blame you, stud.

--- -- - -- --- ------- -- - -- ----- - -------- - - ---- -- - --

We make it back to our motel room after a walk under the night sky, with the mountains looming above us, and I realize I feel completely relaxed again. It's like Kimmie has managed to exorcise the bad vibes from this morning.

She really is incredibly sweet tonight. I can't believe she's apologized for everything. And yes, I still was a little pissed at her about UCLA. And about Luke. But now – now I'm cool with her. More than cool, actually. I really like her. Somehow I've managed to be open with her about my fucked-up life, and my mom, and she's so… accepting.

And tender. Fuck it, tenderness is not something I expected from Kimmie. But she's good at it.

Now we're back in the room, though, there's a definite gleam in her eye. That I recognize…

"So, stud, what say you we give it another go?" she says, smiling at me.

I feign innocence. "Another go at what?"

"Well… let's say we have some unfinished business," she whispers, as she pulls me towards the bed. I follow her and we fall onto the mattress in each other's arms.

She rolls me over onto my back and starts kissing my face. She's both passionate and quite tender, her lips tracing my eyebrows, my cheekbones and the line of my jaw before capturing mine. She kisses me softly and deeply, and I find myself responding to her with a slow, deliberate pace that is quite unlike the intense, urgent sex we seem to have most of the time.

She's clearly determined to take the lead on this one and I let her, as she continues to plant kisses on me, down my neck and on my collarbone, now and then nipping me softly, and letting her tongue taste my skin. She's rubbing her breasts against my chest, and despite the fact that we are fully clothed, I'm feeling seriously aroused. Not that it's in any way a surprise.

I press my hips into hers, my hands sliding slowly down her sides towards her perfect ass. We are entwined together, our hips rocking slowly against each other and she moans softly into my neck. We kiss some more, until I start feeling like I'm going to explode if we don't move to the next level.

"Kimmie," I groan.

She grins at me. "Can't handle the slow pace, stud?"

"Don't be such a tease," I growl. But I like it, really. Except that, damn, I'm not used to this with her.

"Don't worry," she whispers into my ear. "You'll be getting it soon enough."

"Yeah," I say, and I pull her to me and roll over. She gives a little eep of surprise as she finds herself pinned under my bulk. It' s my turn now to kiss her everywhere, and now that I am in control it's easier to maintain that slow pace. Kimmie, on the other hand, is beginning to lose it.

She wriggles and moans when I start nibbling her nipple though her T-shirt, and she tries to rub herself against me but I won't let her. I continue kissing her leisurely, and I push up her top and kiss her taut stomach and upwards, until I unclasp her bra and start licking and sucking her breasts. Kimmie is moaning pretty much non-stop now, and I'm beginning to find it difficult to focus.

"Please Ryan, please, please…" she begs.

How can I say no?

We strip each other awkwardly, trembling and fumbling because we're both so desperate by now, and then when I'm ready I lower myself back onto her, staring into her eyes. She grabs my head and pulls me in and I kiss her deeply as I push into her, still trying to keep it all under control. We find a rhythm and we're rocking together, Kimmie moaning between kisses, her breathing getting more and more ragged, as is mine, until we're both panting, and going faster, and she suddenly tips over and cries out my name. I let go then, and I swear I have the most intense climax ever. I am completely winded and collapse over her, my heart hammering in my chest, head spinning. Wow.

And later, when we're spooning and I'm nuzzling her neck she whispers something indistinct to me.

"What?" I ask. She giggles.

"So, stud, who knew we could do tender lovemaking?"

Wonders never cease.