Follow the River (River of Rain Book 1) Read online

  Slipping off the back as Rain kills the engine, I notice we’re outside a Walgreens.

  “Can you grab the stuff on this list while I go to the store across the street?”

  “Sure,” I tell him, taking the paper from him and looking it over. It’s simple, nothing crazy, milk and a few other groceries. When I glance back up, I see him heading across the street to a couple small shops.

  Okay, then.

  I spin and enter the store, heading past the checkout counter and over to the grocery aisle, quickly collecting everything from the list Rain gave me. Once that’s taken care of, I grab the couple items I wanted for myself before heading to the cashier.

  After paying, I head out with my bag and the gallon of milk, seeing Rain reaching this side of the street, empty handed, which I find strange.

  He extends his hand to me, taking the milk first, slipping it into his backpack he set on the seat of the ATV.

  “You’re going to have to wear this on the way back up, unless you’re keen on snuggling a carton of milk and whatever the fuck else is in the bag,” he tells me, taking the plastic bag from me, quickly glancing inside.

  And he freezes, his shoulders going rigid.

  Shit.

  When his eyes snap up to mine, they are brimming with rage and I notice his whole face is flushed. He’s practically foaming at the mouth, he’s seething that intensely.

  Double shit.

  “Condoms and fucking lube? Are you shitting me right now?” His voice is low, full of disdain and venom, and he steps towards me in a predatory stride. “What the actual fuck, River?”

  “We’re both consenting adults,” I grind, my temper beginning to get the better of me, but I back up, hitting the wall behind me at his advance. “But next time you want to fuck? I’d rather have some goddamn lube and condoms on hand instead of going bare and fucking raw, so I took some precautions.”

  He slams his hips into my body, pinning me against the side of the building as he gets in my face. “What do you think this is gonna turn into? Some Brokeback Mountain type shit? Well fucking newsflash, Lenny. I’m not into dick. So do us both a favor and get those sick thoughts out of your skull before I bash it in with a fire poker.” His words come out in a snarl, but I don’t back down.

  No way, not this time, for one damn reason.

  He’s such a fucking liar. And we both know it.

  I honestly have no clue what his issue is, but I have a feeling it isn’t really with me. I’m just the one taking the brunt force of whatever shit he’s trying to work through in his own mind.

  Still, he’s taking it a little far at this point. Being bisexual isn’t the end of the world. Not in this day and age.

  But for some reason, it scares the ever-loving shit out of him.

  “Let’s call a spade a motherfucking spade, Grady. I’m bisexual, so are you. Maybe it’s time you get the fuck over yourself and just fucking accept it. Because a straight man doesn’t decide to shove his cock in another man’s ass or fuck his face like it’s the last thing he’ll ever do.”

  My eyes dart over his face, taking in his fury. “And on top of that? I’ll let you in on another little secret. While I might be the one pinned to the damn wall right now, I also hold all the power.”

  My cock is rock hard in my pants from his assertion, and from the heat and shock flaring in his eyes, he feels it too. Taking advantage of his momentarily stunned state, I grip his jacket to flip us around and pin him against the wall.

  His breaths come out in short spurts as his eyes lock on mine, a battle of emotion raging behind them. I grind my dick against his leg and I’m thrilled when I feel his start to thicken behind his jeans as well.

  “Because it’s simple, really. You’re not immune to me, no matter how much you wish you were. You might hate yourself for it, you might not be able to handle it and what it means about who you are as a person. But make no mistake about it, baby. You won’t be able to fight it for long, I’ll make sure of that.”

  Rain squirms under my stare and I smirk, fully aware it pops my dimples. When his eyes flash to them, then move to my lips, I know I’ve got him right where I want him. Putting one hand on the wall next to his head, I slide the other between us and cup his length over his pants.

  Thick and long and damn near fucking perfect.

  Like it was made for me.

  Using the palm and heel of my hand, I stroke his dick through the rough material, loving the way it feels in my grip, even with layers separating our skin. I’d be lying if I said I’m not dying to unzip him and take him in my mouth right here and now. If we had the coverage of nightfall, I most definitely would.

  Guess you could say I’m somewhat of an exhibitionist.

  I’m so fucking turned on its painful, but I grind against his hip to alleviate some of the building arousal. My mouth meets his jaw, and I lick and kiss and nip a path back to his ear and down his throat.

  Then something happens.

  But what surprises me isn’t the hiss that comes through his clenched teeth or the groan rumbling from deep within his chest. It’s the way his hips rock with the movement of my hand, proving my theory has been right all along.

  He’s just as desperate for this as I am.

  Grinning against his neck, I let out a soft chuckle before moving my lips to his ear, my palm moving fast against him.

  “I’m determined to get my mouth on you again. On your chest. Your hips. Your cock. It’s driving me fucking insane how much I want you,” I declare, nibbling on his lobe. “But more than that? I can’t wait to have you at my mercy.” My tongue flicks the shell of his ear. “I meant it when I told you I would bring you to your fucking knees. And when it happens, it’ll be my cock down your throat. Because you know that’s what will happen. Sooner or later.”

  I squeeze his dick as best I can, my fingers digging into the denim of his jeans, and he moans.

  Fuck. That sound goes straight to my cock and I’m embarrassingly close to coming in my damn pants like a preteen.

  “And when I fuck you? When I get to sink into that tight ass of yours and fill you with my cum? Goddamn, you’re going to be fucking ruined. You’ll never want anyone else. That is my promise to you.”

  Pulling back, I find Rain’s head bowed back against the wall, his eyes closed as our bodies grind together. The look on his face, pure agonizing bliss, tells me he’s close to bursting.

  Just where I want him.

  “Just know this. I won’t give my cock to you until you’re begging for it.” Leaning forward, my mouth centimeters from his, I remove my attention from his cock and take his face in my palms. His groans in protest, his eyes snapping open to meet my gaze. I press my body in further against his, our cocks aligning and causing the most exquisite pressure.

  “Because baby, unlike you, I don’t take that unless it’s willingly given.”

  With his lips so close, I’m tempted to have a taste once and for fucking all. But I know if I do, there is a very real and highly likely chance he will leave my ass here and go back to the cabin on his own. That’s not exactly a hike, or a risk, I want to take.

  Pulling away when I know he’s right fucking there—because I am, too—is like tearing a limb from my body, but I can’t give him anything more.

  Not until he realizes this playing field isn’t as uneven as he thinks it is. He isn’t superior to me, he doesn’t get to belittle me and then get off.

  Not again.

  And it’s time to remind him of that.

  Pushing away from him, I lock him with a glare as his eyes harden into pools of frozen amber.

  He doesn’t even offer me a backwards glance as he storms past me, hopping on the four wheeler and starting it. I half expect him to drive away, so I’m shell-shocked when the next sentence comes from his mouth.

  “Get on the fucking ATV so we can go home.”

  I’m holed up in my room again.

  Yeah, I know. Real mature.

  But I can’t ha
ndle being around River right now. Not without wanting to rip his damn clothes off and shoving my cock into his ass.

  Or his mouth.

  Again.

  At this point, I just want him however I can get him, which is so fucked up.

  I don’t like guys, let alone want to shove my cock in any of their fucking orifices.

  But River seems to be the goddamn exception.

  So I shut myself in my room, painting, drawing, and reading to pass the time. But it only helps take the edge off. I’m starting to understand why Rupunzel despised being locked up in that tower.

  At least she had her lizard thing to keep her company instead of a sexy quarterback to hide from. Although, I have a feeling she might agree to a trade with me any day of the week.

  There’s an idea...

  Now all I have to do is figure out a way to get River into the tower and snatch the little lizard without getting caught...

  Jesus Christ.

  I’m going insane if I’m plotting ways to kidnap a fucking fictional cartoon chameleon.

  I need to get out of this cabin. Now.

  My phone’s weather app tells me the temperature is around forty degrees, positively balmy.

  Whatthefuckever. I’ll gladly let my balls turn into ice cubes than stay locked in this room for one more minute.

  Shoving my watercolor pens and pad into my backpack, I get ready to make an escape. If only for a little while.

  I pad out of my room on quiet feet, silently shutting the door behind me, and pray River is in his room and not the living room. As I pass his room, my ears catch the distinct sounds of From Ashes To New’s “Crazy” flowing from under the door.

  I smirk, knowing it’s most likely his song of the week, seeing as I’ve heard it plenty of times in the last couple days.

  At least I’m not the only one feeling insane.

  Slipping into my winter gear and boots, I throw a set of snow spikes in my backpack, as well as a blanket and a bottle of water, before slinging it over my shoulders. I set out for the lake Coach had mentioned was a short hike from here.

  I put my headphones in my ears and quickly flip on the same song River was listening to when I snuck past his room. He has good taste, as much as I loathe to admit it.

  Letting the music pour into me, I move at a steady pace, following the well-marked trail starting right behind the cabin next to the creek. My body is flooded with endorphins from the fresh air and the music pulsing through my veins. I hike for just under half an hour before reaching the lake overlook that we were promised was worth the steep incline.

  He wasn’t wrong.

  A turquoise blue lake sits completely frozen in the bowl of the surrounding mountains. Their jagged, rocky peaks are imposing when paired with the snow covered pines and silence of the afternoon.

  I’m utterly alone.

  And I feel it.

  As much as I hate to even think it, I wish River was here, so I had someone to share this with.

  Shaking the thought from my head, I lay the blanket out on a log and pull out all the necessary supplies in order for me to paint the scene before me.

  I know I won’t do it justice.

  Not because I doubt myself or my skill when it comes to art. It’s just that beautiful.

  For a while, I manage to lose myself in the music and the task in front of me, allowing my hand to relieve my mind of worry, if only for a short while.

  When I begin to focus my attention on painting the lake the most vivid shade of aqua, I’m reminded of a set of eyes, matching them almost perfectly.

  Those eyes, not only as blue as an alpine lake, also hold the same depth. But they are twice as captivating.

  River’s eyes.

  Fuck.

  Inhaling a harsh, cold breath into my lungs, I let out a sigh.

  Even when he isn’t here, he manages to worm his way into my thoughts. It’s like I will never evade him. No matter the amount of space I put between us.

  Before I even know it, my mind wanders to the other day, him pressing me into the side of the convenience store, and the look in his eyes.

  His resilience amazes me. Even after all the shit I’ve spewed his way, he still manages to come at me with determination and purpose.

  Even when I have him in a position that screams of his vulnerability and begs for his submission, he has a knack for flipping things on me, showing his strength.

  He’s done it time and time again. At this point, I’ve come to expect nothing less than a fight from him. If it were anyone else, I’d destroy them with the snap of a finger for daring to challenge me.

  But not River.

  For some reason, his defiance… turns me on.

  Which, unfortunately, he knows all too well. He’s so much as called me out on it before.

  And the way those aqua eyes bored into mine while he stroked my cock back in town told me everything I need to know.

  He’s getting to me. We both know it.

  I pride myself on being in control. In knowing when I'm out matched and it’s time to tap out. In having all the cards in my hand, just waiting for the right time to let them play out.

  But when I opened my eyes and saw his gaze fixated on my lips, I almost lost it entirely.

  Control slipped, and I sat there, daring him to do it. To try to take the upper hand from me.

  And hell, the worst part of it all?

  At that moment, I wanted him to do it.

  To defy me. To challenge me.

  I fucking wanted him to kiss me.

  The sun dipped below the mountainous horizon ten minutes ago, but I can’t bring myself to head back to that God forsaken cabin.

  Back to him.

  Still, I find myself gathering my shit, throwing it into my backpack, and trekking back down the way I came. The only indication of the path I have are the lonely set of footprints serving as proof of my journey to the top.

  As the cabin comes into view, I see the lights in the living room are on, signaling River must be in there. Probably waiting to ambush my ass the moment I step in the door.

  Shocker.

  I glance up and notice the black smoke billowing from the chimney, rising and fading out into the dusky sky. That sparks an idea.

  Firewood.

  We’ve been here nine days and neither of us, from what I can tell, has restocked the pile in the living room for the fireplace or the wood stove. And since I’m damn near desperate not to go back inside, I’ll take the extra few minutes of reprieve from River and the toxic cesspool of the cabin.

  Swinging the door to the shed open, I begin grabbing pieces of wood stacked against the wall. At this point, I’m glad Coach had enough foresight to put the wood inside the shed and not stacked against the outside like most people would. There is easily a foot of snow on the ground, if not more, and trying to get to the wood under a pile of this shit would be a nightmare.

  As if being stuck here with River Lennox for a month isn’t a nightmare in itself.

  “Need some help?” I hear River’s voice call from behind me. My spine instantly goes rigid.

  Goddammit.

  I only wanted five more minutes without him trying to… shit. Do anything to me? Talk to me? Bully me?

  Fuck with me?

  Fuck me?

  “I’m good,” I say, spinning around and heading back to the door.

  But of course, in true River fashion, he doesn’t fucking listen.

  He’s already stepping up to the stack of wood, gathering some in his own arms.

  Fine. Let him help. No way he will carry in more than this load. I can just throw my shit inside and take a few more trips to get a little more time outside.

  Away from him.

  When I head back out into the night after stacking the pile of logs next to the fireplace, I feel River following close behind again.

  My molars might crack by the time we leave this damn cabin with how often I grind my teeth to keep from biting his head off.

&
nbsp; The thing I might dislike about him the most has to be the fact that he’s genuinely a nice guy. Too fucking nice. Even though he calls me out on my shit, bickers with me, and threatens me with revenge after what happened in the shower. When he has every reason to leave me out here to freeze my nuts off, he doesn't. Because he’s a good person.

  And I can’t fucking stand it.

  “I’ve got it, Lennox,” I call to him over my shoulder as I quickly stomp back to the shed and pile more wood into my arms. I’m already in the doorway of the shed when he reaches it, effectively blocking my way.

  “It’s getting colder and it’s pitch black outside already. Let me help you. I don’t mind.”

  “I fucking mind,” I spit at him, my temper rapidly increasing to dangerous levels.

  Knock-down-drag-out levels.

  He doesn’t budge from the doorway though. I’m forced to look at him, really fucking look at him, for the first time since we got back to the cabin from town three days ago. He’s dressed in a dark sweatshirt and jeans, a beanie on his head and snow boots on his feet. His jaw is riddled with scruff, as if he hasn’t shaved in a few days.

  I hate that it makes him even better looking than he already is, with those eyes as vivid as polished turquoise and ever-tousled brown locks.

  At least he’s wearing the beanie, so I’m not tempted to run my fingers through his hair. Maybe grip onto it while I drive into him from behind.

  My dick stirs behind my zipper, liking that idea entirely too much for my comfort.

  Fuck.

  His brow quirks up in surprise at me snapping at him. “What the hell, man? Are you seriously incapable of accepting help? Or is it just because I’m the one asking?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Move. Get out of the way. Before I freeze my damn nuts off standing in the doorway.”

  He doesn’t budge. Instead he crowds in further, so close that if I didn’t have this stack of logs in my arms, our chests would be touching.

  “That’s okay. I’d rather stay right here. If your nuts get cold, I’ll gladly warm them up for you with my tongue.” His mouth is centimeters away, his lips brushing mine lightly as he speaks. “After all, I know how much you like it when I suck them into my mouth. How quickly it gets you going.”