Storm Front (The Charistown Series) (Volume 2) by Lisa N. Paul Read Free Book Online Page B

This felt good. This feeling was the kind of good that
pumped through her veins, the kind that would keep her warm while he was gone.
    “You know, you and Leo are a lot more like brothers than
friends,” she mused just before his lips took hers in what began as a simple
kiss, but quickly turned into a hungry passionate embrace.
    Ryan’s strong hand moved swiftly from the back of her head
where he had been holding her close, down her neck and over her back. His
fingers spread wide covering most of her narrow frame as his thumb caressed the
exposed skin where her tank top had risen up. The raw groan that rumbled deep
in his throat was swallowed whole by the deep penetrating kisses Ashley
bestowed upon him. She couldn’t get enough of him. His scent, his tongue, his
touch.
    “Ahem, sorry to interrupt this adorable, yet nauseating,
moment,” Leo snickered, not looking at all sorry for the interruption, “but we
really have to get going. Jayson just got here with the bus and we still need
to get Zane and his two tons of shit and hit the road if we are gonna make any
headway today.”
    Pulling in a deep breath and silently begging herself for
the strength to hold her emotions in for just a few minutes longer, Ashley
plastered on what Leo often referred to as her “Barbie doll” smile. “Okay,
boys, travel safely and kick some serious concert ass!”
    “Wow, sis. Did you just say ass ?” With a hearty
laugh, Leo embraced her tightly, making her feel as safe and loved as he always
did. “I don’t know, Ry, do you think it’s safe leaving my little sister here
without us watching out for her? We aren’t even gone yet and she’s already
using profane language.”
    Leo’s laughter felt like a warm sweatshirt wrapped over her
body. She absently ran her hands up her arms, savoring the warmth before it
faded away.
    “She’ll be fine,” Ryan confirmed, his voice more confident
than his face looked. From the corner of her eye, she stared at Ryan, wondering
if he didn’t have fears of his own piling up behind his shield of confidence.
She knew that he had nothing to worry about in regard to her, but did he? She
gave herself a mental head shake. Of course he knew, she told him often how
much she loved him. She’d make sure to continue while he was gone.
    “Hello, she is standing right here! And she is
trying really hard to keep it together while her two favorite men in the
entire world leave her behind. So please, rip off the Band-Aid and go so she can cry in peace and then get ready for work.” Ashley poked both her brother
and her boyfriend in the chest as she tried to bring her point home. All the
while repeating to herself, “Do not cry, do not cry.”
    “Okay, sis, come here.” Leo pulled her in one last time
dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “I will call you every day, I promise.
And you know you can call whenever you want. The time will go fast, just wait
and see. Between school and work and you hearing from colleges any day now, you
have loads to keep you busy. I expect to be your first phone call when you get
into the University of Pennsylvania, even before Romeo over there.”
    “You will be, Leo.”
    “I love you, sis. Now wipe off that awful plastic smile,
it’s freaking me the hell out.”
    With one more squeeze, Leo walked away from Ashley and
headed to the front of the house. Almost as an afterthought he called over his
shoulder, “Two minutes guys. Seriously, don’t make me come back here with the
hose!”
    Laughing, Ryan moved instantly closer to Ashley. His spicy
cologne filled her nose and his touch lit up her skin. Ryan was sensory
overload in its finest form.
    All traces of laughter were gone as a look of sheer
adoration and love washed over his features. Yep, she knew she was a lucky
girl. “Ryan, I’ll be okay. I want you to go out there and enjoy every single
moment of this. You deserve it.”
    Stroking the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip he
whispered, “But what I want is