Stay (Love In Montana Book 5)

Anastasia lay on her bed and closed her eyes with an excited smile on her face. She was eager to spend the whole day with Ryder tomorrow. Wondering what they would be up to, she finally dozed off to sleep. 

It was already 6 o’clock when Anastasia woke up the next morning. With only two hours left at hand to get ready before Ryder arrived to fetch her, Anastasia quickly took a shower and rushed downstairs to make breakfast.

“Someone’s super busy today. I took pity on you, baby sis. See, I’ve made breakfast already. Say, ‘thank you, Anson. You’re the best’,” said a grinning Anson. Anastasia’s eyes popped out as it was the first time that Anson had prepared something at home. It was always she or her dad who cooked at home. It was the same always even when her mom was at home as she never had the time to cook. In her dad’s absence her mom summoned help to handle the cooking. Anastasia was touched by Anson’s gesture.

“Thanks, bro. You’re the best,” said Anastasia, grinning back. They carried the bacon, eggs and toast to the table and sat down to eat. Anastasia prepared coffee for all of them. 

“I can’t believe this. You should make breakfast more often,” said her dad. 

Anastasia quickly finished her food and rushed to her room to get ready. Her phone buzzed with an incoming message from Ryder. She quickly checked it.

Pack a set of spare clothes, swimming costumes and water sports outfit and bare essentials for the day – Ryder. 

Wow! I wonder where we’re going – Annie

Waterside! Where else? – Ryder

Very informative! – Annie

With an excited smile on her face, Anastasia quickly packed a backpack for herself. Quickly changing into a pair of jeans and a turquoise blue top and sneakers, she was ready. Ryder arrived five minutes later looking very dashing in a pair of figure-hugging jeans and a white chambray shirt, rolled at the sleeves. His blue eyes sparkled seeing her, taking in her appearance. Anastasia’s heart skipped a beat seeing him. The prospect of spending a full day with him made her excited. Ryder whisked her away with him, promising her dad to get her back on time. 

“You’re looking great as always. Did you pack what I asked you to?” asked Ryder, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. 

“Yes, are we going to a beach?” she asked him with wide eyes. Ryder glanced at her eager face and shrugged with a small smile on his face. 

“Maybe,” he said, making Anastasia roll her eyes at him. 

“Relax, I’m not eloping with you yet,” he told her. Anastasia blushed and looked away. What did he mean by that? Would he really elope with her one day? Suddenly her heart wanted to soar with happiness and new found hope. All wasn’t lost after all. Ryder wouldn’t let her down. He would elope with her if everything else failed. She was sure of it. She wanted to let go of all her inhibitions and enjoy with you Ryder. 

They might not meet again for a while so she might as well take advantage of the time she had with him. As he drove towards Boulder City, Anastasia grinned at him. She could guess where they were off to.

“Lake Mohave?” she asked with an excited smile on her lips. Ryder smiled and nodded. 

“Yeah, I’ve booked us a lakefront room at Cottonwood,” informed Ryder. “We could freshen up, leave out stuff and go for fun activities,” he suggested. 

“Wow! I’ve never stayed over at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area before. When we were young dad had brought us on a very short trip,” informed Anastasia. “Have you been here before?” she asked him.

“Yeah, seven years ago, I was here with my family. We had come to Vegas to attend Russell’s wedding,” he informed her.

He drove through the stunning desert scenery set against the deep blue water of Lake Mohave. As they reached Katherine Landing, located inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Anastasia excitedly checked out their resort and marina, Cottonwood. The resort looked inviting with its Spanish-style, red-roofed rooms with covered outdoor patios, tables and chairs to enjoy the incredible sunsets and lakefront views while cooking outdoor BBQ. Ryder completed the check-in process and they were given keys to their room. 

Ryder unlocked their room which was close to the café with easy access to the recreational activities such as sand and volleyball court. “Perfect! I wish we could stay here for a few days,” blurted out Anastasia and then blushed when Ryder raised an eyebrow at her. 

“You wouldn’t mind staying the night with me?” he asked, his voice reflecting the shock he received at the information.

“Umm, we could stay in different rooms,” she corrected herself. 

Ryder grinned but shook his head. “We wouldn’t stay in different rooms at all,” he said with a wink. Anastasia’s eyes went round as she looked away from his probing eyes. She knew he expected her to retaliate and argue but she didn’t. He searched her face for a while. “Okay, freshen up if you want to go out. We’re going for water sports. This place is famous for its water sports, wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing. We cannot miss any of them,” said Ryder excitedly. Anastasia calmed her racing heart and nodded. After freshening up, they locked up their room and walked hand in hand to enjoy the water sports,

The whole morning, they enjoyed wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking and then opted for scuba diving. Anastasia had never enjoyed so much in her entire life. Ryder was fun, he loved extreme sports and made them look so easy that all her apprehensions disappeared in his warm presence. He was always there beside her, holding her hand in everything they did. Later, hungry and exhausted, Anastasia returned back to the resort while Ryder went to the restaurant to order their lunch. She picked up a set of spare clothes and rushed to take a quick shower. Afterwards, feeling fresh, she walked into the room and stood by the window looking out at the beautiful lake water sparkling under the sun. She sighed knowing that the memories that she had made with Ryder today would always be there in her heart, even if they didn’t make it together in life! 

The door opened and Ryder walked into the room and locked at her with interest. “Who are you watching?” he asked suspiciously, coming up behind her, his chest touching her back as he glanced out of the window to check. 

“Who would I watch? Are you crazy?” asked Anastasia with an eye roll. 

“Why would I be crazy? Just as I thought! See that guy in that yellow and black outfit?” asked Ryder pointing at some guy, Anastasia tried to concentrate upon the person he was pointing. 

“Where? I don’t see anyone!” she said, flailing her hands. 

“There he is. Can’t you see him staring at you?” asked Ryder with a huff. Anastasia glanced all around but couldn’t find anyone fitting that description. Ryder closed the window and pulled the curtains close. “The guy had been trying to hit at you all the time, how could you be so unaware?” he said, gripping her shoulders and shaking her. 

“I was just concentrating on you, dammit. How would I know who was hitting at me?” Anastasia said with a scowl, shaking his hands off her. Ryder’s expression softened at her admission and he looked extremely happy at her admission. 

“Oh, is it? So you were concentrating on me? Why, I wonder! Tell me how you feel about me,” he prompted her. 

“I hate you,” she said with an eye roll, turning to walk away. Ryder caught her and pulled her to his body, flush against his chest. 

“But I love you, so much!” he whispered, his voice hoarse as he trailed a finger down her cheek. “I’ve been waiting to get you all to myself for so long. I wish some natural calamity strikes and we’re unable to return home tonight,” said Ryder. Anastasia’s eyes widened with apprehension.

“Are you crazy? Although I love you, I wouldn’t want to die with you. I want to live with you forever, Blue,” said Anastasia. Ryder grinned at her.

“Who’s talking of dying? Of course we’ll live together, forever. You know that I’ll fight for you. I’m just waiting for you to finish your studies. I’m just waiting for you to grow up,” he said, crushing her to his body. He lowered his head, his mouth inches from hers, his hot breath on her face. 

“Kiss me, Blue,” she whispered, eagerly when he didn’t kiss her even after a few seconds. 

“I will but I want more of you, Annie,” he whispered, his lips grazing her lower lip, gently, lingeringly.

“I’m not ready for s*x, please,” she whispered.

“I know. I can wait for you forever,” he whispered against her lips, his mouth claiming her mouth in a hungry kiss.