“Yeah. I really like sketching too, but painting is my first love.”
“I always wanted to be good at art. Unfortunately, every time I’ve tried to create something it ends up looking like a Kindergartner did it.”
“I doubt you’re that bad.” I laugh.
“Trust me, I am.” He smiles, his facial hair brushing his upper lip as he does. “Well, I’ll let you get to it. Slave driver out there might have my nuts if I’m gone too long.” He hops down from the porch. “Then again, he’s in a pretty good mood today. Guess I have you to thank for that.”
“Ha. Ha,” I deadpan, crossing my arms in front of myself.
“I’m just saying.” He holds his hands up as he backs away.
I shake my head, watching him disappear around the side of the house moments later.
Turning back to the table, I find it hard to wipe the smile from my face as I open my paints. But it isn’t until I’m holding the paintbrush in my hand, looking out over the incredible view, highlighted by the gorgeous cloudless sky, that I realize just how much has changed. And how quickly it’s all happened.
All I ever wanted was a way out, a chance to start new. And now that I have it, now that I’m staring down a future that’s all my own, I feel like a thousand pounds have been lifted off my shoulders.
I don’t know what comes next. I don’t know where I’ll end up tomorrow, let alone a year from now, or even five years from now. And I’m okay with that. I don’t need to be twenty steps ahead anymore. I don’t have to worry about letting anyone down or sacrificing what I want for someone else’s idea of what’s right for me.
My life is now mine and it’s up to me, and only me, what I do with it from here on.
Chapter Twelve
Fallon
I ruffle through my suitcase, trying to find something to wear. Tossing my dead cell phone onto the bed, I drop my cosmetics bag next to it, trying to make it easier to see what clean clothes I still have inside. I only packed with the expectation of being gone for a week and given that I’ve already been here over a week, I’m running out of options. I guess I’m going to have to do a load of laundry soon or I’ll end up wearing dirty clothes as my clean options are nearly gone.
It’s hard to believe that nine days have already passed since Titus brought me here. Nine days since I climbed on the back of his motorcycle, scared out of my mind. Nine days since I made the choice not to return home. And even though I didn’t know it then, these last few days have been the best of my life.
Titus gave up sneaking into his room after that first night. I guess he figured since Link already pieced it together, there wasn’t any point in trying to hide it. As such, I’ve spent the last few nights falling asleep in his arms and waking up in them too. Of course, we haven’t gotten that much sleep. Not that I mind. I can take being a little tired. The tradeoff is well worth it.
Finally settling on a girly skull and bones top and shorts, I slip inside the bathroom to finish getting ready. Titus is taking me out on the bike today. He didn’t say where we were going, only to make sure I wore a bathing suit under my clothes.
I swear, if he takes me to another questionable pond in the middle of nowhere, I might jump on his motorcycle and leave him there. That is, I would, if I knew the first thing about driving a motorcycle.
When I exit the bedroom a few minutes later, my blonde curls tied up in a messy bun, Titus is lounging on the couch waiting for me.
I smile at the sight of him, looking incredibly sexy in dark jeans and a gray shirt with cutoff sleeves. He stands when I enter the room.
“You ready?” His eyes do a full sweep of my body before finally making their way to my face.
“Yep.” I rock back on my heels. “You going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope.” He grins, a chunk of hair falling into his face as he leans down and slides his boots on. “We don’t have a plan.” He stands upright. “Let’s just see where the day takes us.”
“I think I like the sound of that,” I admit.
While being here has been incredible, I’m starting to get a little stir crazy being cooped up here all the time. I’m used to constantly being on the go, my father shuffling me from one social event to the next. It’s strange to wake up and have no idea what the day will hold. Strange and yet freeing at the same time.
“Come on.” He takes my hand and tugs me toward the door and out onto the porch.
The early afternoon summer heat is stifling. It feels like the temperature has doubled in the last week. Then again, that’s usually how it happens. One day it’s tolerable and the next it’s smoldering.
Titus already has his bike pulled up next to the house, two helmets resting on the top step of the porch. Releasing my hand, he snags them, handing me one before making his way down the stairs.
I slip my helmet on as I reach the bike, watching Titus do the same before he climbs on.
I’m both excited and nervous to spend the day with him. Even though we’ve basically been inseparable, this feels different somehow.
Titus waits until I climb on the bike behind him before kicking up the kickstand and firing the engine to life. It rumbles beneath us.
I wrap my arms around his middle and scoot in closer, resting the side of my helmet on his back. Even though I’ve had this man naked on top of me, nothing beats this feeling. My body pressed close to his. The vibration of the motorcycle beneath me. The wind on my face as he pops the bike into gear and pulls out onto the road.
This is it.
This is the life.
We drive for what feels like hours. I watch the scenery change the further away from the cabin we get. Thick woods replaced by open roads and buildings.
We drive through a few different towns, none of which I recognize, stopping at one to grab something to eat before continuing on our trip.
The sun is perched high above us when I catch the first scent of ocean in the air. There’s something indescribable about it. The way the saltwater fills my senses. I can feel it before I see it.
It isn’t long before the beach comes into view, the beautiful blue water extending out as far as the eye can see. I smile to myself and squeeze Titus tighter, excitement growing in my chest.
Given that I grew up about three hours from the beach, going to the ocean isn’t something I got to do as much as one might imagine. At least not after my mom died.
When I was little, I used to go with my mom a handful of times every year. It was always something we would do together. Mom and daughter bonding without my dad. We’d play in the sand, with beach hats the size of umbrellas perched on our heads as we built castles and waded in the water. I guess after she passed I didn’t feel right coming without her. That, and my father has never been a fan of the beach, so he always refused to take me.
Titus parks the motorcycle in a public lot just steps from the beach and waits for me to climb off before doing so himself. My legs feel numb from sitting for so long, so I work on stretching them out after handing Titus my helmet.
He sets the helmets next to the bike, throwing me a questioning look when he catches sight of what I’m doing.
“Sorry.” I smile. “That was a long ride.”
“We could have taken the truck.”
“Oh no, I love the bike. I’m just a little numb is all.” I straighten back up.
“So tell me...” He turns out toward the beach, snagging my hand as he does. “Do you have an adversity to swimming in the ocean too?”
“Yes and no,” I admit, turning my face up to look at him. “I will swim in the ocean, but I refuse to go out past my waist.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I don’t want to be eaten by a shark.”
Titus’ laughter bubbles to the surface, his head dropping back as his shoulders shake.
“I’m glad you find me amusing.” I knock my hip into him.
“I have never met someone so terrified of being eaten by things in the water.” Hi
s voice shakes with humor.
“It’s not like it doesn’t happen.”
“True. But you do realize how rarely it actually does, right?”
“Doesn’t matter. It could happen.”
“A plane could also fall from the sky and kill us where we stand. Is that going to stop you from standing here?”
“That’s different.”
“How so?”
“Because I can’t prevent a plane from falling from the sky. I can, however, prevent a shark from chomping one of my legs off by avoiding situations that make that possible.”
“You’re something else, you know that?” Titus smiles, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he does.
“I’m going to pretend you don’t mean that as an insult.”
“Never.” Another rumble of laughter ripples through him.
“Um, so how exactly are we supposed to swim when we have nothing with us?”
“Who said we need anything? You have your bathing suit on, yes?”
“Yes,” I confirm.
“Then what else do you need?”
“I don’t know. A towel. Maybe some sunscreen. Something to drink. Just to name a few things.”
“There’s a little shack down the way.” He points to the right. “We can get all that there. Does that satisfy you, princess?”
“Don’t call me a princess,” I playfully warn.
“If the crown fits.” He squeezes my hand before tugging me away from the motorcycle.
When we reach the sand, I slip off my shoes, smiling the instant the powdery texture slides between my toes. I close my eyes and inhale the sea air. Relish in the feeling of the sun hot on my face. And for a brief moment, I see my mom’s face.
Her long blonde curls that look so much like mine. Her blue eyes, almost the exact same color as the ocean. Her laughter. It’s been years since I’ve heard it, but when I really focus, I swear it’s like she’s still here, standing right next to me.
“You okay?” Titus’ voice snaps me from my thoughts and I blink up at him.
“Perfect, actually.” It feels so good to be here. Better than I ever imagined it would.
“Good.” He smiles and I swear my stomach does a full somersault at the sight.
We walk several yards before we come across the little shop Titus was talking about. I realize almost instantly why it’s called The Beach Shack. Because it’s literally a shack. A shack on the beach. Fitting.
We grab a few essentials from inside: two beach towels, sunscreen, a couple waters, and Titus even buys us each a pair of cheap sunglasses, before we make our way back out onto the sand.
We set up in a little spot a few feet back from the water. Titus lays out the towels while I work on spraying myself with sunscreen. Knowing how easily I burn; I make this the priority. Honestly, I probably already have sun on my arms and neck but haven’t realized it yet. When you’re as fair as I am, it doesn’t take much.
I feel Titus’ eyes on me the whole time, my body on full display in the all-white bikini I decided to wear. I ignore the way my skin prickles under his glare and try to focus on the task at hand.
“So what do you say?” Titus waits until I turn toward him, lifting his shirt over his head. I swear, no matter how many times I see his body and the incredible splashes of ink that paint his skin, every time is like the first time. My entire body warms and I have to lick the corners of my mouth to make sure I’m not drooling. “Feel up to risking a shark attack to swim with me?”
“Waist high, that’s my limit.”
“Come on, Fallon. What’s life without a little risk?”
I refrain from telling him just how much I’ve risked recently. How much I’ve risked to be here with him. How much I’ve risked by taking a leap of faith without knowing where I’ll end up once I land. But I refrain. This was never about him. It’s always been about me. He just happens to be a part of all of this now. Even if he doesn’t realize it.
“Waist high.” I drop my hands to my hips and give him a look that says this is non-negotiable.
“We’ll see.” He winks, grabbing my hand before tugging me toward the water.
——
Today has been the best day. From wrestling in the water with Titus, to lounging in the sand next to him, it’s all been so perfect. Hell, almost too perfect really. I didn’t know people like him existed or that you could experience days like today.
Days when the rest of the world fades away and nothing matters except the present.
For the first time in a very long time I didn’t let myself get wrapped up in worrying about my situation or my future. Instead, I let Titus brush all of that away. With a kiss of his lips. With the touch of his hand. With the way he leans into me as we sit side by side, watching the last of the day’s sunlight fade.
“We should probably think about getting back.” Titus leans in and kisses my temple before climbing to his feet.
“Do we have to?” I look up at him, reluctant to have this incredible day come to an end.
Most of the beachgoers have cleared out, and only a few stragglers are left as the summer day winds down.
“It’s going to take a couple of hours to get home.” He reaches down and takes my hands, pulling me to my feet.
Slipping his jeans over his now dry board shorts, he tosses his shirt over his head while I slowly put my own clothes back on.
“What about the towels and stuff? How are we going to get those back?”
“Just leave them for now.”
“What do you mean for now?”
“Stay here,” he informs me as he heads back toward the parking lot.
“Huh?” I question.
“I’m going to pick you up.” He throws me a smile over his shoulder before continuing on.
“What do you mean you’re going to pick me up?” I holler after him. Either he doesn’t hear me or he chooses not to answer.
I watch him until he disappears over the hill, the bike out of my line of sight. Moments later, I hear the roar of the engine and Titus reappears at the top of the wooden ramp that leads down to the beach.
I watch, stunned, as he guides the bike to the sand. No helmet. No shoes. Looking utterly breathtaking as he makes his way toward me.
The moment the tires hit the sand, the bike slides, but Titus is able to keep it upright as he slows next to me.
“What are you doing?” I question, pretty sure he’s lost his mind.
“Come here.” He pats the seat in front of him. Not sure what he’s up to, but also not able to resist, I go to him and allow him to pull me onto the bike in front of him, my back coming to rest against his front.
“Guide us to the water.” His voice vibrates against my ear as he leans in close.
“What?” I jerk my chin to the side.
“Take us to the water.”
“I can’t drive a motorcycle, Titus.”
“Sure you can. I’ll help you.” He leans forward, giving me no option but to lean forward as well. I brace myself on the handlebars, his hands closing over top of mine seconds later.
Before I know it, we’re moving again, and while technically my hands are the ones on the handlebars, it’s Titus who steers the bike to the edge of the water where the tide rushes up over the sand.
Killing the engine, Titus balances the weight of the bike with his feet, his arms going around my middle before his chin rests on top of my shoulder.
“What are you up to?” I ask, a trace of a smile on my lips.
“You weren’t ready to leave and I realized maybe I wasn’t either.”
“Yeah, but do you really think it’s a good idea to have the bike in the sand? What if it gets stuck?”
“Then we’ll roll it out.” I feel him shrug behind me. “Look at that.” He points out to the horizon, where it’s hard to differentiate where the water ends and the sky begins.
“It’s breathtaking,” I admit, more to myself than to him.
“It’s not the only thing that’s
breathtaking.” His lips brush the side of my neck.
My skin prickles and the little hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up.
“Come here.” His hands settle on my hips seconds before my backside leaves the seat. I don’t know how he does it, but somehow he manages to turn me completely around, all while holding the bike steady.
I come to a rest on his lap, my legs draping over his as he tugs me into his arms. I close my eyes and breathe in his scent which is mixed with the smell of the sand and sea.
The moment is so perfect that I don’t think it’s something I could’ve imagined in my wildest of dreams. Days like this don’t exist. Moments like this. It’s like I plucked a page from a fairy tale and decided to live it out.
Well, maybe not your childhood fairy tale but you get the idea.
“You’re surprising,” I tell him after a couple minutes of silence have passed.
“Surprising how?” he asks as I pull back to meet his gaze.
“I don’t know. You just... surprise me. You’re not at all who I thought you would be.”
“No?” He smirks, tucking a piece of hair that’s fallen from my bun behind my ear.
“Not even a little bit.”
“And what exactly did you think I would be?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Just not this.”
“Is that a good or a bad thing?” He quirks a brow.
“A good thing.” I smile. “A very, very good thing.”
“In that case,” he leans in, sliding his nose against mine, “I’ll take it.”
His lips close over mine and he kisses me in a way that makes me feel like he’s been kissing me my whole life. Like he’s spent years perfecting how to turn me into putty rather than only a few short days.
And while I know it’s completely irrational and way too premature, I can’t help the way my heart swells in my chest. Everything he does, every time he looks at me or smiles at me I feel it.
I don’t have to wonder if I’m falling for Titus. I know I am. I can feel it down to the very depths of my soul. Honestly, I don’t think I could stop it if I tried. And I don’t want to either.
I’ve waited my whole life to feel this way. It’s almost like I’ve been waiting for him.
Follow Me Down Page 10