Riding the Wave

by Serenity King

  “So, Josinia, what brings you here?”

  None of your damn business, she thought, and was surprised to hear her own voice say, “I’m here with a few of my friends for a much needed break. You?”

  “I’ve been coming here for about three years now. My home away from home,” he said, taking a deep breath. “My own little paradise.”

  “This is my first time here. It’s the only vacation I’ve taken in a long while.”

  “So how are you enjoying it?”

  “It’s all right. Peaceful. Well, early in the mornings anyway.”

  “It is at that. I don’t know how safe it is for you to walk alone at dawn by yourself, though.”

  “How do you know I walk alone?” she asked suspiciously.

  “I saw you this morning from my balcony. You waved at me, remember?” He smiled.

  “Oh, that was you.” She smiled back awkwardly.

  “Yes, it was. I must say, you are more beautiful up close,” he whispered, staring at her lips.

  Embarrassed, Josinia put her head down only to find his fingers on her chin, lifting her head back up.

  “Don’t do that. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You have to know that you’re beautiful,” he said, this time looking her directly in the eyes.

  “I haven’t had time to really pay attention,” she murmured. “But thank you for the compliment.” He frowned, and she wondered if she had said something wrong. Did he not believe her? Did he think she was just being coy? Well she wasn’t. With school, her practice, and all of the other drama she’d had going on in her life…she just hadn’t given her looks a second thought.

  “You’re kidding, right?” he asked.

  “No…” Before Josinia knew what was happening, Tek had his hand at the back of her neck, pulling her lips down to meet his. The kiss was hot and totally unexpected. He latched onto her mouth as if he was afraid she would push him away. If she’d been in her right mind, she would have. And probably slapped his face for good measure. He was technically a stranger, despite her suspicion they’d met before. For all she knew, he was a serial killer. Yet the sexual energy radiating between them was real. And she’d been lonely for so long.

  Yes, that was it. Loneliness. His tongue slipped between her teeth and claimed hers as if he were claiming her body. If she had any doubts as to his identity before…she didn’t now. He’d kissed like this before. So passionate—so demanding. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she put her all into the kiss. Déjà vu. That’s what she felt. She was letting him have his way with her all over again. Did that make her a tramp? Josinia had only had two lovers in the whole of her life. Her first failed attempt at intimacy was with her biology partner in high school. That had been a total disaster. They’d both laughed about it afterwards. And the next was with this same wicked man who was having his way with her now— and that had been the best sexual experience she’d ever had. He’d been a very attentive lover. Too embarrassed to face him the next day, she’d hauled ass out of his bed while he slept. Still, she had only one regret about that night—she’d lost the gold chain that her mother had given her. The sex was great. He’d made her feel good and her body sing at a time in her life when she’d thought she was all alone.

  Josinia grasped at his head when he ripped his mouth away from her. She wasn’t ready to let him go. Not yet.

  “Straddle me,” he breathed against her lips.

  “Wh—what?” she asked in a daze.

  “I need to feel you against me,” he strained out, lifting and turning her so that her front was facing him and her legs were splayed out on either side of him.

  “Wrap your legs around me,” he instructed.

  She could hardly stand it. The feel of his erection between her legs almost sent her into spasms. Of its own accord, her lower body rubbed against his. The loud groan that emanated from his lips was the sound of a man in agony.

  “Shit!” he growled, wrapping a lock of her long hair around his hand, pulling her head back, and bringing his mouth down to hers. Josinia returned his kiss with fervor, her hips still gyrating against him.

  “More…it’s been so long,” she moaned, against his mouth.

  “Easy. We’re not alone, Josinia,” he breathed into her mouth.

  “I know…I can’t stop…I feel so good,” she said, ripping her mouth from his to place her face in the crook of his neck. Her arms and legs were wrapped around him.

  “Shit! Josinia, hold on,” he whispered, holding her hips in place, slipping his hand between their bodies to move her swimsuit aside and insert one thick digit inside her. That was all it took. She detonated, screaming her release into his neck as her womanly juices flowed down his finger and into his palm.

  Riding the Wave

  Chapter Three

  He removed his saturated finger from within and wiped her juices on his trunks. Damn, he wished he could taste her. Josinia was still plastered against him—gasping for breath. Tek ran his hand up and down her back soothingly, then brushed his fingers through her long curly hair, pushing it out of her face. She lifted her head and smiled up at him.

  Perfectly arched eyebrows sat over her icy gray eyes that were suddenly full of passion. He wished he were buried so deep within her, she wouldn’t know where he ended and she began. Her skin was the color of cocoa; touching it was like touching silk. Josinia positively glowed. Hell, there was that feeling again. The feeling that he knew her from somewhere.

  Tek was happy he’d decided to sit on the beach before getting on with his day. Like he’d told his brother earlier, he’d known he’d run into her again. It had been his plan to intentionally wait to see if she walked along the shore again. He’d been sure she would, but he hadn’t expected to walk down to the beach and find her sitting there as if waiting for him. She had on the same bikini that she’d worn earlier…minus the cover-up.

  Just thinking about it made his cock began to stir. She must have felt it, because she moaned deep in her throat. They really needed to move before they both did something they’d regret.

  Tek wanted her with a fierceness that couldn’t be denied…but not with a bunch of vacationers looking on. Nope, he wanted her in his bed, writhing underneath him, or riding his cock full out.

  “Sweetness, we need to get up or we’re going to give these good people a show,” he joked, although in his present state, he felt anything but humorous. He was rock hard and in desperate need of release. What he needed was a cold shower. Tek heard her sigh and chuckled.

  “You’re so comfortable. I could fall asleep right now,” she murmured.

  “I’m glad one of us can. Because baby, I have tell you…you have me on overload. There are only two things keeping me from pulling that little scrap of material aside and sinking into you: one is that I don’t have a condom, and two is that there are so many people on the beach today. So, sweetness, you need to lift up before I embarrass us both. Your sweet ass sitting on my cock has my head spinning.” For added measure, he pushed up against her and chuckled at her audible gasp.

  Tek immediately felt the loss when she extricated herself from him and stood up. Her face was flushed, but not from passion—from embarrassment. With the grace of a panther, Tek leaped to his feet, wiped the sand from his shorts, and stood before her. Looking deep into her eyes, he whispered, “Tsk, tsk, Josinia. There will be many things that we do together that will probably embarrass you sexually—trust me, making out on a beach is the least of them. You have a fire beneath all of your innocence that is waiting to be released, and I plan on being the one to release it.”

  “I’m not innocent,” she said.

  “Yes, you are,” he said, lowering his head to hers and kissing her lips. Not for the world would he embarrass her by telling her he could sense her innocence by the way she acted, kissed, and fell apart in his arms. If she had had a man before…which he doubted, it had been a long while since she’d had sex. She’d been as tight as a virgin around his finger. The thought of he
r gripping his finger with her pussy stirred his cock to life again. Time to go.

  “Come jet skiing with me,” he invited her impulsively.

  “Wh…what?” she said with a shake of her head.

  “Jet skiing. Have you ever tried it?”

  “No.”

  “Well, it’ll be a wonderful experience for you. How about we make a day of it? We’ll go jet skiing, do lunch, and have dinner later tonight. What do you say? Feel like spending the day with me?” he asked, looking into those gray eyes. Eyes that he could have sworn he’d seen before. Why did he have the feeling that he knew her from somewhere? He felt an intimate connection to her, as if they’d been together before, but that couldn’t be it. Sure, there were some women he’d forgotten not too long after he’d made love to them, but he knew he would remember a night with her. He’d only felt that way once before—long ago—and he wore the gold chain around his neck as a reminder. Tek had awakened several hours later and she was gone. Only to leave behind her smell on the bed sheets and the gold chain he’d found on the floor next to the bed. The clasp broken. He’d been disappointed that she’d left without saying a word to him, but figured she’d had regrets. After all, they’d both had way too much to drink that night.

  Tek was young and cocky back then, more so than he was now. He’d had something to prove to the world. That he belonged. He’d made sleeping with women a sport. Still, there was something different about the woman Tek had slept with that night. She’d had innocence about her—yet she’d been eager to explore his body while he explored hers. He’d slept with many women after her, but still those smoky gray eyes boring into his as she climaxed would forever be a memory engraved in heart. Gray eyes, he said to himself. Then stared down at Josinia. Gray eyes that now looked a little flustered. No, it couldn’t be? Could it?

  Still looking a little flustered, Josinia said, “I need to take a shower and change my suit. You want me to meet you back here in about an hour?”

  Tek shook himself, realizing that she was speaking. “Of course not. Tell me where you’re staying, and I’ll pick you up. Better yet, I’ll walk back to your room with you. That way I’ll know you’ve arrived safely. There are a lot of raunchy teenagers and men on this beach. I don’t trust them not to try and get with you. So, get your things and let’s get to walking.”

  “Tek, I’ve been walking this beach for days now, and I haven’t had a problem getting to my room,” she chided.

  “You’re telling me that not one male has tried to pick you up?” Disbelief was clear in his dark eyes.

  “Well…”

  “That’s what I thought. Let’s go, sweetness. The hour is getting late.” He smirked. Besides, he needed to know if this was his mystery woman, and if so, how to proceed.

  She huffed for a few minutes and then led him to where she was staying.

  Tek held onto her hand as they walked. Just like he thought…there were too many men who noticed her as they walked along the beach. He’d had to scowl at a few of the stupid ones who thought they were bold enough to try him. Hmm, Tek knew how to put a man to sleep without them being aware and how to shoot just as well any sharpshooter. His martial arts training came from his Chinese mother and his shooting skills were care of his buddies, Stevlson, Winston and Oregon, who made up a tactical force team. None of them were military, but all were trained by retired military men.

  “We’re here,” he heard her say.

  Tek looked around and smiled. Just like he thought…she wasn’t far from his condo. She was actually in the next complex over.

  “Which floor?” he asked.

  “Second,” she responded. “You don’t have to walk me up. Actually, I’d prefer it if you didn’t. There would be too many questions I’m not ready to answer.”

  “No problem. I’ll be back in an hour. I gather you’ll meet me down here?”

  “I’ll be waiting. What does one wear jet skiing?”

  “If I say a swimsuit, will you promise not to wear one similar to the one you’re wearing now?”

  “What’s wrong with my swimsuit?” she asked with her hands on her hips.

  “Honestly, it’s a little too revealing for my taste?” he asked. He wasn’t phased at all by the flash of anger in her eyes, the hands on her hips, and the rolling of her neck. If he didn’t think she’d cancel on him if he laughed…he’d do just that.

  “Since you’re not wearing it…you’re taste doesn’t count…”

  “Okay, don’t chew me out. I just don’t want to be fighting off men while trying to spend time with you,” he said, cutting into the tirade he was sure was about to come. “You can wear running shorts or a bathing suit. Whichever you prefer. Make sure you bring a change of clothes for lunch and dinner. We can change in my condo.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she started, but he cut her off again.

  “Josinia, nothing will happen that the both of us don’t want. I just figured since you don’t want me to meet your roommates yet, it’ll be easier to go to my place.”

  “You’re right, of course. I’ll meet you back here in an hour.” She then turned to leave.

  “Great. See you in an hour,” he said and brushed his lips with hers. “Go on in.”

  Tek watched as she made her way inside before turning and walking back toward his condo…whistling his favorite tune all the way. He entered the condo and went directly back to his room to put on his wetsuit. Tek then walked to his kitchen to get a glass of juice. He noticed that Tac’s door was closed and deduced that he was still asleep. Tek putted around the condo until it was time to pick up Josinia. On his way out, he knocked on his brother’s door to let him know that he was going out and wouldn’t be back for a while.

  Riding the Wave

  Chapter Four

  Josinia walked into the apartment to find her roommates sitting at the table enjoying what appeared to be a breakfast of fruit, muffins, orange juice, and coffee.

  “Hey, Jo, where have you been?” Gemini asked.

  “On the beach. Why, what’s up?” she asked.

  “Nothing. You were just later than usual today—we were wondering where you were. Are you okay? Gemini asked.

  “Of course. Stop worrying.” She smiled at her friend.

  “I told her you’d probably hooked up with some hot guy and forgot about your girls,” Pam kidded.

  Josinia blushed under their scrutiny.

  “Nooo,” Stephanie said.

  The next thing Josinia knew was all three of them were upon her, asking her what seemed like a million questions all at once.

  “All right, Jo, spill it.” Of course this came from Gemini, who’d appointed herself Josinia’s protector lone ago.

  “I met someone on the beach. He’s picking me up in an hour to take me jet skiing, and then we’re having lunch and dinner together.” She blushed.

  There were collective shrieks throughout the apartment.

  “Oh my God! Our Jo is giving up her goodies,” Pamela exclaimed.

  “I am not,” Josinia protested.

  “You are too,” Stephanie cried.

  “No, I’m not. We just decided to spend the day together. We’re both here on vacation and wanted the chance to get to know each other,” she said. Josinia left out the part with the beach scene. Some things were not for her friends to know.

  “So we’re going to get to meet him, right?” Gemini’s tone brooked no argument; Josinia would be introducing them to Tek.

  Josinia grunted. “Of course. Now I have to gather a few clothes and get dressed—he’ll be here in an hour to pick me up.”

  Josinia left them there gawking at her, as she walked to her room to gather everything she would need.

  Josinia waited downstairs for Tek with Gemini, Stephanie and Pam. She smiled inwardly when she saw him approach. Her friends stood there with their mouths agape.

  “Good Lord, he’s gorgeous,” Gemini whispered.

  “I want one,” Stephanie said.
/>   “Me too,” Pamela remarked.

  Josinia didn’t have a chance to comment; Tek was already in front of them.

  “Hello ladies, I’m Teksuen.” He smiled. “I take it you all are friends of Josinia’s.”

  “Yes,” they said simultaneously.

  Josinia watched as he nodded to them and then turned to her. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, turning toward her and placing a kiss on her lips. “Ready?”

  “Ready,” she responded. “I’ll see you all later tonight. I have my cell if you need me.” Josinia added that for the benefit of her friends, letting them know that if there was a problem, she’d call them. Or if they were worried they could call her cell.

  “Nice meeting you, ladies,” Tek said, looking at each one of them. Grabbing Josinia’s bag with one hand and her hand with the other, he led her away, leaving the three ladies still standing there gawking like awestruck teenagers.

  They stayed on the water for a full hour, jet skiing; Josinia had never had so much fun in her life. They’d worn lifejackets, and Tek was a master at maneuvering the jet ski. They’d eaten a light lunch on the shore, and afterwards they’d driven to a nearby mall and window shopped. It was still early, so they decided to take in a movie before going back to Tek’s condo. However, after arriving at his condo, Josinia began to have second thoughts. What now? she wondered as she got of the car.

  “Having second thoughts?” he asked as if reading her mind.

  “What?”

  “You’re frowning. It’s the first frown you’ve had all day. It made me wonder if you were having second thoughts.”

  “A little,” she admitted.

  “Don’t. Everything will be fine. You’ll see,” he said, taking her by the hand, walking around to the trunk and taking her bag out. They waked hand-and-hand into his condo.

  “Wow, Tek, this is beautiful,” she said, loving the outlay of the condo. The furniture was modern and arranged in a conversational manner; the rooms—the ones visible from the entrance, at least—had a warm feel to them.