When I turn around, I'm staring right at a chest; a sweaty, smooth, tan and muscular chest. My face is so close I can feel the heat radiating off his body. My eyes widen and trail upward to see who is standing in front of me. They lock with a pair of midnight blue eyes, deep and rich, like staring into the midnight sky. For a second I forgot where I was, at a loss for words.
As my eyes scan his face, Mister name unknown swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, when his mouth opens. "I'm really sorry about that. I guess I got caught up in the game and stopped paying attention. Are you okay? That looks like a pretty bad whelp developing on your forehead."
Dang, that voice; it's so deep and raspy. Is that an accent? Southern maybe? Great, I'm still staring at him. I probably look like an idiot. What is wrong with me? Now would be a great time to speak, Kinzleigh. "Yes, I'm fine. Here is your ball back." I extend my arm, palm side up, supporting the ball.
He takes the ball with one hand, pulling it against his hip. Wow, his hands are big and strong. He extends the other hand out, a wide smile spreading across the bottom half of his face, revealing straight white teeth. "Forgive my manners, I'm Breyson, and you are?"
I look down at his hand, staring like he's grown an extra limb. I can't help but to look him over some more. First, I look down and notice his navy and orange, Ralph Lauren Polo swim trunks, covering a nice set of tanned, muscular legs. He must play some type of sport like soccer or football. His abs is defined, tightening each time he breathes. He has a V of muscle that disappears into the band of his shorts. His hips are narrow, widening into a pronounced chest, defined and smooth. My eyes won't stop wandering up his body. His arms are built, flexing before me, and I wonder how they would feel wrapped around me. His lips are perfect and pouty, barely open. His eyes are thickly lined with black lashes. His hair is the shade of dirty blonde, short mostly, but longer on the top, swooping across his forehead just slightly. It's shiny and thick, perfect for running my fingers through, grabbing a hold of, and holding on for dear life. Wow, in my entire seventeen years, I've never witnessed something so beautiful.
Suddenly, he looks unsure of what to say and that's when I realize what's going on. I'm standing here as if it's my first encounter with a human, after being locked up in a room my entire life. Good job Kinzleigh, now he can not only think you're a stuck up brat, but ignorant and weird.
Presley clears her throat, "Are you just going to stand there, or are you going introduce yourself sometime today," she asks removing her shades looking up from lying on her towel. "Not that I mind the view from down here, but you're going to give California girls a bad rep." By the look on her face, she is pleased with the sight before her as well. She stands and glances over at me; a smile forming on her face, then looks back at him. "Please excuse my friend; she must have gotten hit a little too hard. I'm Presley." She knows I was staring; I'm never going to hear the end of this. She's always trying to set me up with people. She is never going to stop now. She closes in and elbows me in the ribs.
I pull my sunshades up to rest on my head. Placing my hands on my hips, I try to clear my head. "Hi, I'm Kinzleigh. Sorry for being rude, you just caught me off guard." He's staring at me, with a smirk on his face, as if he's really amused by me. Awesome! From the cocky grin he knows I find him attractive.
"Well Kinzleigh, it's nice to meet you. Would y'all like to play? You can be on my team. It's a guaranteed win," he says playfully, winking at me. His smile comes back full force and my stomach flutters like I've just started down a roller coaster.
All of a sudden, I'm hot and I feel dizzy. Maybe I'm hungry, it's been a while since I've eaten and I never usually skip breakfast. That has to explain this weird feeling I'm getting. Where in the world is this guy from? I wonder if all guys from there look like this. "Y'all? Come again. You're not from around here are you?" Please say no, I really don't need this right now. I've got too much going for me to be interested in some boy.
He just shrugs, bouncing the ball from hand to hand. "Nah, just visiting some family. So, you going to play or what?"
I've got to do something to make up for my weird behavior earlier. "Yeah okay, sure."
The girls quickly jump in and volunteer to play, as if they've been waiting for the opportunity. I guess if you put ten attractive, half naked men anywhere, they have the motivation for anything. Thank goodness I don't have to do this alone.
Breyson hands me the ball back, looking as if he's happy with my answer, "Ladies first."
He has to stop smiling at me like that. Every time he does, I start to shake and my breathing becomes heavier. He's so sexy and I don't think I have ever looked at a guy like this. Why, oh why, didn't I stay home today? This is the last thing I need right now. I haven't worked twenty hours a week in the gym for the last twelve years, cheering and stunting, to suddenly get distracted by some guy. I don't care how sexy that accent is. I take the ball and smile. "As long as you don't get in my way." Growing up on the beach, everyone knows how to play volleyball, and well. He smirks as if that is exactly the opposite of what he is going to do and backs up to give me some space.
About an hour later, we're up three points. I'm standing there waiting for Lexi to serve and suddenly I feel like he's watching me. Now feeling paranoid, I glance at him underneath my shades, from the corner of my eye. He's looking right at me as if there is something he wants to say. Maybe, there is something on me. I start discretely doing a self-check to make sure my swimsuit is still in place, when I hear him chuckle.
I glance back across the net and see the ball sailing through the air. Not even thinking, I take off running to hit it back. Before I can stop myself, I collide with Breyson midair and land flat on my back, in the sand beneath him. Electricity shoots through my body and I feel like I can't breathe. His body is lying perfectly aligned with mine, pressed against me. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." My voice comes out strained.
His eyes are staring straight into mine as if he's trying to read into my soul, to discover all of the secrets that lie inside. He puts his weight on his forearm in the sand, next to my head, while his other brushes up my leg, stopping on my hip. A moan slips from my lips at the contact, causing me to close my eyes. When I open them, he bites his lips as his eyes move down to my lips. My face starts to flush. He's so close, I can feel his breath tickle my face and I find myself wishing he'd kiss me. Everything else has faded away, except him. We could have been there, staring at each other, for five minutes or five hours, I didn't know. It seems I can't think looking into those deep blue eyes. Presley clears her throat, breaking me from my somewhat frozen state. "Guys, are we going to play or just stand here and watch you two all but hump each other on the beach?"
Embarrassed, I place my hands on his muscular chest and try to push him back, not having any effect at all. "Can you please get off me," I say, irritated I can be so stupid around him. This is not like me at all. I should know better than to allow myself to be sidetracked by some guy. I don't even know him! How can someone I just met put me in a state of bliss in front of all my friends?
He stands and offers out his hand to help me up. I take it and stand to my feet and begin to brush the sand from my body, trying to gain control of the emotions that are obviously in a state of panic. I'm in uncharted waters, a foreign state of mind. Knocking the remaining sand off, I realize, I have to get out of here. "Thanks, I just remembered my parents needed me home early. I have to go. It was nice to meet you." He looks as if there's something he wants to say or do, but doesn't and I find myself slightly disappointed. I rush over to my towel, shove everything in my bag and take off towards my car.
Hands shaking, I unlock my door and climb inside. Always in the past, I would change in the bath house because I take really good care of my car and would never allow sand inside. This time, though, I would have to make an exception. I don't know what has come over me suddenly, but I never get stupid around a guy. I'm just not that kind of girl; never have been. I have seen too many girls put
their dreams on hold to chase after a boy and I will not be one of them.
Pulling into my driveway, I notice mom and dad's vehicle parked in the open garage. That's really strange. It's only five o'clock and they are never home before seven during the week, at least never together. I'm not sure if I should be excited to spend some time with my parents or nervous something bad has happened.
The first thing running through my mind is that something bad has happened to Konnor. Ever since he walked in on Logan and Sophia, his ex, I'm terrified I'm going to come home to find he has done something stupid like take his life. I love my brother and he's never been a depressed guy, but when he loves something, he gives it everything he has. He's passionate. That's what makes him such a good athlete. Every time I think of what that witch has done to him, I could kill her. I still may. No one messes with my family; especially not some stupid whore.
Trying to calm my nerves for what I'm about to walk into, I inhale deeply. I've been known to be a worrier over people I care about. After Grams died, I was on medication for anxiety, but have had it under control recently. Come on Kinzleigh, they would have called if something had happened to Konnor. It could even be nothing. Maybe they just had a light day at work. Getting out of my car, I walk towards the front door and place my hand on the door knob. I can do this, calm down.
Opening the door, dad is sitting in his recliner reading today's paper and mom is flipping through a magazine on the couch. Nothing looks wrong, but maybe they are just trying to break it to me gently. Dad speaks first, lowering his newspaper. "Hi sweetie, did you have fun at the beach?"
Now I'm really confused. They look like they are in a really good mood. "Mom, dad, you're home early and how did you know I was at the beach?"
Mom looks up from her magazine and smiles as if that was the silliest thing she's heard. "Your swimsuit would be the first clue." Then it dawned on me, I was in such a hurry to get away from...him, I forgot to even put my cover-up back on.
Suddenly feeling very naked, I cradle my beach bag in front of my chest. Mom and dad are more of the conservative type and they always instilled that in us. They wouldn't be too happy with me running around in only swimwear. "Oh, right, sorry. Why are you home so early? Is everything okay?"
She laughs as if I'm the one she should be worried about. "Of course, sweetie, everything is fine. You're not starting to get anxious again are you? I won that big case I've been working on, so your dad and I thought we would all go out and eat to celebrate. Plus, we have some news to discuss with you and your brother. Konnor should be getting home soon and then we'll go. I called him about an hour ago and he said he's been training and working out with Kyle."
I wonder what could be so important, they can't discuss now. My parents have never been able to hide anything and something tells me I'm not going to like what they have to say. I let out a breath, trying to relieve some of this tension I've built up. "Okay then, I'll head upstairs and get ready."
CHAPTER 2
Breyson
I'm standing here, watching her walk away and though I know I should go after her, I can't. I've never been one to chase after a girl, I've never had to, but this may be one of the times I really want to say screw it and go. That girl is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. There is no way she can be single, can she? Something about that girl stirs primal instincts that need to remain at bay. Going after her, though, wouldn't be fair and for several reasons.
First, is the fact that I have a girlfriend back home. The second, I'm only here for one week and then it's back to Mississippi for me. I know I could be selfish, enjoy a week with a beautiful girl, then head home with no strings attached and a great memory; however, something about her says It wouldn't be enough. Something in those eyes tell me I would want more, but that's something I can't give myself.
We wrapped up the game shortly after Kinzleigh took off. As soon as she left, the girls with her, went back to laying on the beach to 'tan' as they call it. I've never understood why any woman would want to sit in the sun and bake for fun. Maybe that's just the football player coming out in me. When you run outside five days a week, hours on end, with shoulder pads strapped to you, cooking in the sun is not something you'd consider fun either.
I usually come down for a week every summer to stay with my cousin Ryland. We're the same age and he was my next door neighbor and best friend back home, until they moved here when he was fourteen. I flew in this morning, for my annual week in the California sun. We usually just chill on my first day here because I'm jet lagged, but he said today was supposed to be a pretty good day for surfing.
Since I'm from the south and we don't have waves for surfing, I usually just sit out and watch or find something to do. Ryland has attempted to teach me a few times but he gave up my second summer here. Some of us are just designed for land sports.
I realized I was still staring at the street where Kinzleigh left when I heard Ryland in the background. I turn around and he is talking to that Presley chick as if he knows her. I wonder if he knows the blonde as well. This girl has her breasts practically in his face. It looks like someone is getting laid tonight. Wish it were me. Wait, what am I saying? You have a girlfriend Breyson. It's going to be a long week. I shake off my thoughts. He grabs the swimsuit string between her breasts, pulling her closer.
"Where's the party at tonight," he asks, grabbing her by the ass and pressing her against him. I'll have to admit, it's times like these I wonder what the hell I was thinking when I agreed to date Natalie.
It seemed like a good idea at the time because we've been friends since freshman year. She's always flirted with me, as most girls from school do, but it was mostly platonic. I usually just ignored it, until about four months ago. She stepped up her game and practically raped me at a school party when I was drunk. I was hammered and I don't even remember having that much to drink. I'm still not sure how she managed to get me so drunk, I slept with her. I couldn't have stopped it if I wanted to. I was horny as hell and she was practically naked, rubbing against me.
I felt bad and realized it would be like being at an all you can eat buffet. Anytime I wanted sex, she gave it up freely. No work was required and that worked for me...or so I thought. Now I'm not so sure. I told her as long as she understood I could give her sex and the title she was looking for, but nothing more, I was game. It works for us because she's okay with me not giving her the emotional, romance and bubbly shit. I don't do it. Ever. There are no exceptions.
She's running her finger down his arm, looking as if she can't wait to get him alone. "Logan's graduation party is tonight. You should come." As she says the word come, she places her lips to his ear and says something only he can hear and his face takes on a look I understand, causing him to squeeze her ass. "I promise I'll make it worth your time," she say's running her finger underneath the band of his shorts.
Ah hell, I guess tonight I'm flying solo. Maybe I should just call Natalie and break if off, have a week of parties and sex, free of commitments and just deal with her when I get home. The more I think about it, the better it sounds. It's an asshole move, but she knows how I am. I do what I want and I don't care what anyone else thinks.
When I realize they aren't anywhere close to finishing this up, I take it upon myself to get everything moving along. "Yo, Ry, what's the plan?" I'm really getting tired of watching them eye fuck each other. I have other things I could be doing and watching someone else isn't one of them. That just isn't my thing. A certain pair of green eyes comes to mind, though. I rub my hand through my sweaty hair waiting for him to answer.
He tosses me his keys. "We're hitting up Logan's tonight. Wait for me at the truck, yeah?"
Catching the key ring midair, I nod my head. "Aight, but hurry up. You can pick that up later."
Sitting in the truck, I have no idea what's taking Ryland so long. What can he do at a public beach, surrounded by hundreds of people? I get it, the bastard is horny, but I'm pretty sure he isn't lacking in that
area. Ryland's always had a string of girls following him everywhere he goes. The guy has a tan and a set of dimples and knows how to use them, not to mention that whole surfing thing he has going on. He finally gets in the truck about fifteen minutes later, with a smile that was not present the last time I saw him; a post orgasmic smile. Well, shit. Sir kink a lot. Didn't know he had it in him.
Tapping at my wrist sarcastically, I look at him. "Would you care to explain what took you so long?" I can tell by the look on his face he won't be in such a hurry to get to that party now.
"Hey, if I get offered a pre-party surprise by a hot chick without doing any of the work to get it, I'm not turning it down. Besides, I've been trying to get with Presley for a while and now that she doesn't have Corey following her around like a freaking puppy, I'm hitting that. I just needed to give her a little motivation for what she'll have inside her later. A little oral representation if you will."
That was definitely information I would have been perfectly fine without. "Do I even want to know where you had the guts to pull that off?" I can't possibly imagine where on a public beach that could happen without him getting arrested for indecency.
He smirks at me and raises his brow. "Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to because you know I won't spare any details. Modesty has never been my thing. I'm proud of what I got." I nod understanding exactly what he means as he pulls out of the parking area.
We pull in Ryland's drive and park his truck. One thing I like about Ryland is that even though he has moved clearly across the country, he hasn't conformed to the ways of all the other rich kids here. When he got his license, his parents offered him a fancy little sports car. Instead, all he wanted was a lifted up GMC Sierra with mud grip tires and rims. His reason, he had to have somewhere to haul his surf board and his parents couldn't argue that point. That's probably the only reason we have remained friends throughout the years. He's down to earth and doesn't care what other people think. He was raised in the south, so, like me he has that deep southern drawl. Somehow, though, he makes it work for him here.
Accepted Fate Page 2