Austin gripped my shoulder. “As your best friend, I’m telling you to go down there and hang out with Montana. Take the bull by the horns and live a little.”
Montana shrugged out of Ferris’s arm, peered up at me, and gave me one of her ball-tightening smiles. At the same time, Nina joined their group.
Derek came up on the other side of me. “What’s cooking?”
“Numbnuts here is still a pansy-ass and afraid to ask Montana out,” Austin said.
“For fuck’s sake, do it already. That scene between you two in the weight room still burns brightly in my head.” Derek chugged a few gulps of beer.
I grinned at Derek. “You’re sick if that scene gets your rocks off,” I said.
Derek ran a hand through his thick hair. “Aren’t we all? Coach says our raging hormones are good for football.”
Whatever works.
Austin cleared his throat.
Ferris again draped his arm over Montana.
I growled.
Derek and Austin busted out laughing.
“Time’s ticking,” Austin said in between snorts.
“Fuck off.” I stormed off the deck, down the stairs, then over to Montana. But before I reached her, Nina blocked my way.
“Hi, Train. Great party.” Man, her voice grated on my nerves.
“I didn’t invite you.”
She planted her hands on my chest. “It’s a high school party.”
I inched back. “And your point?”
She moved closer. “I thought we could talk.”
I couldn’t touch her, didn’t want to touch her. I flicked my gaze up to Austin and Derek on the top deck, trying to send them a telepathic message to get the fuck down here and help out a friend. Instead, of all people, Montana waltzed up.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Montana’s honeyed voice coated my nerves.
Nina wrapped an arm around my waist. “You’re not part of our conversation. Go back to your boyfriend.”
I was in hell with the fire burning me at the damn stake. I moved away from Nina so fucking quickly that I stumbled forward. I caught myself before I fell, though.
“My boyfriend?” Montana asked. “You mean Ferris? The guy you were kissing in the library the other day?”
I gave Montana an “I told you so” look, but I didn’t think she caught it.
“You’re the one all over him,” Nina countered.
I snagged Montana’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Nina’s face darkened to a deep red beneath the spotlights spraying out from the house.
Montana huffed, and I was almost in a jog, trying to catch my breath. Never in my life had I despised anyone as badly as I did Nina. Man, I’d thought I would marry the witch someday. Thank the romance gods for her cheating ways. The more I was around Nina, the more my heart hardened to steel.
“Um, Train? I do need my fingers to draw,” Montana said.
I came to an abrupt halt a good distance from the party. As dark as it was, no one could see us, which was perfect because if I had to deal with Nina anymore tonight, I would throw myself in the violent ocean.
I tugged Montana to me, my body heating hotter than the warm sand beneath my bare feet.
“Train,” she said my name softly. “If you’re about to pull a weight room move, then you better finish what you start.”
“Are you dating Ferris?” I asked.
Her small hands settled on my lower back, warm and energizing. “God no. And I’m not going to the ball with him, either.”
I held her to me. “Then why did you let him put his arm around you?”
She dragged her nails lightly over my back. “Maybe to make you jealous. It worked, didn’t it?”
I couldn’t think with her hands on me, or the way her nails felt along my skin, tingly and nice. “So you were late. Everything okay?”
“I was having dinner with my mom, and then I got a call from one of the art galleries I applied to for a job. I’ll be starting next week.”
We held an unblinking stare in the faint light from a neighbor’s house behind us. “I was curious if you wanted to go out sometime?”
Her blue eyes, framed by thick lashes, widened. “For real?”
I was dying to kiss her, but I wanted to wait until she said yes. “Maybe we can go surfing. Do you know how to surf?”
She glanced past me to the water then back up at me. “I can barely swim, let alone surf.”
“I didn’t mean tonight.” The surf was rough. “Tomorrow, though.” I wanted to spend some time alone with her away from the group and party. I wanted a chance to get to know the real Montana. She’d shown me a glimpse of her sweet side and a ton of her feisty side. But I wanted to see more. “I’ll teach you.”
“Train, what changed your mind about me?”
“I can’t give all my secrets away tonight. Say yes, and I’ll tell you in the morning.”
Her lips parted slightly as she studied me.
I could’ve told her that her spunkiness, the sweetness she’d displayed with my mom, her bold attitude, her curves, her legs, and her tits were all the reasons I was attracted to her, but I was having fun, especially catching her off guard.
“Well, then. I’ll tell you my answer in the morning.”
I went to say something, when Elvira ran up. “Reagan and Nina are fighting.”
I bolted back to the house. When I got to the group surrounding the fight, I pushed them aside. Reagan was yelling. “You’re such a slut. I told you to keep your paws off of Austin.”
My best friend shook his head at me. I wasn’t sure what he was trying to tell me.
“Nina, leave,” I said in a tight voice. “You weren’t invited, anyway. So get out.”
Nina stuck out her chest and opened her mouth.
I held up my hand. “Don’t make threats you can’t cash.”
She stomped past me then snarled at Montana before she disappeared. I flicked my head at Derek, who I realized was standing next to me. “Make sure she’s gone.”
He saluted me.
I blew out a huge sigh. Time for a beer. Austin and Reagan disappeared down the beach. The rest of the partygoers resumed talking. I didn’t see Ferris, and frankly, I didn’t care to see him. Elvira and Montana went down to the fire pit while I got a beer.
Derek returned two minutes later. “She’s gone. Her and Drew drove off. That girl is evil with a capital E.”
I agreed as I drank my beer. “Did you see where Ferris went?”
“I think he left,” Derek said.
Derek’s girl, Jan, couldn’t come tonight, so we both commandeered two lounge chairs on the patio. We drank and talked football.
By ten that night, the party was in full swing. The music continued to pump out of the speakers, a group sat around the fire pit, others danced on the patio below deck, and couples disappeared down the beach. I was the key master, which meant I had all car keys. No one could leave without checking in with me. Then again, our parties on the beach were all-nighters, and kids who came to our parties showed up prepared with sleeping bags.
Derek ended up down by the fire pit with Austin and Reagan. I mingled, always keeping my eye on Montana. I didn’t want to crowd her space, but every time I saw her talking to a guy, including Lou from the football team, I wanted to kidnap her and take her to my room so we could pick up where we’d left off at her house. But I decided to take a break from obsessing over the blond goddess. Tomorrow would come soon enough. So I headed down the beach to find a place to take a piss. A long line of girls had been waiting earlier for the downstairs bathroom. I could’ve used the bathroom in my bedroom, but I was lazy and didn’t want to give anyone any ideas that they could follow me.
I was about to whip out my dick, when a girl screamed. A loud commotion ensued. Fuck. I bolted toward the firelight and the spotlights beaming out from my house. A group of kids ran down to the water’s edge.
When I got there, I pushed everyone out of the way. “What’s going
on?”
Austin was dodging waves as he headed into the water.
A girl pointed out. “Someone is in the water, screaming for help.”
I spotted Derek. “Man, in the trunk on the patio, get me a flashlight and my rescue can.” A surfboard wouldn’t work, not for rescuing anyone, anyway.
Derek jumped into action while I waded in a ways, watching Austin the best I could in the low light from the moon.
“Hey, man,” I called to Austin. “I’ll have my rescue gear in a second.”
Derek returned quickly, splashing water as he came up to me.
“Keep the light on Austin.” I dove into the water with my rescue can in front of me then kicked like a motherfucker out to Austin. Between my lifeguard training, surfing, and growing up on the water, I knew how to handle the waves. So did Austin. However, even with his expert lifeguard skills, he would need all the help he could get with the violent waves.
As I swam out, I heard choking and coughing on top of the word “help.” When Derek beamed the light on Austin, I sucked in a sharp breath. Just beyond him, Montana was trying to swim toward him. The operative word was trying. She had had a beer in her hand for most of the night, and she’d said earlier that she could barely swim. If that was the case, then how did she end up in the water?
After a battle with the surf, I finally reached Montana, who was holding on to Austin’s neck for dear life. He didn’t stand a chance if she choked the life out of him. A wave came at me, smacking me to one side and pushing me away from Montana and Austin. I gulped in a large amount of water and began choking. Once the wave passed and my lungs were clear, I attempted to get closer to Austin and Montana.
Austin reached out with one hand. “Hurry, Train. Another wave isn’t far behind.”
I swam closer with my rescue can perpendicular to the shore, which was hard when the waves pushed me in that direction.
“Montana, I want you to grab on to this rescue can. Then I’m going to pull you in.” We were at a lull before the next wave. “Do it now.” I raised my voice. “I got you, baby.” I didn’t see any cuts or bleeding, but it was hard to see.
Austin held her as best he could while she grabbed the rescue can.
“Austin and I will help you in.” Then I pulled her. “I want you to stay calm.”
She nodded.
Austin swam alongside Montana, while I swam and pulled her to shore. When we were close to shore, Derek, Elvira, Reagan, and others raced in to help us. I let out a breath as I pushed to my feet. As soon as I was out and upright, I stalked toward Montana, ready to yell, but stopped in my tracks.
Tears flowed down her face as she shivered endlessly.
Without a word, I lifted her in my arms and marched right into the house and up to the bathroom in my bedroom. As soon as I set Montana down on the sink, Reagan, Elvira, Austin, and Derek came in.
“Austin, can you start the shower?” I asked.
Reagan snatched a towel off the rack and brought it to me.
Montana’s teeth chattered as I wrapped the towel around her. Then I checked her body to make sure I didn’t need to call 9-1-1. But I saw no cuts on her feet, legs, or anywhere else.
“What were you thinking? I asked, trying not to bite off her head. I had to remember that she wasn’t a local. We knew when to stay away from the rough surf and how fierce the undercurrents were. I glared at the girls. “Did you not see her walk down to the shore?”
Steam filled the medium-sized bathroom, which felt tiny with everyone crowding in.
“I went to use the bathroom,” Reagan said.
“And I was talking to someone,” Elvira said. “I’m sorry, Montana.”
Montana’s teeth chattered. “It’s… not… anyone’s fault… but mine.
“I ought to tear off your head.” I glared at Montana’s blue lips. “You’ve been drinking. We don’t drink and swim.”
Austin wiped himself down. “Yeah, girl. It’s just as bad as drinking and driving.”
“I wasn’t trying to swim. I went down to the edge of the water, but when I stepped on something, I fell. The next thing I knew, the ocean was dragging me out.”
“I got to run,” Derek said. “Jan should be getting home from her family outing. Montana, I’m glad you’re okay.”
“You’ve been drinking,” I said to Derek. “So no keys.”
“That’s cool. I’ll stop by tomorrow,” Derek said as he left.
“The shower should be ready,” Reagan said.
The girls could handle the rest. I needed to quiet my shredded nerves. Man, if something had happened to Montana, I didn’t know what I would’ve done.
Both fear and relief flashed in Elvira’s big brown eyes. “Why don’t you dry off? Reagan and I got it from here.”
Austin and I headed for the door.
“Train, don’t leave,” Montana said softly.
Reagan’s hazel eyes went wide, while Elvira’s jaw dropped.
“Will you stay? Please.” Montana sounded desperate as she shivered.
I was at a loss for words.
The sides of Reagan’s lips curled. “I think you should.”
“I’m with Reagan,” Elvira added.
Austin poked me in the side.
Before I could respond, Austin, Reagan, and Elvira shuffled out, closing the door behind them.
Suddenly, I didn’t know what to do until a tear ran down her cheek. This was a new side of Montana. The tough girl did cry.
I went over to her. “Are you certain you want me in here?”
Another tear ran down her cheek. “I’m sorry. Thank you for saving me.”
I wiped the tear away with the pad of my thumb. “You scared the fuck out of me.”
She threw her arms around my neck and started crying. I lifted her off the sink and walked us into the shower. I had on my swim trunks and T-shirt, but we were both soaking wet, so it didn’t matter. I set her down on two feet but held on to her as the hot water cascaded down on us.
She stayed in my arms while I rubbed her back. Her chattering teeth quieted.
“Your heart is racing,” she whispered.
“Well, I just saved a beautiful girl from drowning.”
“I am drowning,” she said.
I eased back, placed my hand underneath her chin, and guided her face upward. “Explain.”
“You confuse me and terrify me and make me angry. But all I want to do is kiss you.”
I grinned like an ass before I mashed my lips to hers. I’d been dying to really kiss her too, not nibble her bottom lip or kiss her neck or her ear. But I’d been desperate to slip my tongue in her mouth and kiss the fuck out of her until our lips were red and raw.
As soon as I got my wish and our tongues collided, I groaned, pressing her up against the stone wall. She moaned as she explored my mouth, and for a second, I let her take control of the kiss, enjoying how she suckled my tongue and my lips until I was bursting at the seams.
I lifted her up. “Wrap your legs around me.”
She giggled.
I shut off the shower then got out with her in my arms. As I made my way to my bed, I untied her bikini top at her back. She untied it at her neck. Then she slid down my body before she stripped out of her shorts and bottoms.
I took a step back to admire the girl who was making my heart race faster than a horse at the Kentucky Derby. She smiled shyly as she twirled around like a model on a runway. I chuckled at the freeness and confidence she had about her nakedness in front of a strange guy. Granted, I wasn’t a stranger, but in a sense, we really didn’t know each other all that well. Yet I felt as if I’d known her forever.
“Would you like me to model too?” I teased.
Clapping, she dropped down on the edge of my bed. “That’s a great idea.”
I laughed as I took off my shirt, twirling it around my head in an awkward fashion. Then I threw the wet fabric at her. She let out a squeal, and my dick jerked. Then I grabbed the band of my swim trunks and slowl
y turned, facing the door as I pushed my trunks down, exposing my butt a little at a time.
“More.” The giddiness in her voice was doing crazy things to my body.
I whirled around, swaying my hips to the muted music on the deck as I pushed my trunks farther down, exposing my full-on erection.
She gasped as her blue eyes traveled down to my dick, where she became mesmerized. I kicked out of my swim trunks then inched over to her, my pulse pounding in my ears.
“Can I touch him?” she asked.
Who was this girl? I didn’t remember having this much fun with any girl, even Nina. The only foreplay I’d had was kissing and groping. Fuck. What we were doing was amazing.
“He might spit.”
She snorted as her tiny fingers touched my dick, then she immediately withdrew.
“Something wrong, baby?”
She sank her teeth into her now pinkish lips. “I’m afraid if I touch him, I’ll want to lick him.”
I held back a laugh. “And that would be bad?”
Her wrinkled nose and the fact that feisty Montana was a bit polite were too darn sexy. But her answer was downright blinding. She closed her mouth over my dick, and I literally saw stars. I tensed as I fisted my hands at my sides. In a million years, I would never have expected the night to include Montana and me naked in my bedroom. I wasn’t complaining. I was moaning as she was sucking and licking and driving me to the edge. I couldn’t let her take me over the edge. A blow job was the bomb. But my old man had taught me that when it came to sex, a man always pleased a woman first. Unfortunately, that would have to wait. As much as I wanted Montana, she’d been drinking.
I eased back, withdrawing my dick, the act making a popping sound as though Montana had that lollipop in her mouth.
She licked her lips. “Something wrong?”
My voice was strangled. “Get on the bed.”
She scooted back, her legs falling open.
My dick jerked. “Tease.” I climbed on the bed with her. “I don’t think we should do this.”
She dragged her nails up and down my chest. “Why not? Don’t tell me you’re going to be a gentleman.”
“Montana, I want you so fucking bad right now. But you’ve been drinking. You almost drowned, and I don’t want us to get caught up in the moment only for you to regret this tomorrow.”
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