by Brooke Page
Lauren stretched her body and sighed, rolling toward me. “I had so much fun.”
I tilted my head to the side, catching her gaze. She was glowing, a huge grin spanning across her face.
She squeezed my bicep, her eyelids fluttering closed. ”Now I know how your arms got so strong.”
“It is one hell of an upper body workout.”
Her hand sprawled across my pecs now, her cheeks heating. “I can tell.”
I covered her hand with mine, lacing our fingers together. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, wanting to memorize every inch of her skin, every contour of her face and body. I needed to remember how amazing her blonde hair was, even when it was wet it was gorgeous, cascading down her shoulders to the tops of her breasts with gentle waves. It reminded me of the calm of the ocean before a storm.
Her skin was tanned and smooth, smelling like coconut from the sunscreen she applied before we hit the water. I loved the smell. It reminded me of when I was young, my mother pulling me out of the ocean and forcing me to re-apply, no matter how used to the sun my skin had become.
I came up on my elbow, facing her while we both laid on our sides, hypnotized by the vibrant blue of her irises. They were inviting me into their mystery, daring me to dive into her soul and never come out. I wasn’t going to deny giving into her desire.
Cupping her jaw, I tilted her head and brought her lips to mine. I needed to breathe her in for as long as I could, because I knew both of our worlds were about to be rocked, and possibly to a point beyond repair.
“What else do you want to do today?” I asked between kisses.
Smirking, she hitched her leg over my hip, rolling us so she was on top of me. Her hair tickled my cheeks. “I like what we’re doing right now.”
Her tongue darted out, licking between the seams of my lips. I groaned, tilting my head and opening my mouth wide, dominating her tongue with mine. My hands snaked around her waist, the grit of the sand from my palms finding the damp skin of her lower back.
Her hips began to grind, and I wasn’t going to stop her. The beach was deserted and hidden, nothing to interrupt us. Our phones were back at the house, and Colt knew I was dead set on giving Lauren my full and undivided attention.
With deft fingers, I untied her top and tossed it to the sand, sitting upright. She clung to me, her mouth moving faster against mine. Derailing from her lips, I kissed along her neck and to her collarbone.
“Vance,” she murmured, running her fingertips through the hair along the back of my scalp. “Don’t stop this time.”
My cock was uncomfortable against the mesh of my swimsuit, and wiggling out of it with her on top of me might be difficult. As smoothly as I could, I shifted us, rotating so she was underneath me. “Not planning on it.”
She sighed while I kept exploring her salty skin with my tongue, loving the mixture of her scent and the sea blending together. It was beautiful, and like an animal starved for its mate, I sucked her smell in, releasing a frenzy of lust and desire I didn’t have control over.
Finding the straps of her bottoms, I tugged on either side, kissing the insides of her thighs before I devoured her core. She was unbelievably sweet, warm and wet from her arousal and from the ocean. Her pelvis thrusted against my mouth, and she moaned into the breeze and grasped the back of my head.
I tongued her faster, loving how she dropped her insecurities and let me kiss her so intimately. It spoke volumes from a girl with the amount of issues she had growing up with her mother’s antics. No doubt she had witnessed more than what a young girl should. She had been afraid of men, but she peeled her layers away for me, even though I wasn’t deserving of her trust.
Her hips began to quiver, and the delicious slickness of her excitement graced my tongue. I hummed into her hot skin, sucking wildly on her clit while she came. Her moans were music to my ears, and I wanted to put them on replay, but she yanked on my hair, pulling me up her shaking body.
Her stomach was sleek with sweat underneath mine, and the heat between our hips encouraged me to thrust into her. She eagerly rammed her pelvis forward, rubbing her throbbing core along my stiffening shaft. Her back arched and I snaked my arm under the curve, pulling her as close to me as possible. I wanted to devour her and become one.
I let her into my sanctuary, invited her to where my heart had its sliver of peace, and to my surprise, her presence magnified my serenity, overflowing me with a joy I never thought to be possible.
Her once timid hands showed no hesitation, slipping underneath the front of my swim trunks. I hissed when the slickness of her cool and smooth hands stroked the length of my cock, applying the perfect amount of pressure. While one hand worked me over, the other tugged on my shorts until the tip of my dick escaped, rubbing against her pelvis.
Her damp skin felt like it was on fire, an addictive burn I wanted to be surrounded with. She clearly had the same urge, wiggling her body and guiding my shaft down her clit and through her folds. She was wet and inviting, and I found myself nudging lower until I reached the warm center I craved to fill. Letting go of my cock, her hands found my hips and hugged them, encouraging me to plunge inside her hot core.
She whimpered into the crook of my neck, and it only made me drive deeper into her slick heat. She was so fucking perfect, squeezing my dick with her tight walls, swallowing me into her passion.
I was barbaric for her now, grabbing her thigh and hiking it over my hip and pulling us to our sides so I could get a better angle. Palming her ass with one hand and cradling her back with the other, I thrusted into her, losing myself in the skin, getting high from her coconut scent, and well aware I had fallen head over heels under her spell.
Her whimpers became lost in the breeze, until she uttered my name against the shell of my ear, begging for another release. Her hips bucked wildly, pounding up and down until her walls began to throb around me, pulsing at a massive rate while she orgasmed.
I bit down on her shoulder, slamming my cock into her with full force, exploding my seed and coating her trembling walls.
Her body went limp in my arms, rolling to her back after our orgasms subsided. My shoulder collapsed and I caught my breath. I watched her chest rise and fall until her breathing became even along with mine.
She sighed, and a content smile was plastered on her face. “Vance?”
My chest tightened from her satisfied gaze.
“I like you, a lot.”
My throat went dry. Swallowing the cotton-like thickness, I stroked her cheek. “I like you a lot, too.”
She grinned at my response, then closed her eyes, continuing to bask in the heat of the sun.
Lauren deserved more than an, I like you a lot, too, and by how my heart was drumming rapidly for her, I should have told her how I really felt. Why was it so easy to show her physically what she meant to me? Why couldn’t I whisper it in her ear or against her lips?
I went lax beside her, nuzzling her neck and peppering kisses along her shoulder. This was when I should be telling her she had my whole heart, that being happy wasn’t possible for my troubled soul until I had found her, but when my lips found the shell of her ear, they stayed silent.
For now, I’d enjoy being surrounded by her vibrant essence and indulge in her irresistible glow mixed with the heat of the sun. Nothing would touch us, at least not for another few hours.
Chapter Eleven
Lauren
Being with Vance was perfection. We laid on the beach the rest of the afternoon until the clouds rolled in and shielded us from the sun. I was snuggled to his side, loving the absolute tranquil echo of the sea and the tender beat of his heart. His hands glided gently along my back and arms, across my hips and thighs. The walls he built and refused to take down for others were demolished, and I wanted to barricade myself inside his boundaries.
“I’ve needed a day like today since I came to the Shore,” I sighed, nuzzling my chin against his shoulder. “Laying in the sun, resting, not thinking about anything
.”
Vance ran his thumb up my bicep and to my shoulder. “A peace of mind is something to cherish.”
I sat up, trailing the pads of my fingers along the definition of his stomach. “And you’re mind isn’t peaceful?”
Sitting up alongside of me, he touched my lips with his for a chaste kiss. “It is right now.”
My smile faded. “What about when the sun sets?”
He took a deep breath, then brought his attention to the ocean. “My mind is all over the place when the sun goes down.”
I lifted a brow and bobbed my head. “Yeah, mine usually is, too. “ I stood from the sheet, adjusting my bathing suit I put back on after dozing off for an hour. The last thing I wanted was sunburn on my most sensitive areas. “In fact, I should go check my phone.”
Vance reached for my wrist, his thumb stroking the metal part of the bracelet he had given me. “Wait, let’s watch the sun set.”
I shook my head. “It’s cloudy. We can’t even see the sun.”
Tugging me back down and onto his lap, he held my face and kissed me. “It’ll come back out.”
A hint of worry settled on his eyebrows, and I smoothed my thumb overtop of them. “Okay, we’ll wait.”
He ran his nose along my ear, his arms holding me tightly to his body. He was anxious and vulnerable, an emotion he rarely let slip.
Vance nodded toward the horizon. “See the dolphins? They come and feed every night, no matter how rocky the ocean gets.”
I followed his gaze, a giddiness filling me. “I remember them coming by the beach at YaYa’s when I was younger. Have you ever swam with them?”
Vance ran his nose along my neck. “They’ve been out there when I’ve been kite surfing. Never got off the board and actually swam with them.”
“Kitesurfing was so much fun,” I sighed contently. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for going with me. I really think I would have flown away if you weren’t latched to me.”
Vance’s laugh tickled my ear. “It was the only way my mom would go out with the kite. She was more of a surfer, but never weighed enough to hold down the board comfortably. Once I got a bit older, I could balance and add weight to the board.”
I glanced up at him. “Was that your mom’s board?”
He nodded, giving me a squeeze with his strong arms.
My heart swelled. Sharing such a meaningful memory was reaffirming he trusted me.
He played with the bracelet he gifted me. “This was hers, too. She would always tell me, when I didn’t know what to do, I should come and listen to the sounds of the ocean, and eventually, the answers to my problems would be clear. Maybe that’s why I kitesurf so much, I’ve been trying to hear what the ocean is telling me. Soaring through the air and crashing against the waves is always exhilarating--a rush numbing the constant ache inside of me. The ocean was always my safe place, but now…” His thumb brushed across my cheekbone, then tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “The ache disappears when I’m with you,” he murmured, the same vulnerability showing in the gleam of his eyes as when he had made love to me.
I smiled, reaching up to touch his cheek. “Now do you understand why I’ve been avoiding going home?”
His brows furrowed and the grip around my waist loosened. “What do you mean?”
I couldn’t control the flush from creeping up my neck and into my cheeks. “That ache, I have it too.” I met his gaze. “You make me feel alive, Vance.”
His shoulders relaxed in understanding, and serenity settled on his features. His arms hugged me again, then we faced the ocean, and sure enough, the clouds parted, and the warm glow of the setting sun graced us with its beauty.
I cozied into him, both our mouths falling silent, only the roars of the ocean water creating music to our ears. The sea was talking to us, telling us we were right where we were supposed to be.
We stayed until the sun blended into the water and the sand became cool under our feet. Vance reluctantly let go of me, grabbing the board and tossing the bag with the kite over his shoulder.
He reached for me with his free hand, guiding us back toward the dull light attached to the back deck of his home.
“Thanks for the perfect day,” I smiled.
He squeezed my hand. “You made it perfect.”
I flushed, unable to control the grin spreading across my face.
“Let’s see what I have in my fridge for dinner,” he sighed, tossing the bag and board on the deck then opened the back door.
“Okay. I’ll look up the phone number for the nearest pizza place.”
We both laughed.
He held his hand over his heart as if he were wounded. “Am I that bad of a cook?”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him. “Of course not, but you need ingredients to be able to cook.”
His arms went around my shoulders and his chin found my head. “Suppose you’re right. Let’s order a pizza.” We stood quietly in the kitchen, enjoying being in each other’s arms.
Then the glow of my phone on the counter caught my eye, and I knew I couldn’t avoid reality any longer. “I should check my phone.”
Vance agreed, unraveling his arms from around me and turning to a cupboard. “I’ll order the pizza.”
Taking a deep breath, I parked myself on a stool along the kitchen counter, opening my text messages with apprehension.
The first few were from Marcy, and they were predictable.
Marcy: Are you feeling better?
Marcy: Call me when you can.
Marcy: Alright, come up from under the sheets and ease your girl’s mind.
I laughed out loud when I read the latest one.
Vance glanced at me, only the sides of his lips tugging upward. He grabbed his phone and went into the living room, leaving me be.
It didn’t take but two rings for Marcy to answer.
“Are you feeling better? Colt told me everything!”
I laughed, completely forgetting why I had no recollection of the previous night. “Yes. I slept a lot, ate some, and hung out on the beach with Vance. He even took my kite surfing!”
“Sounds like the perfect roofie cure. I can’t believe how low some men will go to get a woman to sleep with them. I mean, there are skanks all over the place in this town, why do they pick someone who’s obviously taken?”
“The chase, I guess. I take it you forgave Colt?”
“He’s still on my shit list,” she grumbled, but it was followed by a giggle. “He’s been trying to make it up to me all day.”
I smiled, knowing Marcy was secretly enjoying having Colt giving her his undivided attention. “I bet he has. Vance has been amazing.”
“Wow, someone is about to confess the L word,” she teased. “Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. YaYa’s been calling me. If we don’t come home tonight, she’s going to throw a fit. Meet at the shop at nine? Then we can come home together.”
I hated the thought of leaving, but I didn’t want to fall out of YaYa’s good graces. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“See you then.”
Hanging up with Marcy, I went back to my text messages, and the good feelings faded.
Colby: Call me.
My throat sudden became dry, the typical uneasy and anxious emotions slowly taking over my spirit. Climbing off my seat, I crept to the back porch, taking a peek at Vance as I went. He was on the phone ordering pizza.
I didn’t like calling Colby, especially when I was with Vance. Although my feelings for Colby were completely platonic and not romantic, the guilt still hung in a cloud over me. If Vance had a close female friend, I’d be terribly jealous, something I didn’t normally have an issue with until I met Vance.
Until I fell head over heels for him.
“Hey,” he answered after the first ring. I closed the sliding door, one eye still on Vance who was oblivious to me sneaking onto the porch to make a call.
“Hi. Is everything alright?” I asked in
a hush, even though a solid wall was separating me from Vance.
“Yeah. Your mom is doing much better.”
Leaning over the banister, I bit my lip, uncertainty washing over me. “Better?”
Colby chuckled. “I know, hard to believe, but she is.”
“Oh. I thought maybe something was wrong. Your texts are normally more detailed.”
“Nothing is necessarily wrong…”
“Colby, just tell me.”
He sighed into the phone. “She really wants to talk to you. She’s worried about you, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep from telling her where you are and what happened.”
I let out a breath of air. “What do you mean what happened?” I emphasized.
“It’s my fault you left, Lo. You can admit it.”
“That’s not true,” I sighed.
“Okay,” he deadpanned. “I was only one of the reasons.”
He was right. I slumped as if he were standing in front of me.
“All you have to do is talk to her. You don’t have to give her details, let her know you’re okay. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her, and her not knowing is what makes her want to use more.”
I sucked on the insides of my cheeks, not liking the truth. She always told me I was the only reason she was still alive. She used it as a weapon of guilt, and as much as I hated it, her venom worked every time.
“Alright, I’ll call her,” I gave in.
“Um… don’t be mad… but…” he stuttered. “She’s actually here with me now.”
Grasping the railing, I began to rock, holding the phone with my shoulder. “Fine.”
Static emerged from the phone speaker, and soon I heard her weak voice. “Lauren?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Oh!” she exhaled. “Lauren, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yep, it’s me.”
“I’ve missed you.”
Silence broke over the phone. I couldn’t speak. I didn’t know what to say. How could I tell her I’d been having the best time of life because I didn’t need to worry I’d find her dead at any given moment?