Page 63 of The Version You Hide

He walks to the front of the cabin, wrapping his hands around the steering wheel. “I can see it now. This baby all fixed up, the open sea ahead.” He playfully waves an arm in front as though imagining the ocean before us.

“So, this is it?” I ask, moving in beside him. “This is why you gave up all of your money.”

“This is the dream.”

“Does she float?”

“Probably not,” he laughs. “But she will. Hey, you should have seen her when I first got her. She was in even worse shape than this.”

“Even worse than this?” I mock, jabbing him in the ribs. It has me remembering the tattoo I’d seen the day of the tour. The script that made its way across his torso. “Fortune favours the brave, huh?”

He lets out a breath, dipping his chin to his chest before his eyes find mine again. “You think I’m insane, don’t you.”

“No,” I say, daring to lean in closer. “Right now, I think you’re the coolest person I’ve ever met.”

“Really?” he whispers, lowering his head to mine. His breath is warm on my cheek as I inhale the scent of cologne and fresh linen.

“Yeah,” I whisper back, touching my forehead to his. “But don’t get too excited. That could change tomorrow.”

He smiles, his eyes lingering on my mouth before his lips gently graze mine. Then I close the gap between us. I seemed to have somehow quietened the negative thoughts, given my heart free rein.

Heat shoots up my spine as his tongue caresses mine, slowly but with purpose. His arms curl around my waist, pulling me in against him. When my hands find their way into his hair, I surrender myself to the moment. I lose my breath, the butterflies bouncing off the walls of my chest as his fingers glide upward from my hips, his thumbs dragging along the skin there.

And that’s when everything falls apart.

I haven’t experienced this feeling in what seems like a lifetime, but the memory is there, raw and real. There’s only been one other time I’ve ever felt remotely like this.

And it didn’t end well.

And just like that, the spell is broken.

It’s too much. Too soon.

My palms push against Dylan’s chest as I gasp for air, hating myself, but hating him more.

Ethan.

The one who broke my spirit. Who left me a mere shell.

Dylan lets me go immediately, but I don’t miss the hurt in his expression.

“I’m sorry,” I say, backing away, my body trembling.

“Don’t be,” he rasps, his gravelly voice low but unexpectedly comforting. “It’s okay.”

I shake my head. “It’s not. I’m sorry,” I repeat as I stare at the floor of the boat between us.

“Kenz.” I close my eyes as he utters the nickname he’s given me, his voice a mere whisper as he slowly steps forward. He reaches out, tilting my face up to meet his. The sincerity in his gaze crushes me. “It’s okay. Come on. I’ll take you home.”

I nod, allowing him to lead me down the ladder and back to the car.

Chapter 20

DYLAN

The surf is warm this morning, but my usual energy doesn’t follow me into the water. I find myself mostly just sitting on my board, allowing the waves to pass underneath me. I’ve even lost my concentration and been pummelled by a bomb or two.

Mackenzie has had an effect on me. One I don’t know what to do with.

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