Page 16 of Submit

At long last, I finally believe this is the true beginning of the end for Will and I, and all I feel is relief.

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THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I pull on my bikini and bunch my hair on top of my head, thankful that Saturday has arrived again. I’m looking forward to the feeling of the wind in my face and I’m praying I don’t have to wear the goggles today after demonstrating that I can, in fact, stand up on the board without faceplanting. The thought makes me laugh. I saw quite a few people faceplant hard in that lagoon.

When I pull into the lot, I notice Casper’s Mercedes and my heart skips several beats. I can’t help but scan the lagoon for him and am disappointed when I come up empty as I check in at the counter with a very smiley Jörn.

“Hey, welcome back, Libby! Katja is out today, so I’ve put you with Tristan instead. He’s American and easy going, so I thought you guys would be a good fit.”

“Sounds good. Thanks.” Although excited to get back on the water regardless of who it’s with, I’ve been dying to see Casper again since Monday.

But I’m sure Tristan is nice too.

“Tristan!” Jörn yells out the back door of the hut. “Your lesson is here!”

Out the window, I see a lean, tan body jog over to the hut. Missing the muscular bulk that Casper has, he looks more like a surf bum with shaggy, dirty-blonde hair and a scruffy beard to match. He’s in board shorts and sandy, bare feet. As he stretches out his hand, I hear what I’m pretty sure is a Texas drawl. “Hey there, I’m Tristan. You must be Libby.”

I’m relieved that I’m not attracted to him in the slightest. I was honestly starting to get worried that I was going to end up with the hots for everyone on this island except the man I came here with, butno.

“Hey Tristan. Nice to meet you.”

It doesn’t escape my notice that while I may not be attracted to him, he clearly sees something he likes as his eyes rove over my body so obviously, that even Jörn says, “You gonna check her out all morning, or are you going to grab her gear and teach her how to ride a board?”

Tristan smirks and lets out a devious laugh. “I’ll teach her to ride anything she wants.”

Oh my God. No wonder people hate Americans. That was as bad as my comment to Casper about getting it up.

Someone comes in the hut behind me. Based on the way the hairs on my neck rise and the oxygen leaves the immediate area, I know who it is even before he starts talking.

“Tristan, learn some fucking manners,” Casper growls. “Until you do, we’re trading clients.”

Tristan looks at Jörn indignantly. “Can he do that?”

Jörn smirks back holding his hands up in the air. “I’m certainly not going to stop him. If you don’t want to trade, you can work that out with him yourself.” We all know Tristan isn’t going to say shit to Casper.

“Your client is a dude,” Tristan whines.

“And he’s a much better rider than you. So, I suggest you learn some mannersandhumility…quickly.”

The whole interaction blows my mind. What’s even more mind boggling is Casper, himself. He’s foregone the wetsuit and is standing in a pair of royal blue board shorts, showcasing the most muscular calves and thighs I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’ve never given much thought to men’s legs before, but his are, honest-to-God, works of art. He’s clearly athletic, both fastandstrong. His hair is wet, his chest is wet, and he’s wearing a bracelet on his wrist that I’ve never noticed before. Considering he's ripping Tristan a new one over ogling me, I figure I better not follow suit and oglehim…again,so I quickly avert my gaze to the floor. Before I can thank him for intervening, he disappears into what I’ve learned is the gear-room and comes back out with only a life jacket.

Thank God.

He tells me to lay the kite out like I would if I were on my own. During my last lesson, he did it and I was - Iam- a little awe-struck still so I don’t remember exactly how it goes. When he sighs in frustration at my failed third attempt, I bite out, “I didn’t ask you to take over my lesson. If I’m too stupid for you, I’m sure Tristan will trade back.”

Something about this man makes my blood boil. I’m frustrated at my reaction to him, I’m frustrated at my situation with Will, I’m frustrated with myself for allowing myself to become so dependent on Will for everything, and I’m so fucking turned on around Casper that I can’t think straight. My own clumsiness is embarrassing me and pissing me off.

I sit back in the sand indignantly, pulling the kite strings with me trying to get them untangled.

Casper shocks me by grabbing my wrist to still my hand on the kite, before quickly looking around and then releasing me just as fast, almost throwing my arm back at me. “You aren’t stupid. I just didn’t sleep well. Not your fault.”

It’s definitely the closest thing to an apology I’m going to get so I let it go.

It’s also the most personal thing he’s said to me yet. I pounce on it like a starved lion, hoping to learn more. Suddenly, Ineedto know more about him like I need oxygen.

Like it’s essential for my survival.

“I saw you at the gym on Saturday.” Okay, that’s an understatement. Idefinitelyeye-fucked him then. “I didn’t realize you worked for the prison.”

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