Page 29 of Submit

“Oh my gosh, really? That would be great!”

At that time, Casper comes in the back door. The look he gives me cuts way worse than any blade ever could. “Grab your gear out of locker seven and meet me by the lagoon.” He turns and heads out the door.

Jörn whistles quietly. “Someone’s in trouble.” He leans across the counter on his elbows so that when he whispers, only I can hear. “I don’t think Cas likes your boyfriend.”

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath.

“Hey, Will, you need to sign these waivers,” I call over to him. “You’re with Johanna today actually. She had an opening.”

As Will makes his way to the counter, I grab Johanna’s arm and spin her around toward the open patio far enough away that Will can’t overhear us. “I need a huge favor.”

“Apparently, you’re spending the night at my place tonight for a slumber party, correct?” she says with her eyes twinkling as she laughs.

I groan, realizing Will must have already said something before I had a chance to talk to her. “Yes, ohmigod, I need some wine and girl time. If tonight doesn’t work, I can call Alida or Elke?”

“Tonight’s fine. I want to know what the hell is going on. Don’t call Elke, that girl doesn’t talk much…unless she has gossip to share. But I’m only agreeing to this if you promise to come out with me after.” She gives me another devious grin.

“Come out where?” I ask tentatively but already knowing I’m up for anything tonight.

“Thebestclub on the island. It’s so fun and they have the greatest DJ. Sounds like our conversation will be pretty serious and you may need to let loose after, yeah?”

“Yeah.” I smile and nod, already looking forward to the evening. “Johanna, you’re the best.” I drop my voice, “Also, Will is a bit of a baby and he’s not really coordinated so he’ll probably only give it an hour and then be ready to move on.”

“Thanks for the heads up. You better get down to the lagoon, your man is waiting for you.” She smirks as I realize she’s talking about Casper…not Will.

Shit, this isn’t good. Beatrice can read Casper like a book and Johanna can tell something is going on, but whatisgoing on? It’s time to find the hell out before this gets even more complicated than it already is.

Thankfully, the lagoon is far enough away from the check-in hut that Cas won’t be recognizable to Will from there. Besides, Johanna still has to measure Will for his gear and get everything together so I have a few minutes of breathing room before Cas and I have to get the hell away from here.

I rip my shirt over my head exposing my bikini top and flat stomach that’s starting to reveal abs after my consistent routine at the gym. Casper’s eyes darken as I approach. He looks hot and bothered but he also looks royally pissed about it.

“Maybe you should keep the shirt on,” he growls, albeit, calmly.

“Maybe you shouldputa shirt on,” I fire back with far more bite in my words. Now he feels uncomfortable seeing me in a bathing suit? Or is this about Will being here?

I don’t have to wait long to find out.

“Why are you angry atme?” he asks. “You don’t see me flaunting my fiancée inyourface.”

What?

“What are you talking about? I’m notflauntinganything. He wanted to come along and I couldn’t frankly tell him no, could I?” I guess we’re just jumping right into this conversation then. “Why areyouangry atme?”

“I’m not,” he says coldly and turns his back to me. “Get your kite ready.”

I reach out and grab his arm to make him face me. The second I touch his skin I know I’m done for. The way his forearm flexes under my touch sends an electric shock straight through my system and settles low in my belly. I’ve never felt this kind of connection with anyone, not even Will, not even in the beginning when things were good. “Whoa,” I say out loud, because the feeling is so strong, I have no choice but to acknowledge it.

Casper pulls his arm out of my grip staring at it like I burned him. “Get. Your. Kite. Ready,” he bites out.

I do as he says and keep my mouth shut. When I look up, I see Johanna coming down the beach with Will and the training kite. Getting Will fitted didn’t take as long as I thought it would.

“Cas,” the name comes out so naturally. “We have to get out of here. I don’t want Will to know you’re my instructor.”

Casper smiles a slow, sinister smile at my admission. “And why’s that, Princess?” he whispers leaning forward.

My nipples harden immediately when he calls me that, pushing painfully against my suit top. I’ve never loved pet names…until one just flew out of Casper’s mouth fully directed at me. My mouth falls open and I’ve lost my ability to use words. He huffs out a frustrated growl as his bright green eyes drop to my chest. When they return to my face, they’re black. “You can tell me later. Right now, you’re running out of time. If you don’t want him to see me, close your mouth and get your ass in gear, I can’t get in the water until you’re up on that board.”

His words spur me into action. I go through the steps I’ve learned and pull down on the bar for power as it pulls me up. Knowing Casper is right behind me, I head out of the lagoon and turn left like we did last time, nothing but adrenaline coursing through my veins.

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