Page 27 of Until We Break

“I can take care of it when I get back to the house,” she argued.

“Hold on. I’ve got this.” I walked over to the cabinet over the sink and started rustling through until I found a clean bandage and tape. I ran the water until it was warm and soaked a washcloth.

“What are you doing?” Margot asked, watching as I pressed the warm cloth to her knee. She hissed. “That stings.”

“Sorry.” I winced but continued to gently pat the scraped skin until the dirt was gone. “Here, let’s make this easier.” I adjusted my position so I was next to her on the cot. I felt her take in a big breath. I moved her leg into my lap, crossing it over my thighs. The shorts from the surf shop rode up the sides of her legs, revealing taunt muscles. God, she was sexy. I wanted to run my palms over her skin and dig my fingers into the softness of her inner thighs.

I took my time, eyeing where to put the bandage so it could move with her. I felt Margot’s eyes on my neck and studying my face before she returned to watching me work on her knee. Her breath was faster.

I lined the last corner with tape. “There you go.” I think that will hold overnight. I turned and her lips seemed only inches away.

My chest pounded. I wanted to feel her lips again. Be reminded what her tongue could do. I moved slightly, but then the door burst open and the night nurse walked in.

“Time for vitals,” she announced.

I cleared my throat and unceremoniously tossed Margot’s leg to the side so I could climb into the chair. That’s where I needed to stay and cool off.

When the nurse was finished, she asked us if we needed anything.

“All good,” I answered, gripping the pillow between my hands.

“I guess we should get some sleep?” Margot volunteered.

“I guess so.” Our eyes lingered a little longer.

“Good night, Caleb.”

Margot crawled under the blankets, tucked them against her chest, and rolled toward the kid.

Seven Years Ago

“Where are you taking me?” she asked.

“You’ll see.” I steered my truck south along the beachfront road.

Margot and I had been hanging out for a couple of weeks. The problem was that we were never alone. Not even once since I walked her home from the party. Walt always seemed to come up with a chore for her to do. Or her mom wanted a ride into town to run errands.

Between my schedule at the marina, my family, and hers the summer was slipping away from us.

I wanted to show her a part of Marshoak I was certain she hadn’t seen before. Tonight it was only us. I swore no interruptions.

I parked close to the dunes and ran around to unlatch the door of the truck. She hopped out, her long tan legs exposed by the short hem of her sundress. Had she gotten prettier since the night at the party?

My hands tangled through hers. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you.”

“Should I be nervous?” She cocked her head sideways, examining me, but instead of giving her an answer, I tugged her up the trail.

We climbed over the dune through the pathway of sea oats. The waves crashed against the shore.

“I didn’t think you were the surprise kind of guy.”

I paused at the top to get my bearings. I shrugged. I had never been into surprises. But that was before I met Margot. Before I realized finding reasons to make her face light up was my new favorite thing.

“Surprise?” I smirked. We piled our shoes in the reeds, and I led her through the sand, sifting it through our feet. It was still warm, even though I had timed our arrival to match the sunset.

The sky was brushed with strokes of orange and pink. It was the perfect canvas for what I wanted to show her.

“Okay, but really. Why are you being so mysterious?”

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