Page 7 of Cruel Start

He threw his head back, and the deep laugh that followed delivered a full-body shiver. No girl in hearing distance would be immune. My lips curved into a crooked grin. I wasn’t in the market for a boyfriend, but the obvious bad boy was right up my alley. And I could use a distraction from what I would go home to.

“Rain check, Pipes.”

She shrugged, but her eyes remained heated and on him, even as she spoke to me. “Lucky girl. Enjoy him, Aspen.”

Phoenix passed me the beer dangling from his fingertips, and I took it, shifting my towel to the crook of my elbow. Though I wasn’t a big drinker, I needed liquid courage for what I was about to do. He hooked his fingers with mine and pulled me from the small group.

“Do everything that I would,” Piper singsonged as we walked away, and Phoenix snorted.

He drew me away from the crowd, and I followed, unable to resist. The truth was, I wouldn’t have even if I could’ve. I needed this after the last few months I’d endured, not to mention the uncertainty I would soon face in college, making ends meet where my scholarships didn’t cover and with zero help from my family. So for once, I would do the irresponsible thing and sleep with the guy I couldn’t stop thinking about.

We paused on the outskirts of the party, not too far if I changed my mind. But I knew I wouldn’t. I put the beer to my lips, tipped it back, and guzzled half its contents.

“Easy there, surfer girl.” Phoenix’s hand settled on my hip.

“I haven’t had anything to drink yet. I’ll be fine.” I craned my neck to take in his expression. I hadn’t had anything to eat either—the fridge was empty at home—but he didn’t need to know that. “And surfer girl?”

He shrugged a broad shoulder, and I enjoyed the ripple of muscle.

“You look like one, with the towhead blond. I don’t know.” He took a swig from the whiskey bottle. “Something about you makes me think you’re at home on the waves.”

I smirked. “I am.” He had no idea how much at home I was out there. If I could make a living doing both those things, I would. Someday, I hoped to make my way to Hawaii, where the real competition was.

“Did you just move here?” He glanced over my shoulder at a commotion.

It sounded like Piper was arguing with a guy. I shifted to look, but Phoenix clasped my hand in his.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

Rather than say anything, I went along.

“You didn’t answer my question. Are you new around here?”

“Yeah, I’ve been here a couple of months. I won’t be here for long.”

We followed one of the trails that led around the back of the cliff. I hadn’t been there yet and took in the small, hidden grove set back from where we were. The farther we walked, the more the party noises faded. I should be nervous about going somewhere alone with a stranger, but his confident strength quieted my nerves and made me feel safe.

“Where are you going if you won’t be here for long?” he asked.

“I’ll be at Thane University in a few weeks.”

We stopped in a tiny clearing that had privacy from the trail with a few natural boulders and bushes and sat near the partial shelter of a spindly tree.

“Are you a freshman?” He released my hand to tuck a few strands of stray hair behind my ear.

His fingers trailed along my cheek, and I shivered at how sparks seemed to jump from his touch, making me hyperaware of him. My gaze fell to his lips, and I licked mine.What would it feel like if he kissed me?I wanted to experience it and moved half a step closer. The heat of his body radiated into me, chasing away the slight chill that dusk had brought to the air.

“What about you?”

He had to be in college, too, judging by the sheer size and muscle development. I couldn’t imagine that at about six foot two, the guy was enrolled at the academy.

“I’ll be a freshman at Thane too.” He leaned in, only inches from my mouth. Silvery eyes flicked briefly to mine before returning to my lips. “I want to kiss you. That okay?”

“Mm-hmm.”

I tilted my chin, then his lips were on mine. Soft at first, coaxing, teasing. When mine parted on a moan, he took full advantage and slipped his tongue inside to tangle with mine. His hand gripped in the back of my wet hair, tugging and angling my head for better access and control over my mouth. I gave it to him, wanting the same.

He tasted of whiskey, with a hint of mint on his tongue, and freedom. I wanted all of him, and I didn’t care that we barely knew each other. That made it even more exciting. His finger hooked beneath the strap of my bathing suit, and he slowly eased it off my shoulder. I shivered in anticipation. I was really doing it.

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