Page 16 of The Fallacy of True Love
Exactly how I liked it.
I took my time getting to know the song of the sea. When I felt the water swelling under my board, I pushed my torso up, mounted one foot forward beneath my chest, and launched myself upright, keeping my knees bent.
My board caught the wave like I’d wanted. As the swell propelled me forward and upward, it felt like the closest thing to flying, and I grinned wide, letting nature take me on a ride.
Forget drugs or alcohol. This was my high, and it was free and all-natural.
What could be better than this?
Nothi—
I shrieked as my board collided with something solid, pitching me off to the side. A loud fuck filled my ears a second before I hit the water.
Wiping out was part and parcel of any surfing experience, but it being caused by what seemed to be a swimmer was not usually one of them.
Paddling myself up, I coughed out a mouthful of water and shouted, “Are you okay?”
My answer came in the form of a heavy groan.
A distinctly male one.
I quickly swam to the other side of my board. Spotting black hair and massive shoulders, I threw my arm around the stranger’s back and put my energy into hauling him up so he could use the board as a flotation device.
“Hold on to it,” I shouted in his ear, hoping he’d stay conscious. As much as I worked out to handle my board, I doubted I was strong enough to get an unconscious man to shore on my own.
Thankfully, he threw his arms over the board and gripped its edge. He coughed and hurled into the water, and all I could do was thump his back and try to swim for both of us.
When his heaving stopped, he shook his head, giving me a better look at his face.
First thing I noticed?
No blood.
Second thing?
I knew him.
“Are you okay?” was the question that left my mouth. What I really wanted to ask was, are you crazy?
Stupid, stupid guy.
“Yeah,” Alonzo rasped in between labored breaths.
I wanted to shout at him that he was damn lucky he missed my fins. That could have been his death on my conscience, never mind that I’d done nothing other than go on my regular morning surf.
Blowing out a breath, I hooked my arm around him and began swimming us to safety.
The sea seemed to take pity on me, gentling its current so we could make it to land without my legs cramping. As soon as my toes brushed sand, I went faster until we hit the shore.
We were near the edge of the water when he let go of my board. I released my hold on him, and he collapsed on the sand, his back rising and falling heavily. I knelt beside him, panting just as hard from the effort of hauling him.
“Did you hit your head?” I asked. If he did, I’d have to get him checked for a concussion.
Hell, I’d have to do that anyway. Who knew if he had some kind of internal damage?
Turning, he lay on his back, and I got a full view of his lean, muscular body dressed only in what appeared to be black boxer briefs.
“Just my arm.”
