Page 30 of Connected By Stars
“Sophia will be home any minute, and I would rather not make up aweirdstory about how we’re both soaking wet standing in front of your door.” I turn and pick up my bag, and he swats my behind. I yelp and stare wide-eyed at him.
“Yep, I could definitely get used to this.” Grinning, he turns and jogs back to his Jeep. He makes sure I’m inside before he leaves. I look out the window and watch him drive away, praying that at the end of this, my heart will still be whole.
Chapter Twelve
Maverick
Pulling awayfrom Bell’s apartment, I can’t stop the grin on my face. It’s like I’ve become some horny giddy teenager all over again. I grab the beach towel next to me that I always keep in the Jeep and run it through my damp hair. What is it about kissing in the rain that makes it so much hotter?
I wanted, more than anything, to peel that wet t-shirt off her and explore what’s underneath. I can almost imagine how she would taste if I licked the rain off those beautiful breasts. I shift in my seat as the throbbing increases at the memory. I wasn’t lying when I told her I had a problem around her. It’s like I’m fourteen all over again with a constant hard-on.
I park my Jeep on the other side of the building and jog upstairs to my apartment on the second floor. Knowing she’s within a short walking distance has always been a comfort to me, but now that I’ve let myself feel for her, it’s becoming more of a temptation.
I peel my wet clothes off and step under the hot shower spray before climbing into bed. I look over at the empty pillow beside me, and a longing to have someone beside me suddenly hits me. Is this what Noah felt every single time he crawled intobed, wishing for Emma to be next to him? I get a deep ache in my chest from how hard that must have been for him.
Is he really going to be okay if I pursue things with Bell? Thoughts go through my head of all the times he was my wingman and how much I bragged to him over the years about the girls I have slept with. Will he think I’m good enough? My deepest fear is that I won’t be. I don’t know how to date or be in a relationship. Hell, I’ve never even slept a full night with a woman. Cuddling has always been too personal for me, and girls get the wrong idea.
Sighing, I put my arm over my forehead and close my eyes. Despite all my fears, the one thing I’m sure of is that she’s gotten under my skin, and now that I’ve gotten a taste of her, I don’t think I can stop until I make her mine.
Despite tossingand turning last night with a mixture of dreams about Bell lying underneath me as I sink into her and then jumping to a nightmare where Noah wants to beat the shit out of me, I get up with the sunrise and decide to check on the waves.
Nothing can calm and center me like a good surf sesh. My dad taught me and Noah to surf at a young age, and the first moment I got up on my board and rode a wave, I was hooked. I did some competitions when I was younger and even won a few, but I grew tired of it over the years. The pressure and training became so intense that it started to take away my joy of surfing. The winning never mattered to me. I just want to surf.
I pull up to the parking lot and walk down to the beach. Scanning the water, I study the waves and patterns for a few minutes to get the feel of them. The waves aren’t that big today, but they are smooth. I should be able to have some fun with it. Isee a few rollers coming in and smile, already feeling the board under my feet.
I head back to the Jeep and grab my surfboard before sitting in the sand and applying the wax. I notice a couple of surfers going in, but other than that, the beach is deserted. This is exactly what I need to clear my mind.
Finishing up, I throw my wax in my bag and jog to the water before paddling out. I duck dive a bigger wave before breaking the surface behind it. When I get out to where I need to be, I sit on my board with my feet dangling, enjoying the feel of the gentle bobbing of the waves.
“Mav?” I turn my head and see a surfer paddling over to me before sitting on his board beside me. I try not to frown when I see it’s Logan, Bell’s date for tonight. Just because I told her to go and get a date for the wedding doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“Oh hey, Logan, right?” Of course, I know his name, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Yeah. I thought that was you but wasn’t sure. I decided to take my new board out and break her in. Have you been here long?”
“No, I just got here.” I scan the horizon and wait for the perfect set to come in.
“I talked to Bell this morning, and I guess we’re going to a place called Rusty’s. She said it’s a local favorite around here.”
I grip the sides of my surfboard at the mention of her name on his lips. Unclenching my jaw, I turn toward him. “It’s a good choice. Their seafood is fresh, and they should have a band tonight.”
He eyes me closely before asking, “Are you sure you’re cool with this? I don’t want to step on any toes. I may be way off here, but you’re kind of acting like there’s something more going on here besides the older brother vibe.”
I have no idea what to say to this. I know Bell wouldn’t likeit if I said anything, and besides, I’m not sure exactly what we are. We haven’t had much of a chance to explore what this is between us. “She’s a big girl and can make her own decisions. Trust me, Bell won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do. Besides, it will be nice of you to have a friend around here since you just moved here.” I emphasize the word friend, and he laughs.
“Yeah, okay. If you say so.”
I see the wave I want and turn to Logan. “See you around. Order the shrimp and scallops. You’ll thank me later.” He nods, and I start to paddle fast toward the wave before popping up on the board. I easily do a few cutbacks and maneuvers while I ride out the wave. I step off the board into the water and paddle my way back out again, avoiding the area where Logan is. It’s not like I think he’s a bad guy. He actually seems nice. I’m sure the right girl is out there for him, but it’s not Bell. Now that I got a taste of her, the thought of her lips on someone else has a knot forming in my stomach and jealousy flowing through my veins.
Noah’s dad was right when he said I would get hit straight in the heart one day. I don’t think he was picturing his daughter being the one to do it, though. I frown at what her dad will think. He’s like a second father to me, and I know he loves me, but he’s also been a part of many guy talks with me and Noah. I’ve made it perfectly clear with our talks that I’m not looking to settle down anytime soon.
I stare at the endless horizon and feel the water beneath my board. This has always been my place to let everything go and just be. A sense of calm comes over me, and one thought becomes very clear. I can’t walk away from her without exploring this. I know I would live the rest of my life wondering what would’ve happened if I had been brave enough to try. I have to see this through, no matter how much I’m scared of messing it up.
I ringup my last customer of the day and shut down the computer. It’s six, which means Bell is getting ready for her date now. I don’t know why, but I’m on edge about it. I don’t like it one bit, this feeling of being vulnerable and not in control. I thought surfing this morning would help distract me, but I’m about to jump out of my skin.
I lock up and head to my Jeep. I strum my fingers on the steering wheel, not knowing what to do. I usually go to Noah’s parents’ house on Sundays for dinner or a bar for food and some company, but neither sounds appealing tonight, especially since Bell won’t be at either. Smiling, I get an idea and dial my sister's number.
She answers on the second ring. “Hi, Mav.”
