Page 10 of Life's a Beach
Chapter Three
Bria
When she woke in the morning, her back hurt like the devil, but she didn’t care.
She had to go to the shop. She would be careful, but bending over and sewing didn’t exactly help.
She sighed and got dressed, putting on one of her favorite summer dresses. It was thickly padded at the top, so she didn’t have to wear a bra, and it was red with white polka dots. She paired it with some red lipstick and gloss and a red bandana tied into a bow on her head.
It was getting hot and she wanted the breeze today.
Slipping on a pair of wedge heels, she went to her bathroom and did her hair and makeup, even though it didn’t feel good.
She went to the kitchen and took some pain pills and grabbed a small mug of coffee and picked up the sewing she hadn’t been able to finish last night.
When she went to open the door, Gareth stood on the other side.
He smiled down at her, his grey eyes sparkling. “Hey there, beautiful. Are you ready for work?”
She nodded, dumbfounded. He grabbed the small bundle of clothes from her and then held out his arm to her.
She slid her arm in his and he led her down the path toward her shop.
“How is your back today? I imagine it’s not feeling the best.”
She looked up at him, “It’s not. It’s really painful today. Hard to move.”
He grimaced, “I thought so. I brought some really good cream to put on it. It will help. I swear.”
She shook her head, “Okay? How is it you have a cream like that? That will help with bruises?”
He smiled, “MMA fighter. Remember? I get hits like yours. Well, I used to anyway. Some still can get through my defenses, and it doesn’t feel amazing, but my coach showed me this cream and it works wonders.”
She bit her lip, “Okay. That would be great. Thank you.”
He nodded, “You are welcome. I will leave it for you. I would offer to put it on your skin, but the second I touch you will make me want to do more than what you are ready for.”
She stopped walking, “You are so just, I don’t even know. Extreme? We just met.”
He shrugged, “I know. But I feel like I have known you for a while and when I first got here, your picture was the first thing I saw. It was like you were calling to me and I heeded it. I don’t know how I know, but I have a feeling you are meant for me. To be mine.”
She blinked, “You got all that from my picture? What if my personality was horrible? Or I was really rude? Or mean? Or I don’t know. Something.”
He chuckled, “I may not know every detail of your life Bria, but I do know your soul. It’s as beautiful as you are. You are kind and giving and sweet. And I want to get to know your secrets and your hopes and dreams. Someday I want to make those all a reality if I could.”
She looked down, “I don’t even know what to say. This is so fast.”
He put his finger under her chin, “It may seem fast Bria, but it’s not. We will go as slow as you want, but I will tell you this. I’m not going away. I’m determined to make you mine. To show you off to the world. And someday I hope you do the same.”
Bria searched his face, and saw nothing but truth in it. “Are you sure?”
He laughed, “I’m absolutely sure.”
She smiled, “I have never had this happen to me before.”
He leaned down to kiss her cheek again, “I’m glad baby. I haven’t done this before either. We can figure it out together.”
She bit her lip and he let out a groan. “You are killing me baby. Making those already juicy lips even more juicy.”
