Page 35 of Ruining Him (McKinley Ranch Duet 2)

Emily

Ipull up in the almost-empty parking lot. The memories of my dad bringing me here, to this beach, hit me hard. This place holds some of my fondest memories of him. I used to hate him. My dad died saving the lives of others, and I hated him for not being able to save himself. Now, I just wish I’d told him how much I loved him.

I remember yelling at him before he left for his last tour. I remember telling him I hated him for leaving us again. That’s a regret I will live with for the rest of my life. My dad was one of the best special forces soldiers this country has ever had. I’m proud to be his daughter. Although, I’m not so sure he’d be proud of me. I haven’t given him anything to be proud of lately.

“You okay?” Josh asks from the passenger seat.

“Yeah, you ready to hit the beach?”

“Is there a reason you drove us an hour and a half to get to a beach? You know Bondi was only about twenty minutes from the house.”

“I like this beach. It’s quiet. I like that it’s not crowded here. Besides, this is Soldiers Beach, you know. It’s just as famous for its surf as Bondi.”

I unbuckle and step out of the car. The fresh smell of the ocean assaults me, the sun warming my skin instantly. Josh walks around the car and wraps an arm around me, pulling my back against his chest. He leans his face into the crook of my neck. I tilt my head to the side, giving him better access, his lips leaving a scorching hot trail as they find their way to my ear.

“Have you been here before, Em?” His voice is husky.

“Mmm, uh, yeah. My dad used to bring me here when he was home. Come on, let’s go.” I remove his arm from my waist and join our fingers together. I never thought I’d like holding hands with someone as much as I like holding Josh’s hand.

Walking down the million steps is exhausting, but so worth it to get to the beach below us. Once we make it to the bottom, Josh releases my hand. I look back over my shoulder at him. I can’t help but drool a little at the sight before me. Josh pulls his shirt over his head and tucks it into the back of the waistband on his boardshorts.

He’s standing here, in nothing but a pair of black boardshorts, all those toned, tanned muscles on display. All those delicious tattoos, for everyone to see, my name sitting proudly in the middle of his chest. I can’t help but feel territorial over this man. I mean, my name is literally written on him. That means he’s mine, right?

I look around the beach. There’re a few people here but not anywhere near as many as what would be at Bondi. I smirk at Josh. I notice a group of young girls who are now openly staring at us, or staring at Josh anyway. I glare at them, not that they notice. Two can play that game. For the first time, in a long time, I feel comfortable in my own skin. I feel like I can be out here and people aren’t going to be staring at a battered and bruised woman, my body currently free of any kind of markings. Yes, it’s been a very long time since I have looked and felt this healthy.

“Hold these for me.” I hand over my bag and hat to Josh.

“Sure. You know I’d carry your shit anywhere for you, babe.”

“Well, that would have been useful back in high school when we had to carry around all those damn textbooks. Now, not so useful. But thanks,” I say as I drag my dress over my head. I hold my hand out to Josh to return my bag.

He’s standing motionless, just staring at me. Shit, I think I might have broken him this time. “Josh.” I snap my fingers in front of his face. He shakes his head, coming out of whatever trance he was in.

“Emmy, where the fuck is the rest of your swimsuit?” he growls under his breath while taking my dress from me. I duck as he attempts to put it back over my head.

“This is a perfectly fine swimsuit, Josh. Don’t be ridiculous. Now, are we going to stand here all day arguing over my swimmers, or are we going to get in the water?”

“Em, babe, don’t get me wrong… you look fucking hot as shit. But seriously, every other guy here is checking you out. I don’t know if I have it in me to refrain from cutting all of their eyes out.”

I look down at my body. I’m wearing a black string bikini. It’s not that skimpy, from the front at least. Josh hasn’t seen the back yet.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep hold of your hand so you feel less murdery.” Taking his hand, I turn and pull him towards the water, dropping my bag and kicking off my slides on the way.

“Fucking hell, I want to kill whoever the fuck designed that thing. Emmy, you know the material that’s meant to cover your ass is missing. You should be asking for a refund. Fuck me, everyone’s looking at your ass, babe.” His hand squeezes mine tighter.

“The only person looking at my ass who even remotely matters is you. Let’s not worry about what others are doing, Josh. It’s just you and me.”

“Okay, you and me. I like that,” he says, before picking me up and running towards the water.

Once he gets waist-deep, he lets me go, dumping me into the water. My head goes under as I struggle to get my bearings. Before I can stand upright, Josh’s hands drag me towards the surface. I’m coughing and spitting water everywhere. God, could I look any more awkward right now?

My hands go to my eyes, rubbing the salty residue out of them. “Oh my God, I hate you right now!” I yell as I wail in his hold.

Josh laughs and tugs me tighter against his body. Is that? It is! His hard cock is currently pressing into my stomach. How the hell is it hard right now in this cold water?

“No, you don’t.” He delivers his panty-dropping smirk at me.

“How on earth can you be turned on right now? I literally just spat water all over you.”

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