Page 99 of The Star

“I love you, caveman,” she says against my skin, making me smile as she sits back in her seat and crosses her legs Indian style on the leather.

I turn the music up when a Drake song comes on, then put my hand between her legs to rub against the skin of her thigh as we ride through town, the wind blowing and the beat of the song making everything seem faster.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling into the private strip of beach I brought her to one of the first nights we spent together. The sun is shining overhead, causing sweat to lick at the back of my neck, and as I put my Jeep in park, she unbuckles her seatbelt and leans across the console again to kiss me.

I thread my fingers through her thick hair, controlling her mouth as she slides her tongue against mine.

When she pulls back, her skin is flushed, and her mouth is dropped open as she breathes. “Let’s go.”

I leave the windows down, letting fresh air blow through the truck so it’s not too hot when we get back in, then pull the keys from the ignition and grab my backpack before we get out. We make the small trek through the pathway out to the beach, and once we’re standing on soft sand, I drop the backpack and crouch down to dig out the towels.

Handing her one, both of us spread them out on the sand next to each other. She pulls her shirt over her head, dropping it on the towel before she pops the button on her shorts. I watch her, unable to tear my eyes away as she shimmies her shorts down, leaving her in the bikini I picked out.

“You’re a dream,” I groan, pulling my own shirt over my head before we both sit down on our towels.

I lie down, throwing my arm over my eyes when the sun becomes too bright, feeling Logan lie down next to me.

“Tomorrow is going to be interesting,” she remarks, making me turn my head to look at her under the shield of my arm.

“It’ll be fine,” I answer, but that only makes her laugh.

“Except the whole school likely knows I’m fucking my stepbrother.” She chuckles. “And Cassidy and her army will be out to get me.”

“Doubtful.” I sigh. “You’ve already punched her in the face like ten times. I think she’ll leave you alone to avoid any more shiners.”

She snorts. “If she’s smart.”

I roll to my side, looking at her. “Forget about everything for today. We’ll face whatever comes tomorrow. Let’s go swim.”

She blows out a breath. “Okay.”

Standing up, I hold a hand out for her to use to get up.

I try to hold her hand once she’s standing on the sand next to me, but she takes off like a rocket toward the ocean, yelling with her arms in the air like a madwoman as she goes. Laughter bubbles in my chest as I watch her, walking at a normal pace to the water, and when she dives into the cold ocean, she screams at the top of her lungs. Luckily, the strip of beach we’re on is deserted, otherwise someone would probably assume she’s drowning when she pops up out of the water and screams again.

“Motherfucker!” she yells, her body dripping water when I finally step into the ocean. “It’s fucking cold!”

I laugh. “Yeah, sure is.”

I continue toward her slowly, allowing my legs to adjust to the chill of the water before I keep going, then let my waist drop under the ocean. “Want me to warm you up?” I wiggle my eyebrows when I reach her, wrapping my arms around her to pull her body against mine.

Her skin is cold, wet, and covered in goosebumps, making me laugh. “You’re supposed to go slow, babe. Let yourself adjust to the temperature.”

She blows a raspberry with her tongue. “Go big or go home, pussy. You have to just go for it.”

“You’re insane,” I say, holding her flush against me to try and radiate some heat into her shivering body.

She smiles. “That’s why you like me.”

I hum in agreement through my lips, nodding my head as I capture her lips with mine, feeling the chill of her skin against my warm mouth.

She pulls back, tilting her head to the side as she narrows her eyes. “I like you.”

I chuckle. “I would hope so.”

She rolls her golden eyes. “I mean… I didn’t think I would.”

“Wow.” I laugh, dropping my head back.

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