Page 138 of Whirlwind

“I like the wind.” Beck adjusted his guitar case against his body.

Walker glanced at our suitcases. “You on the flight to Athens at ten?”

“Nope. Private plane,” said Beck.

“Right.” Walker grinned.

“It was good meeting you, Walker.” I extended my hand and he shook it firmly. “Have a good trip home. Good luck with your new business life.”

“Yeah. You too. Maybe we’ll bump into each other back home, flower girl.”

“Maybe, Montana boy.”

“Great to meet you, Beck.” He held out a big hand to Beck, who took it and they shook.

“You too. Have a safe trip home,” said Beck.

“Thanks, man. All the best to you both.”

We left him and entered the Mykonos airport. “Did you get his number?” Beck asked.

“Nope.”

“Did you want to go ask him for it?”

“Noooooo.”

We walked toward our check-in point. Beck’s ring tone went off and he got out his phone. “Dad? Hey, what’s up?” His voice was low as he ruffled a hand through his gorgeously messy mop of hair. I loved that hair. Really wavy, kind of curly, blond and brown and tangled. Thick and tangled.

“Greece is amazing. We’re having a great time. We’re headed to Athens now.” His bright gaze fell on me, and a rush of heat overwhelmed me. My hand tightened over my suitcase handle.

All my body parts were achy and vibrating with life from our lovemaking the night before. What had made it so intense that I was blushing under his stare? Being able to communicate honestly the entire time.

In a matter of days he’d zoned in on my sensitive spots—found ones I hadn’t known I had—keyed in on the sounds I made. He listened. He had known where to stroke, how to caress, how to lick, and how to move. Plus, he seemed well practiced in taking his time, exploring the moment. The handful of men I’d been with had all been about getting the job done, no time for details or surprises or explorations.

Had Beck experienced this before?

A spike of jealousy stabbed me, the poisonous tip of that sharp dagger releasing its venom in my blood.Stop it, Violet. What’s the point?Soon our trip would be over.

I texted Mom to let her know we were on our way to Athens.

Beck got off the phone.

“How’s your dad?”

“He sounded good. He’s going surfing with his buds.” Beck tucked his phone back in his jeans.

We met up with Tag, Lars, and Stone, and the girls. I spotted the bathrooms and left Beck with the guys getting coffees and snacks. I washed my hands, my gaze lifting to the mirror. My glowing bronzy reflection stared back at me. How did that happen? This was another Violet living another life. Sun-kissed, relaxed, and orgasmed to perfection and back again. Vibrant. An island getaway and a good man will do that to you. A really good man.

I swallowed hard, but it didn’t nudge that lump in my throat. I yanked at the rough paper from the dispenser and dried my hands. I knew it wasn’t just our amazing chemistry, I knew it was Beck the person. I genuinely liked him. I trusted him. I trusted few people in my life. Very few. Beck was now one of those few precious people. But us being together was almost over and we’d both be back to our very separate realities.

I crumpled the damp paper and tossed it in the bin.

* * *

“You’re good, Violet.”Lars hit buttons on my camera, his eyes trained on the small screen as we sat next to each other on the small plane.

“I can’t thank you enough for letting me help you, Lars.”

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