Page 12 of Sins of a Rebel

Kyla was everything good in this world. She didn’t need my darkness ruining hers.

“Come with me,” I urge, tugging on her hand.

She stops me to bend down to lock her bike on one of the racks lining the boardwalk. I shove my hands into my black denim jeans, glancing down at my A Rebels Havoc shirt and my red Vans.

When I reach for her hand again, she presses her lips together to fight off her smile.

“What?” I ask.

“You do realize someone could spot us and our cover would be blown.”

I shrug. She’s right. In fact, it’s likely someone would notice me and recognize her as Madden’s sister. In a matter of minutes, rumors could begin swirling around Carolina Beach.

“I have somewhere I want to take you away from everyone.”

She wags her brows suggestively. “Oh yeah?”

“Don’t tempt me, Kyla.”

She tosses her head back and giggles. I’m mesmerized by the sound. I grunt, pulling her close to me.

“You’re not helping.”

She drags her teeth over her lower lip, trying to temper her smile.

Goddamn, what is she doing to me?

The sun has started to set. The skyline along the water is a mixture of purple, pinks, and orange. There’s a small ice cream stand near the water. Kyla pulls me to a stop, pointing at the ice cream cone pictured on the sign.

She settles on a chocolate and vanilla mixture, one scoop of each. I smile at the sight of her eyes lighting up when the gentleman hands her the cone, ice cream dripping down the side from the heat of the North Carolina sun.

She drags her tongue along the side, quickly catching every drop. I’m lost in thought at the sight of her.

“You want some?” she asks, holding it out to me.

I stare at the remnants left over on her lips before she quickly darts her tongue out, swiping the sweetness away.

The visual of her licking and sucking, using her tongue the way she is now, makes it harder and harder to focus.

I grumble, shaking my head before sliding my fingers down her forearm and reaching for her hand.

“You good?” She cackles, and my stare bores into her.

She knows the game she’s playing by tempting me. My fingers itch to grip her by the chin and kiss the look right off her face.

We make our way down the beach. I do my best to avoid watching her finish her treat, but she makes it difficult. The summer heat isn’t doing her any favors, melting it faster than she can eat.

I point my finger at the blanket I set up for us earlier along the tall grass, giving us space from the rest of the beach. Most of the crowd has dispersed, folding up their lawn chairs and towels and finding their way to the boardwalk.

The sun starts to set, and the lights from the Ferris wheel and food trucks illuminate in the distance.

“You planned this?” Her mouth falls open.

She squeezes my hand and takes a step toward me. Her chest against my front, tilting her head back to smile.

“How’d I get so lucky with you?” she whispers.

I shrug, flashing her a wink. “I’m asking myself the same thing.”

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