“Oh my God,” I say breathlessly, “I thought I was going to die.”
He pulls me tohim, still laughing. He looks lighter than I’ve seen him in days. Today has been good for him. “That was a tiny wave. Never knew you were such aprincess.”
I gape at him. “Seriously.How did you not notice before?”
“I noticed. Just thought you’d be a bit braver,” he teases.
I push him lightly, but he doesn’t budge, even with the waves threatening to knock us down.“I was brave,” I pout.“I even kept my eyes open.”
“You knew you could trust me,” he says,brushing the wet hair from my face. “I know what that means, Cara. I won’ttake it for granted.”
He leans down, kissing me soft and slow while the waves lap around us.When I start to lose my balance, he lifts me, wrapping my legs around his waist. His mouth never leaves mineuntil he has me on the shore. Where he proceeds to love me like no one else exists.
Jake
I make my way back up the beach toeveryone, Cara tucked under one arm and my board under the other. Maddox and Ryder are back in the water. No surprise there.Cami and Lyralook like they are in the process of burying Dane alive. Angel is sitting at the table by the bungalow.
I needed today. I neededjust a few minutes where the stress of the last few days didn’t exist.I need to pretend like the bullshit that has blasted me the last week isn’t going on.
When Cara finds out, I’m not sure I will be able to keep her.I’m not sure she will be willing to deal with the dramawith everything else she has going on. And the thought of losing her when I just got her terrifies me.
It’s why I needed her last night. It’s why I made love to her slowly. I needed to hold on to her for as long as I could.
It’s what had me begging her not to leave.
When she told me earlier that she trusted me, it was big. It’s all I’ve wanted to hear from her besides I love you.It is probably the most precious thing she could give.
I can’t break that. I can’tdestroy something that has taken her so long to have or give. I know I will have to tell her about the damn drama that has decided torear its ugly head.
I just hope the love I know she feels for Lyra and me is strong enough to handle it. I hope it’s strong enough to make her want tostay.
When we reach everyone, Cami looks up to us with a knowing smirk. Dane has a knowing look as well, but he’s not smirking. He has a look of pain and anger.
“Daddy, I’s bury Nane,” Lyra looks up to me proudly. Judging by the look on Dane’s face, it maybe a good thing he’s covered underall that sand.He grunts a bit as he stares me down. Cami gives me a wink, telling me this was her plan all along. I smirk at him.Just to add a little coal to the fire, I kiss the side of Cara’s face, making her blush.
My best friend may be good with us in theory. He’s even okay with us in reality. As long as he doesn’t have to acknowledge anything is actually happening.
“We both know you wouldn’t be so smug right now if I could get to you,” he says with false sweetness and gritted teeth.
“Actually, we both know I’d still be pretty smug,” I laugh.“Be nice, or I’ll give you details.”Cara tenses beside me. I give her a light squeeze to calm her. “You know I’m joking right,” I whisper into her ear.“I don’t kiss and tell, but it’s fun making him squirm. I see why Zane has so much fun with him.”
She looks up to me. A mischievous grin stretches across her face. She runs her hand up my chest then presses hermouth against mine. “We could always just give him a show.”
“What?” Dane shouts with panic. “No!”
Cara moves to my ear like she’s going to nibble itor something. “It’s payback for all the timesI’ve had to watch him and Cami grope each other. Not to mention the things they say.”
“Payback, huh?”I whisper while watching Dane turn green from the corner of my eye. “Only problem isyou rubbing all over me has given me a situation in my shorts again, so you can’t move unless you want everyone to see.”
She looks down, then back up to me with a giggle.
“Oh God kill me now,” Dane moans.
“No, Nane,” Lyra yells as him. “That’s bad.”
I laugh then turn with Cara in front of me. We walk to the outside shower to rinse off. Onceshe has the sand off of her, she goes inside the bungalow to get Lyra’s things together since we have to leave soon.
I sit at the table with Angel, who offers me a beer. I shake my head, not in the mood to mix alcohol with all the sun and water.
