Burning. As I wait for him to kiss me, it’s like I have a fever and he’s the only thing that can cure me.
Instead, he says, “Let’s go. You need a bikini, board, and wetsuit.” He reaches around me for his keys.
“Dean Powers…”
Smiling again, he kills me with his next words. “You can call me Brett. You’ll know when I’m Dean.”
He takes my cold hands, and I swallow because I can’t afford all that stuff. My dad literally watches every dime I spend.
“I, look, I can’t… that is, I don’t have money for any of that stuff…” My voice trails off as he walks me over to the couch and points at my shoes and purse.
“Just get ready.” He walks away, and all I can think of is that I’m in way over my head.
BRETT
“Hey, brother.” I grin at Curtis, the owner of the small surf shack where I’m a regular, and pull a reluctant Alexandrea inside.
Her eyes sweep the Hawaiian vibe. You have to duck under the fake thatched roof just to get into the shop. Colorful murals of surfers riding waves fill the walls. Racks and racks of clothes make it like an obstacle course. Boogie boards, skateboards, shoes, anything you could possibly want, and then some, are crammed in here.
“Oh wow.” Alex looks down at the rotting wood floor that’s mostly covered with sand.
“Brett Powers is in the house. ’Sup, bro?” He grins. Curtis is pushing fifty and looks way older. The sun and wind have made his hands and face look like leather, but he’s a true seeker; the surf and ocean are his religion. He’s owned this shop for thirty years and still sounds like a teenager.
“You catch those waves this morning? They were epic, man.” He shakes his head like he can’t believe it.
“I heard.” I grin, looking up at all the surfboards stacked in a long row.
“Pick one of these,” I say to Alex, motioning to the middle section.
“Brett, I told you, I can’t afford—”
“You got a wetsuit that would fit Alexandrea?” Cutting her off, I turn toward him. Curtis’s eyes rake over Alex’s thin form. And I want to kill him, or at least beat the shit out of him.
Curtis is a friend, I remind myself. I roll my neck, hearing it crack as I relax my clenched fist and jaw.
“Dude. Does a bear shit in the woods? Let me grab her one. You like pink?” he yells over his shoulder, his flip-flops scraping on the sand floor.
“Black is fine,” I snap, then take a breath because I need to tamp down this possessive shit.
So she has the tightest pussy? Big deal. She was a virgin, that’s all this is. The racks of bikinis clack loudly as I rush through them, finally stopping at one I can’t help but grin at.
“Put this on,” I say, holding up the black bikini with all kinds of tiny fruits on it, including peaches.
“You’re kidding me?” She rolls her eyes as I walk to her.
“It’s perfect.” I wink.
She tries to fight her smile, and I grab her, spinning her so she faces the full-length mirror. Her eyes are like big glittering emeralds as they blink at me through the mirror.
“What part are you confused about, Dean Powers? I have no money—”
“Dude, you’re in luck. Last one.” Curtis interrupts her tirade. With a grin, I glance at the plain black wetsuit he’s holding.
“Perfect. And we need a beginner’s board.” Dismissing him, I stare at my obsession in the mirror. He stands on his toes, grinning at us like a juvenile. He must get my vibe because he walks away before I can say anything like Keep looking at my girl, and that’ll be the last time you smile again.
What is with me? I’m like the alpha dog that needs to piss on her so everyone knows she’s mine.
Mine.
I shove the bikini into her hand. “You won’t have to pay. You’re gonna steal it.” My voice is low, but not low enough to make it obvious I’m doing something bad. If she had won the lottery, I think she would look less shocked.
“What?” she whispers, her eyes wide open, and my cock, which has been hard all morning, gets even harder.
“I take it by the look on your face this will be your first time?”
“What?” she repeats, her nipples pebbling into hard rocks.
Pulling her back, I rub my erection on her ass. “You know you want to…” I growl in her ear.
“I do not.” She puffs out air; her chest starts to flush.
“Come on, baby… It’s a feeling that can’t be described, only felt. Because it starts here.” I press my hand tight on her flat stomach.
“Then floods right here.” Her eyes widen as my hand cups her hot pussy. I can feel her torment through her jeans.
“Oh God…” Groaning, she licks her puffy lips as I nip her earlobe and watch her through the mirror.
“I’m gonna pay for the wetsuit and board. Go into the changing room and put the bikini on under your clothes and walk out. It’s just that simple, baby.”
I move back as she reaches for me, trying to stop me as I say casually, “Then I’ll fuck your cunt raw.” Walking away, I hear her hiss and plead for me to come back.
I grin, adjusting my erection to the side. Alexandrea is everything I crave: brilliant, kind, and a kindred spirit. Which is why I know she’ll do it. Because as much as it goes against what she believes is her nature, I know differently.
The second she stumbled into my class, I felt that pull to her. The fact she has the tightest magical pussy will be my cross to bear. I walk over to Curtis, who’s busy waxing her board.
“Thanks, brother, we’re on our way to the beach, so she’s gonna wear the bikini under her clothes. Just put it on my tab.” I reach for my wallet, almost feeling guilty. I can sense her struggling with her conscience, at war with her innate nature. But it’s time for her to wake up and push her boundaries. I’m gonna take her to the edge, then she can decide if she wants to take the plunge.
People like Alex and me are different. It’s like a secret club.
I want her.
And, let’s be honest, instructing her is a fucking rush. I know she’s afraid of not being perfect, but deep inside, she knows something’s missing. When I was a kid and teenager, I’d chase that feeling with surfing, drinking, and drugs. You name it, I’m sure I’ve tried it at least once. As an adult, I can accept it. I channel other ways to feel that adrenaline, that split second of life and death merging together, at peace with the knowledge that only one will win.
Alexandrea doesn’t understand any of this yet. I grin because I can set her free. All she needs to do is trust herself, let go, and she’ll set the world on fire.
“That your girl?” Curtis grunts as he hands me the board and the bag with the wetsuit. I ignore the question and start toward the purple door that has Billabong painted in red across it.
“She’s fucking fly. You’re the man, Powers.” His voice gets louder as he points at me.
I give him a nod. “Good seeing you, Curtis.” Kicking the door open, I head toward my Audi, squinting since the sun finally burned through the morning overcast. I toss the board and bag in the back, then sit.