I smile at his praise.
“Now, pop.” And like before, I swing forward, landing on my feet, but I stay on the board this time.
“This is easy, Dean Powers. What else have you got for me?” I squeal and laugh as he grabs me and lifts me like I’m a weight he’s working out with.
“You might not be thinking that in two hours.” He grins as I wrap my legs around his hips.
My hands lace into his curls. He holds me tight, and his full lips take mine, our tongues touching and tasting enough to make me groan before he pulls away.
“Again.”
Three hours later, I’ve decided that not only is surfing quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted, but I want to kill Brett Powers.
“No more.” Exhausted, I drag myself out of the ocean. It’s like my board decided about an hour ago to turn on me and become my enemy.
The ocean, which at first was refreshing, seems determined to make sure I swallow enough so if I don’t puke soon it’ll be a miracle.
And Brett…
Fucking Brett is relentless. He didn’t even allow me to try catching a wave. We’ve been practicing my balance this whole time.
I unzip the wetsuit, peeling it off me, then drop down onto the sand, not even caring that I don’t have a towel.
“Alex, come on.” He holds his hand out to me. I take it, moaning as he pulls me up.
“Rinse off at my outdoor shower while I get our boards.”
I nod. Washing the salt water and sand off me has incentivized me to put one foot in front of the other. I close my eyes as the warm water rains down on me, gasping as strong hands wrap around me, pulling me back into his warm chest, the sun’s heat transferring from his back to mine.
“Let’s go take a real shower. I’ll rub some CBD oil on you, and we can order Chinese food.” He kisses my earlobe, and I tilt my head back onto his chest and sigh.
“I’d like that.” Smiling up at him, I’m too exhausted to pretend anything but the truth.
After he turns off the water, we silently climb the stairs together. As we enter, a phone rings. My mind instantly goes to Jordan and yesterday.
Filthy, nasty, and fearless.
Poor Jordan. I can only pray he bought my lie that I wasn’t feeling well, though maybe he’ll think I’ve lost my mind. I mean, that’s what I’d think if I had heard me yesterday.
Brett walks over to his kitchen island and glances at his phone before he moves to his refrigerator.
“Here, babe, drink some water and take a couple of Advil.”
He pours me a glass and hands me some pills. Our fingers touch, and I slowly look up into his ocean-blue eyes.
“Thank you.” I smile.
“You’re welcome.” He smiles back, his eyes caressing my face.
“Go take a shower. I need to return some calls.” He pulls back and walks over to his phone.
Trying to steady myself, I take a deep breath. This man makes me dizzy. It’s like I’m in a constant whirl of the unknown, and I never want it to end.
BRETT
I scroll through a slew of texts, forcing myself to focus enough to actually look at them. My cock and my head seem to want only Alexandrea. Her face, delicious body, sugared lips, and sweet-tasting pussy have taken priority over everything else.
I’m about to toss my phone aside and join her in the shower since most of these texts and missed calls are from Skylar. My jaw clenches as I read the last message, which came in at ten o’clock this morning.
SKYLAR: Can I come over and talk?
It’s followed by a stupid wink emoji.
She’s going to be a problem. Not that I care what she says about me. But I do care how she treats Alexandrea. It’s a headache I don’t need. Skylar knows I’m done, but if I’m not careful, she could become desperate enough to do something all of us will regret. Whatever, I’ll deal with her later. Frowning, I read my mom’s texts.
MOM: Don’t forget, honey.
MOM: It’s 3:00 p.m. Call me.
I press her number, looking out my window as I try not to grin like a fucking teenager at the sound of Alexandrea singing in the shower.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Mom, what’s up?” I look over at the clock hanging above my stove.
“Oh, Brett, honey, I was going to have you pick up some of that whiskey you and your dad and brother like, but Jett is bringing it.” She sounds busy, like she’s holding the phone with her shoulder because I can barely hear her.
“Mom, what are you talking about? And I can barely hear you.”
“Oh, wait. Okay, is that better?” Her voice comes in clear.
“Yes, much.” I grin. My mom is one of my favorite people. At sixty-eight, she might be in better shape than me.
“Now, what’s up?” I ask her, hearing the shower turn off.
“What do you mean? Oh, you can put those flowers on the dining room table,” she says to someone. “Are you on your way?”
“Mom, just stop moving and talking to other people and tell me what’s happening.” I roll my neck, hearing it crack.
“What do you mean? Tell me you’re on your way and did not forget dinner. Jett and Raven are almost here.” Her voice instantly sounds concerned. I search my brain and have zero recollection about any dinner.
“Brett.” She sounds horrified. “I told you last week about dinner. We’re celebrating you becoming the head dean and being nominated for the Nobel Prize, and also Jett and Raven’s return home.”
“I don’t remember any of that. If it’s tonight, I can’t make it.” I walk into my room, only to hear her say something to my dad. Then she comes in real clear.
“Brett Thomas Powers, if you think you are not coming to dinner tonight, you are sadly mistaken. Your brother and his new wife are back and—”
“Mom, I have to stop you. I’m busy. I have work—”
“I have to stop you. I will drive over to your house and get you. Please don’t make me do that.” Her voice has a finality to it. I watch Alex through the crack of my bathroom door, drying herself off.
“Jesus, Mom. Fine, I’ll be there. But I’m bringing someone, so set another plate.” Dead silence greets me, and I can imagine her head dancing with questions. As for my own? I’m wondering what the hell I’m doing, but fuck it.
“Really?” she says.
“Yes.”
“Well… We have plenty of food and—”
“Okay, let me go if you want us to come.” I laugh as I hear her whispering to my dad.
“Bye, Mom.” I press End and toss my phone on the table. Walking into my bedroom, I find Alex brushing her long hair, her body wrapped in my oversized towel.
“So, change of plans.” I start the water, kicking off my board shorts as I enter the shower.
“We’re having dinner with my parents and my brother along with his new wife.” I wash myself quickly.
“What?” she shrieks.
“Dinner. I guess I forgot about it,” I call out, unable to stop grinning at her horror.
“I can’t go to dinner. I have no clothes…” I don’t hear much more as I rinse the soap from my hair, turn off the shower, and step out to her beautiful, angry face.