Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
I don’t look at him. I look at the ocean, at the powerful waves folding in on themselves and riding in to crash against the shore.
“I love the beach,” I say softly as I slide my purse strap back over my shoulder.
Dare places a hand on my hip and pulls me in closer to him. “Me too.”
We walk down the beach until we come to a cluster of rocks. There’s beach in front of it, but the water keeps crashing against the rocks and flooding the small area of sand.
Dare lets go of my hip and grabs my hand. He leads the way, but we don’t make it all the way across before the water comes rushing back at the shore. I let out a shriek as the cold water hits my legs, startling me as I’m now standing knee-deep in the ocean.
He looks back, a smile that feels genuine on his handsome face. “You okay?”
I don’t realize until he asks that I’m squeezing his hand in a death grip. I make a point to ease up, but I can’t deny being in the water again sparks a bit of panic that tightens in my chest and raises the hair on my arms.
I want to get out of the water, so I nod quickly. He must see the discomfort on my face because he hauls me forward and we make it past before another wave comes.
Once we’re in the clear, he hauls me up beside him again. “You freak out a little back there?”
“Just a bit.”
His grip on my waist tightens. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
Maybe it’s crazy, but I believe him.
He’s so warm and solid, I have to fight the temptation to rest my head on his shoulder.
Once we’re across the little stretch of beach beyond the rocks, there’s another cluster of rocks, but this one has a cave nestled behind it. I’m not sure which way we’re going, but he stops when we get to the rocks.
“Here, put these in your purse,” he says, taking the sandals out of my hand and shoving them in my handbag with the liquor. He zips it as much as he can, probably so I don’t dump anything, then he starts climbing the rocks.
“Careful,” he calls back. “These are slippery, and they hurt like hell when you step on them.”
He’s right, they do hurt like hell to walk on, but my sandals are too loose and floppy. I consider putting them on to protect my feet, but I’m too afraid I would slip and die, and that would be infinitely worse.
“Why does hanging out with you always have to be so dangerous?” I complain as I brace my hand on the next rock.
Dare sits down, dangling his feet over the edge, and looks back to make sure I’m coming. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”
I finally sit down on the relatively smooth surface of the rock he’s perched on. Once I’m seated there and no longer concerned about slipping and falling to a painful death, I look out at the view, and all my complaints wash away.
Wow.
The ocean in front of us is an absolute sight to behold. The ocean stretches on right up to the fluffy white clouds and the beautiful blue sky. The water ripples and sunlight dances across the surface.
“Wow,” I breathe.
He nods, reaching over and unzipping my purse so he can draw out the rum. “Nice, isn’t it?”
“This is gorgeous.” I look down, feeling the light spray of ocean water on my bare toes as the waves crash against the rocks. I look over at him with a smile. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
He meets my gaze as he unscrews the bottle. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“I didn’t have a choice, remember? You kidnapped me.”
“Right. Then, thanks for not calling the cops.”
I laugh and he hands me the bottle. I’ve certainly never had rum straight from the bottle before, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything.
It’s actually pretty good. I take a small sip, then a second slightly bigger one before I pass it back. I expect him to use his shirt to wipe off the top since I just had my mouth on it, but he just takes a swig, apparently unbothered.
“We’ll have to come out here one night and watch the sunset,” he tells me.
“Oh, I bet it’s gorgeous.”
“It is.” He looks over, bringing the rum bottle to my lips and tipping it back, making me take a bigger drink than I did before.
I pull back as the alcohol comes out too fast. I start to wipe my lips, but he pushes my hand away, using his thumb to rub away the little bit of alcohol that got on my lips.
Holding my gaze, he brings that thumb to his mouth. I watch as it disappears between his perfectly shaped lips, taking a breath that feels suddenly weighted. Not in a reassuring way like a blanket, but like I can scarcely draw a breath.