Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
I stare in disbelief as he jogs to the water in a pair of black swim trunks, the muscles of his bare chest glistening in the moonlight like that one scene in Twilight where Edward’s in Italy in that stupid red robe.
I look down at my board when my equilibrium threatens to pitch me to the side and then back up to watch as Beau paddles out toward me at a seemingly freakish speed.
Holy shit, he’s really here.
I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am. Beau Banks isn’t the same old Beau Banks anymore, and I have the memories of his risqué photos to prove it.
So much has happened between us in those Midnight chats, and while he doesn’t have a freaking clue, I’ve already found the wrench in the library and am interrogating Colonel Mustard. I know everything he’s said and all of the sexy pictures he’s sent, and I know how much deeper my feelings have grown.
There’s an irrational part of me that wants to paddle as hard and as fast as I can in the opposite direction of him, but the smitten part—the one I’ve been smothering with a pillow for years—would never allow it.
So, I stand here instead, using my oar to stay balanced on my board, waiting to either expire from an exploding heart or Beau, whichever gets here first.
“Nice night,” he says when he closes the distance between us. “Though, I’m not that thrilled that you’re out here by yourself.”
“It’s fine, Beau.”
He frowns at me, pausing his board so we’re nearly side by side. “Still stubborn as hell, huh, Juniper June?”
Juniper June. A nickname that makes me feel more child than adult, but one I love all the same. There’s so much wrapped up in our history together, I don’t know where to find the end of the string.
“Not stubborn,” I retort easily, maneuvering forward slowly. “Just not a little teenage girl anymore and well-versed in the dangers of night paddling.”
“I know you’re not a kid anymore, Juni.” Beau’s lips quirk up into an unexpected smile. “Trust me, I know. Doesn’t mean I can’t worry about you.” He jerks his chin toward my feet. “By the way, I can’t believe you still have that board.”
I smile. He gave me this board when I turned sixteen, and I’ve been using it ever since. It could be split in half, and I’d find a way to glue it back together.
“It’s a good board.”
“Oh, I know it is,” Beau says through a laugh. “That’s why I gave it to you.”
And that’s why I kept it.
“Avery didn’t drag you out tonight?” he asks, and I laugh at that.
“Oh, we’re going. I had to leave a blood deposit and a sworn oath and testament that I wouldn’t back out. But things, evidently, don’t pop off until around this time, so she’s upstairs getting ready.”
Beau’s chocolate eyes are warm and gooey with amusement. “And you didn’t need to get ready?”
“It won’t take me long.” I shrug. “I’m not really in the mood to get attention anyway.”
He snorts. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
“What?”
“You don’t need makeup to be beautiful, Juni. You know that.”
Beautiful? He thinks I’m beautiful? My heart pounds like it’s auditioning for one of those Fast & Furious movies. There’s no way I can acknowledge the compliment. Not now. I’ll spill all my guts if I do.
“I…uh…” I pause and lick at my now-dry lips. “I thought you were going out for Mav’s birthday tonight? What are you doing here?”
“Figured I’d grab some leftovers from dinner on my way home,” he says, an adorable smile on his lips. “Mav wanted to take a detour from South Beach to some new club that opened up downtown. I wasn’t really in the mood, so I called it an early night. When I found the house basically deserted, I decided to take a quick paddle.”
“Let me guess…Echo,” I say with a knowing smile. “It’s all Avery’s been talking about for the past two days.”
“It’s very exclusive, according to Henry, whatever that means.” Beau shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair before meeting my eyes again. “I know Avery’s going to be waiting on you soon, but do you want to go down the coast a little bit?”
“Sure.” I let him guide us, giving him room to go in front of me, but the entire time, my eyes are locked on him. I watch the way his muscular arms move as they slice the oar through the water. I take in the way the soft light of the moon bounces off his hair and skin. I admire how good his broad shoulders look. And I definitely admire how firm his ass looks beneath his swim trunks.
Beau Banks, the man of my dreams.
At one point in my life, I thought I’d eventually get over him. But now, after everything that’s gone down, my heart only feels more certain. More…in love.