Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“Ready for what?” Luca strode forward, balancing his board on his head. His wide grin held just the right amount of mischief. And that body…
I hid my crotch behind my board and smiled. I tried to keep it from spreading too fast—easier said than done. If Rex had an ounce of intuition, he’d know there was more going on between us than casual lessons. Geez, he probably thought Luca paid me to be here. He had no clue I did this for free. No regrets.
“The Holiday Classic. Gotta get this old dude out in the big surf,” Rex replied, patting my shoulder, then narrowing his gaze at me. “I’m picking your ass up at five tomorrow.”
I flipped him off and grunted. “Text me later. I’ll let you know if I can do it.”
“I’ll hold my breath,” Rex snarked. “We’ll talk more at The Brewery tonight. See ya there.”
He paused to give Luca a fist bump before heading toward his car.
I sighed as I turned to Luca. “He’s gonna be pissed when I don’t show up. C’mon. We need to buy coffee. I ran out and haven’t had a chance to go to the store.”
Luca was uncharacteristically quiet as we walked to the shop to leave our boards and change out of our wetsuits. My mind was buzzing with the day’s itinerary—two private lessons, work, and three custom boards to start—but I should have clued in that something was on his mind. Luca was loquacious. He could talk anyone’s ear off about a medley of subjects. Everything was interesting to him, from the number of bars on the main drag in town to the number of seagulls looting the bins behind a popular Chinese takeout spot.
I waited for his silly segue about birds loving moo shu pork as much as he did, but he didn’t say a word until he thanked me for the coffee and led me to a bench facing the ocean. Low clouds shrouded the pier, lending an ethereal glow over the waves breaking at the shore. I loved this time of year. The air was crisp and clear and better still, tourists were long gone and—
“You should see more of your friends. I feel like I’m taking up too much of your time,” Luca commented, sipping his coffee, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
I frowned, twisting sideways to rest my knee on the bench between us. “I feel the opposite. I wish I could spend more time with you.”
The knot in my stomach unraveled when he grinned. “Me too.”
I propped my elbow on the back of the bench and combed my fingers through the hair at his nape. We were in public in daylight, and I didn’t give a fuck who saw. I had to touch him. Luca widened his eyes at the contact but didn’t push me away. Maybe he sensed I was trying on a new hat. I needed to know what it felt like to be…out. Even if it was in the smallest way.
“I love my friends, but I don’t love partying. I’ve done my share and someone else’s too. If I went to that bar tonight, I’d spend the whole time thinking about the boards I need to sand or the guy I wish was sucking my dick.”
Luca snickered. “I’ve created a monster.”
“Maybe so,” I conceded with a careless shrug.
“What if I sanded the boards for you so you could have a beer with your friends? And when you got home, I’d be waiting for you naked on all fours with my ass in the air, ready to suck your dick or…whatever else you felt like doing.”
“Whatever I…” I swallowed slowly to avoid choking on my coffee.
“Yes. Whatever.” He flashed a Cheshire cat grin.
“Just to clarify…what are we saying here? Are we talking about…” I sat up taller and glanced over my shoulder at the pedestrians speed-walking nearby, then stage-whispered, “Anal sex?”
Luca threw his head back and guffawed. “We could be. But we don’t have to do anything at all. I’m serious about helping you too.”
“That’s nice of you, but…why?”
“ ’Cause I like you, and I want you to do well. I don’t like the idea that I’m taking from you and not giving anything in return.”
“We both know that’s not true,” I snorted. “I appreciate the offer, but I’d have to teach you how to sand and buff.”
“I’m an expert sander and buffer,” Luca huffed. “And I’m good at reading situations. All those morning BJs have taken you from your training. I don’t want to be the reason you miss an opportunity. And I’m not talking about winning a competition. You’re not in it for the glory. You need the money.”
“True, but—”
He held his hand up before I could argue. “Then let me help. You know I’m a fast learner. You can teach me to do some basics.”