Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Once I’ve had enough, yawning in exhaustion, we move inside and watch reruns of The Vampire Diaries. At first, Declan complained, but now he’s as obsessed with the show as I am, wanting to know when Elena will finally figure out that Stefan is a vampire—which he only knows because he tricked me into telling him.
We’re friends.
I just ended an engagement.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
I suck at relationships.
I chant the words again. I’m chanting them in my head as I watch Declan stalk out of the water with his board tucked under his arm, droplets of salt water sliding down his chest, with a huge grin on his face because he totally rode the hell out of the waves. I had no idea he could surf, but it makes sense since the guys spent several years living near the Pacific Ocean. I also had no idea how hot watching him surf would be.
“Damn, I’m beat,” he says, planting the board into the sand and then dropping down next to me. Drops of cold water hit my warm flesh, causing me to jump and, in turn, make Declan laugh. Since he thinks he’s hilarious, he shakes his hair like a wet dog and soaks my face and body.
“Stop!” I shriek, trying to get away from the water, which only has him laughing and shaking his hair and face harder. “Dec, I’m serious!” I try to push him away, but he grabs my wrist, and we both tumble over, his hard body landing on top of mine. For a second, our eyes lock, our faces so close all it would take is one of us to move forward slightly, and our lips would touch, but before I can contemplate if I’m brave enough to make the move, he backs up as if he’s been burned, breaking the moment.
“I was thinking since it’s our last night here, we could go check out the boardwalk,” he suggests. “I know how much you love those carnival rides and games.”
Of course, he knows because he knows everything about me. “And we can go on the Ferris wheel?” It’s my favorite ride, and nobody ever wants to go with me because of how high up it is.
“Maybe…if you ask nicely.” He winks, and holy hell, my lady parts tingle, wanting to know what else he’ll give me if I simply ask nicely.
As if he can sense my thoughts, his eyes hood over slightly before he clears his throat and moves back slightly farther.
“So where are we going next?” I ask, not wanting it to get awkward. We haven’t discussed anything other than whatever we’re doing at the moment.
“It’s a secret.”
“What? Why?” I sit up. “Am I not part of this trip.” I pout.
“You’re a guest on this trip.” He taps my nose playfully. “I’m in control, here. You’re just along for the ride.” His lips quirk into a sexy smirk, and I laugh, slapping his stomach, which hurts my hand more than it hurts him.
“Can I at least get a hint?”
“Nope.” He rolls over onto his stomach and closes his eyes. “I’m going to take a nap. Wake me when you’re ready to head up to the room to shower.”
A few minutes later, he’s snoring softly. I watch him sleep, wondering how much longer I’m going to be able to last without jumping his bones. Several times, I’ve considered making up an excuse to leave before I do something stupid like kiss him or, worse, have sex with him, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
My phone pings with a text, and when I check it, I see it’s my dad: Hey K, just wanted to check in. I’ve been discussing your upcoming album with the team, and I think Drunk on Your Love would be perfect to promo the new album. I was thinking we could make it your first single. I know you’re away and so is Declan, but I’d like to get the details sorted so we can get the ball rolling. Any chance you know when you’ll be back? We’ll need you here to finalize the song, make the video, and shoot the promo ads.
I think about the best way to respond. On the one hand, I should admit I’m with Declan because otherwise, it’s as if I’m lying by omission, but that will lead to questions I don’t have the answers to, so instead, I snap a picture of the beach and go with vague: Hey! I’m so glad you want to make it the first single. It might be my favorite yet. I’m good. Enjoying the sun. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll ask Declan what his plans are, so we can figure it out. I’ve been writing a lot, and I think several songs will be perfect for the next album. I’d like to take it in a different direction. I was thinking I could call it: Falling.