grab hold of the “oh fuck” handle to keep my head from slamming against the window.
The front passenger van’s tire finds one last crater as Lea pulls into a self-proclaimed parking spot. An overwhelming desire to kiss the ground rushes through me, and I unbuckle the seatbelt, looking straight ahead. I gasp at the ocean peeking through the trees. With one glimpse of the blue waves, the jarring ride is all but forgotten.
Quickly exiting the van, I follow Lea to the edge of the sandy soil. Mom and I haven’t had time to visit any beaches yet. One drawback to our condominium being perched on a ledge is the lack of a beach. So yeah, I’m anxiously waiting to step foot on the sand.
Outside murky lake water, we don’t have anything comparable back home. A chlorinated pool is the only clear water I’ve ever swum in. I’m beyond ready to be at the beach.
When we emerge from the tree line, I step onto the sand and smile, wishing I had worn sandals instead of these clunky tennis shoes. Sand squishing in my toes seems far better than not feeling the sand at all. Oh well. There isn’t much slated for tomorrow, so maybe I’ll break away during the day.
“Aah, this is nice,” Mom says beside me, gawking at the beachgoers.
“Yes, I definitely want to spend a day on the beach soon.” I scan the area, and a pang of jealousy seeps in from the laughter echoing against the cove. The beach isn’t crowded by all means, but the surfers and the few windsurfers make it seem like everyone is having fun.
“The trail begins right over there. It snakes through the woods and leads over to that area.” Lea points to a cliff two hundred yards away that overhangs the ocean. Waves splash against the rocky bottom sides, and I suddenly understand why she wants us to experience this. It’s yet another scenic spot.
“I’ll walk to the entrance, but I’ll let you tackle the trail yourselves. I’ve seen it many times,” Lea says with a polite smile.
Mom and I cross the beach and pass a small group of guys walking toward us. The muscular guy on the end brushes against my shoulder and knocks me off balance.
“Sorry,” a husky male voice says. Strong hands reach and grab my arms to steady me.
I laugh and look at the guy who’s staring at me with nothing but concern. “That’s okay; you kept me from falling.”
“Had I’d known you’d fall for me so quickly, I would’ve taken my time,” Muscle Guy says with a wink. The confident half-smile should be a turn-off, but I find it shamelessly endearing.
I crinkle my nose and shake my head. “Does that line ever work?”
Muscle Guy shrugs and raises an eyebrow. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
My smile widens but his teasing stare brings heat to my cheeks. I’m way out of my comfort zone. To break eye contact, I press my clammy palms against my pants and glance over his shoulder. Not helping. My breath catches in my throat as a familiar pair of brown eyes stares back. Hot tour-guide Kai with his delicious, swoon-worthy abs stands directly behind Muscle Guy.
Chapter Ten
Kai~
I stop at Highway 56 and hold my breath as I crank the steering wheel toward the left. The wrath of Kamp is about to be released at any moment.
Kamp frowns and glances from side to side. “Uh, where are we going?”
His questionable tone makes me squirm in my seat, but I press forward to the North Shore. Earlier, I’d skidded over the details when I asked Kamp to go out tonight. I still don’t want to tell him. He’ll blow his top and give me shit.
“Princeville,” I say assertively, trying to lessen the sting. It won’t matter; he’ll still get mad. Kamp hates the North Shore.
“ Princeville ?”
Kamp’s hands tighten into fists, but I don’t answer. Not yet. He still has to release his anger. I bite my lip to keep from smirking. I don’t want to piss him off more than what he already is, but he’s so predictable.
Kamp lets out a few huffs and then pounds the dash with one
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