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“Come here,” Elle said, not able to resist another kiss or thosedreamy brown eyes. She sank into the wonder of Gia’s lips and wasn’t sure sheever wanted to leave. She kissed her slowly, savoring each second. Now thatthey’d set out on this new physical aspect of their relationship, it was likethere was no stopping them from touching. Elle could imagine this getting inthe way of, well…everything, which in this particular moment didn’t sound sobad. “You sure we should stop?” she mumbled against Gia’s lips. “Because Icould keep doing this for a long time.” She eased her tongue lightly into Gia’smouth and out again.

Gia caught Elle’s wrists as her hands slipped beneath her shirtonce again. “Nope. Not at all sure, which is why I should go. In about twopoint five seconds, it’s not going to be within my power.”

Elle sighed and watched as Gia pushed herself into a seatedposition.

“When do you travel?” Gia asked.

“In the morning. I’ve got some promo shoots set up with Rip Curlbefore the tournament kicks off.”

“Of course you do,” Gia said, with a knowing smirk. “You have moresponsors than God.”

“At leasthegets to duck the photo shoots.”

“Like you’d give them up, even if you could.”

Elle took a moment. “Honestly, all the extra commitments havebecome exhausting. Plus, there are other ways I’d like to spend my time.” Shemet Gia’s eyes briefly before pulling her gaze away. The confession made herfeel vulnerable in a way she wasn’t used to. She didn’t do vulnerable when itcame to other people. Never had. “What about you? When do you leave?” she asked,moving them away from it, nervous about how it made her feel.

“Day after tomorrow.” Gia stood and readjusted her hoodie. “No RipCurl photo shoots on my schedule.”

“That’s because GoPro is the sticker on the nose of your board.”

Gia laughed. “Yes, it’s possible I have a few GoProresponsibilities once I’m in San Clemente.”

“Will I see you there?”

“Accepting the trophy?” Gia said with a grin. “Yes, mostdefinitely.”

Elle chuckled. “Cocky for number two. Don’t you think?”

“You forget I have nothing to lose.” Gia’s eyes flashed playfully,but there was a nugget of truth in what she said.

Elle’s smile dimmed, because for her, there was everything tolose. There was nowhere to go but down from her top spot, and she had nointention of doing anything but finishing off the year as world champion. Itwas great fun to get lost with Gia and explore her newfound freedom, but shecouldn’t lose sight of who she was and what she’d set out to accomplish. Thestakes were too high.

“Then I guess we’ll sort it out in San Clemente.”

Gia winked. “See you on the beach.”

They stole another kiss just beyond Elle’s front door.

Everything would be different the next time she saw Gia. They’deach have their game faces on and would focus everything they had on thetournament. For Elle, it wasn’t just money on the line, it was her legacy.

She would be good to remember that.

Chapter Eleven

The sting of the saltwater spray in her eyes welcomed Gia home, tothe place she loved most. Competition. She’d shredded her way easily throughround one of the Swatch Pro, pulling in a solid 8.67 on her best wave andtaking the heat from the two other competitors.

The late spring conditions couldn’t have been more exciting anddefinitely helped her pull out the win. Excellent wave height, swells that lether work her magic, and large crowds that fueled the always present adrenaline.She’d advanced easily against a wildcard surfer out of Hawaii and would moveforward to round two with the heat’s third competitor, Heather Macaulay, numberseven on the tour leaderboard. But it was the kid, the wildcard, who hadsnagged her attention and showed herself to be more of a badass out there thanGia was expecting. She had gutsy moves and great flow. Both pulled Gia’srespect.

Gia knocked Heather on the shoulder as they came in, but Heatherdidn’t seem to be in the mood for niceties, not that Gia blamed her. She’dtaken second in the heat and probably wasn’t thrilled about it, regardless ofthe fact that she was still moving forward in the tournament.

“Very cool to be out there with you,” the wildcard told Gia, oncetheir heat concluded. “I’ve been a big fan of yours for a while.” She must havebeen nineteen at most. Gia shook the hand she offered as they toweled off onthe beach.

“Now I’m a fan of yours,” Gia said. “Malia, right?”

“Yeah. Malia Moore.”

“Killer surfing out there. Not just blowing smoke.”