Page 3 of A Love Tethered to the Sun

“They were slamming each other against the walls of the house, destroying everything in their way. My brother screamed for me to run, and when I finally coached my legs to run, my dad plunged the knife into his stomach. I ran as fast as I could. I pumped my arms and pushed my legs to run as hard and fast as possible. Sweat dripped down my face as I ran to the dock and jumped into the water. I swam underwater until I made it to the furthest boat and climbed inside. I hid under a dirty and fishy-smelling tarp because my life depended on it. My father and one of his companions followed me there, but for some reason, they couldn’t smell me.

That’s what his companion said. I found that to be odd as well.

However, I stayed there for so long that I fell asleep.

Imagine my surprise when I woke up and found out I was no longer in Kingston, Jamaica, but halfway here to Oahu, Hawaii.

When we arrived, I thanked the kind owner of the boat, and I walked around aimlessly for a while until I was offered some help.

“As you can imagine, not too many people were open to me at first. I looked strange to them. My skin was dark as chocolate, with patches of skin that were white as snow. Eventually, people on the island warmed up to me. Healani and her family took me in after a few months of working at their store, and the rest is history. I’ve never told anyone this story before because one, I fear my father will find me; two, I don’t want the Kanes to get hurt if he does find me; and lastly, people like my father and brother just don’t exist. They can’t…

right? I don’t know. I’m still trying to make sense of what I witnessed all those years ago, and I’m rambling now.

I must sound like a crazy person to you. ” I chuckled lightly and looked at him.

His full brows were bunched together in deep concentration as his warm, russet eyes perused my face and bikini-clad body.

My eyes trailed up to his curly fro that was faded and tapered around the sides and back of his head.

Pryde’s full beard accentuated his dark brown, full lips—his lips were my favorite feature of his.

They were trapped by a bed of soft hairs that resembled a cloud.

The fact that he always wore a medium-length gold chain added a bad-boy flare to his businessman persona.

My eyes swept over the tattoos that covered his left hand and upper arm, which looked ancient and almost mystical.

The deeper I looked into his eyes, the quicker I noticed they were no longer russet.

They were gold like the sun and filled with what looked like anger.

“Your eyes… your eyes are no longer brown—they’re golden,” I voiced.

He turned away and looked at the ocean. “My eyes change colors with the weather and emotions. Right now, I have a storm brewing inside of me for the things you witnessed and had to go through. I know what it’s like to be around monsters, but that’s a story for another time.

This moment—this day is about you. You were brave to run away and hide because if you hadn’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

As in reference to your other questions or ramblings, as you called them…

” He turned back to me, and his eyes were back russet.

“There are many things in this world that are unexplainable. I, myself, have witnessed my share of it, but at the end of the day, it’s not really about if they exist or not, but rather how you will react when you find out. ” He looked deep into my eyes.

“I honestly don’t know how I will react. If I’m faced with the same vicious creatures as I was fourteen years ago, then I can for sure tell you I’m hauling ass again.” We both fell out laughing. When we calmed down, we grinned at each other.

“You’re a cool person, Creek, and I really dig your vibe.

We always talk whenever we can, but I want to change that.

Let me take you out this weekend. I don’t do boring dates at all; it will be totally original.

All I’m asking for is a chance to get to know you better outside of work,” he stated, then licked those full lips of his that begged me to kiss them.

Sometimes, this man made me speechless, and this was one of those times.

I shook my head and cheesed super hard. “Is that a yes, beautiful?” he asked, looking questioningly at me.

“Yes. I would really like to spend some time with you,” I voiced. He snatched my ass up so fast into his arms. “Damn, you’re strong and your body is much harder than it looks.”

“Oh my, my, my. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear you were flirting with me, Ms. Waters,” he remarked, giving me a sexy smile.

“And what if I am, Mr. Magers?” I responded, biting my bottom lip.

He tightened his arms around my waist, leaned down, and whispered into my ear.

“Then that’s a very smart move, beautiful because I like a woman with a backbone,” Pryde stated, then nibbled on my ear lobe.

A longing and heated feeling swam through me, and I saddled closer to him.

“When you do shit like that, it makes it so hard to be a gentleman.” He leaned in further, and right before those succulent lips touched mine, I felt a smack on my ass.

“Ouch!” I turned around quickly and faced my best friend as I rubbed my cheek.

“Ooh… look at you out here being fast, and Pryde, I can’t believe you. I sent you out here to get her, not seduce her,” Healani sassed with a sly smile.

“I’m sorry, Healani. You know how I get when I’m around Creek,” he admitted shamelessly.

Healani wrapped her arm around mine. “Mmhm. I got my eyes on you. Let’s go, girl! We got some partying to do,” she announced in a cheerful tone. My best friend was absolutely beautiful with her natural tanned skin and long dark brown hair.

“Wait a minute. Creek, I need those digits, beautiful.” Pryde pulled out his phone. I didn’t physically have my phone, so I spouted off my number to him. I picked up my surfboard and turned to him.

“I’m expecting a text from you, handsome.” I started to walk off with Healani.

“No, ma’am. Be expecting a phone call,” he responded, then he pecked his lips in my direction.

Butterflies filled my stomach as Healani and I walked away, laughing like schoolgirls.