Page 24

I’ve packed my Jeep with two boards and the extra bodysuit I got for Olivia. I’m excited to see her, to spend some time alone with her outside of the pressure of having my daughter—of my family and ex—there to create unnecessary tension.

When I arrive though, there are two other people waiting inside of her house with her.

I lift my brow at her in question.

I nod to them both. Ty holds out his hand for a firm shake.

Shawna kisses Olivia’s cheek and drags her boyfriend out to their car.

The small smirk on Olivia’s lips is a clear challenge. “Shawna invited herself after last time, and I couldn’t say no. Besides, she won the gold at the last summer Olympics. You won’t need to babysit her in the water.”

And it seems like they will drive themselves, which is another good idea because I have plans for us when the sun drops.

“I suppose it’s only fair since you were ambushed last time.”

Her smile says I’m right, and she doesn’t feel bad about it at all. Shawna seems like a good friend. I can appreciate that. I like that she’s protective over Olivia. I am too, even if I fouled that up at my sister’s.

I won’t allow that to happen again. I’m not that kind of person, and I am more than willing to put the work in to prove that to her. To prove myself. I want to be worthy of Olivia.

She’s too special not to put the work in for it. For her.

Shawna leans against the side of the car in the driveway, watching us.

“Just an FYI, I didn’t bring enough food for them.”

The way humor lights her up says that I must look as sheepish as I feel.

“You don’t have to worry about that.” She pats the bag under her arm. “My mom and brother packed extra snacks. They never let me go anywhere without something.”

I peer around her to see if they’re in the house, and she catches me, pushing my shoulder and stepping us both out onto the porch. “They’re out. Well, my dad is home, but he’s in his chair and will probably be there all day. It’s his day off.”

The door closes behind her, and her face lifts to mine, I can’t help but brush my fingers over her cheek and along her neck. Pink tints her skin.

“And you don’t want me to meet him?”

Olivia shrugs. “Not yet.”

Her answer drives a sharp little pang in my chest, but I nod. “Maybe when I return you tonight, you’ll change your mind.”

“I look forward to seeing how hard you try to persuade me.” And her gaze turns a little naughty, rekindling the fire low in my gut.

I can’t explain how much room I’ve dug out for her. How it’s my own fault that I can feel the emptiness now.

Shawna interrupts us with a whistle. “Hey, stop mooning over each other and let’s get to the beach. If I have to wet my suit myself, no one is going to be happy.”

Olivia’s smile cracks, and I can’t help but laugh. Her best friend is going to be a hoot to hang out with. I can tell already.

I nod toward my Jeep and reach for her hand as I escort her. She lets me open the door for her and belt her in, even if she’s giving me a knowing smile the entire time. But hey, I have a lot to make up for, and I’m not going to let any opportunity to do so get past me.

The drive to the beach will take us twenty minutes, so I play some low music and preen at how she lets me hold her hand again. When a song she likes comes on, she turns the radio up and sings along at the top of her lungs.

It’s cute. She’s not the best singer, but she’s not making my ears bleed.

Most importantly, her joy comes off of her in waves, and it’s hard to concentrate on my driving when I want to watch her.

After the song is over, I lift her knuckles to my lips for a soft kiss, and revel in how pink her cheeks get.

My muscles relax by the time we pull up to the beach. It’s a perfect day, cold enough that it’s not crowded but warm enough to enjoy the sun and the water and each other.

After we park, I pull out the wet suit for her, and her eyes gleam.

“For me?”

I laugh. “Yes, for you. If I’m going to teach you how to surf, you’re going to want this. It’ll keep you warmer for longer and minimize any scratches and bruises.”

“You might have to help me into it, but I’m sure that’s not going to be a boon for you.”

Waggling my brows at her, I say, “No. Not at all.”

Watching her strip boils my blood, remembering how every inch of skin and curve of her body felt under my hands…

in my bed. The tight, dark green bikini holds her breasts in fairly well, and the bottoms cut high on her thighs, showcasing the shapeliness of them.

It’s hard not to stare at her and how confident she is in her body—in showing it off.

I enjoy how much she ogles me as I strip out of my clothes too.

Shawna keeps up a steady commentary as she pulls her hair up and unloads the things they brought. Ty maintains his strong silence but cracks a few smirks at his girlfriend’s antics. They seem like a stable, solid couple.

“Fuck, Olivia, bounce anymore and you’re going to put his eye out.”

Olivia grabs my shoulders as I get the suit up over her hips and leans in to laugh against my skin. My suit is around my waist. Something I did on purpose to feel her hands on my chest while she keeps her balance.

“I will gladly sacrifice an eye…”

Which only makes her laugh harder. “Don’t say things like that.”

Her palm graces my cheek, but it’s soft and playful as she looks in my eyes, her mouth pressed tight against her amusement.

I lean in and kiss her forehead. “Hold tight. One more tug, and I think we’ll have it. I promise to protect my face.”

We grin at each other, and I give her suit one more good yank, finally sliding the material over her hips. She lets out a sigh and releases her hold on me to slide her arms into the suit sleeves. I finally pull mine the rest of the way on too.

Olivia grabs her bag, the towels, and other extras I brought over to the spot Shawna has chosen. And Ty comes to grab the cooler out of the back of my Jeep.

“Hey. Thanks.”

He sends me a nod. Still silent. I imagine that works well with how talkative and opinionated Shawna is. She’s sitting back on a giant blanket in a bikini, soaking up the sun. Smart move with how cold the water will be. Infuse your skin with warmth to help stabilize.

The waves are crashing with a soft roar, and they’re not too big to be scary.

I set the boards down and place one flat in the sand beside her friend, gesturing Olivia forward. “Come on, let’s get you comfortable with the board before we’re in the water.”

She points a finger at me. “Smart.”

God, she fills me with so much joy. She takes my hands as she climbs on the board. It’s easy to instruct her on proper form. Olivia is a natural. I expected nothing less.

“Feel confident enough to get in the water?”

The gleam in her eyes supports her resounding, “Yes.”

“Good. Let’s strap this on you and get in there.”

She picks up her board, and I grab mine, then we paddle out to wait for a wave.

“Want to watch me first?”

Olivia nods, so when one comes, I paddle up and hop into position, riding the wave near to the shore before paddling back to her.

“Ready?”

She bites her lip. “Yes.”

When a wave comes up, I tell her to take it, and she does, hopping into place, wobbling a little bit, but riding it halfway in before tumbling. I wait for her to resurface, and she’s smart, waiting for the force to pass before popping back up.

I hoot at her, and she turns to me with a grin, red hair splattering her forehead and round cheeks. Beautiful.

She paddles back out, and we spend the next hour riding the waves before we tromp out to eat a small lunch.

Shawna and Ty join us after playing in the water.

Him tossing her into the deeper part of the water in different forms—flips, cannonballs, flies.

Shawna has great form. I can see the Olympic swimmer in her.

Olivia’s comfortable in the water too, and that makes me happy. I love the water. Almost as much as I loved being on the soccer field as a youth. Until I got injured.

We peel the tops of our suits off to eat before I help her struggle out of it completely. She’s giggling on her back as I tug the last few inches off and remove mine.

Shawna leans in beside her, whispering something I can’t hear that renews both of their laughter.

I plop down beside Olivia, and she turns to me, rolling onto her stomach, wet hair gathered at the nape of her neck. Those green eyes fill with mirth as she blinks long lashes up at me. “That was fun.”

Leaning in, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Want to go back in for a swim?”

She nods enthusiastically.

I swat her wet ass with a resounding smack and watch her blush spread down her throat and to her ears. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she likes that. I give her a boost up and chase her into the water.

Her skin is slippery when I catch her before she escapes again. It sends us in circles before I snatch her up by the ankle and tow her into me. Olivia doesn’t hesitate to wrap her legs around my waist and let me hold her close in my lap, keeping us shoulder deep in the water.

“You did well on the board.” I nuzzle her neck, desperately wishing we were alone. Or at least without her friends, because then I could be sure no one is looking too closely at what I’m doing with Olivia.

What I would be doing with her given how an easy tug on her bottoms means full access to her core. Instead, I draw my touch across the lines her suit creates across her skin, up her thigh and hip to her ass.

“You are being naughty, Professor Salazar.”

“Oof, you wound me by using that name.”

But she’s grinning, and I’m smiling back. Such a flirt. I love every second of it.

Olivia leans in to whisper in my ear, her mouth brushing the lobe seductively. “Not interested in a little role-play? Or is that more taboo since you truly are my professor and I’m your student?”

My hands grip her harder as I suck in a breath. “I’m both interested and not bothered by the taboo of it.”

Her laughter tightens and twists the need inside of me, and if I’m not careful, I’ll be sporting a woody when we climb out of the water. Still, I can’t help but play with the strap of her top, running my fingers under the cups, thumb grazing her hard nipples.

“Mmm. I bet you would take me right here if you could.” Her thighs squeeze around my waist with purpose.

“You have no idea the things I would do to you, Liv. Not a fucking clue.” I give her another nuzzle, a nibble under her ear.

Because no matter where we are, I’m reminded how sexy she is. How she makes the space for herself that others don’t want to give. She doesn’t apologize for it.

That’s why the way her hand runs through my hair makes even more space for her in the spot open and waiting for her to agree to fill. Her other hand smooths over my back, shoulder, chest, abs.

“I’m not going to be able to walk out of this water for a good long while with the way you’re touching me.”

Her soft giggle only makes it worse. “I like the way your skin feels. So hot.”

I groan into her shoulder and break myself from this cycle before I do, indeed, get too carried away.

I step us deeper into the water and swing her around.

The laughter and silly fun doesn’t dim my attraction to her one bit, but it staves off the physical reactions enough that we can walk back to the towels and blanket and Olivia’s friends.

More food appears, and I’m dually impressed by the things her brother and mother packed for this. I share the watermelon salad and makings of a charcuterie board with her friends, and the nibbling quiets the rumblings in our stomachs, but I save the treat I brought just for Olivia until later.

When we finally bid goodbye to Shawna and her boyfriend, I settle us back on our towels and pull her down to me. Her damp body presses into mine, and I hook her knee around my waist before I drop my mouth over hers, finally stealing the kiss I’ve been wanting all day.