by Katie Ashley
“I can’t. I just can’t. I’m so sorry,” I sobbed.
“Shh, don’t cry. We knew this might happen,” he said. He tried pulling me into his arms, but I slid out of the bed.
I couldn’t stay there in that beautiful room so full of romance. I jerked up the straps of bra before sliding on my beach cover up. “Where are you going?” Will asked.
“To the beach.”
“But it’s dark out.”
“I’ll be all right,” I said. Without another word to him, I slid on my flip-flops, grabbed a flashlight, and headed out the door.
I hurried across the boardwalk. My steps echoed in the silence surrounding me. When I got to the end, I slipped my shoes off and felt the cool sand between my toes. The wind had picked up. It whipped my hair against my face, making me wish I’d pulled it back into a ponytail. I walked to the edge of the shore and into the water. The waves rushed with a new urgency, and I didn’t miss the subtle irony that a storm must be brewing on the horizon.
I stood in the water up to my knees, letting the waves crash against me. My tears dripped off my cheeks and fell back into the water.
“Mel?”
“I’m here,” I said.
Will stepped over to me. “I got worried about you.” He had a flashlight and blanket in his arms.
“I’m sorry.”
He glanced around. “You should be out here by yourself. What if someone…” he trailed off. Even in the pitch blackness, I knew he was blushing.
“I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t stay in that room. Everything was so perfect, and I ruined it.”
“You didn’t ruin it.”
“Yes, I did. You tried so hard to make it beautiful for me, and I couldn’t.”
His pulled me into his arms and wrapped the blanket around me. “It’s okay, Mel. We don’t have to have sex tonight or the next night or even this week. I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
My only response was to tremble uncontrollably. He sighed. “Come on, let’s get you inside,” he said.
We started back through the sand. “Can’t we sit out here for awhile? It’s so peaceful,” I suggested.
“Whatever you want.”
He took blanket off my arms and spread it on the sand. He sat down first and pulled me back in his arms. When I turned towards him, I pressed my head against his chest. A gentle thump, thump, thump, thump filled my ears. And I remembered; it was my favorite position.
I brought my lips to Will’s. He was cautious and barely kissed me back. But when I raked my hand through his hair and pressed my tongue against his lips, he moaned.
With absolute certainty, I gently pushed him onto his back. I whisked the beach cover-up over my head. Trembling fingers found their way to my bra straps as I slowly pulled them down over my shoulders. The sound of my bra clasp snapping open caused Will to groan. “Mel, don’t you know what you’re doing to me?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
“Am I making you want me?” I asked.
“Yes, oh God, yes.”
I smiled. “Good, cause I want you, too.”
He rose up on his elbows. “Out here?”
“Umm, hmm.”
“Even after what happened tonight?”
“Umm, hmm.”
When I brought my hands to his shorts, he fell back against the blanket. He didn’t question me anymore. Instead, he gave in, and so did I.
***
We stayed out on the beach all night. I wanted to conquer another first—seeing the sun rise over the ocean. I felt it would be the perfect end to such a wonderful night.
And it had been wonderful…several times.
But the voice of doubt that still mocked me from time to time was afraid the sun might be blotted out by the clouds. Then the perfect image of a beach sunrise would be ruined. Then the storms would blow in. I figured Will and I would be stuck inside the rest of the day, but that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
As the streaks came across the sky, it wasn’t as brilliant as it could’ve been. But it at least it was there—consistent and true. It made me think of mine and Will’s love. There would always be dark clouds that hung over us—threatening to block out our love. But no matter what happened, our love would still be there—trying to shine through whatever dark times came.
Visit Katie Ashley’s website, www.katieashleybooks.com, to stay up to date on her upcoming events and new releases.
Katie Ashley is the New York Times Best-Selling author of The Proposition. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her two very spoiled dogs and one outnumbered cat. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Supernatural, Veronica Mars, Designing Women, and Scooby-Doo.
She spent 11 1/2 years educating the Youth of America aka teaching MS and HS English until she left to write full time in December 2012.
She also writes Young Adult fiction under the name Krista Ashe.
Thanks to God for his love, support, and staying with me in the dark times.
For my students of LMS, CMS, CVHS, AMS, and CHS: Thanks for inspiring me every day of my eleven year teaching career. Your laughter, your angst, your support, your love, and your mischief made my life better. Thanks for letting me being your Dead Poet’s Society Mr. Keating. I am forever touched and changed by each and every one of you.
To my critique partners: Kelli Maine, Emily Snow, and Michelle Valentine: Thank you for believing in this manuscript for the last three years. Thank you for making the book better, forcing me to dig deeper into the story, and for being willing to read numerous drafts! Golden Girls Book Tour 4-Ever
To Jennifer Smalley Wood—for your unfailing support and friendship over the years. For never forgetting Nets and Lies as your “favorite” manuscript even after your initial reading three years ago. Thanks for being willing to look at its reincarnations!! In all areas of my writing career, your cheerleading, support, and optimism have meant so, so much!!
To Hayley Vorholt for your Eagle Eyes and plot magic. Thanks for helping me make the story even better than I thought it could be. Your friendship and support both personally and professionally means so much to me. CF gals forever!!
To early readers Rebecca Rogers, Hannah Wylie, Rachele Mielke, and Debra Driza. Yes, it might have been years ago, but Nets and Lies would have never made it to this stage without you!! Big hugs and thanks for being amazing critique partners!!
To Michelle Eck for being “My Captain, My Captain” in all business savvy! But most of all for your friendship and your support!! BIG HUGS AND LOVE!!
Thanks to JB McGee for formatting help and being my master designer!! Also for your friendship.
To Cris Soriega Hadarly for your amazing support, friendship, and love. I couldn’t make it without you luvvie!!
Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Melanie
Chapter Two: Jordan
Chapter Three: Melanie
Chapter Four: Melanie
Chapter Five: Jordan
Chapter Six: Jordan
Chapter Seven: Melanie
Chapter Eight: Jordan
Chapter Nine: Melanie
Chapter Ten: Jordan
Chapter Eleven: Jordan
Chapter Twelve: Melanie
Chapter Thirteen: Jordan
Chapter Fourteen: Melanie
Chapter Fifteen: Melanie
Chapter Sixteen: Jordan
Chapter Seventeen: Melanie
Chapter Eighteen: Melanie
Chapter Nineteen: Jordan
Chapter Twenty: Melanie
Chapter Twenty-One: Melanie
Chapter Twenty-Two: Jordan
Chapter Twenty-Three: Melanie
About the Author
Acknowledgements
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