by Krissy V
“Dakota fucking Ryan, as Keaton calls her.” I can’t stop laughing; this is just too funny. I pull her into a hug. “It’s fine, Scarlett. Go meet her and we will catch up later.”
It’s about an hour before the competition starts and it looks like Keaton is in the middle of all the surfers. Scarlett walks over to where we’re sitting with the stunning Dakota. She isn’t my type, of course, but I can see her appeal.
“Is it okay if we sit with you?” Scarlett asks.
“Of course it is. Hey, Dakota,” I say, indicating for them to sit down.
They sit in front of us and I keep touching Scarlett’s shoulder, just so she knows I’m still here. Keaton is due up next and we’re all getting excited.
He looks fantastic paddling out to catch the right wave. I am so proud of him and he knows that if he doesn’t win today, we will always back him.
As he jumps on his board, we all stand to watch his every move. I don’t understand all the different terminology or sayings that the surfers seem to use, but what I do know is that Keaton is kicking the waves’ arse. He looks amazing and he’s staying on his board much longer than the others who have surfed before him.
Dakota is jumping up and down and shouting his name as much as Scarlett is. He gets perfect scores, but it isn’t until after the last one has surfed that we get really excited. Even though surfing is all about skill, it’s also about catching the perfect waves, and sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t want to play ball.
They are announcing the winners and we’re all so excited when we hear Keaton’s name being called for winning overall.
“Go on, Keaton!” I scream, I can’t wait to hug him. He’s my brother and I’m so proud of him right now. Even Scarlett and Dakota are jumping up and down with joy.
When Keaton has finished talking to everyone, he wanders over to us, but his face falters when he realises Dakota is with us.
“What the fuck are you doing here? Isn’t it bad enough that you have to breathe the same air as me, let alone stand with my family? What the fuck, Dakota?”
“Keaton!” Mum shouts at him, but Keaton can’t see anyone else around him except Dakota.
She is getting mad as she moves closer to him. She is shaking her head and I think I see tears in her eyes. All of a sudden Scarlett stands between the two of them with Dakota at her back and pushes Keaton. “Keaton James, I may have only known you a few days, but this is not the Keaton I know. What the fuck is your problem? Dakota is my friend. I am dating your brother.” I smile when she says that. Yes, she sure is dating me. “I’m going to be around you and family for a long time, so you need to get used to being in the company of my friends as well. You did a lot for me this week and I’m eternally grateful. Why don’t you try showing Dakota that side of you and she might stop thinking you’re an arsehole. Mind you, right now, you are being an arsehole!”
Keaton stumbles backwards. I start clapping, and if I didn’t know it already, then that moment sealed the deal for me. I’m falling in love with Scarlett faster than the speed of sound.
Keaton looks at me, and then Zac, Ainsley, and my parents start clapping. “Well said, Scarlett. And well done, Keaton. Scarlett is right though. Dakota was cheering you on to win out there. She doesn’t deserve your behaviour,” Mum says.
He looks at Dakota. “Sorry,” he says and then stomps away like a spoilt child.
I start laughing; I just can’t help myself.
“I think I’d better go. Scarlett, it was great to see you, and if you stay with this handsome devil,” Dakota says smiling at me, “then I will see a lot more of you. Give me a ring in the week and let’s catch up.”
“For sure,” Scarlett says, grabbing my hand.
Dakota leaves and Scarlett turns to my parents. “Sorry for my outburst, but he really pissed me off.” She looks down to the floor.
“Scarlett, someone needed to put Keaton in his place and you just did. Well done, and don’t be sorry. He is always an arsehole when Dakota is around.” Mum says, laughing.
“Yeah, baby. Don’t worry about Keaton. He will probably get really drunk tonight. That’s what usually happens when they’ve been around each other. Let’s go. We’re going to Mixology tonight.”
I take her hand and help her onto my bike. Before I put the helmet on for her, I lean forward and kiss her. “You’re sexy when you’re angry. I might just make you mad to see you being angry.” I chuckle.
“Fuck off, Hunter,” she says, laughing. She sticks her tongue out at me and I take it into my mouth. I devour her. God, I want her so bad. When I pull away, I say, “I am going to fuck you hard when we get home and then we’re going out.” I put the helmet on her head before she can answer and climb on the bike in front of her.
She puts her arms around my waist and holds me tight, and I can feel her breathing on my back. Then she reaches down and squeezes my cock which makes it hard instantaneously. “'Til later,” she says. Laughing, I start the bike and set off home.
Epilogue
SCARLETT
We’re going to Hunter’s parents’ home for Sunday dinner. I know I’ve met them a few times, but I’m still nervous about having dinner with them. It’s been six weeks since I met the James family and my life has changed so much. I practically moved in with Hunter from the moment we started dating. Neither of us wanted to be apart for long and I never seemed to go home. He has met my parents and they love him. Let’s be honest though; what’s not to love about him? He’s gorgeous, talented, funny and he has his own business. But more than that, he is so good for me, and so good to me. I’ve never been looked after as much as he looks after me. He can’t do enough for me and I love it.
Sunday dinner at his parents’ is a really big thing. Not that it’s formal, but the whole family has to be there. This is the first time an ‘outsider’ has been invited and I’m shitting myself.
“Hunter, do I look all right?” I ask him for the umpteenth time.
“Baby, you look gorgeous, but you know that. I’ve told you already. What are you panicking about? You’ve met my whole family lots of times. You even stood up to Keaton, which was the highlight of my life. You’ll be fine. Come on. It’s time to go.” He leans down and kisses me. Just enough for me to be left wanting more, but knowing I won’t get a release until later tonight.
“Come on then. Let’s do this,” I say, dragging him by the arm out of the apartment.
When we climb off the bike, the nerves set in again, but I take a deep breath and pull up my big girl pants. Hunter opens the door to his parents. “Hi. I’m home,” he shouts as he turns to wink at me.
We walk through into the conservatory where Zac, Keaton, and Ainsley are already sitting with their parents. I take a seat and I’m handed a glass of prosecco.
“We’re just waiting for Skylar then we can have dinner,” his mum, Verity asks.
The door opens and Skylar shouts, “I’m here! Where’s the food?”
Everyone laughs. Skylar is the quietest of the family and the one person I haven’t interacted with much. He was there for me in the hospital and I hope - if he ever needs any help - that he knows I would do anything for him.
We sit down for dinner, which is gorgeous. The banter is fun around the table.
“So, Hunter, what’s going on with you this week?” his Verity asks.
“Not much. We’re busy in the bar. The singles week was a huge success and we’re trying to work out when to do another one and what to do next to draw the same crowds in.”
“Great. What about you, Keaton?”
“I’ve had some down time, but I’ll be back on dawn patrol soon enough. The UK Championship is in a few weeks so I’m going to be taking some time out from Mixology to concentrate on surfing for the last couple of weeks.”
“That’s great, Keaton. You know we’re behind you every step of the way.” She smiles at him.
“So is Dakota,” Zac says, laughing.
“Watch it Zac,” Keaton says. It’s so fun
ny how he gets when anyone talks about Dakota. He hates her with such a passion that if I didn’t know him better, I’d say he was in love with her.
“Zac, what about you?” Verity asks.
“Well, my mates went back home and they keep trying to get me to go back to fighting …”
“No fucking way,” Keaton and Hunter say at the same time.
“Don’t worry, I’m not interested in doing that anymore. They just aren’t listening to me. Other than that, I’ve only been in the gym and working at Mixology. A quiet week for me too. I haven’t had to throw anyone out for a long time.” He laughs.
“Thank God for that,” Hunter says.
Verity laughs. “Ainsley, you’re being quiet and spending a lot of time on your phone. What’s going on with you?”
Ainsley looks like she’s been caught out. Like a deer in the headlights. She stuffs her phone in her pocket.
“Erm… nothing much going on. Keeping busy with the accounts and stuff. Not much time for anything else, to be honest.”
I feel sorry for Ainsley. She has four really protective brothers watching over her. Any guy that goes near her is chased off before they get within an inch of her.
“Skylar, what about you son?” Jack asks.
“Not much here either. I’ve been checking out some new software and some new lights, but will let you all know after I make a decision.”
Skylar keeps himself to himself. I wouldn’t be able to tell you what he gets up to outside of Mixology as I never see him. He doesn’t come up to Hunter’s apartment much and I only see him at the bar.
We’re on the coffee after a heavenly dinner and even better dessert.
“Scarlett, what’s been happening with you this week?” Verity asks me.
I’m shocked. I’m not family. “Me?”
She laughs. “Yes. You’re here for Sunday dinner. That means we get to hear what you’ve been up to as well.”
I feel myself blush.
I look around the table and see everyone smiling at me. Hunter nods his head for me to go on. “Erm… well, work has been busy and I’ve been helping Ainsley with some of the admin at Mixology. I really enjoy it and look forward to doing more.”
“Yeah, you’ve been a great help. Wish we could take you on full time,” Ainsley says, smiling at me.
“That’s not a bad idea, Ains,” Hunter says, looking at his sister.
“I know. I’m clever, you know? I don’t like letting any responsibility go to a stranger, but there is more and more work involved with running the bar. You’re okay at helping, Hunter, but your organizational skills leave a lot to be desired. Scarlett has already shown what she is capable of doing. With her working at the law firm, she understands a lot of the jargon that I don’t understand.”
“Are you guys offering me a job?” I ask, surprised.
Hunter looks at Ainsley and his brothers. They all nod. “Looks like it, baby. Do you want to be a part of the Mixology team?”
He looks so sweet watching me try to make a decision in my mind. “I … I think I’d like that.”
They all smile and cheer and there is another glass of prosecco that comes out of nowhere.
When we get back to Hunter’s apartment, we stand on the balcony, looking out to sea. It’s become our favourite spot. Hunter has his arms wrapped tight around my waist and he’s holding me close. He leans down and kisses my neck. “I love you, Scarlett,” he says. I hold my breath. “You’ve come into my life and turned it upside down, but in the best way possible. I never want to go back to my life before you came along. I floated along, just existing, but not living. Now, I’m living the dream.
“I love you too, Hunter. That night I met you led to the craziest week in my life. But I would do it all again just to meet you.”
Acknowledgments
There are always too many people to acknowledge and I always know that I will forget someone important. Sorry!
I try to think of one or two people who helped me with each book and I wanted to give a special shout out to Kirsty-Anne Still of Designs by Kirsty-Anne Still. She helped me with the cover. I gave her free range to do what she wanted along the ‘Cocktail’ theme with neon sign etc. I think she has done a marvellous job and am so happy with the whole series of covers. Thank you so much for bringing my visions to life with your amazing talent.
About the Author
I hated English at school! Really hated it! I gave up on English Literature in fourth year because I hated writing stories; couldn’t make them up to save my life. I hated writing precis and I was horrendous at grammar. Having lived in Norway when I was younger, English was my second language.
When I received my iPad six years ago I started reading on the kindle app and wrote to an author about how much I enjoyed her book. That opened up the whole Facebook author world to me. I started reviewing books (ironic, right?) and then started beta reading (even more ironic) after pointing out some big mistakes in a book plot I was reviewing before release.
I realised I had a story in me, yeah I know everyone says that, but I really believed I did. Thirteen books later …. Welcome to the world of Krissy V!
For More Information:
www.krissyvauthor.com
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