Rush: The Riptide Series Book #1

by Brooke Page

  I didn’t deserve a normal life, but I wanted one with her.

  The revelation sent a chill through me. My knees felt weak, the tremble caused me to rest my hands on the counter. One evening on a beach with a woman shouldn’t make the ground shake beneath me.

  “You should come and teach Lauren how to kite surf,” Marcy implied, her eyes passing between Lauren and me.

  I held my breath, reaching for a folder with invoices, appearing to look passive. My heart sent shock waves through my body, anticipating what her reaction would be to spending time with me.

  “You don’t have to do that,” she mumbled, fumbling with a stack of surf wax. “I’m sure you’re busy.”

  Tucker rubbed both of his eyes with his palms. “After I nurse this hangover, I’ll teach you.”

  “She’d be safer in a shark tank,” Colt joked, removing himself from Marcy to grab a box from the backroom.

  Tucker glared at Colt, then laid his hands on his arms as though they were a pillow on the counter top. “I’ll have her standing up in no time.”

  “Yeah, standing on a reef under the water.”

  Clearing my throat, I finally interrupted their bickering. “I’ll teach you.”

  Her eyes darted to me, softening along with her facial features. A ghost of a smile appeared on her lips, and my heart pounded in my chest. She wanted me to teach her.

  “Only if you have time,” her voice was low, an unsure invitation.

  “Tucker can handle closing the shop.” I moved passed her to my office holding a file of invoices. “I can bring you back to YaYa’s afterwards.”

  I sat down in my chair, tossing the folder on my desk and firing up my desktop to check the weather. Every morning I’d take a peek to see what the winds were like. Today was going to be a calm day, not fun for me, but perfect for teaching.

  “Don’t feel like you have to teach me.” Lauren was standing in the doorway, her bottom lip pinched by her teeth with her arms crossed around her body. The way her blonde hair was swiped to one shoulder elongated her neck, causing my lips to imagine what her pulse point would taste like.

  I had to shift in my seat, my cock stirring at the idea of kissing her throat. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to.”

  She glanced over her shoulder toward the counter where Tucker was resting. “You sure it’s not because Tucker offered?”

  Containing my frown was impossible. “Why would that bother me?”

  Her apprehension turned into a grin. Without answering me, she turned, her hips swaying as she sashayed away. Now my shorts were tight and uncomfortable. Why was this girl making me insane with lust?

  Taking a deep breath, I worked on finances for an hour. It wasn’t easy with the door open, because Lauren decided to re-organize a display of surf leashes. I couldn’t peel my eyes from her. She was so lean and athletic, her skin barely kissed by the sun. My fantasies ran wild when she’d toss her hair from shoulder to shoulder, wondering what it would look like against her bare back. I wanted to curl it around my wrist and give it a good tug.

  Yeah. My dirty mind wasn’t helping my cock settle down.

  Then my phone rang, and the name on the screen instantly pulled my thoughts from the gutter.

  Standing, I gently closed my office door, giving Lauren a small smile when she turned her head in my direction.

  Hitting the answer button, I took a deep breath preparing to talk. The voice on the other end beat me to it. “We’re getting closer. Has he picked a selling date?”

  “No. We meet on Tuesday night. He’ll discuss buying times and client necessities. He’s very specific about the women. Vultures won’t take just anyone.”

  Riley breathed into the phone. “Have you found a girl yet?”

  My hand gripped the back of my neck. “Sort of. When will the FBI intervene?”

  “As soon as we have evidence.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  Riley was quiet for a moment, then broke the silence. “We won’t make the call until deals are made. Then we can bust all of them.”

  I paced in my office. If I did use Lauren to help bring down Marcus, I’d have to wait until the last minute to bring her into the Nest. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself with what Marcus’s filthy henchmen would do to her before putting her up for sale.

  “I’m working on it. I’ll know more by Tuesday.”

  “I’ll bug you before.”

  I shook my head. “They take all electronics from us before. You’ll blow my cover.”

  Riley was silent again. “Fine. Call me the moment you’re out.”

  “Always do.” I hung up the phone, tossing it on my desk. We were close, and I had the key standing behind my office door.

  Chapter Ten

  Lauren

  “Let me tell Vance we’re ready to head out.” Colt finished helping a customer, then cruised toward Vance’s office. He hadn’t opened the door in three hours. I was beginning to wonder if he was avoiding going to the beach with us. His initial reaction to join us was hesitant.

  “I don’t think he wants to go,” I whispered to Marcy.

  She gave me a lopsided grin. “Doubt it.”

  “He’s been checking you out all day,” Colt added, kissing Marcy as he passed by us.

  Like he would have noticed. He and Marcy had been too busy playing grab ass.

  “I bet he’s trying to get work done so he doesn’t feel guilty for leaving. This is his business after all.”

  “It’s his dad’s,” Tucker interrupted. “Vance doesn’t own this place.”

  Tucker obviously didn’t like Vance as much as Colt did.

  Colt knocked on the door, waiting for Vance to acknowledge him. After a beat, he opened it. He looked stressed, his eyes heavy and mouth in a straight line.

  “We’re going to head out. I’m going to grab some stuff for Marcy. Want me to pack the beginner kite for Lauren?”

  Vance searched Colt's face for a moment, then his eyes found me. He was staring, contemplating what to say. I hated being an obligation.

  “No, I’ll get her stuff. Take what you need for Marcy. We’ll meet you.”

  “Sounds good.” Colt turned to Marcy. “Let’s get you some gear, baby.”

  She giggled and took his hand, following him into the back room. They left almost instantly after grabbing supplies.

  Vance stood in his office, rubbing his eyes with his palms.

  “You don’t have to show me today. I know you have a lot of work to do.”

  His hands dropped to his sides. “The weather is perfect for learning. Just give me five minutes. Why don’t you pick a pair of booties and a rash guard, not sure if you’ll make it into the water today, but we might as well be prepared.”

  “Rash guard?”

  Vance furrowed his brows, then straightened them in realization. “I forget you’re not a surfer.” He pointed to a rack on the other side of the store. “The women’s sizes are over there. I’d start with a long sleeve one.”

  Blushed in embarrassment, I turned to look at the rack.

  “I’ll help,” Tucker offered, rising from his chair. Vance laid a hand on his shoulder, forcing him down and then throwing a small box on the counter. “You, my friend, can price tag.”

  Tucker glared at Vance, and I held in my snicker. Vance really didn’t like Tucker showing me attention. It was a first. No man had ever shown dominance toward me in that way. It was kind of hot.

  Skimming through the shirts, I picked out a hot pink one with white sleeves. The fabric was smooth and elastic. It wouldn’t be forgiving and would stick tight to my body. Guess that was the point.

  Vance joined me, wearing board shorts and a t-shirt. “Grab a suit too. The beach we’re going to is in the opposite direction as YaYa’s.”

  “I can’t do that,” I said timidly, glancing at the price tags.

  Vance noticed, ripping the tag off the shirt I’d been eyeing. “Don’t worry about the price.”


  “Yeah, they’re all marked up ridiculously anyway,” Tucker huffed from across the shop.

  Vance shot him a glare, then gave me a grin.

  Giving in, I grabbed a matching hot pink bikini. I normally wore tankinis, but nothing like that was in the store. Didn’t matter, the rash guard would cover most of my skin anyway.

  “You can change in my office,” Vance offered. “I’ll pack up the kites and boards.”

  I nodded, finding his office and closing the door gently.

  His space was tidy, not how I’d expect a man’s office to look. Papers were stacked neatly and organized. I glanced at them, remembering YaYa’s remarks. Nothing about his office looked suspicious.

  Stripping from my clothes, I put on the tight fabric. I was right, no room to breathe. I’d never been more thankful for my naturally slender frame. Slipping my shorts on over the bottoms, I noticed a photo taped to the lower left side of his computer screen. It was of a young boy and a woman, sitting in the sand, the sunset in the background.

  My heart filled with warmth. It must have been Vance and his mother. I skimmed the back of his desk, curious if he had any other photos, but no such luck. No sign of his father. YaYa’s comments were biting at my conscious now.

  Grabbing my tank top from the floor and slipping my sandals back on, I left Vance’s office, only to be greeted by a pouting Tucker.

  “Something wrong?”

  Tucker stared at his feet. “I was hoping to show you how to kite surf.”

  A small smile played on my lips. “Tucker, you’re really nice and all, but this,” I pointed between him and me, “won’t ever be something more than a friendship.”

  His eyes darted to mine, a frown forming on his lips. “You haven’t even given me a chance.”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “Sometimes a girl just knows.”

  His lip went lopsided. “Oh, but you’ll give Vance a shot?”

  “This is how Vance is paying me for working at his shop all day. I’m not looking for love right now, Tucker.”

  Tucker muttered under his breath. “Neither was I.”

  My brows pinched together as he went back to the counter. Now I was really glad I never gave him a chance.

  “Ready?” Vance was standing in the doorway behind the register.

  I nodded, following behind him through the backroom filled with boxes and other merchandise ready to be stocked and priced.

  “If you need more help organizing, I wouldn’t mind coming tomorrow.” Vance glanced over his shoulder as we took the steps out the back entrance. “Why would you want to work on your vacation?”

  “I could use some extra cash.” And so could my mother. Sending her money would keep her from pestering me and away from the dangerous jobs she’d fulfill to get extra money on her own.

  We reached a black truck. “We could work something out.” He stood on the passenger side holding his hand out for me to take.

  I eyed it for a moment, then cautiously took it. His hand wrapped around my fingers, his thumb brushing across my palm. Taking a sharp breath, I stood there, not sure why he took my hand, but enjoyed the contact. He didn’t say anything, only stared at me.

  “Did you want to drive or…?” Vance slowly asked, his eyes moving back and forth from me to the truck.

  Red crept on my face. He was taking my hand to help me into the truck, not to hold it.

  You’re a moron, Lauren.

  “Right, sorry.” I hopped inside, my hand shaking with embarrassment as I attempted to click my seatbelt.

  Vance jumped in the driver side, cool as a cucumber. He slid on a pair of Ray-bans then set his hand on my headrest as he backed out of the parking lot.

  I shouldn’t have been affected by his fingers brushing my shoulder. I’d craved his touch all day. Whenever he’d pass by, I secretly wished he’d run his hand along my back, shoulder, hip… For the first time, I wanted what Marcy had. A man not afraid to show affection.

  I wasn’t afraid of Vance like I was of other men. There was a gentle side to him, and I couldn’t wait to see more of it.

  Removing his hand from my seat, he brushed my skin again, then placed his elbow on his armrest. He flexed his hand, causing the veins in his forearm to pop. Even the way he sat relaxed in his seat, his strong thighs nearly touching the dashboard. I sucked in a breath of air.

  Was everything on this man attractive?

  Needing to focus on something besides what Vance was capable of doing to my body just by sitting next to me, I tried to find something to talk about. “So… how hard is it?”

  He scratched his jaw. “Kite surfing? You want me to be honest?”

  “That easy, huh?”

  He grinned. “Depends on the wind. You might hate it during training.”

  “Why would I hate it?”

  Vance tilted his head, scanning my body. “The wind is strong. You have to be able to keep up with it.”

  “Are you implying I’m not strong?”

  Bringing his head back to focus on the road, he smirked. “No, the wind is just stronger.”

  ***

  “I’m surprised Marcy and Colt aren’t here yet.” I held my hand to my forehead, searching the fairly empty beach. There was only one couple off in the distance strolling along the shore. Other than them and the fishing boat a half a mile out, we were the only ones around.

  Vance handed me two bags from the back of his truck then carried two boards. “Are you really surprised?”

  I blushed, knowing what he was insinuating. “They might have made a stop or two,” I said quietly, following him along the beach. “Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t show at all.”

  Vance chuckled. “You might be right.”

  Once we were close to the shore, the wind picked up more than where we had parked. I was beginning to wonder if it were too strong by noticing how the waves had grown in size and how my hair was whipping across my face.

  Vance set down the boards and took the bags with the kites from me. “You’re going to practice with a small kite on the beach first.”

  I waited patiently while he pulled a red and black kite from the bag. After he placed the kite on the ground, he gave me another direction. “Throw some sand on the edges so she doesn’t fly away.”

  I did as he instructed, one eye on my task while the other watched him untangle lines of rope that were connected to the kite. After I was done, I approached him attaching the lines to a hook. He held them in one hand, then reached for a strap on the ground. “Here, wrap this around your waist. Make the eye loop in front.”

  “Like this?” I asked, latching the hooks tightly around my stomach. He nodded, pulling on the loop. I was caught off guard, my breath hitching as I took a step forward.

  He smirked at me. “Stronger than the wind, remember?”

  My gaze found my feet.

  After latching the strings to my waist, Vance’s hand grabbed my chin, lifting my face to meet his. “Teacher’s up here,” he gently re-directed my attention. “You can do this.”

  I offered him a small smile, and he returned one. Dropping his hand from my chin, he circled so he was behind me. “The first thing you need to do, is think of your kite being a clock. When it’s straight in front of you, the kite should be hovering at twelve. Tilt it to the left, you’re at eleven. Get it?”

  “Yes,” I whispered, well aware of his proximity.

  “I’m going to get the kite in the air. I want you to keep it at twelve.”

  He moved from behind me, walking the twenty feet to the kite, lifting it for the wind to catch. As soon as the wind got a hold of it, the kite shot up in the air, jolting my entire body forward. I squealed, surprised by the force, taking a few steps forward. My hands reached for the string, looking for stability. Vance jogged toward me, a smirk on his face.

  “You didn’t fall over. Good job.”

  My brows furrowed as I strengthened my stance, trying to control the kite that clearly had a mind of its own.
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br />   “Grab the bar,” Vance instructed, helping to hold it in place. Duh.

  “I don’t know why I didn’t grab that at first,” I said through gritted teeth, taking a moment to toss my hair over my shoulder so it was out of my way. I knew I should have brought a hair tie.

  Once I had a hold of the bar, Vance circled behind me again. “Let’s try something. Sit down.”

  Holding onto the bar with all my might, I began to sit, only to pause when I felt Vance’s hands on my hips. He guided me down, his own body straddling behind me. His legs brushed the outsides of mine as I continued to find the sand. We were close, his pelvis touching the small of my back. I held my breath as his arms came around me to grab hold of the bar. “I’m only going to help you get the hang of it, now that you’ve battled with the wind.”

  I gulped, my eyes focusing on the bulge of his biceps aligned next to my scrawny ones.

  The kite dipped, and the muscles on Vance’s arms tightened. “Don’t make me do all of the work,” he teased. His breath tickled my ear, sending shockwaves throughout my body. He was so close, I could feel his strong chest pressed against my back.

  “Okay, I’m going to move the kite from twelve to one, then I want you to try on your own.” His arms rotated slightly, controlling the kite with ease.

  “You’re turn,” he murmured against my ear. “I’ll keep one hand on the bar, but you steer.” Taking a deep breath, I slowly moved my arms as he did, dipping it lower than I intended to.

  His free arm snaked around my waist, his palm flattening against my stomach. “Use your core, not just your arms.”

  I couldn’t breathe. My chest rose rapidly from his firm touch. I straightened my back, becoming vertical against him. His hand stayed put on my stomach, his thumb slowly beginning to caress the fabric of my shirt. The rise and fall of his breathing molded with my back.