by Brooke Page
In, out, in, out, in, out… my nostrils flared with each deep breath, my steps picking up in speed with each pace in the sand. My skin itched, my t-shirt feeling like it was suffocating me. Marcus made me feel dirty and slimy, like I needed to scrub every inch of my skin twenty times before I felt like a halfway decent human being. It never helped, I’d always feel like a scumbag helping to demolish an evil operation in the most sinister way.
I was sprinting now, choking back the emotion that was clawing up my throat. Ripping off my shirt, I clenched it in my hand, pumping my arms as I powered through the sand. My whole body burned, my sweat doing nothing to cool my hot skin. The thumping of my blood in my ears rang louder and louder, only slightly distracting me from my damaged thoughts.
Find a Dove. Bring her to the Cage. Somehow avoid seeing her preparation for the sale. Hope to God whoever she was wouldn’t have devastating trauma for the rest of her life.
Yeah, right, no trauma… it was bound to happen. I was fucked, no easy way to get out of the mess I was born into.
And fuck if Marcus got a hold of Lauren. I’d kill him. I’d forgo my contract with the FBI and blow his brains out after torturing him. Because the thought of anyone touching Lauren made all the pain and guilt I carried with me every day multiply.
Stopping along the water's edge after who knows how long I’d sprinted, I planted my hands on top of my head, trying to catch my breath, inhaling as if I could smell Lauren’s wonderful scent. Being close to her would calm my nerves. The woman who held the power to ease my racing heart deserved the world, not a life filled with misery and self-doubt.
I wouldn’t let him take her.
She needed to realize she had a life worth living. Even if that meant I couldn’t be in it.
Chapter Fourteen
Lauren
Marcy and Colt were wrapped in each other's arms in the back of my car, the tiny two-door Neon making it impossible for me not to feel Colt’s knee press into the seat every time Marcy snuck her hand down his pants.
How did I know she was doing this? Because it was Marcy, and I could see Colt’s eyes rolling backward in the rearview window the moment I felt his knee jerk.
“Where do you two want me to drop you off?” I sighed, turning onto the road leading to the strip of The Shore.
“Want to go back to your place?” Marcy asked in Colt’s ear, her hand caressing his chest. “I mean, only if you want to come to, Lauren.”
I smiled to myself. Marcy wouldn’t ditch me for a guy, but at the same time, I knew when my presence wasn’t needed. “I think you two could use some alone time.”
“Nah, we can all chill together,” Colt studdard, his voice hitching.
Jesus, Marcy, give the guy a break.
“Really, I’m okay with going to bed. I was planning on helping Vance at the shop tomorrow morning anyway.”
I frowned when I thought of Vance. I was stoked when he gave us tickets to see a concert in the city. We watched the sunset nearly every night since my first kite surfing lesson slash make-out session, but he’d leave me with Marcy and Colt to go work. I helped him at his shop a few days, which was good because he was swamped. The stress was obvious in his eyes, and I thought the concert was going to be his way to relax and spend some time with me. Until I realized there were only three tickets. He apologized, saying he was behind on the books for the shop. He was so driven for a guy in his mid-twenties who wore board shorts and t-shirts every day.
I still pondered why YaYa didn’t like him. He was such a hard worker. Maybe she thought he was shady with his business, or maybe Marcy was right about YaYa not liking any males. Vance was always gentle and kind when he was with me. Maybe his father was just the bad guy, and Vance got a bad reputation because of it.
“Maybe Vance would want to watch a movie with us at your place?” Marcy purred, running her finger down Colt’s sternum.
“Nah, I think he works pretty late and catches up on Tuesdays. Why don’t we hang on the beach tonight? We can have a bonfire.” Colt tapped my shoulder. “YaYa would probably like that better anyways. You two can check in with her.”
I smiled, thinking the idea was great. Colt had been trying to kiss YaYa’s ass ever since she yanked Marcy from underneath him. I found his attempts endearing, and wondered if Vance would ever try to make amends for whatever reason they had bad vibes between each other.
I hoped Marcy would agree to Colt’s plan. I could sit by the fire for a few seconds then sneak back to YaYa’s since the beach fire pit was across from her house. That way they could be alone, and I wouldn’t have to watch them suck-face all night.
Turning on my blinker, I strolled down the strip, pulling under the car port behind YaYa’s station wagon. It was quarter to midnight. No way was I going to stay by that fire for long.
“I’ll go tell YaYa we’re home and are heading down to the beach. She might be annoyed, but whatever.” Marcy ran up the stairs while Colt and I began stacking firewood in the beat-up radio flyer wagon.
“How’d you ditch Tucker tonight?” I asked Colt.
He grinned. “He wanted to come, but Vance told him no. He needed to stay back and work with him.”
I couldn’t contain my smile. Warmth filled me from head to toe. I knew he didn’t like when Tucker was around me. That had to mean something.
“Do you think…” I started to ask, but then stopped.
“What?”
I took a deep breath, “Do you think he’s still at the shop?” I knew I was tired, but I had the urge to see him.
“Yeah,” Colt said nonchalantly, brushing his hands on his thighs after loading the last piece of wood. His eyes searched my face. “You’re not thinking of visiting him tonight, are you?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “It is pretty late…”
His voice was stern. “Don’t go over there.”
My brows crinkled. “Okay?”
He clenched his jaw, watching for Marcy. “He takes his business very seriously. He’ll probably be cranky and put you in a bad mood.”
He smiled to lighten the tone, but the anxiety of his voice made me believe it was something else. Maybe he wasn’t alone? The idea crushed me. I knew we weren’t by any means dating, but I thought we made a connection the other night. Maybe Vance was just another surfer boy who only cared about the beach and nothing else.
“All clear. YaYa’s asleep on the couch.” Marcy practically ran down the steps holding a small cooler. “I’ve got some drinks.”
I shook my head at her stealth. “YaYa has to know you keep that hidden under your bed.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “She hasn’t scolded me yet. Let’s go!”
Marcy skipped across the street, looping her arm with mine. I had to jog alongside her to keep up while Colt dragged the wagon full of wood behind us.
Passing through the tall grass, we hit the sand, and my heart was happy. Although, I frowned when I looked toward the sky, sad the clouds were covering the beauty of the stars. I hoped I could at least gaze while Marcy and Colt cuddled in their own world.
“Who’s out there?” Marcy asked, pointing toward the shore once we passed the grass. A man was standing with his hands above his head looking out toward the water. His frame was familiar, causing my heart to beat faster.
“Hey, Vancy!” Colt yelled, causing the shadow’s head to turn. It must have been him, and I couldn’t help but be drawn toward him.
He moved my way, only to turn back to the water. My eyes widened once I got closer, realizing he was shirtless and wearing only a pair of navy board shorts. He was toned like an athlete and not a bodybuilder, with narrow hips and defined shoulders.
“Hey,” I greeted cautiously, not wanting to startle him.
Clearing his throat, he greeted me. “Hey, how was the concert?”
The worry that he didn’t want me to see washed away. “Amazing. Thanks again for the tickets.”
His eyes were focused on the water. The waves were calm tonight, but
hummed in our ears as they crashed against the shore.
Something was off about him. “Did you get your work done?”
Sweat was dripping down his neck as if he had been running. Finally, he turned to me. “Not as much as I wanted.”
“Bummer. Did you run here?”
He nodded. “Needed to clear my head.”
My eyes widened in realization. “Did you run from your shop? In your bare feet? Isn’t that, what, six miles?”
He chuckled under his breath, rustling his hand through his damp hair. “To be honest, I didn’t even realize I came this far.”
I took in his front as he turned to face me. I knew he was fit from being pressed against him, but holy shit, he was more than fit. He was ripped. My gaze was glued to his stomach, to shell shocked to count how many bumps for abs he had. His chest was rising and falling, still short of breath from his run.
Fiddling with my hair, I forced myself to pull my gaze from his stomach. His head was turned and still focused on the water. At least I knew he didn’t catch me gawking.
He turned to face me, but his focus was on the ground. His brows were creased with worry, and I wanted to run my fingers along them. Something was bothering him.
“Are you okay?” I asked tentatively. Taking a step toward him, I crossed my arms to hug myself from the chilly night ocean air. “Is something wrong with the shop?”
He smiled, but it didn’t match the tightness in his cheeks. “Everything will work out. Thanks for showing concern.”
I gave him a smile in return, although I knew he wasn’t telling me everything. “Want to sit with us by the fire?”
His smile widened some, then he looked toward the fire pit, his brows crinkling in disapproval. I followed his gaze, only to shake my head at Marcy and Colt, making out like they were about to inhale each other.
“Or… I could bring you home?”
Vance’s lip quirked, then he sat down on the sand, stretching his legs out in front of him and tapping his hand on the sand for me to join him. “I’m not ready to go home yet.”
Instantly, I sat down in the cool sand, eager to be close. He didn’t offer to cuddle right away, but his body heat was radiating off him, warming me in more than one way. Not being able to resist, I rested my head on his shoulder.
His tense body relaxed, his chin pressing against my forehead. He took a long inhale, exhaling his warm breath across my face. It tickled my skin.
“Tell me about the concert.”
“Opening act was decent. The crowd filled in once the lead singer came on. He’s got an amazing voice.”
Vance laughed. “Why do you think I got the tickets?”
“You don’t peg me as a country fan.”
“I figured you’d like him.”
“So, you got the tickets for me?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
I wanted to contain my frown, but failed. “But you didn’t plan on going with me?”
He studied me, then looked out toward the water. “I was hoping I’d be able to go.”
His arms flexed as they filled with tension. “I’m sorry you’re stressed.”
He turned to me and smirked. “This is helping. Actually-” Grabbing me gently by the waist, he urged me to move between his legs, hugging me from behind with his arms. “This will help even more.” Running a hand through my hair, he carefully, pulled the blonde locks to one side of my shoulder, resting his head against mine.
I giggled, pleasantly surprised by his affection. No part of the hard exterior of Vance Everret screamed cuddle bug. He hadn’t snuggled this closely to me since kite surfing. I blamed it on being in mixed company with Colt and Marcy, not that our presence ever stopped them from hanging all over each other. Vance was more reserved. His walls were as high as the Empire State Building. We had that in common, except my walls were crumbling like stale bread whenever he was near.
“What kind of music do you like?” I asked, wanting to learn more about him.
“I’m an alternative kind of guy. Some hip-hop, I really like everything.”
“Even country?”
I felt his lip raise into a smile against my cheek. “Not so much.”
We both laughed, and ever so gently, he touched his lips to my cheek, letting them linger in a sweet way. He held me so intimately. It wasn’t sexual, and it made my heart pound even harder for him, helping my mind drift away from reality. He was the best medicine for a puzzled and frazzled girl, afraid to make life-changing decisions for her future.
His arms squeezed me tighter as he took a deep breath, causing me to squirm and turn into his body more. The back of my tank top dampened from his sweat, beginning to ride up from the subtle movement. His skin was pressed to the small amount of mine that was now exposed.
A tremor ran through me as his kiss traveled down my cheek and to my jaw. His kisses were still sweet and tender, but I couldn’t hide the feeling that was starting to slowly creep underneath my skin.
“Is this okay?” he asked between kisses.
The breath I was holding came out in a rush. “Is what okay?”
My head tilted to the side more, exposing my neck for his lips. He hadn’t kissed me like this during our sunset watching.
“I’ve fought tasting you since I lost control a few weeks ago.” His lips slightly parted against my throbbing pulse.
“Lost control?” I asked with a shaky breath.
He smiled into my skin. “I don’t normally encourage making out and dry humping on a public beach.”
I flushed, squirming against his hold.
He tightened his arms around me. “It was hot, and I was surprised is all. You seem so shy and timid, I wasn’t expecting for you to get into it so much.”
“I’ve never acted that way,” I confessed.
Do I tell him I’m inexperienced? Colby and I had kissed, but I was willing to do so much more with Vance. At least try. Nothing said I would be able to follow through, for all I knew images of my mother with abusive men could flash into my mind during our intimacy and squash everything.
His warm breath danced down my neck. I wanted him to explore more, kissing me wherever his lips met skin. With a gallant hand, I tugged on the strap to my tank top where Vance’s mouth hovered, pulling it down my bicep. His hand met mine, entwining with my fingers.
Taking in a sharp breath, he opened his mouth wider, letting his tongue gently caress the bare skin of my shoulder, traveling up my neck and to my ear. “You have the softest skin.”
“I do?” My voice cracked.
“Can I feel you?”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded, my body pleading for his hands to roam all over me.
Meeting my inner request, his hand crept underneath the front of my tank top, his calloused fingers running along my stomach. I arched my back into his touch, squeezing his hand with mine, debating where to put my other hand that was currently resting on my thigh. My legs fidgeted, one knee rising up while the other straightened, my toes flexing into the cool sand.
His breath was heavy against my skin, and I couldn’t help but turn my head to face him. With half-lidded eyes and a parted mouth, he gazed down at me, running his fingers lower on my abdomen. Tilting my head, my lips found his, sucking gently on his bottom lip. He inhaled sharply, kissing me back with more force. Our tongues were rubbing together now, his hand pressing into my skin with more force as it traveled up my stomach, his thumb brushing the edge of my bra.
My back bowed, causing his hand to cover more of the lacy fabric. He took the hint, kneading one breast overtop of the lace. I groaned into his mouth, diving my tongue deeper into his. I wanted the skin on skin, needing to be touched in places he stopped himself from exploring before.
Both hands slid under the wire to grasp each globe. My head fell back against his shoulder. The way his calloused fingers felt against the sensitive skin made me whimper with delight. I’d never been held this way, never felt like I was going to explode if he didn’t to
uch me more. He pinched each nipple gently between his fingers, then stroked them with care with his thumbs. The way he rubbed and caressed felt like heaven.
“If you’re loud, I’m going to have to stop,” he murmured against my ear. “And I really want to keep touching you.”
“Please,” I panted.
A guttural sound escaped his throat. One hand still fondling my breast, his other slid down my stomach and to the waistband of my shorts. My hips lifted as I bit my lip, trying to hide the groan of anticipation. Vance sucked on my exposed neck, making holding in my whimpers a hard task.
He was flirting with my panty line now, bold fingers slipping just underneath, running along my pubic bone. Yes, I thought, my legs spreading slightly, pushing against his thighs. The ocean waves mingled with my sporadic breathing, the chilly nighttime air tickling my exposed skin. I wanted him to surround me, to touch me where I’d never been touched, to open me up to a whole new world that I was willing to delve into with him. A world I had been terrified of since I’d learned of its existence. Vance didn’t make it feel scary and intimidating. He made me want to explore the unknown rages my body was beginning to expel.
His fingers brushed lower, gently massaging as they went. Both my knees were up now as I thrusted my hips upward, using my feet for leverage.
Releasing a ragged breath, Vance grasped my thigh, lifting it over top his leg, opening me wider. I followed him, doing the same with my other leg. He moved his legs farther apart, spreading me for his hand to dive in, and ever so slowly, he cupped my mound.
I moaned, and his free hand covered my mouth, yanking my head to the side so he could kiss my neck again. I was so exposed, my breasts freed from my bra, my tank top scrunched to my chest. The chilly breeze teased my nipples while Vance’s fingers caressed lower.
His fingers slid easily between my folds, causing him to hiss against my neck.
