by Mae Martini
“Stop, stop it, you two. You’re causing a scene,” Jamie said as he stepped around Jake and got in-between him and Donavan.
“Don’t ever grab Gia like that again,” Jake said, wild eyed and grimacing, over Jamie’s shoulder.
“Fuck you.” Donavan struggled to get out of Tyler’s hold.
Jamie sensed it coming and stepped back, into Jake, blocking his advancement.
“Move along. There’s nothing to see here.” Jamie said to the gawkers who had gathered around and then he gave them a death stare which looked like daggers were coming out of his eyes. That broke up the crowd.
“What the hell are you doing, Gia?” Donavan shook Tyler off of him and turned to address her. “You’ve been ignoring my calls. We were supposed to go to my dad’s house for dinner last night for his birthday, he said, breathing heavily as he shoved a hand through his long hair, pushing it off his face. “Do you know how embarrassed I was when my father asked where you were? I had to make up a lie.”
“Are you kidding me? We’re over, Donavan. What part of I don’t want to see you anymore did you not understand?”
“Gia?”
“I’m not having this conversation again with you, Don. I have a heat to concentrate on.”
“Fine, but this isn’t over.” He huffed and walked past her and Jake, shoving Jake again and inadvertently shoving her. Instead of going after Donavan, Jake righted her. ‘I’ll be back.”
He started to walk toward Donavan and Gia grabbed his arm.
“Please, Jake. Let him go. He’s a jerk.”
Jake looked to her and saw her pleading eyes. He looked to Donavan then back to her again and nodded his head.
“He’s a burnt out bum,” Jamie said to Jake and Jake nodded his head at Jamie.
“Jake, this is Tyler.” Jamie introduced his partner to him.
Jake extended a hand and Tyler shook it.”
The four of them moved closer to the other competitors and plopped down in the sand. Gia’s father came up to them while she was peeling down the top of her wetsuit.
“What happened?” he asked her.
“Donavan is being difficult, Dad. He won’t leave me alone. Jake defended me,” she said, training her eyes on Jake, as she lifted the corners of her mouth.
“I’m sorry, Gia. I’ll have another talk with his father.” He turned to Jake. “Thank you, son.”
Jake nodded his head once in acknowledgement.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“I’m up.”
“Go get em’ Dad.”
Lucas jogged over to his surfboard, picked it up, and headed into the water.
“Who was that?” Jake asked Gia, referring to Donavan.
She didn’t want to tell him he was the guy who slammed her into a wall, afraid he’d cause a scene. “A mistake.” She looked into his eyes. She knew he wanted more. “We used to date. His father is my father’s lawyer, Jackson Reynolds. Jackson kept pressuring me to go out with his son.”
Gia rose up. “I have to go.” She gave Jake a quick kiss on the lips and strode off, bringing up the wetsuit and squeezing her upper body back into it. He watched her sexy ass as she picked up her board and headed out to the water. She and her competition were warming up in the water while her father and his competition were being scored.
“Donavan’s father is a big shot lawyer around here and in New York. He knows Gia’a a catch and knows his son is a useless burn-out. He thinks Gia’s going to save his son,” Jamie said, and blew out a breath, waving his arm in the air. “He’s nothing but trouble. What would a smart, successful woman like Gia want with him anyway? He’s way out of her league.”
“Jamie, mind your business.” Tyler said and he looked to Jake and shook his head then to Jamie, and Jake watched them exchange a look and a kiss. Jake focused back on Gia, who was already astride her surfboard, waiting for a wave.
Gia lasted until the third and final round. Her competitor, Ellen Mongello, won the heat by riding that perfect wave. The one that was effortless to ride. The one that just peeled across the ocean and went on and on. One that Gia knew was going to be a winner for whoever rode it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t her.
After fulfilling her obligation, she and Jake drove over to her father’s beach house, where the water was calmer and the surfing conditions always made it right for beginners.
After Gia removed her wetsuit, she donned a rash guard, and gave Jake one of her father’s and explained that it would give him some protection, not only from the sun, but from the bumpy wax buildup on the board when he paddles.
They opted to take just one board out; they were going to stay close to shore, it being the first time Jake ever surfed.
Prior to going out, she had him practice popping up on the board while on the sand. He was a good student, and he had the muscles and physique needed to jump up and balance once he did stand up. He listened intently and tried hard. When she felt he was ready, they moved out to the water.
She taught him to duck dive, and demonstrated by putting a knee on the back of the board and pushing down, while pushing down with her hands near her shoulders, then quickly shift from the knee to the foot to get down even further below the wave, to miss the foam. He picked it up rather quickly. She taught him to paddle and corrected him when he was bringing his head and neck up to much, explaining he could hurt his ribs by putting too much pressure on them. She made him practice the paddle and the pop up.
They sat on the board for a while so Jake could get acclimated as she gave him some tips. “Just when you feel the momentum of the board flow faster than your paddling speed, you are ready to pop up.” She demonstrated while he bobbed in the water as she rode a couple of small waves. Before long, and to Gia’s delight, Jake caught his first wave. He popped up and bent his knees a little as he positioned his feet as per her instructions, and he threw his arms out. He was so excited when he straightened up that he lost his balance and fell over, but he came up laughing and ready to ride another.
After a while Gia noticed he looked exhausted so she halted the lesson. They bobbed in the water, straddled on the surfboard, facing each other with their knees touching.
“I think I’m stoked?” he said with a big grin on his face that reached his eyes.
She giggled. “You did well for your first time.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, you’re a great teacher and a sexy one at that.” He leaned in as he brought an arm up and around her waist. He kissed her as he butt walked closer to her, rocking the board as he moved. He moaned when she brought her thighs up and rested them on his.
They broke the kiss and they stared into each other’s eyes.
It was peaceful out there. Just the two of them.
“Your father’s a great surfer, too. Does your mother surf, also?”
Jake noticed Gia’s facial expression change. Her smile turned into a frown and he watched as she shifted her eyes to the water beyond him.
When she focused back on him, she said, “My mom died when I was sixteen.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” And it occurred to him that he knew nothing of her life, and she knew nothing of his after knowing her for almost three months. He was going to rectify that matter right then and there.
“I grew up on a ranch. For sixteen years, that’s all I knew. It was backbreaking work, but I loved every minute of it. I’d go to school and come home and work the ranch. Mend fences, drive cattle, feed the livestock, muck stalls and various other duties. Then one day my father had a heart attack.”
Gia’s eyes grew wide and she gasped.
Jake shook his head. “It was a mild one and as soon as he got strong again, he upped and sold the ranch and bought a bed and breakfast in town. It was successful. Still is. My father had another heart attack seven years ago and died.”
“Oh, Jake, I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. My mom runs the B&B now and I have my own, well, with Cord’s wife.” He paused. “
That’s my story, Gia. Tell me yours.”
“What? No girlfriend story in there,” she teased.
“None worth mentioning.” He paused. “Well, maybe one. But that’s for another time. I want to hear what is was like growing up for you.”
The sun was beating down, the water was crystal clear and not a soul in it except for them. Jake watched her as she gathered her thoughts. A small wave rocked the board, but they quickly righted it together.
“I had a wonderful childhood. I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, except for the day my mom….” She took a breath. “I grew up in a loving home. There’s my brother, the oldest, then me, then my sister. We lived a block away from the beach. I grew up on the beach. Surfing was all I knew, was all I wanted to do. My mom used to take me and my sister to dance classes and my sister loved it and though I liked it and liked the pretty sequin costumes, I hated the recitals. It was always on a warm sunny Sunday. I’d give my mom a hard time because all I wanted to do was surf. My father would talk me into it. Then after the recital, we’d hit the beach. He loved my mom so much, he’d do anything to please her.” She said with a smile.
“By the time I was fourteen I had won quite a few local events, and my father was approached by the ASP-”
“What’s that stand for?”
“The Association of Surfing Professionals. We talked about it, but I knew then, like I know now, I could never go pro.”
“Why not?”
She felt the warm sun on her face, her nose beginning to burn a little. “Because, Jake, when someone surfs competitively, they often lose the reason they love to surf.”
He looked confused.
“It’s hard to explain, but when you surf with cameras on you and jet skis all over, or for prize money, it becomes more like a job, always watching your form, always sizing up your competition. I’m just, I don’t know, I’m just afraid I might lose myself in all of it. Not everyone does, but a good portion who turn pro do. I surf for fun. I’m most relaxed out here, no worries, just me and the waves. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge anyone for making a living out of what they love to do. More power to them.”
Jake smiled, nodding his head in understanding, and then moved his face in close to hers. He brushed her lips, then brought his lips down to her neck and lightly suckled her. “Mmmm, you taste so good, even with salt water,” he mumbled.
Gia couldn’t even answer him. She was breathless. She always became breathless when Jake touched her and it occurred to her that she craved his touch.
She let out a little, throaty gasp when he trailed his hand down her stomach and over her bikini bottom and applied pressure.
He picked his head up. Seeing her in a state of passion got him going and got him hard. He kissed her again as he snaked his hand inside her bikini bottom and pressed on her clit with his middle finger.
Gia was hot, she tangled her tongue with his as she rocked into his hand.
“Ah, Jake that feels soooo good,” she whispered at his mouth.
“I’m dying to taste you, baby.”
“Yes,” was all she could get out as she brought her hands up to his chest, under his rashie, and roamed around. She heard him gasp when she lightly brushed his nipples.
That was all the encouragement he needed. He pumped two fingers inside her while his thumb pressed on her clit.
He smiled when she humped his hand hard, wanting more. Her throaty moans turned him on as she shuddered and he couldn’t wait to get inside her. He knew that would be impossible now. He had no condoms on him so he took one of her hands and guided it inside his shorts and she took over from there.
Her hand felt too good on his cock. She spread the drop of liquid heat that had escaped his opening, around his head, and then worked her hand down the length of him.
“Hehehehe. Our little Gia, getting it on-” someone with a deep voice said.
She swiftly removed her hand from Jake’s shorts with a mortified look on her face.
“-in the water and on a surfboard, dudette, that’s rad, hehehehe.”
Gia looked up with red cheeks, she was so embarrassed.
Jake looked from her to the guy who spoke as he readjusted himself. His eyes were hazel and his hair was deep brown, long, and braided. His skin, a deep tan with not an ounce of fat on his slim frame, but all muscle, and he looked young. He was paddling along side of them.
“Tomas, hi,” she managed to get out nervously.
“Hehehehe, You give a totally new meaning to ‘getting wet’. Don’t pink out on me, girl. It’s cool. Hehehe. Who’s the lucky dude?” And before she could answer, he stuck his hand out to Jake. “I’m Tomas, without the h. Hehehehe.”
“Jake.” Jake shook his hand.
“Good to meet you, brah.”
Jake nodded. Not even sure what a brah was. He thought it could mean bro.
“Tomas is our resident protégé. He comes down every weekend, rain or shine from L.A., to surf here. Never snuck up on any of us before, though.” She gave him an exaggerated look.
“Hehehehe.”
Been doing it, like what? Two years, now?”
“Yeah. Two years of learning from the best around here. You new here?” Tomas addressed Jake. “If you are, no worries, Gia’s the best teacher here.”
“Tomas, you make me blush.”
“She’s also modest, and real pretty, too.”
That did it; her cheeks were so pink from embarrassment.
“She is real pretty and she is one hell of a teacher” Jake said as he nodded his head and smiled while watching Gia blush.
“You hear what happened yesterday?” Tomas asked Gia.
Gia shook her head.
“I got in a session with a gremmie and he was like checking out a Gidget nearby and he paddles for an ankle snapper, he goes to pop up but he missed. Dude, how do you miss? Hehehe. He hillbellies and the Gidget waited for him to pick his head up and she laughs right in his face, Called him a highway surfer and paddles to a wave and ices it. The dude was so embarrassed. Hehehe.”
Gia laughed at the story and then cracked up at Jake’s expression of puzzlement. Even Tomas laughed at Jake’s look.
“Dude, she’ll explain it to ya,” Tomas said to Jake then quickly said to Gia. “I’m outta here. Too many foamers and I have a Barbie back on the beach, watching. “Don’t worry, Gia, your secret’s safe with me.” He waved, then paddled away, toward the shore.
“What the fuck was that?” Jake asked incredulously.
Gia cracked up laughing, shaking her head. “I don’t even know where to begin.” She paused. “He is harmless. We found him here a couple of years ago, hanging around the big guns. He’s a likable kid, full of enthusiasm. We all kind of took him under our wings, if you will. He’s actually a really good surfer. He goes to UCLA.”
“What’s he studying? Surf lingo?” Jake cracked up at his own joke.
“Sounds like it.” She grinned.
“So, can you translate it?”
“In short, his friend, who is new to surfing, was trying to impress a girl, who is a seasoned surfer and he bombed out.” They both laughed.
They grew quiet as they gazed into each other’s eyes. The hour grew late and again, they were the only two people in the water.
“I want to study you some more.”
Gia’s lips turned up and parted.
Jake brought his arm up and around her. He drew her in for a kiss and that was when she felt it. Not the usual warm, exciting tingles she got whenever he touched her but a creepy feeling. At his lips, and right before he covered hers with his, she pulled back.
“Jake, let’s get out of here.”
He pulled his head back. “Okay.” He read alarm in her face. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, let’s just go.” She didn’t want to tell him she was getting a bad vibe from the water. He’d probably think she was crazy.
“Up on your knees,” she said as she quickly turned around and got on her knees. �
��Paddle quickly.” She threw her arms in the water and paddled.
He did what she was doing and soon they were knee high in the surf. She jumped off and pulled. He jumped off and took the board from her and they both ran to the edge of the water.
Jake lightly flung the board down and he, out of breath, went down next to it. Lying on his back, he closed his eyes and breathed heavy. He opened them to find Gia sitting up and staring out into the ocean.
“What’s up?” He sat up with his knees up and his arms wrapped around them, the water lapping all around.
She turned to him.”Sometimes I get a bad vibe. Usually when I’m alone out there. Like something’s out there with me.”
“Shark?”
“I don’t know, maybe. I try not to think of them when I’m out there, but when I get that feeling I take heed.”
Jake nodded his head.
At that moment, Gia, feeling safe again was determined to finish what Jake had started after Tomas left them. She quickly looked around. The beach was secluded. Tomas and his Barbie were nowhere around. She placed her hands on his forearms and pulled them out and up, then she climbed up and straddled his waist.
Momentarily startled, he lay back down and Gia brought his arms up and over his head as the water lapped at them.
She kissed him hard and deep as she clasped her hands in his.
He couldn’t stop himself from moaning at her mouth. He’d break the kiss and moan, then go back to kissing her deeply again.
Gia moved her legs from a bent position to a stretched out position and covered his legs with them. Their bodies were melded together and she felt his big, hard erection and let out a purr.
“You feel that, baby?” he said at her mouth with a chuckle.
“Oh, yes.”
He swiftly unclasped her hands and flipped them over, and lifted his upper body up to stare at her as his hand caressed her waist, then slipped under her rashguard and moved up to her breast. He gently squeezed it as his thumb rubbed over her nipple through her bikini top fabric.
