by Brenna Ash
Sunny snatched the bottle from him, “Yeah, I've got the front.” He pouted. “Don't worry the day is young.” She pressed a kiss on his lips. It felt so natural. Them being here. Their banter back and forth. It was like once they'd finally got everything out in the open a great weight had been lifted from them and whatever wall had been between them had crumbled down. There were no more barriers between them to stop this progression. Well, none that she wanted to think about right now, anyway.
As she rubbed the lotion into her arms, Hayden stood and peeled off his shirt, baring his smooth, tanned skin. She sucked in her breath. She could regard him for hours. He was that beautiful. Wide, muscled shoulders that led to a set of abs that he obviously worked really hard for, then down lower to that dip in his hips. Damn. He wore bright-colored board shorts.
He smiled and dropped down beside her. “Want to rub me down?” he asked, blue eyes glinting.
She practically licked her lips at the thought. Her fingers twitched, wanting to be all over that skin. She nodded and he handed her the bottle since she seemed unable to get her wits about her.
He sat on the blanket beside her, giving her his back. His muscles rippled as he turned. His back was so defined if she hadn't known it was real, Sunny would've thought it was photoshopped. It reminded her of that movie with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone when he took off his shirt and she told him he was too perfect. She gave his back a rubdown, spreading the lotion, her fingers splayed across his warm skin. She dipped her hands under the waistband of his shorts, not far, but just enough to make sure he didn't get burned around the edge. She doubted he would though, he already had a beautiful golden tan. She was pretty sure he spent a lot of time in the California sun.
“Now, now, watch the hands.” He squinted back at her with a smile.
“You're one to talk.”
“Ah, so it's payback then? I'll remember that.” Hayden snatched the bottle from her hands and squeezed the lotion into his palm, proceeding to cover his chest and arms.
Sunny watched and salivated. It was like having her own personal Hayden show. And she was fine with that. No complaints from her.
“So, do you surf in California?” Now she was making small talk. All that skin had turned her brain to mush, taking her inability to think.
He glanced at the water. Rock Beach didn't have good, surfable waves. They just didn't get big enough. Kids usually brought body boards and would think they were surfing, their parents egging them on, but they were pretty much just riding along on mini waves. Either way, the kids seemed to have fun.
“A little, not much. I'm not very good at it.”
“I find it hard to believe that you don't excel at everything you attempt.”
He laughed, the ocean breeze carrying the melody away. “Yeah, that's me. Mr. Perfection at everything that I do. Hardly.”
“I bet you you're better than you think or are letting on. You're just being modest.”
“Modest? Now, that's the first time anyone has ever described me as modest.”
She smiled and laid back to soak up the sun. This was the perfect afternoon. Hayden, the beach and the sun.
He got them each a beer, shielding the cans in a coozie since there was a law about consuming alcohol on the beach.
They sat quietly, hip to hip, sipping their beers, watching families playing and couples walking. No one seemed to notice them. They just kind of blended in, which was the plan. Usually at the beach everyone was too busy paying attention to their family and friends to see anything else going on around them.
Sunny was fine with that. She had a feeling that Hayden was enjoying it as well. She was pretty sure that he was used to getting mobbed wherever he went in L.A. so this must be a nice change for him.
“You want to go in the water and cool off?”
She bit her lower lip and looked out at the ocean, her stomach clenching. The thought of stepping into the water terrified her. She shook her head. “I'm good. You can go, though.”
Hayden eyed her suspiciously. “After all these years, you're still afraid of the water? Sunny, it's been years. And you live so close to it.”
She felt her face heat and it wasn't from the sun. It was embarrassing, but it was a fear that she just couldn't shake. “I can't.” The boating accident that took her parents way before their time did nothing to allay her apprehension. It just added to the fear of water she'd been fighting since a child.
“You can. You just have to try.”
“You think I haven't?”
“If it's been all these years and you're still in the same predicament as when we were younger? No, I don't think you've tried. Or you haven't been pushed.”
Fear gripped her. “Please don't push me in the water!”
He grimaced. “Not like that. I would never do that to you. Okay, take a deep breath.” He paused, watching her. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you scared. I just didn't think you still had that same debilitating fear. And it's fine.” He stood. “Here, give me your hand.”
Warily, she peeked up at him, squinting against the sun.
He blew out an exasperated breath. “I promise I won't make you go into the water.”
She clasped his hand and stood.
Hayden rubbed her cheek with his thumb before placing his lips on hers. “I would never, ever, do anything to scare you or to hurt you. You know that, right?”
Sunny nodded. She did, she really did. But her fear didn't trust him. It closed around her lungs and squeezed, making it hard to breathe. The water itself isn't what she was scared of. She loved to swim. Always had. Her fear came from what lingered in the water. Shark attacks happened in Florida, but rarely in Pebble Harbor. Still, that didn't stop her from worrying about what was swimming around her. It wasn't just sharks. Fish, jellyfish, crabs, seaweed. She shivered just thinking about it. Her swim time was limited to pools only.
“Hey.” He pivoted her so she was facing him and lifted her chin with his index finger. “Relax. We're just going to go for a walk along the shore. And I'm the one that will be nearest the water so if it laps up, it's not going to touch you.” He kissed her, full on the lips, his tongue dipping into her mouth, searching for hers. She relaxed and gave in, enjoying the moment. He broke the kiss and met her eyes, searching. “You good?”
“Yes. I'm fine.” She took his hand into hers and headed toward the water.
Hayden glanced at her, his eyebrow raised in question. “I'm good,” Sunny insisted. It was an irrational fear, she knew it. But she hadn't been able to overcome it in all these years so she didn't expect to anytime soon.
Sunny could date her fear back to when she was twelve years old. Her family always came together at this beach for a week every summer. Since her parents’ house wasn't big enough to accommodate their large family, they'd rent a beach house and her aunts and uncles would go in on the cost of the house rental and bring their kids so she'd hang out with her cousins all week long. That particular summer was the first time her fear surfaced. When she was younger she would see the schools of little fish swim around them, but that was nothing. But that year, as Sunny was sitting in the shallow water, a sand shark greeted her. It didn't do anything to her, just swam up to her and explored. But it scared the shit out of her. She ran out of the water fast as a bullet. A couple days later when Sunny dared to venture into the water again, she stepped on a crab and it clamped down on her foot, slicing it open. That was it. She hadn't been in the ocean ever since. Her anxiety at the thought was almost paralyzing. And it wasn't exclusive to the ocean. She wouldn't go into a lake, pond, or river either. Pools were her friends. So she never gave up on swimming, Sunny just had to do it in a controlled environment.
Hayden knew her fear well. She'd talked to him in depth about it when they were growing up. He'd come with them enough times to get away from his mother. He loved the water, so she'd just watch him splash about, having a great time. Always a bit jealous that she couldn't do th
at anymore.
Now, they strolled along the beach in the wet sand left behind by the receding tide. She didn't mind if the water hit her feet every once in a while, but Sunny always had an eye on it, as if something would suddenly grow feet, stalk out of the water and attack her. Like those silly Sharknado movies on the SyFy channel. So stupid and implausible, but that movie gave Sunny hives.
Their trek, thankfully, was uneventful and somewhat relaxing. Hand in hand, they ambled down to the point and sat on the rocks for a while, listening to the small waves crashing below.
It was eerily relaxing. Even though Sunny was scared of the ocean, she loved being near it, just not in it. She loved to listen to the roar, Mother Nature at her finest. She leaned her head against Hayden's shoulder and closed her eyes, letting the sound carry her away.
***
Hayden lay in bed later that night, tossing and turning. He couldn't sleep. Couldn't get Sunny off his mind. He'd enjoyed their time at the beach. The image of her in her bathing suit had him hard. They'd had such a good day he hadn't wanted to push her for anything more and left her with just a kiss.
Now, here he was, alone and wanting her bad. He glanced at his tablet; it wasn't even midnight yet. Maybe she was still awake. He could text her and see if she answered. No. What if she kept her phone by the bed in case of emergencies and his text woke her up? Then he'd feel like an ass.
He sat up, propping the pillows behind his back to rest against the hard wood of the headboard. Hayden opened the browser on his tablet and brought up the blog determined to be his downfall. He was pleasantly surprised when he read another nice post about him still being on vacation and spending time in the sun. There was no mention of Sunny. Of that he was glad. He didn't want to bring her any unwanted attention. He knew it would happen eventually, but for now, he wanted it to be just them.
Why the sudden change of topics for the blogger? Originally, when the blog appeared years ago, it was pretty much a fan site. Tracking his movements and publishing his new roles and things like that. Then for whatever reason, in the last six to nine months, it had taken a weird, dark turn and started reporting a bunch of bullshit. The blog was so popular the information quickly made its way to his directors, producers, his agent, and then the tabloids piggy backed on the made-up stories. It wasn't good for him, hence the trip back home to get away from it all. But now, the blogger was back to posting positive things like before. Why? What had changed?
He scrolled down the page, glancing at the different topics. It was the same writer for each one. The writing style was the same throughout the years, so no change of ownership.
With a sigh, Hayden threw off the sheet and plodded to the kitchen. He played with the idea of having a beer, but just settled with a glass of water, tried to get comfortable in the living room and turned on the T.V. Infomercials were the main entertainment at this hour. He kept flipping until he found a show that wasn't some seen-on-TV crap. An old spaghetti western came on the screen and he left it there. It was already in progress, but it was something to have on in the background. He just needed the hum of the voices.
Sunny invaded his thoughts. He couldn't think about anything else. Damn. It was like they were back in college. She was on his mind constantly. That's what made it so hard for him to leave back then, but he knew he was doing it for their future.
A knock, so soft, he wondered if he'd imagined it. The knock came again, just a little bit louder this time.
Hayden got up and cautiously approached the door. He may be home, but it didn't change who he was. Someone could easily be testing to see if he was awake so they could break in. He surveyed the room and couldn't find anything other than an umbrella that he could use as a weapon. In a pinch he could make it work. Hayden grabbed it, sidled over to the kitchen door and peered out the side of the window.
His breath left his lungs and he opened the door.
“You don't know how happy I am to see you.” He pulled Sunny into the kitchen and captured her lips with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as he picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. Words weren't needed. They had their actions and those spoke volumes.
***
“I'm sorry for not calling,” she said, her voice breathy.
He shook his head and brought his mouth down against hers once again. He was rock hard. He ground his hips into her core. Sunny moaned, her hands working to take off his shirt.
They broke apart so he could lift the opposing material over his head and she threw the shirt on the floor. She had worn a sundress, which made it really easy for him. Sunny lifted her arms so he could slip the fabric off.
His breath hitched at the sight of her in a light pink lace bra and matching bikini. He nuzzled her neck, nipping at her ear, trailed down to her bra, kissing each breast through the material. She groaned, her head back, her eyes closed. She was so beautiful.
He picked her up again and gently laid her on his queen-sized bed. Hayden took a moment to just look at her. It'd been so long.
“Like what you see?”
He grinned. “Do I ever.” Hayden brought his lips down to meet hers, devouring her mouth with his, his need for her driving his passion. He reached around her back and unsnapped her bra. He released her mouth to gaze at the hard pink peaks revealed to him as he stripped the lace away. Hayden licked his lips before dipping his head to one of the taut tips and circled it with his tongue, then did the same to the other one. She gasped, her hand fisting his hair.
Trailing his lips down to her navel, he dipped his tongue inside, his hands grasping her panties and pulling them down her smooth legs. He brushed light kisses up the insides of her legs, parting them with his hands and opening her up to him.
Heaven. He was in Heaven.
***
Holy Hell. Hayden placed a kiss on her most intimate place and Sunny nearly lost it. “Oh!”
She felt the tremble of his laughter against her core and then he put his tongue to work and she couldn't think of anything else. Her brain couldn't function. She was near the edge, wanting to fight it because she wanted it to last, but unable to stop the force catapulting through her body. When he slipped a finger into her warmth and lapped at the sensitive bud, she lost it. Up and over and up again, she rode the wave as it overcame her and flooded her senses.
She panted heavily, trying to catch her breath as he came up to lay beside her. She blushed as he watched her, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. His blue eyes were dark with passion and his face flushed. She rubbed his cheek with her thumb and brought him down on top of her for a kiss. Not something she would normally do after what just occurred, but she couldn't help herself. The fleece of his sweatpants rubbed against her and she reached down for the tie, pulling the string to untie the waistband.
He broke the kiss and shucked his pants quicker than she thought was humanly possible.
It was her turn to suck in her breath. He was magnificent. His six-pack abs were perfect. He had to work hard on those, no doubt. She'd seen them earlier, but in the light glow from the bedside light, the shadows made his muscle tone even more pronounced. The pictures she'd seen of him hadn't been photoshopped. That was certain. And that vee that lead down to his narrow hips. What the hell was that called anyway? It was so damn sexy.
And he was ready. More than ready. His cock standing at attention. Sunny sat up and closed her hand around his hardness. Hayden sucked in his breath, closing his eyes. He threw his head back as she began to stroke him.
“Fuck, yes.”
She smiled, feeling powerful knowing she was the one making him moan.
In a flash, he had her flat on the bed, him on top of her. “You keep doing that, and this will be very quick indeed.” He captured her mouth again, his legs settling in between hers.
“Wait!” Hayden paused, confusion clouding his eyes. “Condom?”
He thought for a minute, then reached for his wallet on the nightstand. Fiddling a
round, he showed her the foil packet and tore it open with his teeth. He stared intently into her eyes as he rolled it on and then he was back on top of her. In one thrust, he entered her. She let out a moan at the fullness. He stilled and waited a few long seconds before slowly pulling out and then pushing himself slowly back in.
Soon, they found their rhythm. She didn't last long. Within moments Sunny was riding that beautiful wave again. Falling hard in the crashes.
His pace quickened and not long after her, he called out her name and stiffened within her. “I've waited so long for this,” he whispered as he rolled to his side, taking her with him.
She didn't know what he meant by that, so she didn't respond. Just laid there with his arms wrapped tightly around her. Her mind on a high and her muscles fluid from what had just happened.
***
Sunny woke up to the sun shining onto the pillow beside her. She stretched her sore muscles. Had she really shown up on Hayden's doorstep in the middle of the night? She had and the look on his face told her that he'd been thinking the same thing she had all night long. He wasn't in bed now, but the aroma of coffee invading her senses let her know he was still home.
He'd shown her how much she meant to him multiple times last night. She smiled at the memory and her stomach clenched, in that good way, when you're remembering something that really turns you on.
When she'd driven over to Hayden's house last night Sunny was unsure of what his reaction would be. She'd hoped he'd welcome her. After their time at the beach, he'd dropped her off at her house and she spent the rest of the night thinking about him. Wanting him. Until she couldn't think of anything else and had to come over.
Thankfully, he didn't turn her away. She even thought she'd seen emotion akin to relief in his eyes when he opened the door. Little did he know the relief was all hers. Neither one of them needed to say anything. Sunny couldn't help the smile that spread across her face when she thought of the way he picked her up like she weighed nothing and carried her straight to his bedroom. Now that was romantic.
