by K. K. Allen
I tilt my head. “So that’s why you live at the marina?”
He nods, and I frown, trying to fit all the pieces together in my brain.
“They let you live at the marina alone with no guardians at fifteen?”
He smiles. “I didn’t live on the boat when I moved here. Roy was an old friend of my parents and took me in. He was pretty good with me too. Gave me my space when I needed it. Handed me the responsibility at the Grille that he knew would fulfill me. Then as soon as I turned eighteen, I moved out of his place, sold the old boat, bought a new one, and started living at the marina.”
Johnny is not the person I thought he was at all. Maybe he is a loner like I imagined, but he’s got a past that provides more than enough explanation for why he eyes others so suspiciously. And Roy—I would have never guessed he and Johnny were so close, but now that I think about it, I can see it in the responsibility that Johnny holds and his loyalty to Island Grille.
“So, you told me about your mom. What’s your story with your dad?” Johnny finally breaks the ice.
I clench my jaw as if to brace myself against my own emotions. “I’ve never met my father, that I can remember anyway.” I sigh. “My mom wanted to keep the world away from me, I guess. I’m not sure why. I find out bits and pieces as time goes on. Rose isn’t exactly forthcoming.” This is enough information to divulge without lying.
Johnny surprises me by shaking his head. “Your mom was wrong to keep you away from who you really are. I’m sure she meant well, but protecting your kids that much can do more harm than good.”
It’s like he knows exactly what I’ve been going through. Like he understands me. I stare back at him and have a flashback of Johnny glaring at me that first night in Apollo Beach. I remember feeling our connection then, even though he was just a stranger. I blink and see the man sitting with me today. The deep, lonely, dark man who was once desperate for revenge. Who is still a little lost inside. But I see him, just the way I know he sees me.
We’re jolted to a stop as the machine below us shuts off and our seat swings gently at the top of the Ferris wheel. I gasp and search below us for a sign that the attendant didn’t forget we’re here. “Did he leave?” I ask Johnny. “Hey—”
Johnny covers my mouth with his palm and laughs. “Shhh, you’ll ruin it.”
I gaze back at him, my eyes wide, wondering what the heck he’s talking about.
Then he looks out over the water and nods. “Look.”
He moves his hand at the same time I follow his gaze to find a breathtaking view before us. We were so deep in conversation, I didn’t notice the sun has completely set. Now, the full moon is out, hanging powerfully above the bay.
“Wow, but how are we—” I look back at Johnny, ready to ask him how we’re going to get down off the ride, when I’m halted by his gaze, his eyes staring deeply back into mine.
I can’t breathe. I can’t think. All I can do is pray that when he finally kisses me, I’ll remember how my lips are supposed to work. He leans in closer, his eyes slipping to my lips and his palm moving to cup the back of my neck. His lips graze mine, and I brace myself for impact. Somehow, I know the fall will only be the beginning of an endless ride I’ll never want to come down from.
A loud rumble from below shakes us apart, then gears grind as the Ferris wheel engine roars back to life. Alarm bells go off in my head. “What the—”
Johnny chuckles. “He remembered us.”
The machine slows when we approach the bottom landing then stops completely when we reach the bottom. The attendant who allowed us to get on the ride looks at us with horror. “I’m so sorry. I completely forgot about you and nearly left.”
I groan internally, wishing he had forgotten for a little longer.
Johnny helps me off the ride, taking my hand in his and peering down at me with a hint of a smile. “I’ll drive you home. You can get your bike in the morning.”
I nod, wondering if he feels the same disappointment that I feel after our kiss was interrupted. When his gaze drops to my lips before locking back on my eyes, I know the feeling is mutual.
Johnny walks me to the front door of Summer Manor, but before we can say goodbye, Charlotte pulls open the door. Rose stands next to her.
“Hey,” I say, looking between them and trying not to laugh at what I’m sure is about to be an awkward exchange. “It was getting dark, so Johnny offered to take me home.”
Rose’s stern expression falters. “Well, I suppose that was kind of you.”
“You two know Johnny, right?”
Rose gives a quick lift of her brow before sliding her gaze up and down as if inspecting him for the first time. “We’ve never met officially, but I do believe I’ve seen you around the island.”
I turn to him with a bashful smile, hoping he’s not completely put off by this random introduction. “This is my grandmother, Rose. And this is Charlotte.”
He’s all smiles. “Nice to meet you both. I’m sure you met my parents at some point. They grew up in Apollo Beach.”
“Oh?” Rose raises an eyebrow. “What’s your last name again?”
“Pierce.”
Rose tilts her head. “That does sound familiar. I’m sure their faces will come to me.”
He nods and takes a step back to leave. “All right. Have a nice night.” His eyes land softly on mine. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Katrina.”
I bite down on my lip to keep from laughing. Katrina? Did Johnny just call me by my full name? It’s for Rose’s benefit most likely. I smile at him before he turns and jogs off down the stairs toward the catering van he borrowed.
I turn my focus on Rose and narrow my eyes. “Did you have to be so creepy?”
Her thoughts seemed trapped as she ignores me. “Pierce. Why does that sound so familiar?”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “He said his parents grew up here.”
Rose shrugs it off then narrows her gaze at me. “You lied to us.”
My jaw drops. “What? No, I didn’t.”
“You said you were coming right home and would be here before dark.”
Guilt soars through me. “Time got away from me. But I was with Johnny. I wasn’t alone, and he took me home as soon as we realized it got too late.”
She glares back at me. “I can’t protect you if you don’t listen to simple rules.”
“I thought you said we needed to carry on as normal. We can’t just stop living, Rose. That’s exactly what Erebus wants us to do. I promise I’ll continue to be safe.”
Her stern expression fades, then she nods. “Okay, Katrina. Just please promise me you’ll go get yourself one of those cell phone things so you can call us if you have a change of plans.”
Too tired to argue, I nod. “Deal.”
“And be careful with that boy. He’s much older than you, and much too handsome to be up to any good with a beautiful woman such as yourself.”
“Only by four years. That’s not much older.”
Charlotte covers her smile with her hand.
“I just don’t want you getting hurt, dear.”
If only they knew just how much things have changed with Johnny since the day I met him. “Don’t worry, Rose. Trust me when I say I can handle Johnny Pierce.”
A few days later, Johnny’s closing shift aligns with mine, and it’s all flirty glances and subtle brushes against each other until Alec and Ava get seated in my section. Seeing them together doesn’t bother me anymore, but the minute Ava flags me down after I’ve just delivered their drinks, I get irritated.
“Did I say Coke?” She laughs. “Can you change this to a diet?”
I rush off to grab her new drink, and instead of letting me tend to other tables, she turns to Alec. “Babe, did you want to order food now?”
I tilt my head at the exchange, focusing in on Alec to see how he responds to Ava. It’s like he’s Ava’s pet robot now. I never see him without her, and when they’re together, he barely even looks at me, let
alone says a single word. Maybe I wouldn’t be so curious about it if Alec at least looked happy, but he looks like someone else completely, and that makes me sad.
Alec shakes his head to answer Ava and avoids my gaze. A pang hits me.
“We’re not ready yet,” Ava says.
I ignore her and continue to stare at Alec, trying to force him to look at me. “Hey, Alec. How are you doing?”
As soon as his eyes meet mine, I swear there’s a flicker of the boy I met nearly two months ago. The sweet, caring, friendly neighbor who wanted nothing more than to help me fit in. There was more there too, and while that’s no longer something I want, it still hurts that he did such a one-eighty on me.
Ava snaps her fingers between us. “We said we’re not ready to order yet, Kat. Get lost.”
I gasp and take a step back like I’ve been slapped. “What’s your problem, Ava? I was just saying hello to my friend. Or is he not allowed to speak to me?”
Ava snorts and looks at Alec, while Alec adjusts himself in his seat. “He can speak to you if he wants.” She glares back at Alec with a raise of her brows. “Go ahead. Talk to her.”
Alec takes a breath then looks at me, his green eyes narrowing on mine. “I’m doing good, Kat. How about you?”
There’s nothing behind his tone. No sincerity. No regret for what he did to me. It’s like he’s just… gone. “That’s it? You’re just going to sit down in my section and demand food and drinks from me like you didn’t stand me up weeks ago? Was I just some big joke to you?”
Alec’s glare slips and something else shines through. As much as I want to believe it’s regret, the look is gone before I can even entertain the idea.
“Kat,” Johnny snaps, forcing me to turn. He looks stricken, like he just heard everything and read the conversation all wrong. “Take a break. I’ll cover you.”
On the verge of tears, I suck in a breath and walk straight to the staff room, where I pace while squeezing my emerald. I’m not even angry. I’m just hurt and confused, and now I’m worried that Johnny took everything the wrong way. I plop onto the couch and fall back onto the cushions, shutting my eyes.
The break room door opens with a creak. I know it’s Johnny, but I’m too afraid to open my eyes to see his face. The couch dips, and a hand brushes my arm. “Your friends left, so don’t get too comfortable. I need you out there whenever you’re done… meditating.”
I cringe and squint to open my eyes to find exactly what I was afraid to see. Hurt. Confusion. Sadness. My chest squeezes, and I sit up so we’re face-to-face. “I’m sorry I let Ava get to me.”
He shakes his head and turns his gaze. “You don’t owe me an apology. You don’t owe me anything, Kat. Just try not to bring your jealousy into the workplace. Simple as that.”
My jaw drops, and I shake my head. “I’m not jealous of Alec and Ava. That’s not what happened out there.”
“Then what was that? ’Cause it sure as hell looked and sounded like a woman scorned.”
I reach for his hand, but he pulls it away. “I’m worried about him, okay? He’s acting weird, and I guess I still care about him enough to want to understand why. But I don’t like him like that anymore.” I like you. I don’t speak the words aloud. For some reason, they’re stuck somewhere between my heart and my throat.
Johnny looks up and lets out a laugh like he doesn’t believe me. “Okay, whatever. I’ll see you out there.”
When he starts to get up from the couch, I grip his arm and pull him with so much force that he falls back down.
He stares back at me, shock lighting up his eyes. “What the hell?”
“I like you, Johnny. Not Alec. I’m not jealous of Ava and Alec, because all I’ve been able to think about for weeks is you and how much I wish I still hated you. That would be so much easier than being tormented with all the questions I have about how you feel for me.”
I’m breathing hard after my words tripped into the air. My magic can’t even help me. Did I really just profess my feelings for Johnny? I must have, because his expression reveals a new kind of darkness. Lust. Desire. A need so strong, I feel like he’s moments away from devouring me whole.
“What the hell is going on out there?” Roy’s angry roar comes from the hallway before the door to the staff room crashes open. His red face darkens when he sees us together, my arm on Johnny’s shoulder and our mouths too close to question what he just interrupted.
“Get the hell back out on that floor, and make every single one of my customers happy—or both of you are fired.” He stabs his finger in the air toward Johnny. “We’ll talk later.” He backs up and lets the door close behind him.
Johnny chuckles and turns back to me. “I guess we’ll have to continue this conversation later.”
With a groan, I let him pull me to my feet and drag me out of the staff room. Never has wanting to kiss someone felt so excruciating.
Throughout the rest of my shift, I sense Johnny’s eyes on me more often than not. As hard as I try to avoid him so that I can focus on work, I slip up far too many times. He carries a hint of a smile, like he knows something I don’t. And there are all of these subtle interactions that make me a flustered mess all night. He’ll accidentally brush up against me when we’re passing each other in the kitchen. Or he’ll tease me with his stare while I’m waiting for him to fulfill my drink orders. Or he’ll throw me a little wink when I’m at the machine, putting in or cashing out orders.
It’s safe to say this is the longest shift of my life. When the last customer leaves, Roy is walking out behind them, but he stops to look at us. “How you two managed to save your asses, I don’t know. Don’t let it happen again.”
The door shuts behind him, and I walk over to it to lock it so that Johnny and I can clean up without a drunk guest accidentally stumbling in. The latch clicks into place, and I take a deep breath before turning back around.
There’s no denying the electricity that sizzles through the air. I feel it even when I’m in a completely different room than Johnny. At one point, I even walk into the break room and change the music that’s playing on the restaurant speakers in hopes that it will switch up the mood and release some of the tension I know both of us are holding. It’s just an acoustic station that normally mellows me out—no magic needed—but I’m afraid nothing will calm my nerves tonight.
When I return to the floor, Johnny is counting the money in the register. I work like a mad woman, cleaning tables and pulling chairs off the floor to sweep. Then I grab the glass cleaner, and I’m in the middle of wiping down the window that overlooks the bay, when I catch sight of the full moon. It appears twice its normal size and is exceptionally beautiful tonight. I love the moon. Not just because it’s one of my biggest energy sources, but because of the power it holds over the darkness.
A flicker of movement appears in the glass. My heart stops then kicks back to life when I make out Johnny’s reflection staring back at me. He steps forward, closing the distance between us. He’s so close, I can feel his front brush against my back.
My hand is still pressed against the rag on the window when he covers my hand with his. I suck in a sharp breath, my heart pounding fiercely within the confines of my chest. With his free hand, he lifts some loose strands of hair off my shoulder then leans down to press the gentlest kiss on my neck.
“You said earlier that you question how I feel for you.”
My lids flutter closed at his rasp, I nod, and his lips move to my ear.
“I may have mistaken my attraction for you in the beginning, but I can’t deny it anymore. You feel tormented? Well, not a day has gone by since I saw first saw you that I haven’t been haunted with thoughts and visions of you, and it’s only grown stronger these past few weeks.”
A few weeks? A few weeks ago would have been the day I stopped his van with my magic. I don’t understand how or why his feelings started changing then.
I swallow, shocked that I can even find another breath to take. “I haunt
you? That doesn’t sound very pleasant.”
A light chuckle blows across my ear. “I assure you. It’s been agony.” He runs his tongue around the outer shell of my lobe. “Turn around.” His voice is so deep, so husky, I swear I can feel it in the depths of my belly, swirling like a growing whirlpool, faster and faster. I have no choice to jump right in and go for a ride.
He releases my hand, and it falls with the rag from the glass. I turn to face him slowly and deliberately while desperately trying to focus on my next breath, then my next, until he’s staring down at me.
His hand cups my chin. My eyelids close again. And I can’t help but think that for someone with such strong hands, he is unbearably gentle. My eyes open again, and this time, I won’t let them falter. I want to see him before he kisses me. I want to look into his blue eyes and remember everything about this moment. Every sound. Every thought. Every feeling. Every. Single. Thing.
His thumb strokes my jaw, and I let myself give in to the sensation by lifting my chin, inviting him in. When his lips finally touch mine, it’s as if my entire body has been set on fire. He’s lit every sensation in me, and I buzz to life within his hold.
His mouth parts mine, his grip on my waist tightening. His hand on my chin slides to wrap the back of my neck, and he pulls me in to where we’re more deeply connected. Then his tongue sweeps mine, fueling the rapidly growing flames. While every moment is unhurried, our kiss is unparalleled and filled with a passion that speaks directly to my soul. I don’t want him to stop.
My hands rise and weave into his hair, pulling his face even closer to mine. A growl leaves his throat, so soft that I barely hear it, but the rumble reaches my chest. My heart stutters in response, and I swear my knees might buckle right here.
He makes me strong.
He makes me weak.
He makes me…
My mind goes foggy, and I’m certain he can feel the heavy pulse of blood running through my veins and the frantic tempo in my chest begin to slow, but I don’t want to risk ending our kiss to breathe.
