Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
I’ve never known anyone like Finn before. As genuine as Finn. As committed and moral as him.
Not even before the fame happened.
The road grows bumpy as he takes a dirt path that I, for a hot second, am about to question him taking. He seems to know exactly where he’s going like he’s driven here before as we cut between tall trees, strange rock formations, and patches of pebbly sand. I don’t even see the road anymore as we start rolling downhill to a spread of dead grass and dirt, where he finally comes to a stop in the fractured shade of trees.
“Should be safe,” he mutters, killing the engine.
We get out of the car. My feet land on the crunchy dirt. I peel my jacket off and toss it back in the car, then notice him giving me a once-over, likely checking me out in my skimpy tank top I had on underneath. Slept in it last night and didn’t have a chance to change before darting out the back door. I smirk to myself, enjoying the attention, as I go on ahead of him. I imagine his eyes dropping to my ass in these scanty thin-material gym shorts I’m sporting. I will be first to admit, they hide nothing, not even the crack of my squat-happy ass.
The sound of the hissing waves reaches me before the view does. Through the trees sandwiched by two cliffs, I spot a moody, secluded beach. It’s unkempt and messy in a beautiful, natural way, unlike all the typical tourist beaches that are groomed and combed to artificial perfection. The sharp, fishy aroma of seawater is much thicker here. I feel both like I’m in heaven or could get my toes bitten off by a mean crab hopping out of the brush to defend its territory. This is real beach-meets-wilderness territory.
“I continue to be impressed,” I say as we stroll side-by-side down the indistinct sandy path toward the water. “This beach town keeps a lot of secrets.”
“Too bad we can’t explore more freely,” he points out, disappointed.
“We’re exploring freely enough, aren’t we?” I pick a shell up off the ground, toss it in my hand. “I’m getting the sense I’m seeing a lot more than your typical guest.”
“But you haven’t seen the restaurants. Or the museum. Art exhibit. Sugarberry Beach where the locals hang out.”
“That beach sounds edible.” I pick up another shell and turn it over in my palm.
“If there ever comes a time when you happen to not be chased around by the world, I’d love to show you so much more. There’s a reason people come here to get away.”
I peer at him. “Is one of those reasons you?”
He meets my eyes, then quickly chuckles away my question, looking off.
Finn is so easy to flirt with.
When we reach the water, we just stand there for what feels like ages, listening to the unique way this narrower, isolated stretch of shoreline sounds, the waves giggling as they sweep up over the sand. I know it’s far less pretty here than it might be on the beaches with fancy storefronts and a souvenir-lined boardwalk, no doubt. But in its own way, I find this Cottonwood Cove to be exceedingly preferred.
Even if it looks more like a crime scene than a beach.
“All rivers head for the sea,” I wax poetically.
My words are lost somewhat in the waves, it’s amazing that Finn hears them. “Guess that’s true. Rivers flow to the sea. Like you did.” He tucks his hands into his pockets. “If we’re going on with cheesy name-related metaphors …”
“You think my metaphor’s cheesy?”
“… I am what fish need to navigate in the water.”
I consider it, then laugh. “Finn. That’s … a thousand times cheesier than what I just said.”
“And maybe I’m what you need to navigate the rough waters,” he goes on. My laughter fades. “Especially during a storm, fish rely on their fins the most to stay the course.” He meets my eyes. “It’s … okay to rely on me.”
Everything grows still. “Then who’ll you rely on?”
His eyes drop to my lips.
This time, I don’t miss the chance. I take hold of Finn’s face right there, cradling it like precious treasure, and bring my eager mouth to his.
Chapter 11 - River
Kissing Finn is what I wanted.
Exactly what I wanted.
At precisely the time I needed it.
And judging from the way Finn’s body reacts when my lips touch his, it’s exactly what he wanted, too.
His hands fly to my hips, taking hold and pulling our bodies close. If there was any doubt about our desire for each other, it’s gone the second he grabs me.
It’s indescribable, how perfect our lips feel against one another’s. He tastes exquisite. Even this fierce yet delicate way in which he kisses seems sweet. He will grab me if he wants, attack my face, but never dream of hurting me.