We drag the sand blanket out to the perfect spot and set up camp. I open the cooler and pull out some cut up salami and cheese and plop it in the middle along with a jar of baby dills.
“Mmm, pickles…” Bryn draws out as she reaches in to grab one. I pull out the fork and stick it in the jar after that. “Oh, guess I should’ve waited for that.”
“Girl, your fingers are spotless compared to all the little grubby hands I deal with all week. I’m not worried about sharing your germs.”
“Fair point.”
“So, do you see him?” I ask, shielding my eyes from the sun and scoping the water.
“Yup, he’s out there waiting for his wave to our left a little bit. Orange and yellow board.”
Sure enough, I see the orange and yellow board with the very stacked, and very lethally muscled, man attached to it.
“Dang, Bryn, his muscles look like he painted on that wetsuit.”
“I know, right? I’m looking forward to seeing it peel off,” she mumbles, crunching on a pickle with enthusiasm.
“I think every woman on this beach would agree with you,” I answer with a snicker, and she nudges me with her elbow.She’s not mad about it though. Trystan is fine as wine, and anyone who says otherwise is lying straight through their teeth.
“Ope, there he goes! He’s going to try this one!”
Trystan’s paddling hard, and we watch with rapt fascination as he takes the wave. It doesn’t look like he’s been off the board for years.
He drops off in the aftermath of the wave, and when he comes up, the infectious glee from his ‘whoop!’ makes us giggle. Another wave comes in with a rider after Trystan. When they come out of the water, the other man turns just enough, running his hand through his hair, that I choke on my baby dill.
“Oh, look at that! Looks like Trystan has a surfing buddy!” Brynleigh notes smugly while popping a cheese cube into her mouth. “Hot damn, looks like his wetsuit could be painted on too. Not that I’m complaining. Like, where did he find the time to hit the gym during his residency?”
“Huh…” I bite the inside of my cheek and turn my head slowly her way. “Surfing buddy. Did you know about this surfing buddy?” She tosses a whole baby dill in her mouth, looking sheepishly guilty. An irritated sigh huffs out of me as I swivel my head back toward the two men very clearly walking our way. Jaxon looks good. Damn good.
“Man, it feels good to be back out in the water. I’m so glad you called this morning. How’s the move coming along?” I overhear Trystan ask Jaxon as they get within earshot.
“The move’s going well. I just have a few larger items to load in my truck, along with my bike, and I’ll be done with the old place. You were doing well out there. Maybe we can try Ogunquit sometime soon, if another system brings us some good swells.”
“Deal. And you said bike, didn’t you? You ride? You’re just full of surprises,” Trystan says, shaking his head as Jaxon nods with a grin.
“Great job, baby!” Brynleigh hollers as they close in on us.
Trystan pulls Bryn up into his arms for a big hug and kiss, even as she squeals and fights the cold water dripping off him, but she melts into it and celebrates his ability to get back out there and surf decently with a giggle. She rubs at his shoulder, asking if it feels okay.
“It’s good. Now give me one of those dills,” he demands, one of his dimples popping up with the big ol’ grin on his face. Those things are lethal. Brynleigh pops one into his mouth, and he lets out an appreciative hum.
“Hey, Sweetheart,” Jaxon rasps at me, his voice lightly laced with the remnants of exertion from his joyride. It’s husky, and I shiver.Thank goodness for the breeze.
“What’d I tell you about calling me sweetheart?” I chastise, inwardly groaning when his smile widens and his fucking dimples come out to play too.
“You’ll warm to it eventually.”
“Unlikely.”
“We’ll see.”
I let out a little frustrated growl, and he chuckles low and throaty.
“Wanna catch a few more? Let the ladies watch us in our element?” Trystan asks, mischief glittering in his eyes.
“You bet,” Jaxon answers, tossing me a wink. “Don’t stare too hard at my ass when I walk away.”
I scoff hard, earning a hearty laugh, but I’m unable to tear my eyes away from that ass while he strolls into the water. Worse yet, he caught me looking. I flop back onto the mat and cover my face as Brynleigh cracks up.
