Dove collects her glass and moves closer to the action, leaning into one of the oversized beach umbrellas that we have up at the front of the bar during the day.
For a while I just watch her, really taking her in. It’s hard to believe it’s her in the flesh, all grown up. She’s the best-looking chick in this place by far. Her body scorching, her features striking, she was always pretty, but now she’s a goddess. I can’t help myself. Just like I always was when we were young, I’m drawn to her.
Itching to get under her skin in the same way she does mine, I lean into the other side of the pole. “How long’s it been since you’ve been on a board?” I ask her.
She assesses me, her lashes fluttering. “Longer than it should ever be.”
I can’t help but laugh. I don’t know why, I just feel lighter around her. “Same.”
Her brow knits together. “Yeah right, bet you were out there this morning.”
I lift the side of my long shorts to show her my scar. “Doc says maybe never.”
Her eyes widen in shock, and for the first time since she walked in here, I see the real her. She’s still in there behind this bitchy facade. “Oh, shit, River, I’m sorry. That’s not right, you were so talented. I watched your races, followed you on tour.”
That puts the smile back on my face. She watched me. Yeah right, she didn’t know I owned this place. She’s here tonight to see me. “What does the doc know?” I shrug, wishing this wasn’t my life, but the pain every time I put any pressure on my left side tells me it is. The surgery was bad enough, then the recovery. I do my physio, I work out to strengthen the muscles again. They all say time will be my friend, but I don’t have it. I have already missed way too many comps, and I know what that means, my agent hinted at it enough. My spot has been filled by some young up-and-comer, and I’m out. Retired at the young age of twenty-five.
“Yeah, exactly, we all know you will do what you want anyway. The ocean calls your name. You’ll find a way to get back out there.” She smiles softly, and man, it’s the sweetest thing I have seen in so damn long. Her lips are pure perfection. I can’t help but wonder if she tastes as edible as she smells.
The first contestant doesn’t even last five seconds. The way it makes Dove laugh when he crashes into the mats takes me back years. It’s so carefree, and I want to bottle it up. Go back there to where our dreams could come true. Before Throne had its grip on our lives.
“He was never going to last. Who stands like that on a board? What is it, his first time?” She slaps her thigh as she continues to laugh at his expense.
I motion to the blonde in the mini skirt who’s now consoling him. “I’d say trying to impress on a first date.”
She shakes her head. “He’s going about it all wrong, poor dude. No way he’s gettinglucky tonight.”
The couple retreat, his injured leg dragging as she guides him toward a nearby table. I motion for my waitress to send them a couple of drinks on the house.
“I would have to agree.” I laugh along with her. The girl I know is still in there, she’s just hiding behind a scowl and smart mouth. But I can bring fun Dove back. Tonight, I’m making it my mission.
The next couple of contestants do better, and I can tell by the way she crosses her arms over her chest and nibbles her bottom lip that makes her nervous. If it’s been as long as she says, she might be rusty. But the point of getting her to sign up wasn’t to hand her the title and money, it was to get her to talk to me, and that’s working, so I guess I’m as smooth as I thought.
“It’s not too late to pull out if you’re not up for it,” I offer cheekily.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not a chicken, River, I can take on these pussies. That money is going to be mine.”
“Well, alright then.” The next contestant steps up. I’ve seen him around, a young dude, but he’s got talent on the waves. He’s won this comp a few times. “If you’re so confident you’re going to win, how about we up the stakes?” I grin at her, hoping she will take the bait.
A flash of curiosity comes over her features, and I know I have her already. “What do you have in mind, Easten?”
A stupid smile crosses my lips. She hasn’t called me by my last name in a very long time, and I get the impression we might just be on friend terms again. “A date. A meal, maybe some drinks, a long walk on the beach, then whatever you’re after.” I wink, painting on the charm real thick. She’s not the only one who’s grown up. I’m not a kid anymore, shy and lacking the confidence it took to tell her how I really felt. I know what I want and how to ask for it. And she’s a perfect package I want to unwrap.
“What?” she practically shrieks, covering her mouth when she realizes how loud she just was.
I cover my chest, my confidence taking a small knock by her blatant rejection. I could have any girl in this place if I wanted to. But that shit has grown boring lately. My eyes lock with hers, and attraction swirls between us. I know it does by the way she bites into her bottom lip as she stares up at me, her dark lashes fluttering, her cheeks coloring. It’s all-consuming. She could be the only one in this place for all I care. I wish she was. “You win you get the money, if you lose, I want a date.”
She takes a step back, trying to get some distance. “That hardly seems fair. I’m going to get the money anyway, why would I risk having to go on a date with you?” She smirks like she doesn’t fully hate the idea, but she wants to play with me.
“What do you want the stakes to be then? You win, I’ll give you anything you want.”
Her brow rises and I know she’s in. “Your combi,” she says back a little too quickly. “The cute blue combi with the RIVER1 number plates out front is yours, right?”
Fuck, she’s really gone all in. The young fella is still riding the waves, and I’m more than confident that she won’t be able to beat him, so I hold out a hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal, baby.”
As she places her hand in mine and shakes, her grin widens like she’s already won. I grin back at her. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she nose-dives off the front of the board and realizes she’s mine for the night.
The dude stumbles then falls off the side. The gathered audience cheers his name like he’s already won, even though his time is worse than it was a couple of weeks ago.
