His eyes track the movement, his throat clenching as he clears it.If I didn’t know better, I’d say he looked like he’d swallowed a piece of glass.Maybe that’s why he’s here—he needs a ride to the hospital.
“Yeah.I need to apologize to you,” he says.
I go still.Talk about unexpected.First, Rick being genuinely helpful, and now Ethan apologizing?Am I dying or something?Have the ferry gods come through for me after all?
“Apologize for what?”I ask.
“For the other day.I feel like I offended you by saying our kiss was a mistake.That wasn’t my intention.”
The only thing he’s done to offend me is leave me alone in that shower—not that I’m going to come right out and say it.After a few drinks, maybe, but not standing here with the morning sun beating down on my face.
I lift a shoulder as I peel off one neoprene sleeve, then the other, letting my wetsuit hang half off.“There’s no need to apologize.You told me how you feel, and I’m respecting that.”
Ethan swipes a hand down his jaw, his rough palm meeting his stubble, making the most delicious rasping sound.“And what if I said I don’t want you to respect it?”he asks, sounding a little winded.“If I said I wanted you to knock on my door at the crack of dawn, drag me outside, and force me to try to surf?If I said I wanted you to make me stay out too late, drink too much, and share a sunset?”
My heart starts to pound harder, rattling the shell he gave me, which is still hanging around my neck.“I’d say you’re only feeling guilty for turning me down.And there’s no need.”I’m a freaking catch, and if he doesn’t see that, then it’s his loss.
He steps closer and leans in until we’re eye-level.His gaze locks with mine, burning through me like green wildfire.“I don’t feel guilty.I fucking regret it,” he says.“I’ve always worked my ass off, but only now am I starting to realize how much life I’ve missed out on because of it.”He slips a finger under my chin, tilting my face up.“If I could go back to the other day and do it all over again, I’d do things differently.”He swallows hard.“I’d make it worth every second.”
The air escapes my lungs, leaving space to breathe him in...sawdust and pine.
Why now?I want to ask.Why not any of the other times I’ve suggested getting together?
But does it even matter?I’ve been attracted to this man since the moment his scowl came into my life.He’s only here for a little longer, and then he’ll be gone.If he wants another chance, I guess I’ll give him one more.
It’s his last, so he better make it “worth every second.”
I drift past Ethan, my pulse racing as I reach for the door to my outdoor shower.When I glance over my shoulder, I find him watching me, his eyes ablaze.
I step inside the shower and turn on the water, holding my breath to see if he’s ready to make good on his promise.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
ETHAN
Chloe doesn’t closethe shower door.She steps right into the stream of water, her back to me as she bends to peel her wetsuit off her legs.My eyes soak in one of the greatest views I’ve seen: her amazing behind in a stringy yellow bikini.
What on earth did I do in my life to deserve this?
My dick makes an insistent press against my zipper as Chloe turns back around to face me, brushing her fingers through her hair.It’s her eyes that get me most of all—soft, inviting, and locked on mine.
“You coming or not?”she asks.
“I’ll get there.”
She must get my meaning because she smiles, her tongue playing with that sexy gap in her teeth.
She has no idea how badly I want to stride right up to her and bring my mouth to the rivulets of water snaking down her cleavage, but I hold back.
“Go on,” I say, folding my arms.“Show me what I’ve been missing.”
Chloe’s eyes gleam as she reaches around her back and tugs at the strings of her bikini top.The fabric drops to the floor with a wetclap, and my eyes blaze with heat as I take in the sight of her full, swollen tits and tight, puckered nipples.
My mouth waters, but my bare feet stay rooted to the sand.“Touch yourself.”
Chloe swallows tightly, then brings her palms to her breasts.She cups and squeezes, rolling her nipples between her fingers.
It’s fuckingagonynot to take over what she’s doing, but at the same time, I’ve never been so spellbound.Chloe’s tits drop as she reaches for a bottle of body wash in the shower caddy, turning it upside down until it spurts into her hand.My teeth dig into my bottom lip as she smears a sheen of soap over her chest, washing every curve and peak.
