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  “Ramon,” he replied like his name should mean something to her.

  She slapped her thigh. “Ramon Martinez?”

  He nodded, his mane of thick black curls sliding forward across his forehead.

  “Gonzalo’s little brother?” she queried.

  He stilled. “Nothing little about me, chica,” he rallied.

  She snorted. “You graduated a year after Simone and I did.”

  He nodded. “So did Ash and Dominic.” He hooked a thumb at the two surfers who flanked him.

  “You look hot.” Ramon wiggled his dark brows. “Why don’t we go for a swim so you can get cooled off?”

  “Sure thing, Romeo,” she teased. “But only if Simone comes, too.”

  I nodded my agreement. I was ready to cool off. I peered over at Linc to see what he thought of the idea. He was unzipping and removing his wet suit. He apparently approved. My mouth went dry as he tossed it aside.

  Sure I’d seen Linc in only his board shorts before but it was from a distance and that had been before I’d had my hands on him and all those lean contoured muscles currently on dazzlingly display.

  He offered me his hand and I took it readily but suddenly felt shy and kept my lashes lowered. “Simone and I are heading to the pier,” he informed everyone while draping his arm over my shoulder. “That work for you, Mona?”

  I nodded, my heart doing summersaults within my chest as Linc began tracing random soft circles on my skin just above the slope of my right breast. I could feel my muscles tightening in response to what he was doing and where he was doing it.

  “I don’t want you around Ramon in a bikini,” Linc said low as he steered us along the water’s edge. He sounded kind of angry. I didn’t get it but I was grateful he wasn’t looking at me. I skimmed my toes through the water embarrassed by my body’s obvious reaction to his touch. If he noticed that my nipples were peaked and jutting against my top, I hoped he’d attribute it to the coolness of the ocean instead of his touch and my desire for him to widen those circles and…

  “He’s a friend.” Linc stopped and gently turned me to face him, his long capable fingers curling around my shoulders. “But I don’t trust him around you with you looking like this.” His gaze dipped and fingers tightened. “Damn, Simone,” he growled his voice even deeper than before as he rested his forehead against mine. “All I can think about is pulling those strings so I can get you naked. I want to see, touch, and taste every single incredible inch of your body.”

  The awkward first date feeling was nothing compared to the maelstrom of my emotions now. After having held her in my arms, after having sampled her lips, after having those types of dreams starring her, I had scarcely been able to form a coherent sentence. Let alone do anything but go all caveman when first seeing her in that barely there bikini.

  Hello Sport’s Illustrated, my vote for your next swimsuit edition is right in front of me here in Ocean Beach.

  I had alternated between wanting to cover her with her beach towel and throwing her over my shoulder to find someplace private where I could remove the tiny scraps of material and have my way with her.

  “Linc, are you sure about this?” I blinked rapidly several times totally having lost track for a moment of where we were and what we were doing. Straddling my board while I walked her out into deeper water Simone looked uncertain. If her fingers hadn’t been curled around the rails of my board she probably would’ve been twirling that long ponytail of caramel.

  “About what?” I asked gliding the pads of my fingers across the smooth golden skin of her thigh under the pretense of guiding her on my board further into the surf.

  She swallowed before answering and I wondered if maybe the puckered nipples I hadn’t failed to notice were caused by me instead of the cooler temperature of the water. I hoped it was me. She was certainly driving me insane. My every fantasy brought to life. Breasts that would overflow my hands, curvy hips just right to sink my fingers into.

  “About me riding on your board.” Her golden eyes reflected the ocean’s sparkle. “I thought a surfer’s board was sacrosanct.”

  “It is, babe.” I was having difficulty keeping up with the conversation. I was still tripping on the image that came to mind when she mentioned riding. “To the surfer and his girl.”

  As she slowly smiled her even beautiful white teeth left impressions on her ripe berry flavored lips. Apparently she liked the idea of being my girl as much as I did.

  The water was to my waist now, finally deep enough for us to paddle out past the breakers. I drew myself onto the board and turned to look at her over my shoulder. “Tow is over. Get to work back there, Mona.” It was good that I was in front, seeing her bending over to paddle with those tits of hers spilling out of her top would make me entertain more thoughts of laying her out on my board and taking her on it. Here in the middle of the day knowing everyone could see us it wasn’t an option, but at night, if sharks weren’t a concern I would have given that particularly tempting fantasy some serious consideration.

  I shifted to make room for my growing erection. My cock and I would’ve loved to fulfill a few different fantasies with her right then. Soon, had become my internal mantra.

  I leaned forward and dug into the surf with hands cupped into paddles trying to get a grip, focusing on the fighter jet roaring overhead to distract myself from Simone.

  Once we slipped into the gentle swells, I swiveled around to face her. “Come here. We’re far enough away from the shore to be safe from prying eyes and I want to kiss you.”

  She shimmied forward, tits swaying and lips curled seductively like some kind of erotic water nymph from my dreams come to life.

  Eyes focused on hers, I leaned forward the moment her knees touched mine placing my palms on her sexy thighs. Her hands wrapped around my forearms her fingers gripping so hard her nails nearly pierced my skin. I skimmed my hands an inch higher up her leg. She gasped and I took advantage pressing my lips to hers and dipping my tongue between the parted seam. Slow slick glides of my tongue to hers with languid swirls I deepened and deepened the kiss that I never wanted to end.

  I felt the sun on my skin and the water lapping my lower legs but mostly what I felt was turned completely on and inside out by her. “Mona.” I lifted my mouth from her lips and skimmed them across her jaw. Her eyes remained closed. Her lashes formed dark fans on her cheeks as she arched forward seeming to lean into each stamp of my lips against her creamy soft skin. “Mona,” I tried again.

  “Mmm.” She sighed, lids fluttering open, her eyes dark and unfocused.

  “I gotta go in. I have to take a phone call from my sponsor, but I wanna see you again.” I needed to. I hated the thought of being even a single moment without her. I wasn’t just a caveman with her; I was a jealous and possessive one. “Patch is having a party at his house. Nothing special just some beers and burgers.” I suspected it was another excuse for them to get out their instruments and play in front of an audience. “I’d like you to go with me.”

  “I can’t, Linc.” Her hands going back to the rails of my board, she frowned. “I want to, but I have to work.”

  “It’s your parent’s place.” I tried to hide my disappointment. “Can’t you get someone to cover for you so you can take the night off?”

  She shook her head.

  “Is your dad always that unreasonable?” I had tried to convince myself that the way he treated her was mostly a work related thing.

  She closed her eyes briefly. When she reopened them, she was still sitting in the same position but I could tell she had withdrawn from me disappearing behind that shield she always had up at the restaurant.

  Frowning, too, I squeezed her knee. “He doesn’t…” I choked on the mere thought. My drunk old man and me was one thing. She was his daughter. I could barely speak the words. “He doesn’t hurt you does he?”

  “No.” Her honeyed gaze flared with denial. “Of course not. It’s just that the business is important to him and it’s i
mportant to him that I’m there and do my part to make it successful.” Her brow creased and she started to mess with the end of her ponytail. “It’s all tangled up together. I’m sorry I can’t go. He pays for my school, Lincoln. I can’t afford to make him any angrier with me than he already is.”

  I shuffled around the restaurant like a mindless zombie, the minutes magnified into hours and the hours into an eternity. I hadn’t realized how much faster time passed when Lincoln was around. Even though I wasn’t free to talk to him at work, his presence soothed me, almost as much as the ever present ocean always had.

  He was quickly becoming the center of my existence. He was already the focus of my thoughts.

  That probably wasn’t a good thing.

  I had my goals and whatever this was between us, we only had the summer to figure it out. He had his competitions to go to and I had my responsibilities at Napoli’s. If tonight was any indication I didn’t think compromise was going to be easy. He hadn’t been very happy about me turning him down.

  Plus he was already popular here in OB and probably just as in demand at those qualifying events.

  We had only shared a couple of kisses. Body melting, mind blowing, life changing ones. But we didn’t have anything exclusive. Though this felt very serious to me, could it possibly mean as much to him?

  Or was he even now at the party with someone new?

  “Simone!” I jumped at the sound of my father’s voice.

  “Yes, Daddy.” I hurried over to the bar where he was rearranging the glassware. It had been an unexpectedly slow night.

  “You’ve been out of it all night. Messed up six tickets already. Go on home. Get some rest so you can be better focused tomorrow. I can close by myself tonight.”

  My slumbering heart stirred in my chest. “Alright.” I tried not to let my inner excitement bleed through into my tone. There was still time. I was going to go to Dominic’s party. My father hadn’t specifically forbidden me from going out when he’d taken my cell phone. Feeling my mood completely altering, I impulsively kissed his stubbly cheek. He looked at me funny but smiled.

  I don’t think my feet touched the sidewalk all the way home. I flew up to my room and had six or seven rejected outfits on the bed when my mom knocked on my door and pushed it open, a full to the brim goblet of wine in her hand.

  “Going out again?” She looked at the bed and then at me in my old robe, my hair in a clip high on my head. “Seems like tonight’s important to you, Simone, honey.” She only slightly slurred her words. It was still early enough in the evening for her to be coherent. It was sometimes nice to talk to her. I knew she loved me the best she could. But tonight I was in a rush.

  “Did you need something?” I prompted irritation swirling when she moved further into the room and wandered to my closet perusing the selection, running her fingers over the clothes in much the same manner I had earlier.

  “This one always looks good on you.” She removed a sleek silver mid-thigh length dress.

  “It’s perfect.” The over one shoulder was sexy and the two large embroidered black flowers on the bodice and hem kept it from being too formal. I hugged her and she returned it with her one free arm still clutching her precious wine with the other.

  She didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave so I shrugged out of my robe and slipped the dress on opting for a pair of flat sandals with big fake diamonds. I was letting down my hair and fluffing it with my fingers when she came up behind me. Our eyes met in my dresser mirror, hers the same color as my own. Growing up I’d always thought she was so beautiful but I had never noticed how alike in looks we had become. Funny, I didn’t really favor my father at all except for my skin tone.

  “You’ve met a boy haven’t you?” She gently turned me around by my shoulders finger curling a tendril close to my temple.

  I went still but didn’t say anything in confirmation or denial. I loved my mother but she had a loose tongue, especially when she had been drinking.

  Her lips flattened as she continued studying me, fingers running softly over my hair. “I’m sorry I haven’t always been there for you.” Her eyes filled. She was feeling overly emotional. She’d obviously had more to drink than I thought.

  I squeezed her hand, the empty one. “It’s ok, mom.” Why did I always feel like the grown up with her? I had ever since she turned into the ghost, floating through life at the house or the restaurant, only a faded image of the vibrant woman she’d once been. “I’m probably going to be late.” I kissed her cheek avoiding looking into her sad eyes and refusing to feel guilty about shutting her out. “I won’t be out all night.” No way did I want a repeat of my father’s wrath. “Don’t wait up for me.”

  I didn’t know for sure what I’d find at the party. I just hoped Karen was there. She’d been invited, too. I’d called and left a message on her cell. I hadn’t heard back from her yet. I snagged the clutch from my bed. I might be overdressed for burgers and beer, but I wanted to look my best. I needed the confidence boost.

  “How many beers is that, dude?” Ash asked loudly over the music and party chatter. He folded his arms over his chest and gave me a parental look. That disapproving buzz killing one.

  “Not enough,” I muttered.

  “She’s just working.” He frowned. “Lighten up about it already. It’s not like she’s with another guy. And anyway, you only just met her. You need to give her some space.”

  All that was true but Ash didn’t realize I’d fallen for her. It sounded crazy but she was my moon, in total control of the ebb and flow of my moods now.

  I shrugged noncommittally. My feelings for Simone were too new and raw for me to discuss even with my best friend. “What about you and Karen?” I lifted my chin toward where Simone’s friend sat on a lawn chair surrounded by a legion of admirers. “She keeps looking this way. I think she’s into you, man.”

  “Nah, not a girl like her.” Ash followed the direction of my gaze and shook his head. “She can have her pick. I think she’s just spying on you for Simone.”

  “Really?” I cocked my head. “Why would she do that?”

  “Are you really that dense?” His blue eyes danced with amusement at my expense. “Because Simone’s into you, as dopey over you as you seem to be over her. Anyone can see it.” I froze solid soaking up that possibility, hoping he was right.

  “Hey, you ready, Ash?” Dominic bumped fists with my cousin and me.

  “Sure,” Ash replied after a moment’s hesitation, a green sheen suddenly misting his skin.

  “You guys are certainly pushing hard with this Dirt Dogs shit,” I guessed glancing at the makeshift stage on the concrete patio where Ash’s drum kit and the rest of the instruments and equipment were set up.

  “Yeah.” Dominic lifted a shoulder and dropped it. “We gotta pursue other options. Most of us can’t make a living surfing.”

  Not that great of a living, I thought. The call with the Billabong rep hadn’t gone all that well. Lots of surfers and not enough sponsor money to go around. It was a good thing I’d saved up every dime of my winnings so far this year and that I had the extra income from Napoli’s. I was going to need it in order to pay for my flight out to the event in Fiji.

  “Why don’t you join us for a song?” Ash asked.

  “Why not?” Dominic interjected apparently on board with the idea.

  “You did a kickass job on ‘Better Man’ when we were messing around the other day.”

  “Yeah and I could really use the backup on vocals tonight,” Ash said. “My throat’s feeling a little sore.” Now that he mentioned it I had noticed his voice sounded a little more gravelly than usual.

  “Sure. Alright.” I slapped him on the shoulder. I was familiar enough with their set list to help out. Plus I could use the distraction from my obsessing over Mona.

  I entered through the backyard gate tagging along with a late arriving set of couples. The music was loud and compelling drawing in curious stragglers from the In-N-Out Burger a c
ouple of doors down from Dominic’s house.

  There were too many people in front of me for me to see the band but they sounded different than the night before.

  I wondered why.

  Then I realized.

  Lincoln.

  Belting out lead vocals on Pearl Jam’s “Better Man”. No tired Eddie Vedder imitator, his interpretation was undeniably appealing. His singing voice was much like his speaking one only richer mic’ed up. And extra sexy without a doubt.

  I pressed in sidestepping and apologizing profusely as I made my way toward him, the last guitar fading out just as I broke through. Ash clapped him on the shoulder. Girls with glittering eyes surrounded the two of them, Dominic and Romeo smiling big with their own impressive entourage. Lincoln hadn’t noticed me yet.

  Hands clasped tightly together on the handle of my clutch, my eyes were shining with pride for him. He’d been so fantastic. Everyone else obviously thought so, too. It wasn’t just on the ocean that he excelled. I shook my head brushing off a guy who offered me a solo cup filled with beer. I wasn’t interested in anyone or anything else. I just wanted Lincoln.

  “Hey.” Looking pretty in a mint colored top and jeans, Karen smiled and handed me an uncapped bottled water. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

  “I guess you didn’t hear me trying to call you earlier.” I grinned goofily.

  “Guess not. The music’s pretty loud. Couldn’t stay away, huh?” She surmised.

  I shook my head. “He’s something. Isn’t he?”

  “Yeah. Sure. If you’re into that whole hot bohemian surfer god rock star thing, but…” She trailed off her eyes widening slightly.

  I shifted to follow the direction of her gaze.

  I went utterly still, my anticipatory smile fading away as a million tiny knives stabbed me in the center of my chest as I watched Kit put her hand on Lincoln’s arm. He turned toward her. She went up on her toes kissing the lips I’d tasted just hours ago. All of the knives coalesced into one dagger right though my heart.