When we get down on the sand, it’s picture perfect. The waves are gently rolling in, and the sky has held up for a clear blue extending into what feels like eternity. I don't know much about surfing, but the waves look to be forming nicely, and the surfers out on the water seem to catch them easily enough, riding for a little while before peeling backward.
Kai finds a spot he’s happy with then puts the towels down and tugs me onto one. He places us so I'm sitting in front of him, his legs to either side of my hips. Placing his binoculars next to us, he pulls me back against his chest and leans his chin on my shoulder. Much like the day in the back of the truck, Kai makes me feel safe and secure and slightly turned on with his easy affection. I could definitely get used to this.
From here, the dozen or so surfers look so calm and relaxed as they bob in the ocean, waiting for a wave. “Pipeline is actually one of the most deadly surf breaks even though it looks so calm on the surface,” Kai murmurs close to my ear. “It's a reef break, so it creates amazing waves that range in height up to 20 feet. The waves suck out a lot of the water, so when they wipe out, surfers can be thrown against the jagged reef. Countless people get injured each year, and some even die.”
His words cause a shiver to run down my spine, and he rubs his hands up and down my bare arms. He picks up his binoculars and peers through them at the surfers out on the waves. “Did I tell you the guys I’m here to see are twins? Identical ones. Lucky for me, Tristan has longer hair at the moment so I can tell them apart, but they usually like fucking with people.” He points at a surfer that's paddling toward the wave. “That’s Tristan.” We watch as he makes it onto the wave and is lifted by the powerful force. As it propels him forward, he effortlessly pops to his feet and rides the wave, disappearing into the short barrel before popping out on the other end where he then cuts backward off the wave.
We sit and watch for a little while longer. Occasionally, Kai will tell me something about the history of the surf break, but we watch in comfortable silence for the most part. His breath is warm on my neck as he occasionally leans closer, placing kisses on my exposed shoulder.
“I’m really glad you came with us, Harlow,” Kai whispers quietly. “I really like you, and I’m enjoying having you all to myself.” His words make me want to squeal and do a happy dance, but I take a deep breath and shove it down before turning and looking him in his gorgeous brown eyes.
“I’m really enjoying having you all to myself too, no interruptions, no stalker drama, just us.” I lean in and press my mouth to his, taking a leap. He seems a little taken aback, like he wasn't expecting it, but he quickly recovers. Putting one hand on the back of my head and deepening the kiss, he sweeps his tongue along my lips. I gladly allow his gentle request, and he lovingly worships my mouth as his hand tightens in my hair, pulling just a little. That bite of pain is a perfect counterpoint to the delicious things his kiss is doing to the rest of my body.
Just when I’m thinking about taking this a step further, movement out of the corner of my eye has me pulling back. Kai turns to see who it is, and his eyes light up before he untangles himself from me and jumps up.
“Kai, my man! I thought it was you. Imagine my surprise seeing you with a hottie.” The blond surfer has his dripping wetsuit pulled down to his waist and his surfboard under one arm, but Kai still gives him one of those man hugs, the two of them slapping each other on the back.
“Justin Owens, ready to join the winning team yet?” Kai asks, smiling widely before turning to me. “This is my girlfriend, Harlow. Justin is currently sponsored by Redbull. I keep trying to convince him to defect, but he’s not interested.”
Justin holds out a hand to me, and I shake it, smiling. “Nice to meet you,” I say, looking up at him while shading my eyes with my free hand.
He gives me a blindingly white toothy smile. “You too. I’ve never seen Kai with a woman before, so you must be a pretty special lady.” He turns to Kai, looking him up and down. “So, why are you here? Obviously not to surf since you’ve got no gear.”
Kai turns back to the waves and points out the brothers. “Here to have a chat with those two, see if they're interested in joining one of my teams.”
Justin holds a hand up to his eyes, shading them, as he squints in the direction Kai pointed. “Oh, the Blaze brothers. Good choice, man. Not only are they wicked athletes, they’ve got good hearts too. Going to be a smart partnership for both parties. Smart,verysmart.”
They chat a little longer about mutual friends before Justin says, “Hey, I’m having a party up at the house tonight if you want to come.” He points at a house not far away. “Some of the old crew will be there, and I know they’d love to see you.” Kai looks at me, gauging my interest, but I just shrug and smile.
“Whatever you want to do, I’m easy. I don't think we had plans tonight, did we?”
“We might come, but I’m giving Harlow her first surf lesson back at Waikiki this afternoon. We’ll see if she still feels that way afterward or if she's too sore and tired by this evening,” Kai tells him, laughing.
“That’s wicked, man. Good luck, Harlow, I hope you love it. Well, keep it in mind,” Justin says before they do another one of those man slapping hug things. That done, he takes off down the beach.
Kai holds out a hand to me, and when I grab hold, he pulls me to my feet. “Justin is a three-time world champion and the youngest person to win the Pipeline Masters. He’s also a super nice dude. We could easily be rivals because he works for the other huge energy drink on the market, but he’s not like that.”
After one last look, he picks up the towels and his binoculars and we head back up the beach. As we get to the top, I turn around, spying a couple of surfers making their way back to the shore.
“Come on, I know you’re probably still full from breakfast, but they do some amazing açai and granola bowls at this place as well as smoothies,” Kai offers as we get back to the car and climb in.
“I could eat,” I tell him, and it’s to the sound of his laughter that we pull back into traffic and head to his meeting.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Harlow
With a firm agreement from the Blaze twins, Kai’s meeting was a success, with promises to send over contracts that would be signed the following week when they returned to LA. My surf lesson was so much fun. Kai had bought me a wetsuit to use, and we rented a large board from one of the places along the beach. We spent hours splashing around in the small surf, and by the time we had finished, I’d managed to stand up a couple of times.
By the time we make it back to the hotel and finish dinner, another variety of test dishes for the hotel’s eventual menu, I’m ready to collapse, but the promise of Justin’s party and Kai’s excitement about it are too much to resist. Honestly, I’m just enjoying spending time with them, so I’ll fight against the exhaustion and make the best of every moment I can. I’ll probably be asleep on my feet by the time Jaxon has his turn tomorrow, but I have the feeling it’ll be worth it. Surfing and a party today, then a luau tomorrow? This kind of stuff happens in the books I read, not real life, but I’ll happily accept this fantasy for a little while longer.
By the time Jaxon drops Kai and me at a house that sits just back from the beach, it’s lit up and full of people. Music is pumping out through the doors and carrying down the beach on the breeze. Holding my hand again, Kai steps through into the chaos, taking me with him. He’s greeted by what feels like every second person as he makes his way through the crowd, but he doesn't stop to chat like so many of them want. Instead, he keeps going until he finds the kitchen and a whole boatload of tubs filled with ice and bottled drinks. Pulling out a beer, he raises his eyebrow at me. At my nod, he flips the top off with a bottle opener left on the bench and passes it to me before he takes another for himself. Grabbing my hand, he tows me out onto an open balcony where Justin is standing, his arms around a pretty Hawaiian girl.
Justin’s face lights up when he sees Kai, and the girl in his arms squeals before launching herself at him. On instinct, he drops my hand, catching her and whirling her around in a hug before she pulls away. A prick of jealousy sits in my stomach, but she quickly moves back into Justin's arms.
“Justin didn’t tell me you were coming!” she complains to him, smacking Justin on the arm.
“Erica, this is my girlfriend Harlow. Harlow, this is my distant cousin Erica. Her mom and mine were second cousins or something, but we grew up in the same neighborhood until…” He breaks off, and both Justin and Erica’s faces dim, their smiles looking more unsure as sympathy creeps into their eyes. “Well, I haven't told you that story yet, but I promise I will,” he assures me.
