“Let’s see what happens. We both have places to be.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
CALLA
Takinga turn off the coastal pathway, we pull off our boots, no longer able to keep our balance against the sliding sand. While we run towards the sea, our laughter echoes into the night and gets louder as the water weaves in-between our toes.
“Jesus, it’s freezing,” I shout as ice-cold waves crash against our legs, splash over our knees and cause a shrill scream to bellow from my throat. We’re breathless while trying to keep upright against the force of the water and quickly make our way back to the shore. Sinking as the tide washes out, I pull my sticky feet from the puddle of gloop below, trying to hold onto Ashton’s shoulder. At the same time, he grabs me firmly around the waist while his other hand manages to pick up my boots as well as his own.
“I’m frozen,” I call against the noisy rush of waves, still in hysterics, but giddy with adrenaline.
“Let’s go,” he shouts back, moving his hand to cup my shoulder, guiding me towards the pier, “you’ll soon warm up once we’re away from the water.”
Despite the cold sea, the evening air wraps our bodies in ablanket of warmth. The lights from the promenade safely guide us in the right direction and even with their glow, they do nothing to hinder the clarity of stars enticing walkers to this part of the beach. We find a deserted spot against the steel frames of the pier. We sit side by side and listen to the varying volume level of steps on the boardwalk above. It’s almost therapeutic.
“I love it under here,” Ashton says, aimlessly throwing pebbles towards the rolling sea. “I’ve spent hours on this beach and in the sea in one form or another, learning to surf, fishing, even bringing girls I shouldn’t, to my secret den.”
I pull back, squirming. “I’m not sure I need to know about them.”
“I was twelve and wouldn’t count pressing my lips together with Debbie Jenkins for five whole minutes anything too serious.”
“You and Debbie Jenkins? Wow, you kept that quiet.” I nudge into his side playfully, glancing up towards his face, which glows with mischief. “All these years and I never knew you had a thing for Debbie.”
“Oh, I didn’t. She was the only one willing to come under the pier with me. I was just testing things out, having not kissed a girl before. I wanted to know what it was like, but she wouldn’t let me put my tongue in her mouth.” He starts laughing, “She said—” he laughs some more, “Oh my God,” his face falls to his hands while his shoulders shake.
“What? What did she say?” I’m giggling now, but I have no idea why.
“Debbie said that’s how you get pregnant.”
“What?” I giggle a little harder, leaning against him.
“Yeah, apparently, my ‘fish’ transfer from my body to hers when you kiss with tongues. She said once they’re in hermouth, they travel to her belly, settle in there and grow a baby.”
I shriek with laughter, falling back on my hands. “My stomach’s hurting, that’s the funniest thing?—”
He’s still laughing when he says, “Way to make me feel better, Cal.”
The last of my giggles fade as I sit up to face him. “I’m sorry, what can I do to make it better?”
“You could show me where I went wrong.”
My laughter fades with the feel of his fingers combing through my hair. They run to the back of my neck and I have no choice but to meet his eyes; not a hardship by anyone’s standards—as my lips part. I lick them in anticipation while he draws me, so achingly slow, towards him. Eyes meet eyes, they explore one another for a few seconds before our lips finally touch. His soft mouth runs over mine while his fingers slip from my neck and stroke softly to my jaw. Both hands cup my face while his tongue strokes against my lips—I willingly let him in. His kiss is soft, almost soothing in its delicacy until he draws my bottom lip between his teeth, pulling it gently, letting it spring back in place. His hooded eyes don’t lift from my mouth, they focus, almost mesmerised until, without any warning, he cups the back of my head and pulls me towards him. His mouth takes mine then his tongue searches for entrance once again. This time, his kiss is intense and needy, my breath out of control with excitement as our tongues dance together. His other hand slips around me and he hugs me even closer to his body. I tilt my head as gentle lips softly caress my own, then finally, his forehead rests against mine and our eyes close. The pad of his thumb circles against my jaw and we stay this way for what seems like minutes. He breaks away, his eyes tracing every feature of my face now cupped in his hands.
“I’ve been dying to do that all night.”
“I’m glad you did,” I tell him honestly.
He laughs a little, in his shy boyish way, but at the same time, he draws me closer towards his body. It’s a bit awkward at first, not knowing where to position myself. I eventually manage to rest my cheek against the soft cotton of his t-shirt. As I feel the ripple of his chest beneath, I allow myself to take in the steady dose of air I so desperately need to calm the beat of my heart. Quite honestly, I’d be prepared to hold my breath for as long as it took if it meant staying in his arms this way for a few minutes more. It feels good here, safe in fact and I don’t want to leave.
We settle back against the cold of the pier, me in his arms where I should be calming down. Instead, my thoughts race just like the beat of his heart now pounding against my ear. It’s reassuring to know he’s as nervous as I am.
There are just a few worries. Despite everything I’ve said, how I’ve acted, there is no doubt I could fall for Ashton Chambers all over again. There was I, telling him we’d go our separate ways after the summer, convincing him we’d casually ride along with the flow, but I can honestly say, I was only trying to convince myself. As hard as it is to admit, kissing him for the first time tonight has only proved what I already know. I’m in trouble and would gladly give him my heart if he asked me to. I’m in a state of pleasure being with him, and pain with the realisation it’s too late for me to hold back. I’m already done for, so I have to ask myself, what if this is a flash in the pan; a night in time we never repeat. He might have playfully suggested seeing me some more, but it could be a line. I don’t want to come on too strong by asking one way or another; I don’t want to ruin whatever this is.
Ash shifts his body away from the cold steel frame as I move to sit between his legs and his arms wrap around me,pulling me back to his chest. The foamy, crashing waves ahead are hypnotising; causing my thoughts to run into overdrive. I find myself asking him questions, yet I’m not sure I want the answers.
“Ashton?” I shift against the sand, looking up towards his face. “I just want to get something out in the open, and if the answer is yes, then I can deal with it.”
His finger slips under my chin, guiding my eyes directly to his. “What is it?”
