ChapterFour
Dax
The soundof waves crashing against the shore wakes me up. The monotonous rhythm lulls me in and out of a dreamy haze as I blink my eyes, adjusting to the light. But I find myself hoping to drift back to sleep. The dream about a particular hot nurse was too good not to continue. Reaching my arms above my head, I stretch fully on the crisp white linen, pushing my head back into the down pillow. Only then do I realize the painful erection that’s tenting the sheets. It’s no wonder. Liv invaded my dreams with her full lips and sexy body. Reaching down, I wrap my hand around my shaft to take care of the aching desire. I was pumping a few times toward a much-needed release. Thankfully I have a room by myself, so no one hears the sleepy moans that escape my lips. Liv is by far one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever met. She’s naturally beautiful, and her confidence just adds to her attractiveness. The attention I gave her seemed to crack her confidence a bit, and I love thinking that I have that effect on her. I wanted to know how someone so stunning could be so unsure of herself despite her best attempt at appearing so. Perhaps there is a reason, an ex, that made her that way? All I can do is reminisce about her. The way she fit perfectly pressed against me. I need to see her today. See if the chemistry was, in fact, my imagination or perhaps a deeper connection. My lust-filled brain keeps my hand pumping, and an orgasm rips through me just as my alarm goes off.
Anxious to start the day, I pull up the surf report on my phone, and the announcement blares through my Bluetooth speakers. The information broadcast described the wave height and the high temperature today, reaching ninety degrees, a scorcher. Big waves and sunshine equal the perfect beach day. I swing my legs over the side of the bed. My feet hit the cool tiled floor. And my mood immediately plummets.
“This fucking ankle,” I grumble out loud.
The dull pain immediately reminded me that I won’t be surfing today. I throw my air splint back on and head out to the balcony. The salty air hits me in the face, and I hear the sound of seagulls in the distance—each one cajoling in a playful banter sweeping down toward the water. The day is early, but I can already feel the humidity building in the air. As the day continues, it will roll in and settle like a thick blanket, mostly offering no reprieve. But for now, the view and the feel of the ocean air are perfect. I sigh in contentment and take in the peaceful scenery before me. Thankfully I can enjoy such a tranquil paradise.
I go downstairs craving my morning coffee. James, Eric, and Theo are all downstairs, sitting at the breakfast nook, eating breakfast tacos and scrolling on their phones. “Thanks for waking me, fuckers. Did you at least save me anything to eat?”
Eric throws a bag my way. “Yeah, asshole. I got you two breakfast tacos from the taqueria restaurant down the road. You’re welcome, by the way.”
Mouth watering, I immediately grab the tacos and dig in. “Thanks,” I say around a mouthful of food.The greasy goodness is perfect, I think to myself as I make haste opening the foil wrap on the second one. I search the cabinet, grab a couple of Advil, and swallow them down with my food. My ankle may keep me from surfing, but I refuse to limp around all day.
“How’s the ankle?” James asks.
Rolling my eyes, I start to walk away. He chuckles and doesn’t even look up as I flip him off and head for the bathroom, shoving the rest of the last taco into my mouth.
I finish my shower and let the cold spray run over my body for a few minutes before I get out. After hearing the weather forecast for today, a cold shower seemed like an excellent way to start the day. I dry off quickly and run the towel through my hair before throwing on some board shorts and a T-shirt. I need to leave soon to avoid traffic on the causeway heading toward the beach. We had made tentative plans with Liv to get together at the beach. At least, that’s what I remember of that conversation. I’m anxious to get to the spot she told us about last night. Spring break means that there will be tons of people along the coastline. Mostly college students, girls in skimpy bikinis, and guys trying to impress them, but every age and walk of life will be there too, eager to enjoy the weather. But I only want to see one woman today. Thoughts of Liv and the dirty things we did in my dream come back to me. I reach into my shorts and moan as I take my cock in my hand. Thinking of Liv, I chased my release for the second time this morning.
We leave the house around ten and stop at the local convenience store. It’s packed with people all with the same idea. Everyone stocked up on beer, water, and snacks for the day. Thankfully we thought ahead and only needed more water. I push my way toward the back and grab a case. I manage to pay quickly and load the water into the cooler. The last thing I need is a heat stroke on top of the bum ankle. Which I realize is feeling much better after the Advil. We pull out of the parking lot and begin the sandy drive to the beach.
I want to get a prime location near the sea sculpture art displays. This event is popular. It attracts many people who not only admire, but judge sand art for monetary prizes and prestige. As suspected, many cars are on the road leading to the sandy shoreline. We pass many drivers and see even more cars parked along the side of the road. We have four-wheel drive, and even though the sand is packed down, we wouldn’t chance it in a front-wheel-drive car or, worse, rear-wheel drive. Getting your vehicle stuck in the sand is a royal pain in the ass. Most islanders have had this happen to them once in their life. Luckily, southern hospitality is a common trait when a volunteer asks if you need help getting unstuck from the sand. If your wheels are not stuck too deep into the sand, it might only consist of a couple of people pushing the rear of the car to get it in motion. But if you have a couple of tires buried, it might take cables or ropes from a powerful four-wheel-drive truck to move it out. Even worse, the haul of shame is having to call a tow truck.
Our beach sticker permit is on the windshield corner and fully displayed. Our super-duty truck moves glacially through the line of cars when I spot the pier. I let the guys know to park somewhere in close proximity to it. I see a smirk on Jameson’s face in the rearview mirror.
“Got something to say?” I comment with a half-laugh. He shakes his head. “Nah, man, but do you think you’ll find her? I mean, this place is starting to get packed.” It’s ridiculously crowded. I know as the afternoon approaches, it will only get worse. If she isn’t here already, I doubt she’ll be getting a spot on this side of the pier. I remember her saying her friends would pick her up around noon, and with the traffic, it might be later when she finally gets here. I try to suppress my disappointment. The memory of her face and the scent of her hair floods my senses. I remember leaning in and whispering into her ear while her coconut-smelling hair brushed against my cheek. I’ll find her today. Ineedto find her today.
We pull into a spot not far from the pier. We have a good view of the pier and the surrounding beach. Hopefully, it will make it easier to spot her. One o’clock hits, and I’ll make my first stroll up and down the beach. I leave my splint in the truck, the soft sand isn’t great on my ankle, but it seems to be okay down by the water, where the sand is more packed down. I let the cold water rush over my feet as I walk. Each wave that washes up is like a little cold pack to the lingering swelling at the joint. Maybe it just feels cold compared to the heat and humidity in full effect. My eyes scan the crowd, but I don’t see her. I see a row of Jeeps and trucks parked in a circle as if they slept here last night. A neatly dug pit is in the center, filled with firewood. A big tent with a grill and endless coolers sits off to the side. Bathing suit-clad bodies are scattered around. Some play drinking games, others dance, and some simply lounge in the sun. They have a sweet setup going on. Everyone seems to be laughing and having a good time. Clearly, they are old friends. They appear to be in their twenties, maybe a few years younger than us. Bob Marley, “No Woman, No Cry,” is playing on the speakers. I see people from the crowd go up, making their way into the circle of friends. Some go and hug each other or just wave when walking by. Whatever it is, this group seems to know a lot of people. Locals maybe? I see a couple of them continuing to look up as if they are looking around for someone but, not finding their target, they return to their conversations. Each time a car comes close, they look up, shake their heads, and then quickly fall back into their conversation.
Our truck is parked with enough space to set up a few things beside it. The cooler is brought out, the chairs set up, and we settle in for the day. Theo and Eric were in charge of getting the food together. And being the resourceful, lazy people they are, they called up a local deli and had them prepare the food for the day. Since James and I were stuck in the ED last night, we got the easy out and needed to get the drinks. Sandwiches, wraps, potato chips, brownies, and cookies are pulled out. I chuckle under my breath but secretly applaud their resourcefulness. They know their domestic limitations enough to delegate this task to the experts. Jameson picked up local craft beer and Coronas, complete with salt and limes. He also grabbed a couple of bottles of wine. I pick up the bottles of wine and give Jameson a quizzical look. He just shrugs his shoulders with a smile.
“For the ladies,” he says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “The lady at the liquor store told me these wines were good choices.”
I dunk the wine bottles into the cooler ice and face him. “I’m pretty sure I saw these same bottles at your house. A Pinot Grigio and Rosé, huh?”
His eyes shoot up to meet mine in mock anger. “I have a sister, asshole. I also like wine on hand if I bring a girl back to my house to entertain. It’s hospitable.” I shake my head, nodding in agreement. “Sure, buddy, whatever you say.”
The chairs are laid out, and I gently plop myself into one, throwing my leg up on a cooler to elevate it. The Advil helped immensely, but I know it won’t last all day. Settling in, I grab my iced coffee and phone to snap a few pics of my surroundings. As I bring up my messages, I notice that I missed a call from Tatiana. Funny, I think. I haven’t thought about her since my accident. Tatiana and I are, hmm. What are we? Not “together” and not “exclusive.” Although at times, she seemed to want it to go in that direction. I held firmly to the fact that we were not in any label and continued to keep my options open. I hoped she was doing the same. But, not my problem if she isn’t. I was upfront with her.
Finishing my career was my priority, not putting a Mrs. before any woman’s name. Tatiana didn’t seem to be looking for that either, which was one of the things that interested me about her. Friends, colleagues with benefits, suited us just fine. She’s a physician, too, and has her career. On paper, she seems like the logical choice for me, but I can’t get to that point of any commitment with her. My parents are deeply in love and have a happy marriage. I know what I want. It’s the same. I quickly shot her a text apologizing for missing her call and letting her know I’d see her at work. Maybe it’s time I close the door on whatever it is between us. I put the thought in the back of my mind and dropped my phone back into my pocket.
Throwing my sunglasses on, I look up, finding my friends relaxed in their chairs. Eric and Theo have iced coffee in their hands, but Jameson cracks a beer. “What’s on the agenda for today, guys?” No one wants to go to the club tonight, so we have the whole day to relax on the beach. Jameson shifts toward me, “I’m up for whatever. Just gonna hang today and enjoy our last day here before we head back tomorrow morning.” Eric and Theo both speak up in agreement.
“Do you think Liv will have any other hot nurse friends with her today?” Eric pipes up.
“Maybe not another nurse, but I’m sure she isn’t coming alone,” I say.
Eric and Theo look up at me over their sunglasses. “Man, the girls have been plentiful in this place,” Eric replies. “Theo has already hooked up with two different girls in the past few days.”
“Can’t help it that I’m irresistible,” Theo gloats.
“And awfully cocky,” I add, throwing an empty water bottle at him.
Theo looks over my shoulder to the group of women chatting by the circle of Jeeps and trucks, and I see something catch his eye. Glancing back, I can tell some of them are looking over here. With my sunglasses on, I can tell no one can see what I am looking at, so I take my time searching their group, hoping Liv may be there. I only have one day and one shot at meeting this girl here, and I don’t want to screw it up. A blond-haired guy walks up to the girls, and they’re clearly angry with him. I hear their shrill voices from here, and one even throws a punch right into his chest. He doesn’t seem to react. He just keeps looking out to the line of cars, obviously looking for someone. One of the girls waves her hand at him to return to his friends, and he shakes his head at her but leaves without an argument.
