Nick calls Dove’s name, and she sucks in a full breath before turning back to me. “Better go get those keys, Easten, because I’m aboutto win your ride.” She winks at me, her grin so damn cheeky it’s torturous. But I think I have already won. She’s smiling and having fun, and what could be better than that.
“What, so I can take you out with me?” I throw back to her, having way too much fun now.
“We will see.” She smirks as she sways her way through the crowd and takes her place on the board. Those damn denim cut-offs are going to be the death of me. Her ass looks so damn good in them.
I move in closer as Nick starts the machine and the clock, and everyone looks on with bated breath as she balances like she and the board are one. She hasn’t lost it, not at all. In fact, she makes it look effortless and sexy as hell. As time goes on, sweat starts to trickle down my forehead. She lasts thirty more seconds and my beloved van is hers. Just like it did with the last guy, the machine ups the difficulty, and her feet shift for the first time, her balance wavering. The crowd gasps, waiting to see if she can handle it.
Just when I think she’s about to tumble over the front, she catches herself and manages to ride the wave like a pro. Fuck, she’s good. A ping of jealousy hits me, the crushing reality that will never be me again hitting me hard. Three months ago, I was living my dream surfing in the world tour, and now I’m just some dude who owns a beach bar. My name will be forgotten, much like my titles, as soon as the next big thing takes my place.
“We have a winner,” Nick hollers as the machine comes to a stop, and he helps Dove off and back down to the mats. She accepts the envelope of cash he’s holding and the trophy, a stupid grin on her face aimed right at me. God damn, she’s pretty and so much trouble, because I don’t even care that I have to give up my ride if it’s to her.
She walks back toward me, her hand held out for my keys. “Hand ‘em over, Riv.”
I take my keys from my back pocket and dangle them over her hand. “Still got it, baby.”
“You shouldn’t have doubted me.” Her fingers wrap around the keys. “But just because I’m a good sport, I’ll stay and have one last drink with you.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah, and you wouldn’t happen to have some pain meds round here someplace as well. I don’t think you’re supposed to ride anything mechanical with a couple of broken ribs.” She rubs over her chest uncomfortably.
“Shit, Dove, that would have been an important detail before I let you sign up for this.”
She winks at me again. “Yeah, but then I wouldn’t have a new ride, now would I, baby. My ribs will heal.” Her grin is huge. If the pain is really hurting her, you wouldn’t know.
“Not if you don’t let them,” I say more seriously, knowing Kasen is going to feed me to the sharks for this.
“Life’s too short. Isn’t that what you used to say?”
I huff out a laugh. “You’re not wrong.” My hand laces into hers. I’m going to make the most of the night while I have her right here in front of me. Kasen and Bodhi will thank me later. “Come on, baby, you owe me a drink.”
Chapter 7
Dove
Excitement races through me, mixed with the dull thud of pain. But mostly excitement. I have a wad of cash and a new ride. One drink with River for old times’ sake and cause I kind of feel bad about snatching his ride from under him, then I’m hitting the road.
I’ve found a table in the back of the bar, mostly because my ribs are hurting too much to sit on the bar stool by the bar anymore. I need me some soft, cushioned comfort, and these leather booth seats are perfection.
River moves back through his now-very-busy bar with a couple of drinks in his hands. Now that I watch him, I see the way he favors his right side. It’s so tragic to think he has all that talent and won’t be able to use it again. Life can be so unfair sometimes.
He catches me watching him and grins, all charming. “A drink and some pain meds for the lady, though I’m not sure you’re supposed to mix those.”
“You’re not,” I mutter as I throw the pills back and chase them with the Dark and Stormy cocktail he handed me.
Instead of taking a seat opposite me like any normal person, he slides in beside. His linen shirt brushes my arm when he moves in close. He smells like the ocean even though I know he said he hasn’t beensurfing lately. Maybe it’s ingrained in his skin after so long riding the waves.
“So, what’s the plan now you’re not surfing? Run this place?” I ask.
“For now.” He shrugs, wavy strands of his hair curl around his forehead, just long enough to brush his eyes in a way that makes him look gorgeous and just a little dangerous. For me, that is. “Then I see where life takes me. I’m used to traveling, not sure I’m ready to settle back here yet.”
“That’s fair.”
He leans in closer, and the way he eats me up with his eyes has my heart kicking up a beat. Until the last twenty-four hours, I didn’t know a look from a man could turn my insides to liquid. But what do you know, all three of them have that in common. “What about you? Where is home for Miss Dove Dawson?”
I huff out a laugh. “Your combi, for now. My last arrangement fell through.”
He flinches when I say it, like someone just physically hurt him. “That doesn’t sound practical.” His voice is more serious this time.
