Page 66 of The Surfer

23

RIPLEY

Another day,another surfing lesson from Cove at our secret beach.

“I’m doing it again!” I scream as I surf down another wave. Cove watches me from further out in the ocean, his dazzling smile able to be spotted even from where I am.

I really am doing it again and again. Surfing, that is. This lesson I’m actually managing to get standing on the board more and more and longer and longer with each try. My feet easily find the fiberglass board and my balance is improving with every wave I surf. There are fewer times where I’ll awkwardly tumble off the board and into the water. Slowly, and with more practice, surfing is becoming second nature to me.

In short, I am becoming a surfer.

Just like Cove.

Me.

Ripley Sailor.

The girl with the super pale complexion from all the way in Queens is becoming a surfer.

I’m even developing a tan.

What the hell?

I bet my accent will be next to change. Soon I’ll get that Aussie twang. Give it a month and I’ll be a full-on Australian.

And you’ll never know I’m from Queens.

And Cove, every day, is getting prouder of me.

That’s the best thing of all.

These have been the best few weeks of my life, without a doubt. Waking up every day, knocking on Cove’s door, driving with him, making our way to the secret beach, our surf lessons, making love on the sand and in his bed. Everything’s just perfect. This has been paradise. A dream.

And I know it’s too late to do anything for my heart. I can’t change anything now.

I have totally fallen for Cove Finn.

The billionaire playboy surfer. We’re the most unlikely pairing.

And the craziest thing is that he’s fallen for me too.

Yeah, like I’ve said, a dream.

After today’s surf lesson Cove tackles me playfully in the surf. The waves wash over us as he kisses me passionately on the sand.

It’s just us on our secret beach.

The salt’s in his hair and his wet naked torso presses against mine as the ocean laps at our knees. The hot sun beats down heavily on our backs as Cove pulls me in tighter to kiss me. I melt in his arms and he holds me close. The water’s cold but his body is warm.

This is where I should be.

I break free from his addictive grip on me as if I’m reaching for air.

Cove dominates my every waking, and sleeping, thought like a welcome intruder. I want him near me every moment of every day.

“How about you try it?” I ask under my breath. Cove hears me even with the roaring waves crashing around us.

He glares at me in confusion. He doesn’t know what I mean or what I’m trying to say. “Me? Try what?”