Page 60 of The One for Forever

But this is foreplay, and we both know it.

“Of course I will.” I smooth my fingers over her bikini straps, adjusting them. Her nipples bead.Ngh. It’s all I can do not to slide my thumbs over them. Tweak them and tease them. “I’ll show you just what to do.”

“Willyou?” She’s laying it on thick. “You’ll show this poor, innocent California girl how to surf?”

I laugh. “I know you’re not so innocent. Come on. Let’s go.”

On the patio, we each tug on our wetsuits, and then I grab both boards. I’m glad she’s feeling better, but I don’t plan on her lifting a finger today. It goes way beyond my title as bodyguard.

I love taking care of her. In fact, it turns me all the way on.

The water’s always cold here, but it’s a warm, sunny day. The waves are decent. Not too big that I’d worry about Quinn’s recent concussion. There are a couple of surfers about a half mile down the beach, but otherwise it’s quiet. This is something I love about this spot. It doesn’t get much foot traffic. And my nearest neighbors are off in the distance, those houses often empty while their owners are away, so we’ve got some privacy.

There is a camera on the beachside of the house, since an intruder could approach from the water. But that feed, like the others, is encrypted and only goes to myself and Bennett Security.

I set our surfboards on the sand. “I brought you a wider board since your balance might still be off. We’re going to take it slow.”

“So, no getting barreled today?”

“I think you underestimated your skills to me.”

She laughs. “Cliff and I used to go surfing sometimes after track practice. We picked up a few terms. It’s been a while though.”

Soon we’re out in the water. It’s been a while since I’ve been out here myself, and it feels great. Being out in the sun and waves. It’s a chance to turn off my analytical, strategizing brain and just be.

The fact that I get to be here with Quinn makes it even more perfect.

She gets up on her board easily, and I watch her ride a few waves in. She tires quickly since she’s still recovering. I leave my board on the sand and we both sit astride hers, paddling lazily when we need to so we don’t drift too far in the current.

“It’s so beautiful here,” she says. “I can’t believe Cliff didn’t tell me. If it were me, I’d be here every weekend.”

“He’s only been out a handful of times. I’ve invited him, but he’s busy.”

She snorts. “Yeah, playing video games and bumming around with our roommates.” Then she looks guilty. “Sorry, I shouldn’t say that. I must be breaking some kind of best friend code right now. “

“It’s okay. I know my kid. I love him and I am proud of him. But I’m not sure that always gets through.”

“Do you say that to him?”

I’m sure I must have told him countless times. But now, I can’t think of a single one. “I think so. Probably not as much as I should.”

She stretches out her legs so her knees are hooked over mine. “I don’t want to mess things up with you and Cliff. I know it hasn’t always been smooth between the two of you.”

“Maybe. But that’s my fault, not yours. We’re much closer than we used to be, but I still need to do better with him. I feel like I’m always saying the wrong thing. Offending him without meaning to. He doesn’t get outright mad at me. Not like when he was a teenager. But I can tell he gets annoyed, and sometimes I don’t even know what I did.” I’m trying to be careful about this conversation. I don’t want to make Quinn feel uncomfortable or stuck in the middle. As much as I’d like to ask her for some insights into my son, it’s not right of me. Cliff has probably told her things in confidence as his best friend. I can’t violate that trust.

“But I am grateful that you’ve been there for him all these years,” I add. “And there for me too after Lydia died.”

She reaches out to squeeze my hand. I link our fingers together. I might be out of the habit of sharing my innermost thoughts with a partner, but I’m trying. Bringing Quinn here wasa big part of that. Letting her see who I am in a way that I never share with anyone, not even Cliff.

“What about your parents?” I ask. “Do you want me to try texting them again? They might like hearing from you.”

“Not necessary. They know I’m safe. But they’re not the types to fuss over me. You know that.”

The first day we arrived, Quinn asked me to text her mom and dad to let them know about her concussion and that she would be out of touch for a few days. I’ve been monitoring her phone, but they only acknowledged the message. Didn’t ask for details or for a phone call. If it had been Cliff, I would’ve dropped everything to be there. Even though Cliff might not want me to.

“I know how your parents are,” I say. “They haven’t changed much. But I don’t like it any more now than I did when you were younger.”

She glances at the horizon. “It’s fine. I have you.” She’s speaking lightly, but I feel what she’s asking underneath.

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