Page 47 of Pack to the Wall

"Depends on what it is." She propped herself up on one elbow, her long hair falling in a curtain around her face. "If it involves jumping off cliffs or wrestling alligators, I might need some convincing."

He captured a strand of her hair between his fingers. "Nothing that extreme. But it will get your adrenaline pumping." He sat up, pulling her with him. "We'll need to stop by your villa first. You'll need a bikini."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Now I'm intrigued."

Zev slid out of bed, not bothering to hide his nakedness as he strode to his closet. He pulled on a pair of board shorts, leaving his chest bare. When he turned back, he caught Chrissy watching him, her teeth catching her bottom lip in a way that caused his blood to heat.

"Like what you see?" He didn't bother hiding his smirk.

"You know I do." She slipped out of bed, making a show of bending over to pick up her white sundress from the floor.

Zev let out a growl, crossing the room in two strides to pull her against his chest. "Keep that up, and we won't be leaving this room today."

"Promise?" She grinned up at him, her hands splayed across his bare chest.

"Later," he promised, dropping a quick kiss on her lips before releasing her. "First, I want to see how you handle yourself in the water."

Ten minutes later, they reached Chrissy's villa. While she disappeared into the bathroom to change, Zev prowled around the space, scenting the air. Her scent had already begun to mingle with his—a result of their mating—but he wanted more. He wanted every inch of this island to smell like them together.

When she emerged in a tiny blue bikini that showcased every perfect curve, Zev nearly abandoned his plans on the spot. His wolf surged forward, hungry for her again.

"Christ, Chrissy," he breathed, his voice rough. "You're testing my self-control."

She grinned, twirling in a circle. "Good."

He grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the door. "Come on, before I change my mind and take you right here."

They walked hand-in-hand to the beach, the morning sun casting a beautiful golden-orange glow over the sand. Zev led her to a small storage shed near the water's edge, unlocking it to reveal several surfboards propped against the wall.

"Surfing?" Chrissy asked, surprise lifting her voice. "That's your big plan?"

Zev pulled out two boards—a longer one for her, his own shorter board for himself. "Problem with that?"

Her face broke into a genuine smile. "No, actually. My dad taught me when I was a kid. I used to be pretty good at it."

"California girl through and through," he teased, balancing both boards under one arm as he led her toward the water. "Show me what you've got, pop star."

"I'm rusty," she warned, taking the board he offered. "It's been quite a while."

Zev waded into the water beside her, his free hand finding her lower back. "The island will guide you. Trust it. Trust yourself."

For the next hour, they rode the waves together. Chrissy wobbled at first, but it didn't take long for her muscle memory to kick in. Soon she was cutting across the water with surprising skill, her unbridled laughter carried back to him on the wind.

Watching her, Zev felt something in his chest expand. This was his mate—wild and free, her face alight with joy as she conquered the waves. The island had accepted her completely, embracing her as if she'd always belonged here.

"You're a natural," he called as she paddled back to him after a particularly smooth ride.

Her smile could have powered the entire island. "This is amazing. I forgot how much I loved this."

"Well, the island loves you back," he told her, reaching out to brush wet hair from her face. "Almost as much as I do."

When Zev and Chrissy finally emerged from the water, surfboards tucked under their arms, Zev felt completely at peace. The morning sun had dried the salt water on their skin, and Chrissy's laughter still rang in his ears, a sound he'd never tire of hearing.

"You're full of surprises, Luna," Zev said, sliding his free arm around her waist. "I didn't expect you to outride me on that last wave."

Chrissy grinned up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I told you my dad taught me. But I might have forgotten to mention I won a local surfing championship when I was twelve."

Zev's eyes filled with awe. This woman never ceased to amaze him. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. You're incredible, you know that, Chrissy?" He lowered his head for a quick kiss that tasted of ocean and sunshine.

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