Page 55 of Mariposa
“You heard me.” He breathes as he runs a hand through his dark hair. He flips my cross necklace to the right side while a high tide sweeps and crashes against my calves, making me trip over my feet. Kade grips my hips and pushes me hard againstthe same pillar he tongue-fucked me on. He places his hand on either side of my head and towers over me.
“Jesus, Violet, why are you so damn clumsy when it comes to water?”
My brows pinch together.
“Wait, what do you mean by that?”
“The water portion you failed doesn’t ring any bells?”
My jaw drops.
Ass.
“How dare you bring that up. I’m not clumsy!” My palms push against his chest, but he doesn’t budge. Another intense wave crashes into us, but this time he’s the one stumbling, and before he can fall, he grips my wrist and takes me down with him.
The high wave instantly drenches us, water rises until it ices my chest and gets the ends of my black hair. I squeal as the freezing water continues to assault my skin, goosebumps erupt all over until I’m trembling and breathing hard.
I peer to the right, watching Kade react similarly, but he isn’t making a sound. Our eyes finally meet, and the moon gleams across his wolf-like mismatched eyes. We hold each other’s stare, but it’s the water droplets that drip down his lips that call my attention.
“Who’s the clumsy one now?” I angrily mutter.
We pause for a second, and then we’re both breaking out into laughter.
His deep chuckles have me giggling harder.
“I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh.” I look up at the stars as we both lie on the cold sand. I love his laugh; I want to hear it more.
“I don’t think I’ve heard myself laugh this hard in a really long damn time.”
I stare at him as he gets up, taking in the sight of a relaxed Kade. He offers me a hand, and as soon as I take it, he gently pulls me up. His clothes are all damp, and so is my dress. The breeze reminds us of the current season.
“Booker has my phone and wallet,” I whisper.
“Get some rest. Celebrate a job well done when you return home tomorrow. You should go now. You’re all…wet.” His eyes drip with infinite lust.
I bite my lip as a rush of heat swims into my cheeks. Shaking my head, I grab my heels, which I dropped a few feet away.
“Careful, Master Sergeant. I might actually think you have a soul.”
He grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks my head to the side so that my neck is exposed to him. He walks me back further into the shadows.
“I don’t. Which is why you’ll stay clear of me. This moment of being just a guy on the beach and just a girl on the beach is over.” His hot breath dances against my neck as he keeps a vicious hold on my hair, and I moan.
His once lustful expression softens and meets my curious gaze.
“I won’t ask how he died, and I won’t say I’m sorry for your loss. Those words won’t do your grief justice to lose someone as special as a father, but I will say that I’m proud of you, and I’m sure he is, too.”
My whole body grows warm as I lose my breath.
“Violet!” Booker calls out again. He’s close by.
Kade lets me go and takes a step back. He looks over my shoulder with a scowl.
If he catches us, my career is over before it even started. I can’t let a man deter my career before it begins. No matter how fucking fantastic the way he just devoured me was. No matterhow much his presence alone has me in a daze. I don’t want my career to end before it can start.
I stare up at him, but the cold, distant teacher I’ve had for the past year returns.
This might be goodbye.
