Page 47 of Knot My Band: Part One
“Fine,” I relent, shaking my head. “But only because I can’t seem to deny you anything.” And because seeing her light up like this does things to me.
“Thank you!” She jumps up and down, clapping her hands.
“Fuck! Jack is going to kill me,” I groan.
Her cheer is infectious as we make our way through the scattered groups of beach-goers, all soaking up the sun’s dying rays. When we reach the edge, Oli’s excitement is palpable.
I take off my shirt, and Oli removes the sun dress she has on over her bathing suit.
It’s a tiny bright purple suit that makes me want to kill anyone in the area with eyes.
“Ready?” she asks, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet, the anticipation written all over her face.
“Ready,” I echo, though the word feels like a lie on my tongue. But then she looks at me, all wild energy and fearless soul, and I think maybe it’s worth it.
She leaps. Her body arcs gracefully through the air, a silhouette against the canvas of the setting sun. I hold my breath, every muscle tensed as if I could will her to be safe through sheer force. She hits the water with a splash.
Her head breaks the surface, and she’s laughing, tossing herwet head back.
“Your turn, Chase!” she shouts, waving at me from below.
“Damn you, Oli Hart,” I mutter under my breath, grinning despite myself. I back up a few steps, my own adrenaline kicking in, then run and jump.
I resurface, gasping for air, and find Oli nearby. She swims over, her face dancing with mischief and excitement. “See? Not so bad!”
I shake the water from my hair, splashing it into her face.
She lunges playfully, sending a spray of salty water my way.
We start swimming together, the cool waves lapping at our skin, and I can’t help but marvel at how right this feels. Laughter bubbles up between us as we splash each other, the rest of the world fading away until it’s just Oli and me.
We emerge from the water, our laughter still hanging in the salty air.
I pull Oli against me for another kiss when my stomach gives a traitorous growl. Oli turns to me with a raised eyebrow, her wet wig hair clinging to her cheeks.
“Sounds like someone’s hungry,” she says, her voice teasing.
“Guilty as charged,” I admit, running a hand through my damp hair. “Let’s grab something to eat?”
“Lead the way, Chase.”
We make our way up the sand, leaving behind the comforting embrace of the ocean. The beach is dotted with food stands.
“What sounds good to you, little rose?”
Oli looks around before pointing at a corn dog stand. “Do you like corn dogs?”
“Absolutely.”
Even if I didn’t, I would never say no to my omega.
“Two, please,” I say to the vendor, handing over some bills without taking my eyes off the sizzling treats. I pass one to Oli, and she bites into it with gusto, closing her eyes to savor the taste.
“Good?” I ask before taking a bite of my own.
“Amazing,” she mumbles around a mouthful, and I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm.
“Never pegged you as a corn dog aficionado,” I tease.
