Page 67 of Keeping My Girl

CHAPTER36

Nicholas

AFTER A LONG day of surfing, Lina and I sit on the beach, studying for her upcoming GED test. She has a few more days left before the big day, and I want to make sure she’s prepared as much as possible for it.

We’re still in our wetsuits, the sun beginning to set in the distance, as I read practice questions from my cell phone.

“Five,” she answers, and I can’t help but smile when I swipe to reveal the answer and she’s right.

“That is correct,” I tell her, doing my best Chris Farley impersonation from Billy Madison, a movie we just watched last night, while pulling my rash guard up over my head as seductively as I can.

Selina cracks up and slaps me playfully on my bare chest. “Be serious!” she says even though she’s grinning from ear to ear.

I toss the shirt next to me and smile before running a hand through my damp, messy hair. I had to convince her to watch the comedy, but it was worth all the begging I had to do. Hearing Selina laugh through almost the entire movie made my night. No, more like my fucking year. I love seeing her happy. I want her happy, always, with me. Only with me.

“Okay, okay,” I tell her before reading another question from the practice test.

“Uhm, Natural selection.”

“That’s right,” I say with a grin. “You’re gonna kill this test, baby.”

“I hope so,” she says, but I can hear the doubt in her voice.

“We can keep practicing,” I offer.

“Maybe later. Let’s just enjoy the sunset together,” she says softly before moving closer to me in the sand.

I wrap my arm around her, holding her tightly to my chest. I kiss the top of her head, breathing in her scent. She smells like strawberries and the ocean, and it’s a wonderful combination.

Neither of us says a word as the sun sets, disappearing beyond the horizon. Only when it gets dark to the point that we can’t see much around us do I finally break the spell we’re under and tell her, “We better go home.”

Standing up, I reach my hand down and pull her up and into my arms. Grazing my fingertips along her cheek, I study her beautiful face in the moonlight before placing a tender kiss against her lips. Ever since we’ve crossed the line from friends to lovers, I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of her. Not that I think she minds. Half the time, Lina is the first one making the move, which I couldn’t be happier about.

I was so afraid of pushing her away, of losing her that I almost fucked up and lost her by keeping my distance. I’m so fucking happy that we found each other somewhere in the middle and that we’re in a good place now, though.

“Movie tonight?” I ask her. Movie nights have become a regular thing between us.

“I had something different in mind,” she says, and I can hear her breath catching in her throat as my fingers trail down her slender neck.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, staring down at her as her eyes slowly flutter shut.

“A shower. Together,” she says before placing a kiss upon my lips.

I hum in approval. “I like that idea.”

“And then…” Her voice trails off when she places another kiss on my mouth.

“And then?” I urge, desperate to know what comes next.

“And then you’ll see,” she promises with a sexy grin.

“Oh fuck, I can’t wait until and then,” I tell her.

Selina giggles and kisses me chastely before taking off in a sprint towards the pack of cars sitting in the parking lot. “First one to the car gets to pick the next movie we watch!” she throws behind her shoulder.

I grab my shirt from the sand and chase after her, loving the feeling of adrenaline when I finally catch up to her and pin her up against the car.

“I win,” she says breathlessly.

“Good,” I whisper. I don’t even care that she gets to pick the next movie. I would watch paint dry on a wall if it meant I could cuddle with her in my room all night long. I capture her mouth with mine, shoving my tongue into her mouth and devouring her as she moans and grinds against me. Her legs wrap around my waist, and I pin her against the car while I kiss her senseless. She releases the softest whimpers against my lips, and the sound drives me crazy. Fuck, I can’t wait to get her home so that I can ravish her in my bed.

Someone clears their throat loudly, and I suddenly remember that we are not alone. I glance over to see Tommaso, one of the guards, staring at us with a grin on his face. He shakes his head at me.

“Sorry about that, Tommaso!” I call over to him. These guys are probably ready to call it a day, and I don’t blame them. They’ve been sitting for hours in cramped SUVs, watching us run around on the beach and surf. “We’ll be heading home now,” I tell him before opening the door for Selina and shutting it once she’s inside.

Before I climb into the driver’s seat, I hear Tommaso on his phone saying, “The lovebirds are finally on their way home,” and I can’t help but smile.

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