Riding the Surf (14 page)

“Can I take you out to dinner tonight?”

“Sure,” she said.

“I’ll call you.”

She smiled at everyone. “It was nice meeting you.”

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Sydney said.

Paola turned and left.

Derek stared at her ass the entire
time. When he looked at Coen, he saw a weird expression on his face. “What?”

“She looks really familiar.”

Derek felt his heart drop.

“Yeah,” Henry said. “I thought the same thing.”

Derek felt himself panic. “There are pictures of her from the competition and she’s in the science building a lot. You’ve just seen her before.”

Coen crossed his arms over his chest. “No…”

Henry rubbed his chin.

Derek prayed they didn’t figure it out. The last thing he wanted was for his guy friends to look at nearly naked pictures of his girlfriend, and more importantly, he knew how ashamed
Paola would be. He hoped they never figured it out.

14

Derek showered and got dressed, excited to see Paola. He was taking her to a restaurant on the coast and he already made the reservations. When he left his room, his sister was sitting on the couch.

“How was work?” he asked.

She shrugged. “It was slow. I didn’t make much in tips.”

“Get a second job. Or a better one.”

“You know how hard it is to find work on the island.”

“Making excuses won’t change anything,” Derek said.

She avoided his gaze and looked at the television. “When did you and Paola get together?”

“A few weeks ago.”

“I don’t remember that.”

“I don’t tell you every detail of my life,” he said. “We went to that surfing competition in California. One thing led to another and we just ended up together.”

“It seems like you really like her.”

“That’s an understatement,” he said.

“She’s beautiful.”

“And sweet and smart.”

“So, did you win?”

“She and I both won.”

“It sounds like you’re meant for each other.”

He nodded. “That’s how I feel.”

She smiled. “My brother has finally settled down.”

“I hope so. I really want her to stick around.”

“She will,” Cheyenne said. “She really likes you. A girl wouldn’t put up with me and our family drama if she didn’t.”

“You are a lot to handle.”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “How much did you win?”

“20k.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, I’m a badass.”

“You two are rich.”

“I’m not that much of a badass,” he said with a laugh.

“Well, don’t let me keep you from your date.”

“You better stay out of our way when we get back. I mean it,” he said.

“Aren’t you presumptive?”

“Paola enjoys being alone with me,” Derek said with a smirk. “I’m definitely not assuming anything.” He walked out the front door and left. When he was in his truck, he called Paola. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey,” she said, a smile in her voice.

“What’s your address so I can pick you up?”

She was quiet for a moment. “Let’s just meet at the restaurant. I’ll see you in five minutes.”

“Come on. Let me pick you up. This is a date.”

“I’m fine, Derek.”

He thought her response was odd. Why didn’t she want him to know where she lived?

“Just give me the address, Paola. I’m not taking you out without picking you up.”

She sighed. “Derek, you’re annoying me.”

“The feeling is mutual,” he said. “Why don’t you want me to see your place?”

Paola paused for a moment. “124 Arbor way. Apartment 6.”

“I’m on my way.” He hung up then headed further into the island, away from the shops, restaurants, and the university. When he saw the apartment complex, he immediately understood why she didn’t want him to come. The building had cracks in the walls, guy with saggy pants and torn t-shirts sat outside, smoking while chains hung around their necks. Derek parked his car and watched the people move. It reminded him of the projects. There weren’t too many bad neighborhoods on Oahu, but like every other city, there were a few. The sight rubbed him the wrong way. He parked his truck then walked to her door.

When he knocked, she looked through the peephole before she opened the door.

Derek saw the guarded expression on her face. She was expecting him to comment on her neighborhood. He didn’t want to ruin their date so he kept it to himself. “Hey,” he said with a smile. He looked at the purple dress she wore. “You’re killing me with these dresses.”

Her eyes lit up. “Thank you.”

Derek stepped into the apartment then closed the door behind him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. “You taste good.”

“Don’t eat me.”

“I may have to,” he said as while he grabbed her ass and squeezed it. “Are you going commando?”

“Yes.”

“What?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t want you to take any more of my panties. You’ll start a collection.”

He smiled. “Good thinking.” His hand moved under her dress and felt her pussy lightly.

She moaned then dragged him toward her bedroom.

Derek knew where this was going. “After dinner.”

“How about before and after?”

He pressed his face closer to hers. “No. I want to take you out, talk to you, look at you.”

“You can do that in my bedroom.”

Derek grabbed her face and directed her gaze onto him. “The chemistry between us is unbelievable, volatile. I think about you when I jack off, I imagine your naked body when I’m in class, but I want something more. When you’re ready to be in a relationship, we can shack up in the bedroom until you’re satisfied. But for now, we need to take this slow.”

She grabbed his neck then kissed him gently. “I can’t help it. I just want you—all the time.”

“I feel the same way.”

“I’ve never felt that way before.”

“Nor have I,” he said. “Now let me take you to dinner.”

“Okay,” she said quietly.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her from the apartment. After she locked the door, he walked her to his truck. He felt the stares of the men around them, looking at Paola in her short dress. He felt his anger and paranoia set in. He didn’t like Paola living alone, not when these thugs were nearby. What if they followed her? Broke into her apartment in the middle of the night and…he stopped himself from continuing the thought.

He opened her door and got
her inside before he moved to the driver’s seat.

“So, you think about me when you masturbate?” she asked with a smile.

“I’ve never cum harder.”

Her cheeks blushed.

“I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s—really hot.”

“Good. Because I like using your underwear for that. And by the way, you’re never getting them back.” He pulled off the road and drove to the restaurant. He patted the middle seat. “Sit here, baby. I don’t like it when you’re way over there.”

She moved closer to him, and he rested his hand on her thigh.

When they got to the restaurant, they sat beside the window and looked out at the water. Derek ordered them a bottle of wine and stared at Paola across the table. Her breasts looked round in her tight fitting dress. Some of the cleavage was sticking out and he loved looking at it. He imagined rubbing his dick between her tits but pushed the thought away, knowing how incredibly inappropriate it was. When he got himself under control, he stared at the curve of her lips and the small freckle in the corner of her mouth. It was hard to see, but still prevalent. He studied her face while she looked at the menu.

“I apologize on behalf of my friends,” Derek said.

She smiled. “I like them. There’s no need for apology.”

“
I realize they can be incredibly inappropriate.”

“They are honest. I like it when people are truthful.”

“You look so fucking beautiful,” he blurted, staring at her slender neck and perfect hair.

She flinched. “You look really handsome too.”

He shook his head. “There’s no comparison. I look like an elephant compared to you.”

“Well, I think elephants are cute.”

He smiled. “I do have a big trunk...”

She chuck
led lightly. “I have yet to see.”

“I’ll show you sometime.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself if you do.”

Derek felt his cock spring to life. He took a long drink of his water to cool the temperature of his body.

She averted her gaze and set the menu down.

When the waiter came over, they ordered their food. Derek ordered grilled fish while Paola ordered a salad and a side of soup.

“I hate to be one of those guys, but I have to say something,” Derek said.

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“You…you don’t eat very much,” he said hesitantly. “If you aren’t a model anymore, you shouldn’t be so strict about it. You exercise so much but you don’t seem to put in as much as you burn.”

“I thought you liked my body,” she said quietly.

“I love your body,” he said. “But I’m going to love it no matter what. Let yourself dig in. Believe me, I’m going to want you as much as I do now.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.” Derek took a drink of his wine and stared at her across the table.

She kept looking away every time she caught him looking.

“I’ll stop if you want,” he said. “But I don’t want to.”

“No, you can,” she said. “I’m just not used to it.”

“How is that possible?”

“I’ve just never been attracted to someone as much as they’ve been attracted to me. I felt like Vince liked my body for the most part, but he wasn’t obsessed with it like you are. It’s just different.”

“Obsessed is the perfect word,” he said. “And Vince is a fucking idiot. I hate that guy.”

“I didn’t mean to open old wounds.”

“I didn’t like the way he spoke to you. You’re the perfect woman. You should only be with the perfect guy.”

“Are you the perfect guy?” she asked.

He averted his gaze. He was nowhere near perfect. “No. But I love you with my whole heart and I’ll try to be perfect so I can keep you.”

She stared at him, her face expressionless.

The waiter brought their food to the table and set it down.

She nibbled on her salad and ate a few bites of her soup. Derek cut his fish in half and gave it to her.

“Try it,” he said.

“That’s too much.”

“Eat it,” he said. “Please.” He handed her some of his potatoes then ate his food.

“I’ve never been told to
eat, just eat less.”

“I want you to eat,” he said. “You have muscle and definition. You need protein to retain it.”

She smiled at him then ate it.

They ate their meal in silence, staring at each other. Derek didn’t feel uncomfortable for blatantly gawking at her. He could stare at her face all day, looking into the depth of her eyes forever. Never in his life had he loved someone the way he loved her. She was always in the forefront of his mind, consuming his thoughts
and his desires. Now he understood Coen in a way he never did before. The need to constantly take care of his partner, the need to watch out for her, pull her chair out for her, just love her in general. It was his purpose in life. It wasn’t to become a pro surfer or chase his dreams. It was to live his life for her. The revelation frightened him.

“What?” she said.

“Uh, nothing.” He grabbed the tab and slipped the money inside. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

He helped her stand up and held her hand while they walked back to the car. On the drive home, he held her hand tightly, resting it on his thigh. The longer they were together, the more at ease he felt. His connection to her was growing stronger. It was hard to believe they only knew each other for less than a month. A part of him felt like he’d known her his entire life. The sensation was hard to explain.

When they returned to her apartment, the dark side of Derek came out. He wasn’t sure how to act because he’d never been in love before, but the paranoia and fear burned in his heart. He couldn’t stand the area she lived in. It wasn’t safe. It was gnawing at him.

“Would you like some wine?” she asked as she walked inside.

Derek inspected the windows, seeing how thin they were, and then examined the lock on her door. She didn’t even have a dead bolt. Now he was getting worse. “No, thanks. I
want to talk about something.”

“What?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her breasts were pressed against his
chest and she moved against him gently, grinding him. Derek knew what she was thinking, but his thoughts were far from that.

“You can’t live here anymore.”

She sighed, dropping her hands. “I knew this would happen.”

“Then you know I’m right. This place is ghetto, Paola.”

“That isn’t insulting at all.”

“You know what I mean. It’s not safe here. This is the worst place you could stay on the entire island. You realize that, right? There are thugs standing in the front yard, smoking their pipes. Guys wearing chains gawk at you as you walk by. It’s not the right place for you.”

“Well, it’s all I can afford, Derek. And I can take care of myself,” she said. “I’m not totally clueless to what happens around me. I make sure my doors are locked, I look at everyone around me, and I don’t talk to anyone.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better at all.”

“You’re going to have to deal with it. Nothing is going to change.”’