Page 9 of Crashing Into You

ChapterFive

Bryce

I’m hyper aware of Claire. And so is my dick. It’s like the kiss has unleashed something between us, something I wasn’t expecting.

I shift my stance again, and try to focus on what her friends are saying. But I can’t stop glancing at her, at the smooth lines of her arms, the way her lips move when she’s talking.

I need to talk to her again.

I wonder who the hell that asshole was, and why he thought he could treat her like that. Her ex, that much was clear. My mood darkens at the memory of the fear on her face, the way she was trembling, the marks on her arm. Why she’d waste her time with someone like that is beyond me. She could have any man she wanted, surely.

And I’m kind of hoping I might be the man she wants.

Fuck this. I’ve had enough of waiting.

“Who needs another drink?” I wave my half-empty beer at the group. “Just going to the bar.”

“I’ll have another, mate.” Matt’s blue gaze is shrewd. He doesn’t miss much, and he knows I don’t need another beer. “If you’re going that way. Take your time though.”

Yeah, he fucking knows. I shrug, flashing him a grin as I cover the short distance to the bar. Kylie sees me coming and touches Claire on the arm, saying something before heading off towards the bathroom.

And then it’s just me and Claire.

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, a faint hint of pink on her cheekbones. I want to kiss her again, want to feel her melting against me.

But all I say is “Hey.”

“Hey.” Her lips curve in a sweet smile, and I’m already getting hard. What is this girl doing to me?

“How’s your arm?”

She blinks, then folds her arm against her, as though she wants to hide it.

“I saw how hard he was grabbing you. You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she says. “Honestly. Thanks again.” Her face shuts down, though, and I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about it. That’s cool. I can do that.

“So, how come you live in a surf community if you don’t like surfing?” I give her my best shit-eating grin.

She laughs, her face lighting up once more. God, she’s beautiful. “I don’t hate surfing,” she says. “I just… don’t do it.”

“You don’t? Living near waves like this?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Not my scene.” Something flickers across her face then, and I’m intrigued. There are layers to this girl and I want to peel them off, slowly, find out what’s underneath. The fact I want to peel her clothes off as well is beside the point.

But something tells me I need to move slowly. Which isn’t usually my style. I’m around for a few weeks, though, so maybe I should try something different. I realise she’s said something to me. “Sorry, what?”

“I said, do you have a place down here?”

“No. Just passing through. Wouldn’t mind it, though. One of my favourite spots in the entire world.”

“Oh, okay.” She takes a sip of her drink and looks around. Fuck. Maybe I’m boring her.

“Hey, why don’t you let me take you out?”

“Out?”

“Surfing. You know, give it a try.”