The way he looks when he talks about surfing, the passion that comes with his words, it's mesmerizing. He really is happiest when he's in the ocean.
A round of baby waves comes, and Cade hops off his board to stand next to mine, gripping the sides of it. I lay down on my stomach and let him turn the whole thing to face the shore.
"Okay, are you ready?"
I nod, and as soon as it gets close enough, he pushes it forward.
"Now paddle!"
Doing as he says, I fall into the wave. Just as I feel it take the board, I jump up to my feet and use everything I've learned in dance to balance.
Immediately, I can see why he loves this so much. The wind in my hair. The water beneath me. The view of the beach coming closer. It's incredible.
I lose my balance after a little over thirty seconds and splash into the water, but I couldn't care less. Grabbing the board, I paddle back out to Cade and jump off.
"I did it!"
He smiles proudly and wraps me in his arms. "I knew you would."
We lock eyes as he holds me, with his hands on my back and my legs tightly around his hips. When we're this close, nothing else matters. It's just him, and me, and the moment. He glances down at my lips, and all I want is to close the distance between us.
"I know I have a lot to make up for," he whispers. "But I'm so glad you're here, with me."
"So am I," I answer, because it's the truth.
His grin widens and he pulls me into him, connecting our lips once again. I don't think I'll ever tire of this feeling. The chills that run down my spine, even in the warm water. The butterflies that fill my stomach. I never felt like this when kissing Kellan. Not in the slightest. Kissing Cade is something else entirely.
As our tongues tangle together, I can feel as he hardens beneath me. He breaks the kiss and carefully pulls me away from him.
"Come on. You have to catch at least a few more before we head home."
I sigh. "Fine, but only if I can sleep in your room again. Your chest is so much more comfortable than my bed."
He laughs and splashes me with water. "Deal, princess."
WE END UP SPENDING the next few hours in the water. Once I started getting into the habit of when to paddle, I was able to do it entirely on my own. Needless to say, I'm officially addicted. If we didn't have a recital to get ready for, I'd spend the rest of the summer surfing.
Don't get me wrong, dancing will always be my passion, but there's something exciting about trying something new—and this was exactly what I needed.
"I still can't believe I haven't done that sooner," I say from the passenger seat as Cade drives us home.
He reaches over and laces his fingers with my own. "Just wait until you start learning tricks."
I wince. "Yeah, I might leave that one to you and the pros. If I get hurt before this recital, Brady will have my head."
Chuckling, he turns onto our street. "Good point, although I'm more afraid of Savannah than I am Brady."
"Sav is harmless."
He glances over at me. "As harmless as a lion. Wrong person and she'll bite."
I giggle into my fist. "Then you should probably avoid hurting me at all costs. I'd hate to see you get mauled."
"Already planned on it, babe."
The look he gives me, paired with the term of endearment, has me needing to remember how to breathe. I always knew there was something there between us. Something pulling us toward each other. I just never knew how good it would feel to give into it. It's like I can finally breathe again.
As we pull up to the house, our smiles fall off both our faces. Sitting in the driveway is my dad's BMW. They're back early.
I sigh. "So much for spending tonight together."
Cade is obviously bothered by their return, but he does his best to pretend he's not. "That's why doors have locks on them."
Biting his lip at the concept, he jumps out of the Jeep and grabs the boards from the back. I follow behind him as we walk toward the door when I realize something's missing.
"Hey, what did you do with the GT?" I ask.
He smirks and shrugs one shoulder. "I donated it to charity."
The way he says that, like it's no big deal,