Rebel (#3): The Riptide Series Read online

  I held my breath, unable to move my arm. His touch was gentle, and fell from the bracelet to my skin. His thumb was calloused, and the simplest of caresses set off a tornado of feelings.

  His eyes found mine. Did he feel the buzz, the undoubted chemistry that sizzled between us? Did I look as affected on the outside as I was on the inside?

  He slowly stood, pulling me up with him, never taking his hand off of my wrist. “You kept it.”

  Chapter Four

  Vance

  She snatched her hand from my grasp and fussed with the zipper on the bag. “I need to drop this,” she mumbled. She was desperate to change the subject. “I have to get home.”

  I followed her into a back room, watching her transfer the money bag into the safe. Her hair shined, silky and smooth, just as it was when she was nineteen, and those long legs… if only she were wearing the tiny shorts she nearly killed me with at The Shore instead of jeans.

  She was all thumbs putting away her apron, then dropped her purse twice trying to throw it over her shoulder.

  She was frazzled, and deep down, I knew it was because of our connection. She felt the spark like I had. The flame never went out for me, and by how her jaw dropped and her response to my touch, I knew she still burned for me as well.

  “Do you need a ride?”

  She shook her head and went back to the front of the arcade, flipping off the open sign. “No, I still have the Neon.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, I saw that. Looks the same as it did seven years ago.”

  She stopped in her tracks, her big blue eyes finding mine. They were so fucking beautiful, reminding me of the crystal clear waters in the inlets of The Shore.

  “Yes, and I hate to be rude, but I need to lock up.”

  “Oh, right.”

  She held her hand for me to leave first. Following behind me, she kept a safe distance, then closed the door and locked it. She zipped up her sweatshirt immediately after. No surprise there, it was cold as shit in this state.

  “No security alarm?” I asked, rubbing my arms for warmth.

  “No, Pete doesn’t think it’s necessary.”

  I put my hands in my pockets and checked out the building. From this view, it was very outdated, and anyone could break in with how rusted the front windows were. The deadbolt looked like it was about to crumble in half. I checked it out when I first walked through the door. “Maybe I could convince him.”

  She pinched her brows at me in confusion.

  I pointed my thumb at my chest. “You know, new groundskeeper. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done around here.”

  “Right,” She watched my eyes wonder. “Try not to judge it too much,” she said quickly, then darted to her car.

  I dashed after her, putting my hands back in my pockets. Did I offend her? “No, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s not bad,” I lied. “It has character.”

  She did her best to stay polite and not glare at me, but I knew Lauren, and the way her eyebrows twitched meant she was annoyed. “It might not be much, but it’s the best I’ve got.”

  “I’m glad I get to be a part of it.”

  Her lips parted slightly, followed by her forehead wrinkling along with a clench jaw. “Have a good night, Vance.” She ducked into her car.

  I didn’t want her to go. Desperately, I shouted, hoping she’d hear me through the car door slamming. “Will you be here tomorrow?”

  Rolling down her window and pulling out of the parking space, she responded, “Yep. Work four days a week.” She was rushed. It was obvious how uncomfortable she was around me.

  I waved, not wanting to seem eager for her attention. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Once she was driving down the road, both of my hands found my head. That didn’t go nearly as smooth as I had hoped it would, but then again, she didn’t bite my head off either. I thought she might scream at me, maybe even slap me across the face. Lord knows that’s what I deserved.

  I’d have to pull out the charm to get back on her good side. She was being polite to me tonight; it was her nature. The hurt was still there, and I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I practically shoved her out of my car after she told me she loved me, sending her back home to bury her mother alone. How could I expect for her to forgive me after all of these years?

  I stood underneath the flickering lamp post, pondering what my next move would be. I should work on what Riley assigned, but tonight I wouldn’t be able to get those long legs out of my head, and my memories were fading back to The Shore.

  Lauren jumped off the back of my truck. “You don’t have to come watch the sunset with me.”

  “And you don’t need to work at The Surf Shop all day,” I countered, tossing off my flip flops once we hit the sand.

  She did the same, hopping on each foot while she grabbed each sandal. “It was busy, and if I can get the store stocked, then Marcy won’t be upset about Colt not being able to hang out with her.”

  I shook my head. “Colt would leave the store unstocked to see her.”

  “Exactly,” she nudged my arm. “Then you’d be stocking all night.”

  I raised a brow at her. “And I wouldn’t be able to watch the sunset with you?”

  Her grin widened and red painted her cheeks, eyelashes fluttering. She was adorable when she was bashful and innocent. Nothing like me. She was out of my league by miles, but I couldn’t stay away.

  I stroked down her arm with my hand until it met hers, lacing our fingers together. “I’m onto you,” I teased.

  “You’re the one who told me I shouldn’t walk along the beach by myself at night,” she flirted back.

  I squeezed her hand. “That’s exactly right. I knew you were smart.”

  She giggled, the wonderful sound that eased the tension in my muscles and instantly put a smile on my face. I had been looking forward to these walks ever since I demanded she only go with me.

  Gazing up at me, her long blonde hair flowed with the wind. “I still think you’re paranoid, but I’ll take the company.”

  She was so fucking beautiful, natural and humble. I was caught in her riptide, riding the current no matter how far away from reality she took me.

  “Can I help you with something?” A less than friendly voice bit from behind me.

  I turned to find a guy my size, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans covered with grease stains. His hat hung low, dirty blond hair pointing out of it in every which way.

  “Arcade’s closed,” he stated. He came right up to me, holding his head high and crossing his arms.

  We were at eye level, and although I already knew who he was, I needed to play undercover. “Hi, I’m Vance, the new groundskeeper. Pete hired me.” I held my hand out for him to take, but he only glared at it.

  “I know who you are, Vance Everett.” Taking a step back, he reached in his back pocket and pulled out a carton of cigarettes, taking one out and lighting it. He took a few puffs before talking again. “Look, beach boy, I don’t know what’s got you coming all the way up here, but I’m going to tell you right now, you cause any trouble, I won’t play nice.”

  I held my hands to my sides. I didn’t want to appear as a threat. I needed to get to know this guy, maybe even be his friend. I knew how to play pretend. “Not looking for trouble, just happened to find a job in a small town. Sick of beach life, thought I’d give snow sports a try.”

  “No one likes snow. Not around here.” He took a long drag, and it caused my eye to twitch. Marcus was always sucking on a fucking cigar.

  “What do people around here like?”

  He eyed me, blowing smoke out of his nose. “We like to keep to ourselves.”

  “Come on,” I smiled. “Are you that intimidated by me?”

  His eyes narrowed. “What the fuck, you trying to start something?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Good,” he hissed, taking another hit. It was a long one, too. Even his eyes clenched closed. He wanted a hit of something else, I cou
ld tell by the tension in his shoulders. Maybe this could be how I’d make friends.

  “Do you work here, too?” I asked, ignoring his agitation.

  He shook his head, throwing the cigarette on the ground and pulling another one out of the packet. “I own the small engine repair store down the road. Pete is one of my customers.” He took another puff, then met my eyes. “Lauren is one of my very good friends.”

  I swallowed, clenching my hands into fists in my pockets.

  He itched and wrinkled his nose before taking another drag. “I don’t know exactly what happened with y’all at The Shore, but it nearly broke my best friend. The only reason I haven’t punched you in the face is because Lo finally got her head on right and came back home to Colby. No one is going to fuck with her again, especially not some surfer boy.”

  He held truth to his meaning, but if I had to guess, he’d be all over Lauren if she’d let him. The tone in his voice blew his cover. He was protective, but there was passion laced with his words. He wanted her, and if he were given the chance, his best friend’s wishes would go out the window.

  “Look… what’s your name?”

  “Jonah.”

  “Jonah, I don’t have any intentions to mess up what Lauren has got going on here. I’m only looking for a quiet life, and from all of the people that visit The Shore from this place, it seems to be a good fit for what I want.”

  He blew more smoke from his nose and eyed me. “You stick to that, and we won’t have a problem.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping for. I figure we’ll have to work together if I’m going to be repairing and maintaining this place.” I made a point to look around the facility, trying to focus on what was lit by the flickering lamp post.

  “Yeah, it’s a fucking shit hole,” he muttered under his breath. Safe to say he didn’t share the same connection with the rundown activities center as Lauren. “Pete’s lucky there aren’t any other places for these little shits to hang out. You don’t even want to know what they do behind the barn.”

  I smirked. “I could guess. I was young once.”

  Jonah let down his wall for a split second, a raise of his lip being sent in my direction. “Weren’t we all?” He threw out his second cigarette and started to back pedal, a smirk on his face. “I’ll see you around, Everett.”

  He disappeared down the sidewalk and into the darkness.

  I had intuition about Jonah, and it wasn’t a good one. I’d have to snoop some more, get in his good graces. There was truth to the saying “Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.”

  I’d wait to investigate Jonah until tomorrow. For now, I’d go back to my bunk and settle in for the night. Riley hooked me up with Pete, giving him as little details as possible when it came to my involvement with the FBI. Even the Sheriff wasn’t clued into my sudden change of employment.

  “Hey, Vance,” Pete greeted. He set a hand on my back and followed my gaze to the arcade. “Ain’t much, but I know with your help, we can get this place back in shape. How’s the house? Bonnie worked hard to get it ready for you.”

  “It’s wonderful. I’m going to call it a night. Thanks for letting me stay there.”

  Pete gave me a nod. “Let me know if you need anything. Otherwise, I’ll see you at seven. We’ve got a handful of landscaping to get us started.”

  “Then I better get to bed. See you in the morning.” I waved and headed down the road where the tiny house, if you could even call it a house, sat on top of a hill surrounded by trees. It was hidden, and for the hermit I was, it’d be perfect.

  The lock stuck when I turned the key, but after a hefty nudge, it opened for me. Tiny didn’t begin to describe the place. It was a good thing I traveled light and didn’t have anything of substance to my name.

  Sure, I had the properties that my father had owned along The Shore. Half of the stores went out of business because they were used for cover ups or meeting places. I didn’t spend it; no object would help the empty feeling inside. What helped me most was making the bust, knowing some sick fuck was behind bars while the women they trapped were set free. That didn’t cost any money, and helped my conscience earn some relief from my troubled past.

  Turning on the lamp next to the entry door, I took in the space I’d be calling home the next few months. The gray walls still smelled like fresh paint, and lines from a commercial cleaner were evident on the maroon carpet. The small space had a plaid loveseat with a boxed television on a stand in the corner.

  Setting my sandals next to the side of the couch, I walked through the still-damp carpet to the little kitchen, frowning when I realized along the moss green cabinets there wasn’t a dishwasher hiding underneath the off-white countertops. There wasn’t a stove either, only a single hot plate and a microwave. Good thing I wasn’t much of a chef.

  I took my duffle bag into the cramped bedroom while Bonnie was cleaning; tossing it on the full-size mattress that was squished to the side so a walkway could be made to the closet and dresser.

  I could deal with the small living space. The FBI had put me up in worse living quarters than this. It was clean and cared for; I didn’t need something swanky and trendy.

  Taking a deep breath, I unloaded the few things I had brought with me. By how chilly the air here was, I’d have to make a stop at a clothing store to get warmer gear. It was fucking freezing in the water, and I was thankful I had brought my wetsuit. It was lying in the bed of my truck along with my kite and surfboard. I’d store them there for now.

  Once I was done with my duffle, I proceeded on to my bag of goodies from Riley, my glock being one of them. I shined the barrel with a cloth, rubbing it as if there were smudges. Once I was satisfied with its appearance, I set it in the drawer next to my bed, making sure it was close by.

  I needed to set up the Wi-Fi, which by the looks of the town, it wasn’t going to be a fast signal. I’d give my hotspot on my phone a try. Pulling out the laptop, I plopped on the couch, powering it on to record my notes for the day. I was good at keeping information together in my head, but Riley wanted me to share every little fucking detail I found. It would help him to put pieces together if I couldn’t handle it. I didn’t even think he read them anymore, but there were times I’d cross-reference.

  When I got to adding information about Lauren, all of my notes weren’t relevant.

  Long legs.

  Beautiful eyes.

  Sexy ass.

  Kept a bracelet that was given to her seven years ago by the man who crushed and broke her heart.

  Sighing, I deleted her name and all of the bullshit info that didn’t matter.

  I’d have to weasel my way into getting her to open up about Colby, and what had happened. It wouldn’t be easy for her, but I needed to know if he was as involved as Riley’s inside person let on for him to be.

  Shutting down the laptop, I stripped from my clothing and hopped into the tiny shower, letting the warm water trail down my body. The pressure wasn’t strong, and the water had a tinge of a rusty smell to it. I’d bet money on it being from a well, and within a few days I wouldn’t notice it anymore.

  Instead of the rust, I daydreamed of Lauren’s citrus scent. After all these years, she still used the same shampoo. I could smell it on her when she walked by. It was intoxicating, and I’d give anything to have her pressed against me in this small space, massaging her head while she groaned in approval. Maybe she’d even let her palm wander down my abdomen and to my cock, stroking it with her delicate fingers.

  I never in my right mind thought I’d relive a rub and tug so many times, but I shamefully did, recalling her inexperienced as she curiously testing out different speeds and pressures.

  Like always, my hand would imitate hers, pumping my length and fantasizing that it were hers. When I’d imagine hearing her sharp breaths, I’d let out a grunt of approval, then visualize my mouth finding the pulse of her neck. She tasted so sweet, and I’d give anything to trace her smooth skin with my tongue again.


  My release came hotly, hitting the shower wall. Tension faded, and I realized how tired I was from kite surfing and getting myself set up on my new job site.

  The next few months were going to be as difficult as when I took down Marcus, but I was desperate to start over with Lauren, and win her back once and for all. I’d stop at nothing to have her in my arms again.

  My mind was ready to let my heart have what it wanted, and I was prepared to protect and keep her for myself. I’d fight for Lauren Owens the right way this time. I’d be able to keep her instead of sending her away.

  And if the moment struck, I’d tell her I loved her. I’d spill like a sappy idiot about how she had kept the darkness out of my life, and that I’d never hurt her again.

  Chapter Five

  Lauren

  “What?” Marcy gasped.

  We were sitting on her front porch swing with cups of tea and blankets.

  “I swear to God, Marcy. I about had a heart attack when he walked through the front door of the arcade.”

  Marcy’s jaw was hanging open. “What the hell is he doing here?”

  I held my palm to my forehead. “I guess your dad hired him to be the new groundskeeper.”

  Her brows furrowed. “Vance Everett? He’s the new groundskeeper?”

  “I’m just as baffled as you.”

  Marcy looked through the window to see Colt sitting in his chair with a beer, Tessa comfy on his lap while she watched cartoons.

  “Colt!” she yelled, tapping on the window. He jumped slightly and looked at Marcy. She curled her finger for him to come outside.

  He delicately lifted a very sleepy Tessa and set her on the couch, covering her with a blanket. It reminded me of Colby. He was such a wonderful Daddy to Tessa. I missed the comfort he brought both of us.