Chapter 13
Austin
Austin lounged on the private dock of his bungalow and closed his eyes. Flashes of Ella’s body underneath his went through his mind. He loved the way her breath caught when he had pushed himself inside of her. She had this sweet, innocent exterior, but once he got his hands on her, her wild side rushed to the surface and Austin couldn’t get enough of it.
That night in the library was only supposed to be a one-time thing. He had been drinking heavily and that morning he regretted what he had done. Yes, he had loved her touch, but he didn’t think it was real. It was just the booze that was making him feel the way that he did.
When he saw her that next day at the beach something changed inside of him. A force deep inside him called out to her and made him want to claim her as his own. He had to talk to her again to see what it all meant.
After last night, Austin knew that he was hooked. He had not felt this way about a woman since Callie, and that both surprised and terrified him. Callie would be happy for me, he thought. Maybe Ella was the start of a long overdue healing process.
Austin looked down at his watch. He was supposed to meet Ella in half an hour. He pushed his large frame off the lounge chair and walked into the large bathroom and jumped in the shower. Water cascaded down his chest as his body melted under the heat of the shower. Austin let the water rush down him and he imagined that with it went the pain and anger that he had been harboring for years. Ella would bring him back to life.
***
Austin gently knocked on Ella’s door. His anger bristled inside of him in anticipation of seeing her again.
Ella opened the door and walked out in a long, flowing beach dress. It was a green color which looking amazing with her hair and her eyes.
“You look beautiful,” Austin said as he leaned in to kiss her. Sparks flew between them, and it took everything Austin had not to pick her up, wrap her legs around his waist and take her right on the porch of her bungalow. Austin broke their kiss and grabbed her hand.
Ella looked up at him. “So what is the plan for today?”
Austin smiled down at her. “It’s a surprise.”
Ella let out a light sigh. “For future reference, I kinda hate surprises,” she teased.
Austin chuckled. “This surprise is worth it.”
Austin walked Ella up the path from the bungalows towards the water. They passed by several of his friends chatting up various girls, and they all turned to stare at them. Austin gripped Ella’s hand a little tighter.
“Why are they all staring?” Ella asked.
“Let’s just say it’s been a long time since any of my friends has seen me take an interest in someone.”
Austin led Ella away from all the onlookers down a path that led them to a secluded area on the beach. Palm trees covered the area from the sun, and in the middle was a large blanket with a picnic basket.
“Oh, this is amazing!” Ella said.
Austin smiled happily as they lay down on the blanket. Ella immediately dove into the basket, which made Austin let out a light laugh.
“What is so funny?” Ella asked as she playfully put her hands on her hips.
“Nothing is funny,” Austin said. “I just love that you aren’t afraid to eat.”
Ella let out a laugh. “That is one thing you will never have to worry about with me. I will always eat.”
Ella turned her attention back to the basket and pulled out the items. There were sandwiches, a large salad, fruit, cheese, and champagne.
“How did you manage to do all of this?” Ella asked.
Austin chuckled lightly. “I may have had some connections.”
“You spoke to Sierra, didn’t you?” Ella asked.
“I have no idea who Sierra is,” Austin said as he tried to hide the smile on his face.
Ella lightly hit him on the shoulder. “You are such a liar.”
“Maybe,” Austin said. “But I will only lie when it comes to surprising you in some way.”
Ella leaned towards Austin and pulled his face towards hers. Their lips crashed together. Austin loved how Ella took full control of what she wanted. She was not a sit-there-and-wait type of girl. If she wanted to kiss him, she did, and he couldn’t get enough of it. Austin wrapped his arms around her curves and pulled her closer to him. Austin let Ella’s sweet scent consume his senses. Nothing else mattered except her.