Chapter Twenty-One
Marissa
I spend a little time on Saturday morning cleaning the living room and picking out a few new paint colors. Since we have the room disassembled, Mom and I decided to go ahead and give everything fresh coats of paint. I mean what’s a few extra days of painting, right?
Actually, the cleaning process is going very smoothly, and much quicker than I thought it would. Once I got a system down, I was able to power through the bedrooms and bathrooms, leaving the downstairs. I’ll admit I’ve been taking my time on the project. Yes, because I wanted to make sure it was done right the first time, but also because of a huge distraction. You know, a six foot one karate instructor, with ocean blue eyes and a smirk that turns my insides to jelly.
He’s out this morning, having to run to another town to pick up a few extra supplies. While he was there, he was planning to meet up with his boss’s brother, who’s also an electrician, and who technically Rhenn is working for while in North Carolina. He explained last night while we were sitting together on the boulder that his original license is for Virginia, but he also carries one for North Carolina. The brothers each own their own businesses, one in Virginia and the other in North Carolina, providing electrical work for residential homes and businesses all over two states, and work together often. It was neat to hear more about the work he does and the family-owned companies he works for.
“Anyone home?” Harper hollers from my doorway.
“In here,” I yell, placing a few items of Rhenn’s in the washing machine, along with my own.
“Why are you inside? It’s perfect outside.”
Shutting the lid and turning on the machine, I turn my attention to my sister. “I was catching up on a few chores before Rhenn gets back.”
“You should be working on your tan. Your Casper-white legs blind me,” she teases, holding her hand up to shield her eyes.
“Shut up,” I retort. “I was able to get a little sun last weekend on the boat, and we’re taking it out again tomorrow.”
“Oh, are you going to do a little topless sunbathing on the boat? I’m so jealous,” she says. “The shop keeps me super busy and I don’t have time for that as much as I used to.”
“Topless sunbathing? Seriously?” Though, I really shouldn’t be surprised in the least.
“You’ve never done it? Oh my God, Riss, it’s the best. So relaxing,” she adds, helping herself to a bottle of water in my fridge.
“Why would you sunbathe topless? You know what? I don’t want to know.” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge too and take a seat at the table.
“You mean besides the fact that you don’t get bikini lines? It’s quite freeing and relaxing, actually. I miss coming here and laying out.” Harper shrugs her shoulders and takes a big drink of water.
“Wait, here?” I swear, I almost choke.
“Sure, where else would I lay out topless? My nosy neighbor would be filming me, probably selling that shit on the Internet or keeping it in his digital spank bank on that laptop he’s always carrying around.” Harper shudders.
“He’s so weird,” I mumble, getting completely distracted by her weirdo neighbor.
“That he is. Now, back to the topless sunbathing. I think you should do it. It’s the perfect day, and you don’t have to worry about anyone happening upon you since there are no guests.”
I stare across the table at my brazen sister. “Has that happened?”
She giggle snorts. “Oh yeah, a couple of times. The old geezers never complain, though.”
“And you think you know someone,” I gasp with a tease. I mean I knew she would go back and lay in the sun, but I had no idea she was taking off her bikini top while doing it.
“Seriously, though, you should go do it. Enjoy some sun. Take a book. Relax.”
My ears perk up at book. How long has it been since I read a book? Weeks. Everything with the house and remodel after the fire has kept me super busy…and stressed. It wasn’t until Rhenn came along and offered to…de-stress me for a bit, but still, I miss reading. I used to read almost every night on the porch after I was done with the house chores.
“You know what? I think I’m going to.”
“Good!” she chirps, clapping her hands dramatically. “You won’t regret it, I promise.” Harper gets up and tosses her empty water bottle in the recycling bin. “Well, I’m off to sort and sell underwear.”
“You’re not staying?” I ask, not that I want my sister to see me topless, but it would be kinda nice to spend a little one-on-one time with her.
“I can’t. Free opened the store for me today, but I have to close. Saturdays are always busy so I don’t want to leave her too long by herself.” I nod as she heads toward the door. “I’m coming back though to help with the downstairs cleaning. Jensen called me the other night and said we’re all pitching in and getting it done.”
“Yeah, Samuel texted me earlier and said he’ll be here after the Hanson funeral.”
“He has such a weird job. Who wants to be surrounded by death all day?” she asks aloud, but I can tell she isn’t really looking for an answer. It was more rhetorical. But I also agree with her one-hundred-percent. I don’t even want to think about some of the stuff that goes on behind that “Employees Only” door…
“Anyway, I should be here a little after three. Do I need to bring something for dinner?” she asks as she steps out the front door.
“Mom said she and Max are taking care of it,” I reply, joining her on the porch and immediately loving the warm, June sun.
“See you soon.” Harper slides her sunglasses on her face and heads around the house to her car.
I’m left standing there, all alone on a late Saturday morning, and wondering what I’m going to do with my time. Jensen isn’t coming until one to start working on the house, and Rhenn thought he’d be back early afternoon. That leaves me with about two hours to myself and nothing to do. Sure, I could go inside and get started on the living room, but now that I’m standing in the sunlight, Harper’s suggestion has started to grow roots.
Should I take some time to go enjoy the sun on the beach?
Can I even do what she proposed?
A few months ago, I’d say hell no. But now? Well, a coy smile takes over my face as I think about taking this big step outside my comfort zone. I picture a certain bed hog with dark blond hair and alluring eyes, and suddenly, it seems like the best idea ever.
But I’m not doing it for him. No. I’m doing this for me. I’m doing this with my newfound confidence that I didn’t even know I had, and maybe that’s inspired by Rhenn, sure, but this leap is all me.
Running back inside, I throw on my tiny bikini, grab the book I had started weeks ago and haven’t picked up since, a bottle of water, and a towel, and head out the door.
To sunbathe.
Topless.
* * *
I’ve been reading for about fifteen minutes, or at least trying to read, but really I’m just conjuring up the courage to pull that string. But I’m nervous and a little scared. I haven’t seen anyone on the beach since I arrived, so I really don’t think anyone’s going to find me here, but there’s just something a little terrifying about being almost nude in public.
And then I picture Rhenn. The way his eyes light up and darken when he’s aroused (he’s like that a lot). He looks at me as if I’m the only woman he sees, that what he sees is enough. At least enough for now. He gives me the confidence I didn’t realize I desperately needed.
So I pull the string.
Tossing the bikini top beside me, I continue to lie on my stomach, making sure all of my girly bits are covered. The sun is hot, causing little beads of sweat to gather on my body, but do you know what? Harper’s right. It feels liberating and a little naughty, and I have a huge smile on my face.
I read for a good thirty minutes, relaxing and enjoying the warmth, and feeling at ease for the first time in too long. My eyelids start to grow heavy and I find it hard to focus on the words. Setting my book aside, I turn over so I don’t burn my back. Using my shirt as a pillow, I let the sun calm my body further, lulling it into sleep. I must immediately start to dream, quite possibly about being on Rhenn’s boat, because I hear a splash. My eyes fly open and I glance around, realizing I’m still on the beach.
And I’m not alone.