You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 104

Harper

Fun is exactly what we need, Easton was right, and I realize that the second I'm on the back of his jet ski, going at least a million miles per hour toward the upcoming wave.

I wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face in his neck, squeezing my eyes together as we slam into the wave, sending us shooting into the air.

“Abhh! '

I scream, holding onto him for dear life.

“Fuck, yeah! 'he shouts.

I don’t know how high we get, but I lose my stomach on the descent, the jet ski slapping the water as we land.

I can't stop screaming, I can't stop laughing.

And I only get a second to recover before he's driving toward another wave.

“Hold on, 'he warns, "this is going to be a big one. '

I don’t know how it can be taller than the last one, but it is and we hit air again, my lungs emptying on the way up.

“Watch out, it's going to be a hell of a splash, 'he says.

My mouth fills with freezing water, my body feels like it's on a roller—coaster, I can't see anything, I'm as cold as ice, and I'm positive I'm not breathing.

But I don't want him to stop.

I don't even want him to slow down.

I want to be on this ride forever.

As I glance behind me, Sadie is weaving her and Ryan around the water, following us into the crests, and I can hear them laughing from behind me.

"Are you all right? '

Easton asks as I look forward again.

I squeeze him, smiling even though he can't see me.

"More than all right. '

“Just making sure I haven't scared you to death. '

"Impossible. '

"Oh, yeah? Is that a dare? '

I know I shouldn't say this, but I can't help myself.

"I'm surprised this is all you've got ...

I thought you could do better. '

“Oh, fuck, 'he laughs.

'He

I'm not going to

gives me a kiss, and then we're suddenly charging through the

that promises to

it perfectly, blasting us upward and tilting the nose of the jet ski

around us as we land, more of it entering my mouth, stinging my eyes,

still can't

him to

his hand over

you're fucking perfect for me.

strength as we follow another path of waves, zig zagging

how long we chase the waves, but at the first crack of thunder, followed by a massive bolt of lightning,

skis to his dock, and we all hurry up the lawn

say to

He smiles.

grab a drink and I'll meet

exactly what's going to happen once he joins me, and he reconfirms that when

she

make some lunch and

"Perfect, 'she replies.

I missed any notifications, like

thing I see is several missed

here, I’m not sure what she could

call her back, holding the phone to

you're

after the

towel tighter against

fine, Mom, why?

storm is heading this

roads are going to be

to come home right

room, seeing Easton's

still have to pick up the house, we certainly can't

going to be at least an hour before we leave,

too

going to be terrible, they're encouraging everyone to

what to

my temple where

to drive in a storm, it could

night until the roads are clear

for

you'd miss school

straight A's and I haven't been

true—Easton has made me emotionally ill plenty of mornings where I'd cried myself to sleep

one day, it won't

know ...

and Easton, there's nothing to