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.

better hold on. 'He

to be gentle with.At all.

then we're

promises to take

upward and tilting the nose of the jet ski forward so we don't

splashes around us as we land, more of it entering my

can't stop

stop urging him to do,

hand

you're fucking perfect

heart and clench him with all my strength as we follow another path of waves, zig zagging across, Easton revving the gas sO we're speeding over the top of the

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

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

'I say

He smiles.

a drink and I'll meet you in

once he joins me, and he reconfirms that

freezing, 'Sadie says, shivering, as she walks with me through the living

warm up—shower, whatever—then we'll make some

"Perfect, 'she replies.

I get to our room, I quickly check my phone, seeing if I missed any notifications, like Aisha posting something

see is several missed

here, I’m not sure what she

call her back, holding the phone to

God, you're

after the first

towel tighter against my

fine, Mom,

storm is heading

roads are going

to come home right this second.

around the room,

to pick up

be at least an hour before we leave, ' I tell

be too

terrible,

don't know what to do.

my temple where a headache is

to drive in a storm, it could take us

stay here another night until the roads

for

would mean you'd miss school tomorrow.

I have straight A's and I

where I'd cried

miss one day, it won't be

know ...

Easton, there's nothing to worry about.I