“Let me take you out, Zoe, and then you will see that you have nothing to fear from me.”

  Zoe looked down. Her mind was going in every direction. Flashes of Darian with Heather, him telling her it wasn’t a big deal, her pain and suffering at the hurt she had felt. Suddenly she had flashes of Masen on the water, of them dancing, and finally of what it might be like to make love to him. He was sitting right beside her, and she was envisioning what it would be like to actually make love to him. Zoe blew out a soft breath before finally nodding just slightly, knowing that she was treading on dangerous ground. Her willpower was shaky at best and her ability to resist him seemed null and void. This was a disaster waiting to happen, but her body was overriding her head as she continued to nod.

  “Perfect,” he said, and she could hear the elation in his voice. “Where are you staying?”

  Zoe blinked a few times before finally answering. “Surfers Ridge Hotel, room 418.”

  “I’ll see you at six tonight,” he said, rising to his feet in one swift move.

  He grabbed his board and trekked off, leaving Zoe speechless. That had not turned out as Zoe had envisioned it would and she couldn’t help but hear the familiar Jaws theme song echoing in the back of her mind. She saw him drop his board on the water and begin paddling out with vigor, a man on a mission.

  “How’d it go?” Summer asked, sitting down next to Zoe.

  Zoe rested her head on her knees and looked at her friend. “We have a date tonight.”

  Summer giggled involuntarily, and when Zoe shot her a lethal glare, she covered her mouth and tried to compose herself. “So much for avoiding the shark filled waters.”

  Zoe moaned and lay back on the blanket, covering her eyes. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. She was not a one-night stand kind of girl. But it had been so long and the attraction she felt last night was still there. Zoe allowed her mind to wander, wondering what it would be like to have a fling with him. Could she do it, could she have sex with someone she had just met for the sole purpose of sex? Would she be able to say goodbye and let it just be bye, go on with her life like she had never met him? But if she didn’t, would she always wonder and ask herself what if? Zoe squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to imagine the possibilities.

  7 Preparations

  M asen trounced off with his board under his arm, walking like a man who had won the lottery. In a way, he felt he had. He had scored with his dark eyed beauty. She would be his tonight. He cocked his head slightly and smiled as he dropped his board on the water before lying atop it. This evening would be wonderful and perfect. Suddenly his arms stopped moving when a thought arose in his head.

  “What the hell am I supposed to do on a date? I don’t do dates. SHIT!”

  He shook his head, continued to paddle out, and got in position. He looked toward the shore and saw that Zoe was lying down. What was it about her that made him want her so much? He didn’t know, but there was something different that he was drawn to. He couldn’t wait to find out. He smiled as he rode the wave.

  Zoe took a deep breath and sat up again to watch him. For how long, she wasn’t sure. In all honesty, there was no way she could pull her eyes away from him. She became oblivious to the growing crowds, to the sun beating down on her skin, or to time passing as she stared absently at the waves and the gorgeous man surfing them.

  “My God! Don’t they have any shame?” Summer asked, shaking her head.

  “Who?” Zoe inquired, not taking her eyes off Masen.

  “Them.”

  Zoe now turned to her. “Who’s them?”

  “The group of cackling hens,” she replied, motioning her head slightly to the left.

  Zoe turned and saw that the women she had referred to earlier, had grown exponentially and indeed they were all cackling and cooing over Masen’s exquisite form. Not that Zoe could blame them. He was truly a vision. His fit and tight body dripping wet, his piercing eyes that made you think he was the devil incarnate, sent to steal your soul away. Zoe ignored them and turned back to watch Masen, who was now paddling out deeper into the swell, his arms moving in and out of the water with ease. She smiled as he threw his head back slightly, seeing his hair shift, out of his eyes she presumed. A smile spread as heat rose up her neck and cheeks.

  “Well, he’s beautiful,” Zoe finally said, her last word trailing off just slightly as she watched him ride the wave.

  “Yes, he is, Zoe, but my God, these women are so freaking obvious!” Summer stated, but Zoe was no longer listening as she went back into her trance like state.

  When Masen stood up in the shallow water, he was laughing. He ran his hand through his hair, completely proud of himself. He had seen others wipeout, but he didn’t. No, he completely owned that wave, and when he had looked to the shore, he saw Zoe watching him, which made him happier than he knew it should. He loved the fact that she was still there. It made him want to take chances. He glanced sideways and saw Cory approaching him, holding his board. When he got in front of Masen, Cory reached his free hand out to him, smiling and laughing.

  “Holy shit, man, that was awesome!” Cory practically shouted as he shook Masen’s hand vigorously.

  “Thanks, Cory,” Masen replied, but he wasn’t looking at Cory anymore. He was looking at Zoe sitting there, admiring his every move.

  He smiled at her and winked, then chuckled at her obvious embarrassment. She looked down slightly, bringing her bottom lip into her mouth. This small gesture turned him on as his dream from last night came to the front of his memories. He turned quickly, not wanting to get hard at that particular moment. Masen motioned with his head toward the waves and Cory nodded happily, ready to surf with him. He and Cory started paddling out together.

  “Hey Cory, can I ask you something?” Masen asked as they waited for the next wave.

  “Go for it, dude.”

  “I got a date tonight and want to do something nice. Got any thoughts?”

  Cory laughed. “And taking her to your place is out of the question?”

  “Oh, I’m sure that will happen, but I want to do something before that. You know, an actual date,” he said with a shrug before rising on his board.

  “Yeah, we can…”

  Masen didn’t hear the rest of Cory’s response as he went under the crest of the wave. He would have to ask him afterward. For now, he would simply relish in the feel of the water as it cascaded around him, knowing that there was nothing better than it. Except, maybe, finally being able to make love to Zoe.

  Zoe couldn’t take her eyes off Masen. He was amazing out on the water. He moved with such synchrony, as if he and the waves were one. She was in a trance the entire time he surfed, and then before he would paddle out again, he would turn to her and smile, a smile that literally made her feel like she was on the cusp of an orgasm.

  “I swear, I think I need to open up a can of Skank-be-gone,” Summer huffed.

  “Huh?” Zoe questioned, breaking her eyes away from Masen.

  “The cackling hens are staring at you.”

  Zoe turned to see that two women in particular were eyeing her. Their disapproval was clearly evident on their faces. Zoe narrowed her eyes and gave them her best ‘fuck you, I'm from New York and I'll cut a bitch’ look until they turned away. This back and forth continued with the women for another forty minutes, until Zoe started to feel uncomfortable under the hen’s scrutiny.

  “Let’s go,” Zoe pleaded.

  “No way. It’s not your fault that Masen wants you and not one of those skanks,” Summer said, shooting another lethal glance at the woman staring at them.

  “I don’t want to be here. I don’t like,” Zoe paused, flustered, “this kind of shit.”

  “Alright, fine, but on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We go shopping. You need something spectacular to wear on your DATE!” Summer emphasized the last word loud enough for the hens to hear. She saw one stiffen and knew that she had heard this bit of information and was not pleased with it.

  “Okay, fine, geez,” Zoe laughed. “Can we go now, or do you plan on starting a rumble?”

  “No, we can leave,” Summer replied in her perky, happy go lucky voice that seemed to contradict her earlier frustrations with the women on the beach.

  She leaped to her feet and reached down for Zoe, helping her up. They quickly gathered their things and Zoe looked toward the water once again, eyeing the beautiful man that she would be seeing later tonight and then glanced at the hens who were eyeing her. Zoe arched her brow before flipping them off casually with both hands. When they turned around again, Zoe grinned as she slipped into the vehicle. Summer smirked at her as she brought her fist up and tapped it with Zoe’s. This had the potential to be a spectacular evening.

  “Come on, girl!”

  ~*~

  “What about this?” Summer asked, pulling out a leather mini skirt and halter-top.

  “Summer, no, GOD! What the hell,” Zoe stated louder than she intended.

  Summer turned to her and set the outfit down. She jutted her hip slightly and placed both hands on her waist, giving her a glare that would stop anyone in their tracks. Summer was fuming. Zoe had been unreasonable the whole time they had been shopping and disapproved of literally everything she had shown her. Why was she making this difficult!

  “What is your problem?” When Zoe didn’t reply, Summer continued, “If you don’t want to go out with him then cancel, but, my God, if you do go out with him, well then damn it, enjoy yourself. It’s been forever since you had a good time with a man. Since you got dolled up for anything. Since you felt that,” Summer started snapping her fingers and then grinned, “spark of electricity, that passion and desire that makes your whole body erupt in flames. This could be amazing if you'd let it.”

  Zoe looked down, unable to meet Summer’s eyes. She knew she shouldn’t be feeling this much apprehension, but she was. And she also knew that Summer was on a mission, not just for Zoe, but for herself as well. An hour ago, she had received a call from Ethan who invited her out again, stating he wanted to make up for having to cancel their date last night. Summer did not hesitate to accept his invitation. When she hung up, she was in an all-out frenzy. She was ecstatic, but Zoe was still concerned. Her old insecurities and memories of Darian were creeping out and wreaking havoc on her self-esteem, but she needed to think about earlier. It was obvious that Masen wanted her. She needed to focus on that and let that guide her this evening.

  “Zoe,” Summer said softer, placing a hand on her friend’s upper arm and drawing Zoe’s attention back to her. When Zoe looked upon her, Summer smiled radiantly. “You have to take chances. Not every man you meet is going to be Darian.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” Zoe tried to smile but managed a mere grin. “I’m an emotional wreck, aren’t I?”

  “We all are,” Summer laughed.

  “Me more than others, I’m afraid.”

  Summer wrapped her arm around Zoe’s shoulder. “Let’s do it up, girl. We both have dates this evening with two very handsome men.” She winked and smiled at her, nudging her slightly. “Two men that every single girl on this island wants to be with.”

  “But…” she nudged her friend back with a mischievous smile. “Neither one of us know what we’re doing tonight, which makes it hard to decide what to wear, don’t ya think?” Zoe asked with a laugh.

  “That is very true, and in the hands of a lesser woman it would be a problem.”

  Zoe laughed. “So, what are we supposed to do, genius?”

  Summer raised a finger. “It’s all part of the adventure of the island,” she finished with a smirk and then turned to another rack of clothes. “Now we need to get you something that really pops, okay? I need you to trust me, Zoe,” she said, looking over her shoulder.

  “Alright, but nothing too risqué, I’m not comfortable with that.”

  Summer rolled her eyes before perusing a few more racks until she screamed and quickly pulled something out. Zoe arched her brows and then bit her lip. She wasn’t sure about this ensemble. It was pretty but also see-through. She looked up at Summer who was nodding and smiling like the Cheshire Cat. Sighing, Zoe reached for it while Summer bounced on the balls of her feet.

  “I hope I know what the hell I’m doing,” Zoe mumbled as she headed to the dressing room.

  8 Just Keep Swimming

  M asen stared at himself in the mirror, somewhat conflicted. It had been a long time since he had to woo a woman and there was a part of him, albeit a small part, that wondered if she was worth the trouble. He stretched and then ran his fingers through his hair. He had spent an hour trying to decide the right look for the evening and then scolded himself for pulling a typical girl maneuver, but if he was truthful with himself, he wanted to impress her. He had the suspicion that she thought little of him and saw him as someone that was out to play her. He sighed with that thought, knowing that her assessment wasn’t too far from the truth. But there was something about this girl that appealed to him. It was a pull he had never felt before. It wasn’t solely based on his body’s response to her, which threw him for a loop as he wasn’t sure how to respond. He arched his brow and loosened the top two buttons of his shirt.

  “Let’s do this,” he said to himself with a smile before heading out to go get Zoe.

  The drive to Surfer’s Ridge took him only thirty minutes from his cabin by the beach but he was glad for the drive. Worry and insecurity clouded his mind as he focused on every detail of the evening he had planned. This was a new experience for him and he wasn’t exactly sure if this was how he should feel or not. He wished his relationship with his father was better. If it had been, maybe he could have called to get some feedback, find out if this uneasiness in the pit of his stomach was normal or not. Unfortunately, their relationship was strained at best, so he would just have to wing it and hope for the best.

  Before he realized it, he was pulling into the parking lot. He parked near the entrance and hopped out, giving a head nod to the guy behind the desk that he recognized as Cory’s brother, although he couldn’t remember his name. He was desperate to get this started and release the sensation he was experiencing in his stomach. The sensation he defined as nerves, something he was unaccustomed too. He rapped on the door and the blonde-haired girl that had been at the beach with Zoe answered.

  “Come in, Masen. She’s about ready.”

  He nodded and stepped through the door just as Zoe walked out from what must be the bathroom. She was a vision and, try as he might, he couldn’t stop the soft breath that escaped his mouth. Zoe had chosen an outfit that consisted of a sheer rose colored dress with small flowers over it, covering her in the right places. Underneath he could see the outline of what looked like matching lace bra and panties. He looked her up and then down, noticing how her legs were accentuated by the rose-colored heels she had paired it with. The dress was sexy and yet simple at the same time. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with loose curls draping down, touching her shoulders. He was aching to plant a soft kiss on her exposed neck. She wore minimal makeup, just a light splash of color on her eyes and cheeks, which highlighted her natural beauty. She was breathtaking to behold.

  “Definitely worth it!” he mumbled under his breath. “Zoe, you look…” he paused and glanced down, trying to decide the word to use when Zoe spoke.

  “So do you,” Zoe said smiling.

  Masen was truly the most handsome man Zoe had ever seen. She half suspected him to come in board shorts and a t-shirt, but he surprised her. Instead, he was wearing a pair of tan slacks and a light blue button-down shirt, which hung loosely from his pants. The first couple of buttons were undone at both the top and bottom and he had elected not to wear an undershirt. There was a spattering of chest hair visible underneath the lightweight fabric of his shirt and some peeking out from just above the top of his pants. His hair framed his face beautifully and much to Zoe’s delight, he only trimmed his stubble but didn’t shave it.

  “Magnificent,” she murmured.

  As she approached him, she glanced down nervously and noticed that instead of shoes he was wearing a pair of leather thong sandals. She giggled as he took her hand.

  “What?” Masen asked, nudging her slightly.

  “You’re wearing flip flops.”

  He glanced down and smiled at his footwear choice. “Well, I didn’t want to get too dressed up.”

  “Have fun,” they heard as the door shut behind them.

  “So, where are we going?” Zoe asked as they walked toward his convertible.

  “It’s a surprise but I think you will like it.”

  She looked up at him and opened her mouth to inquire further but his finger went to her lips and he shook his head, chuckling at her frustrated expression. He opened the door for her and helped her in before he slipped behind the wheel. He smiled at her and then pulled his phone out. He tapped in a number and winked at her.

  “We’re on our way.” There was silence for a few moments and then he spoke again. “Alright, thanks.”

  Masen turned and saw Zoe watching him. He winked at her, not saying a word as he started the car. Zoe was a tad nervous and not sure what to expect, but her brain and heart had battled throughout the day. Suffice it to say, her heart won out. She decided she would stop overthinking things and just go with the flow. The worst-case scenario was he was using her, but if she was aware of that then was that really the case? She decided it wasn’t. He could only use her if she allowed herself to be used. If she was going into this with her eyes wide open, then it was merely two adults engaging in a mutually satisfying… relationship? No, not relationship… encounter?