“Come on,” I coaxed. “I promise it’ll be fun.”
She looked up at me through her thick, dark lashes. “I’m not sure our ideas of fun are the same.”
I ducked my head, stifling a laugh. I loved when she got spunky. “That’s probably true, but I can’t do much damage in an arcade surrounded by children.”
“True.” She tipped her chin toward the arcade, contemplating what to do. “Okay.” She finally shrugged. Leveling me with a glare, she said, “But don’t you dare let me win anything. If I beat you, I want it to be genuine.”
I stared down at her, fighting a smile, but my face stayed serious. “I don’t lose.”
She hopped off the railing, and even though she stood inches shorter than me, she suddenly seemed much taller as she leered at me. “Funny, because I don’t either.”
She turned sharply and headed into the arcade.
I hopped off the railing, following her, my eyes glued to her ass as it swayed in the tight pair of jean shorts. I swallowed thickly, hating the power she had over me but loving it at the same time. It’d been so long since I’d felt so out of control.
But I couldn’t deny that there was so much about her that I didn’t know, and her reaction to our early morning kiss said a lot. I’d get to the bottom of it, though. I’d never met a challenge I couldn’t conquer, and Ari was no different.
Ari
I came home from work completely exhausted. It was only the day before that I’d been out on the pier with Liam and his family having a good time—a much better time than I’d expected even after Liam had uttered, “What happened to you?”
He’d let it go easily, which I was thankful for. There were no words to explain what happened to me, because nothing could explain the horrors I’d lived through.
I opened the door to my bedroom, dropping my bag to the floor before closing the door. I immediately ripped off my pale-blue polo shirt, wanting to rid myself of the smell of grease and fried food. My hair fanned around my face, little fly-aways escaped from the ponytail.
I kicked off my shoes and was reaching for the button on my shorts when I saw the items lying on my bed.
My breath left me in a small gasp as I strode quickly over to the bed, wanting to touch the items and confirm they were real before I let my excitement set in.
I picked up the large sketchbook and flipped it open. I ran the tips of my fingers over the thick paper and breathed out a happy sigh before bringing the sketchbook to my nose and inhaling the scent of fresh paper. A grin lit up my face, and I was helpless to contain it. My hand already twitched with its need to glide across the page and bring to life the images in my head.
I picked up the pencils and cradled them and the sketchbook to my chest.
“Thank you, Liam,” I whispered, even though he wasn’t there to hear.
I’d felt like I was missing a limb being without a sketchbook. It helped me to cope and quiet the chaos in my head. It was the one outlet Blaise had allowed me, and I cherished it like a precious stone.
I set the items back down and quickly removed the rest of my clothes so I could shower and change into something clean. Once I no longer smelled like a grease ball, I could draw.
I took the fastest shower of my life, scrubbing my body with probably too much vigor, but I couldn’t wait; the need to purge my thoughts and feelings into the pages of the sketchbook was too much.
Once I was out of the shower, I tied my hair up into a messy bun on the top of my head and changed into a pair of gray cotton shorts in a soft cotton material and a loose t-shirt with a heart over the left breast. I grabbed a jacket, just in case it was windy out, slipped on a pair of black flip-flops, and tucked the sketchpad and pencils under my arm.
I passed Liam’s parents in the family room, and they both waved in acknowledgement. I didn’t see Liam, but that wasn’t unusual. He might be in his secret room that no one is allowed into. I was totally rolling my eyes at that thought. I mean, seriously, what is in there?
I opened the sliding glass door and headed outside, down the stairs, and to the beach.
I kept my head low as I walked across the beach. A few neighbors were milling about, and the last thing I wanted to do was speak to a stranger.
I finally found a spot where tall grasses grew. I plopped right in the middle of it, letting the outer grass shield me from passersby. I’d probably end up red and itchy from th
e grass, but it’d be worth it.
I opened the sketchbook to the first crisp page and pulled a pencil from the pack.
My hand glided over the page in light strokes, forming the shape of a person starting from the shoulders up, head tilted to the side and eyes raised to the sun.
Liam.