Rogue Wave by Isabel Jolie (reading eggs books txt) 📕

“Nuh-uh. Not at all, missy. Happiness matters from the get-go. It’s years in that it might not be as relevant.”

I decided to overlook her relevancy comment. “What I meant is, it’s too new to tell if anything is going to come of it. It’s fun for now. And besides, you’re the one who told me a person can have many loves in a lifetime, and each one touches our soul and shapes us.” The first time she said this, I’d been twelve and Brandon had hurt my feelings over something. I couldn’t remember what he did, but I remembered my mom being there for me.

“That’s right. So, in this moment, he’s touching your soul. I want to know that at this moment he’s making your soul happy.” The grin she wore could be heard through her words, and I grinned right back at her. As I twisted the stacked rings on my finger, the mood ring transitioned to blue-green.

“It’s all good. Really, it is. I mean, I’m trying hard not to get ahead of myself, you know? To keep it all reasonable and rational and to remind myself that we’re still getting to know each other. But, Mom, he is incredible. Unlike anyone I’ve ever met. And it’s not just because he’s older. He’s like, if I were to sculpt and create a man just for me, I’d make him. Does that sound crazy?”

“No.” She sighed into the phone, creating a momentary wind funnel. “Just remember, honey, go with the flow.”

Chapter 22

Tate

“Good to see you.” Gregg pounded my back, his voice gruff.

We’d returned his rented golf cart, and the ferry pulled up to the dock. Only a handful of passengers gathered around, waiting to board.

“Thanks for coming out. I’m glad you did. Next time, don’t stay at the Inn.”

“You’re coming up to visit soon, right? Like in a week or two?”

“I’ll book the ticket today and let you know.”

“And you’ll respond to my text and email? That’s why we have the rectangular devices. Communication.”

I grinned through unexpected emotion. I was shit at texting and emailing. Found it way too easy to shut things off. I’d see a text and plan to respond later and not get around to it.

“I’ll text you my travel plans.” I wasn’t going to promise I’d ever be good at texting, because I didn’t make promises I couldn’t keep. Maybe with time I’d be like all the other people tied to their phones, but right now, half the time I left my phone back at the house or forgot to charge it.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and watched him board the ferry. Then I hopped in my cart and found myself at Luna’s door. The cottage the conservancy provided rested high on a hill overlooking the ocean, and breeze blew the pampas grass along the dunes. The tiny cottage may not have offered much in the way of space, but you couldn’t ask for a better view of the Atlantic.

She opened the door with a hand sheltering her eyes, squinting from the sun behind my back. She wore an old t-shirt that hit above her bellybutton and white cotton panties. Christ, she looked delicious.

“You answer your door like that?” I asked, cringing at how old I sounded. I stepped inside, kicking the door closed.

She glanced down as if she’d forgotten what she was wearing. “It’s no different than if I was wearing a bathing suit. You forget, I spend most of my free time in less than this out on the beach.”

Rationally, I understood what she was saying. But, somehow, white cotton panties felt different than bathing suit bottoms. But I wouldn’t argue with her. Just like differences with my brother, some things weren’t worth the argument. Especially when there were other things we could do instead.

I backed her up to her bed, easy enough to do in the one room. My lips found hers as I pulled her to me, cupping her ass then dipping beneath those soft cotton panties to her silky smooth skin.

“Do you have plans today?”

“I have to welcome a few of the researchers.”

“When?”

“Later this afternoon.”

“Good. This morning you’re mine.”

I lifted her t-shirt over her head and tossed it on the end of the bed. She removed my tee and let her fingers wander over my chest, my abs and farther down. She looked at me like she could devour me. Such a turn on.

She wrapped her long fingers around me and stroked, and I sucked in a breath. Then I pushed her back on the bed, intent on giving her pleasure, on making her chant my name. I kissed my way across her body, worshipping her. We’d only spent one night apart, and yet I missed her. Craved her. Needed her.

When we collapsed beside each other, sweaty and spent, she spread one leg over mine, and her fingers explored. I lifted her hand and kissed the pad on each finger.

“Hm,” she hummed. “You want to go surfing this morning?”

“No.”

I leaned over her and kissed along her neck, over her collarbone, and down to her breasts.

“I want to do this all morning. I want to lie in bed with you, naked, and listen to the ocean. That sound okay to you?”

Her gentle smile told me she approved of this plan. She stroked my back in a light massage, and I relaxed into the motion.

“What did you do last night?” I flipped over and positioned myself on a pillow then pulled her next to me.

“Nothing, really. School work. Met up with Poppy.” She sank her teeth into my chest.

“Ow.” Her tease didn’t hurt, but she held a serious expression when she raised her head to look at me.

“You never texted me back.”

“Crap. You and my brother.”

“Weren’t you with him?”

“Yes, but I mean, you’re all over me about texting.”

“Do you not like to text?”

“I just don’t check it.”

“Where’s your phone?”

“Back at my place.”

“You don’t even carry it with you?”

“No. I don’t. But I’ll try to get