Fighting Fate (Fighting #7)(110)

I drop my forehead to his neck and force back the instant lust his words evoke. It’s nearly impossible to keep our hands off each other when we’re fully clothed, and something about the sun, sand, and skin combo heightens my desire—the hardening evidence between his legs only making it worse.

“You’re right.” I take a few calming breaths and then turn to move, only to have him grip me and pull me back so that I’m sitting between his legs.

“Not yet. I need, uh…a minute.”

Fine by me; being surrounded by Killian is not a hardship. I lean back against his chest and wave over a beach attendant who takes our orders for two ridiculously fruity drinks from the bar. We sit for a while, allowing the sound of the surf to lull us into a comfortable silence. He absently runs his fingertips along my bare belly, drawing patterns that bring goose bumps to the surface.

In the distance, I watch a couple at the water’s edge, hand in hand and talking about something only the other can hear. The sight before would’ve made me want to vomit in my mouth, but now I— My body stiffens when the woman turns around.

“Don’t. Even. Think. About. It.” Killian’s words are growled against my neck.

I smile. Big. “Oh, I have to now.”

“Not a f*cking chance in hell, Ax.”

“But—”

“No.”

“It’s—”

“No!”

I lick my lips, and excitement explodes in my chest. “You’re right.” I scoot away from him, hoping he doesn’t catch my bluff. “Phew, it’s hot out.”

“Ax…” Uh-oh…he’s using his warning tone.

I stifle a giggle. “I’m going to go get my feet wet.”

“Axelle Rose Daniels, I swear to God if you—”

I take off running. A howl of laughter born deep in my gut bursts from my lips and electrifies the air. “I have to!”

“Dammit to hell.”

I can hear his powerful footfalls in the sand behind me as I work frantically to untie my top. “I just want to be free!”

“Don’t do it!”

“I have to!” My words are incoherent through my laughter as my feet hit the water.

“Axelle, no—”

But it’s too late. The strings fall from my body, and the sun’s heat hits my bare breasts. “I’m free—omph!”

Solid weight slams into me from behind. Warm arms wrap around me. Hands cup my breasts. I shriek when I become air-born. Flipped. I land backwards into the ocean with Killian to cushion the fall. He brings me to the surface, and I’m sputtering for air, but not from the water, from the laughing.

His arms, hands, and body stay in place as he vibrates with laughter too.

“You’re too…fast…” I suck in air and allow him to take most of my weight as we stand waist deep in water, our backs toward the beach.

His breath is hot against my neck. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“Sure you can.” I push wet strands of hair from my face.

“I’m taking you back to the room now.”

I press my palms over his hands still cupping my breasts. “It’s okay, you big party pooper. I’ll put my top back on. Besides, I’ve heard sunburned nipples are a bitch.”

“That’s not why. Watching your ass when you took off running did me in, Ax.” He groans and flexes his hips into my ass. “I need you.”

I gasp at the desperation in his voice and marvel at how it matches my own. “Okay, Kill.” I wrap an arm up and behind me to pull his head down for a kiss that leaves us both breathless. “You can’t walk me back to the beach like this.” I motion to his hands on me. “I’ll keep myself covered.”

“I don’t trust you. Wanting to be free and shit, f*ck… Next trip we’re going to Pennsylvania to shack up with the Amish.”

I wiggle free, and he’s forced to release me, but I quickly cover myself with my own hands. His eyes flare. “That’s even worse.” He looks behind him at my top lying abandoned on the beach then turns me back towards the horizon. “Stay.”

“I love you, Killian McCreery,” I yell over my shoulder as he jogs to get my top.

“You’re a pain in my ass, but I love you too.”





THE END





Fighting Fate Playlist





Thunderstruck – AC/DC

Chandelier – Sia

Flashlight – Jessie J

Flavor of the Week – American Hi-Fi I Can Wait Forever – Simple Plan I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song is About – Mayday Parade It Girl – Jason Derulo

Lost with You – The Heyday

No Heroes Allowed – Mayday Parade Red Light Pledge – Silverstein

Secret Valentine – We The Kings

So Soon – Marianas Trench

Thank You – Simple Plan

The Last Something That Meant Anything – Mayday Parade Three Cheers for Five Years – Mayday Parade When I’m Gone – Simple Plan

You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I’ll Be the Wings That Keep Your Head in the Clouds – Mayday Parade