Oh, Dakota.

Chapter Nineteen.

“She is Stacey Dugan.” I replied, beginning to look around the beach for Dakota and Stacey.

“But, sometimes, I feel like I’m the only one.” Ryan said. He swipes his hand over his forehead. “I feel like she isn’t serious about me.”

Because she isn’t, I wanted to say. I mean, it’s obvious. The way she flirts with me sometimes and in front of Ryan, but I didn’t want to crush the poor boy. He was obviously in love with the girl.

I cupped a hand around his shoulder. “Just relax, man.”

“You’re right.” He laughed, sounding slightly relived. He extended his arm, pointing down toward the ocean. “There they are.”

I followed his finger. My gaze landed on Stacey first, whom was standing at the edge of the ocean, talking to, whom I believed was Damien. Looking a little to the left, I spotted Dakota. She was in a gold bikini, skimpy but elegant on her. Her hair was piled down in wet waves, and I suspected she had been swimming. But, what I noticed most was the big smile on her face. And a slight pink blush over her cheekbones. She was talking to some boy, and as I squinted my eyes looking harder, it was the boy who worked the bumper cars.

I felt a surge of something in me. I don’t know what, but it wasn’t good. Why was she smiling so big? And what was he saying?

I watched as his hand snuck out, touching over her hip, tugging her close as he whispered something. She laughed, swatting his chest.

“Excuse me.” I said to Ryan. I stormed down to the ocean, quickly making it to Dakota. When I was by her side, my arm slips over her shoulders. “Hi, Blondie.” I whispered in her ear. “Remember me?”

They stopped laughing. She turned her head, raising her hand over her forehead, blocking the sun. She gave me a strange look. “Um, Elijah. What’s up?”

What’s up? She’s asking me what’s up? My arm moved down her back very slowly until it was snugged around her petite waist. “I came to find you. I see you weren’t worried.” My eyes moved over to the boardwalk guy. He looked awkward, rubbing the back of his neck as he stared at us.

She gave me another strange look. She turned her attention back to boardwalk guy. “Uh, Dan. This is, Elijah. My, my… My friend.” She finished.

Dan raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure?” He asked her.

Dakota’s cheeks flamed a hot red. She shoved my arm off her, and moved away from me. Okay, that one hurt.

“Yes, I’m more than sure. He’s a friend.”

Am I?

Dan gives a curt nod. “Alright. Well, my buddies are probably looking for me.” He jabs his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m going to go. It was nice talking to you, Dakota.”

“Yeah, you too.” She mumbles, watching him walk away. Once he’s out of listening rage, she punches me in the arm. “What was that about?”

“What was what about?”

She sneers. “Don’t play stupid.”

I stumble back a step, throwing a hand over my heart and feigning hurt. “Blondie, how could you suspect me of anything?”

She throws her arms up in exasperation. “You’re unbelievable. Just don’t talk to me.”

I watched as she walked away. Well, that wasn’t nearly as satisfying as I thought.

I quickly catch up to her, throwing my arms around her waist from behind. “Blondie, I was just kidding.”

She stops in her tracks. I feel her body exhale as she lets out a deep breath. “You’re immature.”

“No, I’m not.” I argue. “That Dan guy was a total prick.”

She scoffs. “Says you. I thought he was nice. And cute.”

I scowl at her back. “He was flirting with you.”

“So? Boys aren’t allowed to flirt with me?”

No. “That’s not what I meant.” I sighed, and pulled her closer. I leveled my mouth over her ear, sliding my hand down against her stomach. Her belly button ring dangled against the tip of my fingertips. “He only wants one thing from you.”

She rams an elbow into my ribs. “Is that all I’m good for? Getting some?” She shoves my arms away from her harshly, turning around to face me. A big scowl was against her mouth and her eyes were narrowed into slits.

I gripped her arms, but she only shook me off. “Come on, you know that’s not what I meant.”

She walks backwards, shaking her head. “Actually I don’t know that.”

I rush forward, circling my arms around her once again quickly.

She shrieks. “Elijah!” Her voice was loud, earning us a few glances. We both stumbled backwards and into the sand.

She lets out a big huff.

I smirked. “Déjà vu?” I teased.

She blushed, looking away from me. “Get off me, Elijah.”

“Only if you forgive me.”

“No.”

“Forgive me.” I purr, burying my head into the crook of her neck. “Blondie, please.” I spoke, breathing against her collarbone. I heard her sigh softly, and felt her body arch slightly under mine. Oh, so she liked this.

“No.” Her voice wavered.

“Please.” I breathed even softer, brushing my nose down her neck.

She sighed again. “Elijah.” She crooned. “Stop.”

“Only if you forgive me.” I repeat.

She seemed to think about it for a moment. When I lifted my head, she wore a devilish smirk. This couldn’t be good. “I’ll forgive you, but only if you let me drive home.”

I sighed deeply. “You’re really pushing it, Blondie.”

Not the best chapter, but here it is. Comment, vote, and fan! Xoxo