All Chapters of Riley and The Riptide: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The outside of the body shop looks like a straight up junkyard. Random piles of car parts are everywhere. Most of them are rusted out and useless unless you’re looking to test out if your tetanus shot works or not. If I didn’t know better, I would say he’s running a chop shop, not a body shop like the guys said. They told me he’s a loan shark, too. Maybe I underestimated how shady this guy could be.A wolf in snake’s clothing. Why did Gabe have to compare him to a wolf? It doesn’t matter. Looking around, I’m leaning towards agreeing with him.I rub the side of my face and hum. I haven’t shaved since I left home, and my beard is extra scraggly. Maybe I should have picked up a razor and put some effort in before meeting with Dario.What am I talking about? There’s a pile of holey mufflers next to the front door, and the faded shop sign is illegible. He doesn’t care about professionalism. I pull the gas station baseball cap a little lower on my face and step inside the grimy office door.

“Marcus said he doesn’t care if I ride your motorcycle?” Kayla looks up at me while I adjust the strap on her helmet. I can’t get over how pretty she looks when her big dark eyes sparkle.“Well, his exact words were… ‘If she gets hurt, they’ll never find your body.’” I wink at her. “So that’s my motivation to keep you safe.”“What’s in the backpack?” She yanks on the helmet nervously to make sure it’s secure, then lets me help her put my backpack on and tighten it down for her.“Towels, sunscreen, and snacks.” I hold my hands close to her waist and smile at her. “Can I clip the waist strap for you?”“Um, yeah. Are we going to the beach?” She holds her arms out to her sides and giggles when I reach for the straps hanging by her hips and clip them together at her belly button.“You wore your swimsuit, right?”“These are swim shorts, and I usually swim in my t-shirt. No one wants to see all these rolls.” She looks at me tentatively.I hate that she would talk about herself like that, but

Kayla leans her cheek on the doorway and gives me a little wave. My heart jumps when I see her. She just finished trying to talk to Marcus, and she looks worn out. I’m starting to feel bad for her. Why is it so important to her parents anyway? And why are they putting Kayla in the middle of their beef with him?It’s the fourth time Kayla’s come to visit since the paddleboard incident. She spends a lot of time talking to Marcus. Their conversations are always hushed and intense. I still don’t know why Marcus is so insistent on not going home, and I don’t know why Kayla is so insistent that he needs to go. I guess it’s not my business.I have noticed that he’s careful not to leave us alone anymore. We spent one evening in the backyard during a house party we threw for Cole’s birthday. We all went to a bonfire on the beach on her second visit, and one afternoon we played video games with Gabe, Ricky, and Cole until Marcus told us all to get out because he was working.People always comma

It’s an odd time to change the subject, but I’ll take it. “So you’ll be my girlfriend?”“No.” Kayla tugs a bit of hair out of her face and twists it with her fingers. “I wasn’t joking when I said I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend.”“But you want to spend more tiiiiime with me?” I squint my eyes at her, feeling a little suspicious. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. “I don’t think I understand. Like just friends? That’s fine. Totally cool. I guess I-I thought… Kayla, to be honest, when you kissed me in the driveway the other night, you know, on the chin? I thought you were going to tell me you wanted to date me. So, I was wrong?”“You’re not wrong. The thing is, hanging out when we’re with my brother’s friends and my cousins is one thing. No one cares. My parents would absolutely freak if they knew I was having ice cream with you by myself right now.” She holds out her hand. “But you are with me on your own. You’re not worried they’ll be mad if they find out?” I take her fingers a

My core tightens as Beckett’s arms wrap around my waist. He draws me toward his body with his powerful hands. I grip his shirt and pull him closer until there’s no space left between us. Everything in me wants to rip his shirt off… to rip my shirt off and pull him to the floor. He could ease the ache between my legs. I’m sure of it. There’s one way to find out. Right?I don’t recognize this aggressive hunger for someone, but I give in to it. I need to quell the heat growing hotter by the second in my belly.Images in my mind fuel my desire. Beckett under me. His hands smoothing over my bare skin. The tips of his nails trailing down my stomach, making goosebumps rise. The sensation of slick sweat between us. Our hips moving in rhythm. His body tensing. His mouth opening wide and his eyes squeezing shut in satisfaction puts me over the edge.My breath grows short until my chest heaves with effort. My tongue explores the contours of Beckett’s mouth until the excitement pools in my panties