A Fine Mess (Over the Top) by Kelly Siskind

Author:Kelly Siskind [Siskind, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2016-08-01T22:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Sawyer

I’m an athletic guy. I can sink a three-pointer and climb a rock face. I can navigate white water in a kayak. Apparently, my skills don’t pertain to standing. It’s our last day in Belize, the constant wind blowing across the island finally still, and Lily wanted to try paddleboarding. We’re maybe ten feet from the dock, and she’s gliding effortlessly.

I’ve fallen twice.

“My board’s faulty,” I call to her.

Legs braced, she dips her paddle into the water and spins her board toward me. She doesn’t waver, not even a minor sway. “The board’s fine. Just keep your knees bent and your weight centered. It’s easy.”

Easy, my ass. I push to my feet, the entire thing lurching as I struggle for equilibrium. The sun burns, the calm waters sparkling under its attention. A few strokes later, I find my rhythm.

Lily swivels so she can see me. “You’re doing great!”

“Turn back. I like watching your ass. It helps me focus.”

I’m pretty sure she mumbles, “Child” as she complies.

But man, that ass.

She’s wearing the same bikini she had on while snorkeling: the string sides begging to be untied, the turquoise fabric barely covering her goods. Scratch that. My goods. No one gets to see that ass, those tits, that birthmark, the perfect patch of golden hair between her thighs. No one but me. I’m addicted. Anyone else, and I’d blame it on the location—the exotic food and laid-back vibe, the sand and the sun. But this is Lily. When we’re naked, skin to skin, I really am a superhero, all my senses enhanced. She tastes like strawberry shortcake, smells like the sun-drenched ocean, and feels like cashmere. She’s my Venus.

Last night was the best New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had (even though ours was four days ago). We ate takeout barbecue on our porch, drank crap wine, and spent hours between our sheets. Columbus could’ve learned a thing or two about exploration from us. Unfortunately, today’s our last day.

We paddle a while longer, me rocking like a rookie, her stable as a veteran. The waterways are quiet, a few clouds above, the odd boat powering by, otherwise it’s her and me and the submerged city below us—freeways of fish, coral housing.

“A wave is coming.” She points to the undulating sea, a soft swell breaking off the reef. “Angle the nose toward it. It’ll be easier to ride.”

With ease, she drags her paddle and swings around. That part I can master. At home, I barely broke a sweat navigating the rapids and canyons of Skagit River. The churning water frothed over my kayak and fought me the whole way, but I breezed through it. As soon as this tiny swell hits my paddleboard, I lose my footing. I shift pressure from leg to leg and tense my abs, but I slip and land in the sea.

I spit out salt water as she laughs. “You should take yoga,” she says. “Work on your balance. I haven’t been to a class in ages but would love to get back into it.

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