Read Online Riding the Surf by E. L. Todd - Free Book Online Page B

as he flexed. “Breathe with me.”
    She gripped his hand while she synched her breathing with his.
    “Just concentrate.”
    The plane took off and lifted into the air. It shook as they gained altitude then leveled off after a minute. She kept her hand on his chest and closed her eyes.
    Derek leaned close to her. “You did good.”
    She took a deep breath then pulled her hand away. “I’m sorry about that.”
    “No need for apology.” He held her other hand on the arm rest , not moving. If she wanted to end the touch, she had to make the move.
    Derek leaned back in his chair but didn’t move his hand.
    Finally, she pulled it away, much to his disappointment.
    A movie was playing on the front screen but Derek wasn’t watching. He wanted to stare at Paola but he didn’t want to gawk.
    She sighed as she leaned back. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
    He moved closer to her. “Why not?”
    “Because I was nervous about the flight.”
    “You look tired,” he said.
    She yawned. “I’m sorry I’m not pleasant company.”
    “You’re always pleasant.”  He reached for the blanket in the back end of the seat in front of him then pulled it over her. He was disappointed to cover the legs he fantasized about. Then he touched her neck gently and pulled her head to his shoulder. She didn’t fight it and let him guide her. Derek smiled when he realized his success. Thatcher’s advice was working. He was taking the lead, not letting her back down, and as a result, they were going somewhere. If she really didn’t like him or thought he was a creep, she would pull away.
    Paola closed her eyes then sighed. Derek patiently waited for her to go sleep before he leaned his head forward and looked at her. He took out his phone and took a few pictures, wanting to treasure her face forever. When he looked at the pictures, he was in awe. Somehow in sleep, she looked even more breathtaking. Succumbing to his desires, he grabbed her hand and held it. He leaned his head against hers and smelled her hair. It was a mix of the ocean and flowers. Now he was in heaven. He was holding Paola’s hand and touching her. She wasn’t aware of it, but he was. That was enough for him. He’d never been so interested in such juvenile affection. Normally, he just wanted to have sex. And the sooner it happened, the better. With Paola it was nothing like that, although he desperately wanted to be inside her.
    When the plane landed, he pulled his hand away and moved his head. Paola woke up and stretched . She pulled the blanket off her, and Derek caught the sight of her upper thighs. Her dress had been pulled up and he could almost see her underwear. His erection immediately formed and he looked away, not wanting to embarrass her when she noticed.
    Paola adjusted herself then ran her fingers through her hair, untangling it.
    “You look beautiful without makeup,” he blurted. He stared at her, giving her the same confidence she gave him.
    She flinched at his words. “Thank you.”
    “Natural beauty is hard to come by.”
    Paola stared at him but said nothing.
    Derek grabbed their bags then carried them out of the plane. After they grabbed their belongings, they got into the cab and drove to the hotel. When they arrived at Hotel Del Coronado, Derek’s eyes widened. The hotel was huge. It had white walls with a red roof, and a majority of the rooms faced the ocean. The taxi dropped them off and they walked inside.
    After Derek checked them in, they walked to their room.
    “We have ocean view rooms,” Derek said happily. “That’s awesome.”
    “I know,” she said. “This place is really nice.”
    Derek opened her door then carried her luggage inside. She helped him then looked around. “Let’s go out to dinner,” he said. “And we’ll get some wine and watch the ocean from the balcony.”
    That seemed to make her uncomfortable. “Derek, you’re a really nice guy, but I’m not looking for a boyfriend.”
    He felt the knife