Filed To Story: The Perfect Spiral Book PDF Free by Ashley Constantine
He must think I’m crazy.
I quickly turn my gaze back to the setting sun. Sitting there in silence, I close my eyes, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing.
“I’ll come to visit you soon, Pop, I promise,” I whisper to myself, hoping that my unexpected companion won’t hear me. I’m left sitting there in the darkness on my board, unsure if he’s still there.
I start to paddle around, facing the shore, and begin to move towards it. I glance over my shoulder and confirm that he is, in fact, still there. I don’t look at him again and continue on my way.
Once I reach the shore, I wring out my hair, freeing it from the salty seawater. I bend down to untie myself from my board, placing it gently on the two towels spread out on the sand.
As I stand back up, Knox picks up both towels and hands me one. I shake off the sand and pat myself dry. I can feel his gaze on me as he steps closer, while I wrap myself up in the towel.
A slight breeze makes me shiver involuntarily.
He’s standing in front of me now. I bring the towel up to my nose and look down at my feet, where my board lies. I can feel his proximity and take a step back, continuing to dry myself off.
I flip my board around to protect the fins and sit on top of it, waiting for the wind to dry my legs a bit more.
I feel the board dip behind me and hear a sigh escape from him. I dig my heels into the sand, shaking my feet.
“I won’t let him touch you,” he breaks the silence that has stretched between us since last night. I smile into my towel, pleased that he gave in first. He knew I wouldn’t be the one to break.
I see his legs on either side of me get closer. I feel his chest lean against my back, his chin resting on my shoulder. His arms wrap around me, the towel enveloping me.
I find myself leaning into his chest, but quickly snap out of it and return to my previous position. I’m not that easy. I’m not like those other girls who fall for his sweet words and rugged face.
“You can talk to me, baby doll,” he continues, making me laugh bitterly.
“For you to ignore me again? No thanks.”
“I wasn’t ignoring you, baby doll.”
“So you were just not talking to me?”
“Look, I’m sorry. But… it’s my way of keeping myself in… control.”
“Control? Over what?”
“Over myself.” I turn around on my board to face him.
“Well, you didn’t do such a good job in the shed. I’m not another one of those girls you can toy with,
Knox.”
“I know you’re not, Alex. I never saw you as one. I never will see you like that.”
“Like what? Look, I know I’m so repulsive-“
“Repulsive? Are you kidding me? You’re not repulsive, Alex! Stop thinking of yourself like that-“
“Ugly, whatever-” I roll my eyes.
“Alex! Stop! You’re not repulsive or ugly. You’re-” His words are cut off by Wes shouting down at us to come inside and eat before the food is gone.
Not before I catch the glare he sends Knox’s way, watching us as we make our way towards the house.
I place my board inside the shed and stare at the wall, thinking about our earlier conversation. I close the door and look at Knox, seeing an emotion in his eyes that I can’t quite identify.
We walk inside and grab a plate, joining the rest of our friends and family on the deck. I listen to the light-hearted conversations, picking at my food.
My appetite is non-existent. I just fade into the background, listening to the different voices around me.
“…and then he pulled out a bottle of wine. The sun was setting behind us, Alex. It was the most romantic thing I’ve ever experienced. It was perfect. More than perfect.
We climbed to the top of the mountain, the same one we used to visit as kids, and he had dinner waiting for us. Can you believe it? I was floored when I saw it. It was breathtaking!
It was, without a doubt, the best date I’ve ever been on.” Hannah was sprawled across my bed, lost in the memory of her date with Ben from the night before. She had come over to my place, her face lit up like a Christmas tree.
I was in the middle of getting ready for my date with Wes, adding a touch of bronzer and blush to complete my natural look. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. It had been a while since
I’d been on a date.
I’d forgotten how to act around boys. I was so used to keeping them at arm’s length, protecting myself.
As I began to curl my hair, I listened to Hannah recount her date. Little did she know, I already knew all the details. Ben had come over to my room to watch a movie and had shared everything from his perspective.
It was fascinating to hear about a first date from a guy’s point of view. I could tell he really liked her, and judging by her animated storytelling, she really liked him too.
“Oh! And then he walked me home. I know it’s just two minutes from here, but he still walked me all the way to my door and then he kissed me. He’s such a good kisser! I was probably terrible… oh god! I was terrible!”
She started to panic, so I reassured her that she wasn’t a bad kisser. Not that I would know, but it was what she needed to hear. It seemed to calm her down a bit, but she quickly returned to her excited rambling about the date.
Suddenly, she sat up and announced, “I’m starving. I’m going to grab some food. Don’t leave without saying goodbye, okay?” With that, she left my room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway until 1 heard a soft thud as she flopped down in the hallway. I was left alone, the soft hum of my music playing in the background. She had left my door wide open.
I finished curling my hair, leaving it in loose waves. As I turned to unplug the curling iron, I noticed Knox standing in his doorway, watching me. His arms were crossed over his chest, and I couldn’t help but check him out.
He was wearing black shorts that clung to his hips, leaving his abs bare. I was dressed in denim shorts and a bright orange top, paired with brown open-toe boot heels.
His eyes roamed over my body as if he was committing every detail to memory. I could feel my cheeks heating up under his gaze, and when his piercing blue eyes met mine, it felt like a punch to the gut.
My breath hitched in my throat, and i
He stepped into my room, closing the door behind him. I got up and started to rummage around my room, tossing things into my small bag.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.