Surfs Up For Love – by ey Kassian #6
“Yeah.” Bree nodded.
“Was she trying to set us up?”
Bree stared at her fingernails. “Ask her when you meet her. I found out yesterday.”
Jaxon sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing. “Bree, I like what’s happening between us. Will the news change us? I don’t want our relationship to get awkward.”
She reached across the console and touched his hand, her thumb massaging his knuckles. “I hope not, because I like you. A lot.”
His lips curved into a smile. He seemed relieved. “Wow. It warms my heart to know that.”
Bree hesitated, then asked, “Jaxon, why did you help me? Considering your surfing accident—why enter the ocean again?”
He was quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “That’s not easy to answer,” he admitted. “But it’s time to face the trauma, the fear. I can’t avoid the ocean forever. And…” He glanced at her, his eyes softening. “There’s another reason.”
“A priceless surfboard?” Bree asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He grinned, his playful spark returning. “Money can’t buy everything. Who could say no to Sunny’s granddaughter?”
Her laughter filled the car as they drove. Whatever happened next, they’d face the challenges together.
The Impala rumbled to a stop near a modest beachside bungalow, its whitewashed exterior glowing in the early morning light.
Bree stepped from the car, crashing waves droning in the distance, mixing with the ocean’s salty tang.
A weathered surfboard leaned against the porch railing, its sun-bleached surface hinting at countless adventures.
The home felt cozy, unpretentious, and entirely Jaxon—a place where the lines between the man and the myth blurred enough to make her heart ache.
She followed him up the short walkway, her heart dancing with excitement and nerves. Jaxon unlocked the door, his hand lingering on the frame as he held it open for her. “Come in,” he said eagerly.
Bree crossed the threshold into a bright, open-plan living space, where the air carried a faint blend of sea salt, kelp, and vanilla.
She kicked off her shoes, aware of Jax’s gaze, and stepped toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sunlight poured through sheer white drapes, casting a golden glow over the seafoam-green furniture and minimalist decor.
“That’s an incredible view,” she murmured, awe threading through her voice.
Jaxon came up behind her, his presence steady and warm.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her gently toward his chest. Bree’s breath caught, her focus shifting from shimmering waves beyond the glass to the strength pressed against her.
His proximity, his touch, sent a shiver through her, awakening desires she couldn’t ignore.
“It’s one of the reasons I bought this place,” he murmured, his voice low. “Not only the proximity to the store, but I can read the waves from here. Establish if it’s a good day to surf.”
Bree smiled, pivoting in his arms to face him. “You knew the winds were blowing onshore?”
His lips curved into a familiar grin. “I did.”
“And you picked me up anyway?”
“Yeah, but I had no idea I’d be inviting my sweetheart into my home… or sharing more. If we’re having more than breakfast.”
Bree tilted her head, her lips brushing his as her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m not entering the competition.”
“Why? Because of me?”
She smiled, her eyes searching his. “I’m not ready. I’d be competing for the wrong reasons.” She touched his cheek, feeling soft whiskers. “I’ve made another decision.”
“What’s that?” he asked, leaning closer, his lips capturing hers in a slow, tender kiss.
“I’m giving the board to my brother,” she murmured against his lips.
He leaned back, raising an eyebrow. “You sure? It’s a treasure, something you value.”
She kissed him again, her breath mingling with his. “I have everything I want, right here.”
“Everything?” His voice was huskier, his gaze searching hers as his breath quickened.
Her fingers trailed from his back to his hips, urging him closer. “Everything,” she whispered.
Jaxon’s eyes darkened with need. “Bree,” he said, his voice low and thick, “I need you.”
“Is that the real reason you picked me up?”
“Honestly, I didn’t rule it out. There’s more to life than surfing.”
Her lips curved into a soft smile as she slid her hands down his back, her touch firm and sure. “I want you too.” She paused, her voice teasing but steady. “I hope you have protection.”
Without hesitation, Jaxon swept her into his arms and carried her along the hallway to his bedroom.
Bree’s laughter bubbled from her lips, anticipating a new step in their relationship as he laid her on the bed, its frame crafted from reclaimed wood.
In no rush, he cradled her in his arms, their connection unfolding in ways more tender and profound than the ocean’s rhythm.
In that moment, he gave her sentiments she hadn’t expected—his love, his vulnerability, and a timeless harmony that bound them together.
The bonfire crackled against the cool evening breeze, its flames casting a golden glow across the sandy beach.
Bree looked around at her gathered family, their faces lit with warmth and joy.
Her mom was laughing with her father, and Granny was seated in her favorite foldable chair, bundled in a blanket, her eyes sparkling with contentment.
Bree’s heart filled with gratitude—it was a perfect night.
Jax stood near her, his hands in his pockets, scanning the waves in the distance. He seemed at ease, yet Bree wondered if meeting her family might cause discomfort. She touched his arm and whispered, “Ready to meet Granny?”
Jax smiled. “I’ve been ready since I noticed her name on that old surfboard.”
Taking his hand, Bree led him to Granny, who rose as they approached. Her face lit when she noticed him, her hands outstretched in greeting. “Well, if it isn’t Jaxon Ryder. You’re taller in person.”
Jax chuckled, holding her hand. “It’s an honor, Sunny. Bree’s told me a lot about you.”
Granny beamed. “I can’t thank you enough for teaching her. I understand she’s come a long way.”
“Bree deserves the credit,” Jax said, his gaze soft as it drifted toward her. “She’s incredible.”
Granny looked between them and smiled knowingly. “I like this surfer boy, Bree.”
Bree laughed. “Me too, Granny.”
Nearby, her brother, Brody, sat on a driftwood log, poking the fire with a stick. Bree approached him with Granny’s surfboard tucked under her arm. “Hey,” she said, her voice steady but warm.
Brody raised a brow. “What’s this? A victory lap?”
Bree smiled, passing him the board. “I won the bet, but Granny always said the ocean should be shared. It belongs with you.”
Brody blinked in surprise. He hesitated before grabbing the board, then ran his hand along its smooth surface as if he cherished it. “You’re giving it to me?”
“I am,” Bree said. “Don’t turn it into an art piece.”
His eyebrows rose as he said, “I deserve that. Didn’t see this coming, Sis. It means more than you know. Thanks, Bree.”
“You’re welcome.” They’d had their sibling rivalries, but tonight felt like a fresh start.
Jax joined them, glancing at the board. “If you ever decide to sell it, I’ve got first dibs.”
Granny, overhearing, chuckled from her chair. “That’s a man who knows its value.”
As the night deepened, the group gradually drifted away, leaving Bree and Jax alone by the glowing embers of the fire.
Above them, crystal-cut stars shimmered in a black velvet sky, their silver light illuminating the waves as they lapped toward the shore.
Bree pulled a woolen blanket tighter around her shoulders, warmth seeping in, though she wasn’t sure if the embers sparked from the fire or the man sitting beside her.
Jax broke the silence, his voice low and steady. “I didn’t think I’d surf again. But then a surfer girl walked into my store, into my life, and reminded me why I love it. It’s not about the wave—it’s about the peaceful rhythm.”
Bree turned to him, her heart swelling. “You’ve given me something too,” she said evenly. “Confidence—not just in surfing, but in myself.”
He reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers, and her pulse quickened at his touch. “What else have I given you?” he asked, his tone playful yet tender.
Her lips curved into a smile as she held his gaze. “The best waves of my life—and maybe, a lifelong friendship.”
Jax grinned, his gaze steady, his voice dipping into a whisper that sent a shiver through her. “I want more than that. I cherish the day I met my surfer girl—the one who can ride the waves of life beside me.”
He leaned in, and Bree’s breath caught as his lips brushed hers, soft and sweet, promising more to come. Her thoughts spun, but this moment foretold more than surfing. Together, they walked toward the ocean’s shore, hand in hand, and watched the waves rolling under the starlit sky.
The fire crackled one last time, sending a final spark, and Bree smiled, the orange flames mirroring the warmth in her heart. The summer may have started with a bet, but it ended with something boundless—a love built on trust, hope, and the promise of endless waves ahead—together.
Bestselling author Shelley Kassian has been enchanting readers for over two decades with her timeless romances.
Her Places in the Heart series delivers heartfelt stories that resonate deeply with fans.
An avid history enthusiast, she draws inspiration from her travels, weaving rich historical detail into her narratives.