Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3) by K.F. Breene Read Free Book Online Page A

part, Krista said as much.
    “You planning on staying down there?” Sean
asked evenly.
    Krista shrugged, wanting to lay down. “I
guess. I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
    “How about your family?”
    “They’re in Seattle. Seattle is a no fly
zone. So…”
    “Have you heard from Jim at all?”
    “About a year back he messaged me via
Twitter; I hadn’t closed the account with the old name. He sent
threatening messages every day until I closed the account—all
networking accounts, actually. He even got on LinkedIn. He’s
apparently visited my parents and a few of my college friends in
Seattle, and I heard he tried to find me in San Francisco, twice.
But after that he disappeared—my sister said she heard that he got
caught for stealing and went back to jail. That infraction is
strike three, so...”
    Sean nodded.
    “Hey,” Krista said louder than she intended.
“You’re selling your house?”
    Sean looked out over the waves. “I am, yes.
Probably. I’m still not sure. I have a job offer.”
    “Oh, wow. Doing what?”
    “Well, it is still being determined,
actually. But hopefully I will have control of a region.”
    “Sales?”
    “Actually, I hope to get out of sales. But it
is all up for debate right now. The money is good. And the new
responsibility seems more up my alley. I will have more resources.
It’s the job offer I’ve been working toward.”
    Suddenly Krista felt left behind. He was a
rising star, as always, and she was still earth bound. He had all
these prospects and a glamorous life, whereas she was alone in her
small two bedroom.
    “That’s really great, Sean. I’m happy for
you. Are you moving locations?”
    “I might be, yes. But again, it’s all up in
the air right now.”
    “You won’t be as close to this frigid water.
What will become of you?”
    “I’ll have to find a group of hippies to
include me in their drum circle.”
    “Where are you moving?”
    “That is also up for debate. Everything is in
the air right now.”
    In other words, mind your own business,
Krista. This doesn’t concern you.
    “Well, I’m going to head in.”
    Sean was looking at her. It seemed like he
expected something from her. Either that or he was debating whether
to say something else. All she knew was that her heart hurt. She
needed a good cry and a dark room. Also a hot tub. She was
freezing!
    Without saying anything else, and not wanting
to cry over him in front of him, she started paddling. She heard
her name, but it was too late, she was already reaching for the
next wave.
    On the beach, she crawled up a ways, threw
her board down, and laid in the sand until Sean came in. He crashed
and burned on the wave he rode after Krista’s, so he wanted one
more wave. His belief was that he had to end each surf day on a
high note. It set up the day with positive energy, or some such
nonsense. All Krista knew was, she was not moving a muscle unless
it was to head back.
    Finally, Sean called for her to get her lazy
ass up. She complied, but slowly. Stuff hurt.
    Sean paused next to her. “You okay?”
    “No. I am not a fan of this cursed beach. Not
only is it way too much work for a little enjoyment, but it is too
damn cold!”
    “Does that mean you’re done surfing out
here?”
    “Oh no. This beach isn’t going to beat me.
But I’m going to hate every minute of it.”
    “Atta girl. Wanna do our routine?”
    Krista got a jolt of pleasure that quickly
died as her body screamed. “No way. I want to go back to the hotel
and get in the Jacuzzi.”
    “Hmmm.” Sean sounded like that idea was a big
ice cream sundae. Krista’s body jolted again, but he didn’t say
anything more.
    At his house, he hosed Krista off and then
himself. Krista started to take off her wetsuit but got frustrated
almost immediately. It was wet, tight, clingy, and she was freezing . She put her arms out and said, “Help.”
    Sean had his wetsuit half way off already. He
saw her position and smiled. “Yes