Prologue

The rhythmic pounding of my footsteps on the wooden slats of the boardwalk matches the beat of the Eminem song playing through my head. I'm lost in another world as I focus on the burn in my lungs and muscles.

There is nothing better than a morning run and watching the sunrise on the beach.

As the sky starts to lighten, I stop for a second and put my hands on the back of my head as I inhale and exhale taking in the beauty before me.

I close my eyes and breathe in and out slowly again before I start back on my run.

This is exactly what I need before I meet the half-brother and half- I didn't know existed until a few months ago.

I don't get anxious, but I'm a nervous wreck about it all. This run was necessary to get rid of all the jitters.

"Oof," I breathe.

I fall backward after hitting a solid wall of something.

That's what I get for not being aware of my surroundings.

Strong hands grab my elbows and steady me.

"Whoa. Shit. Are you okay?" a deep southern drawl asks quickly.

I look up into soft gray eyes and my stomach flips. They're attached to a man with a chiseled jaw and a flat top buzz cut.

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

"Neither was I," he chuckles. "I was enjoying that sunrise."

"Same," I smile back at him.

He smiles too and my stomach somersaults this time.

Damn, that changed his entire face and made him even more gorgeous.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I'm a tough girl."

"Are you from around here? I don't think I've ever seen you before and it's a pretty small town."

"I'm not. I'm visiting."

"I'm Ryder."

"I'm Gia."

"How long are you visiting for?"

"That's still up in the air."

His phone vibrates and he looks at it quickly.

"I need to get going. Hopefully, I'll see you around again."

I nod and smile before I take off at a jog again. Slowly making my way I run back to my hotel before I jump in the shower.

I should have asked for that man's phone number.

He lives here and you don't, what would be the point of that? A Marine is never in the same spot for long.

I blow out a breath. I signed my life over to the Marine Corps just over three years ago and that's where I'll remain. I want to travel the world, so getting ideas about a man with an amazing smile isn't what I need to be doing right now.

Focus on making a good impression today.

I eat breakfast and bury myself in a good romance novel. I can't focus on anything though as I keep staring at the clock.

I'm to meet my siblings for the first time ever at two. I feel like time is at a standstill.

I'm going to vomit.

***

Five hours later, I take a deep breath and look at myself in the mirror. The floral sundress I'm wearing makes my blue eyes pop. My long, blonde hair falls in waves down my back.

I rarely look like a girl. I'm almost always in uniform or in workout clothes.

"Okay, let's do this."

I blow out a breath, grab my things, and leave my room to go to my car. The small beach town of Ash Cove is quaint and adorable. It doesn't take long to get from one side of town to the other either.

I pull up to the gorgeous brick house in a cookie-cutter subdivision. My GPS announces that I've arrived at my destination.

"Why are there so many cars here?" I ask myself out loud.

I check the text messages in the group chat between my half-brother Josh, my half-sister Talia, and me. It definitely says today at this time.

Here goes nothing.

I get out of my car and walk up to the front door. Just as I'm about to knock it flies open and a tall, muscular man is backing out of the door, another man is right in front of him.

"We'll be right back, Sarah, I swear!" the other man yells.

I try to dart out of the way as the first man spins around and comes face to face with me.

It's him!

Damn it, is he my brother?

"Oh shit! Here I am about to run into you again!" he chuckles.

"Again? Gia?"

"I almost knocked her over on my morning run."

"Yes."

"I'm Josh," the other man says as he engulfs me in a hug. He leans back into the house. "Talia, get out here."

"Gia, as in your long-lost sister?" the man asks.

"The one and only," I reply with a mock curtsy.

Why am I such a dork?

"Gia, this is my best friend, Ryder. He failed to tell anyone that he was coming home from his deployment today and showed up to surprise us."

Best friend? Are they the same age? There's no way this Ryder guy is in his thirties.

"Deployment?"

"Afghanistan for a year."

"Gia is a Marine."

"Is that so? I'm a pilot in the Army."

"Wow, that's impressive."

He shrugs nonchalantly.

"Gia?!?" a dark-headed woman shrieks as she rushes out the door. "I'm Talia!"

She engulfs me in a hug.

"Hey Talia," I grin as I pull away. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

"This is my wife, Sarah," Josh says, pointing to a gorgeous blonde who is clearly pregnant.

"Hi Gia, I'm so happy you could make it today. Come in, come in. The boys were headed to get some more beer."

"We'll be right back," Josh interjects as he squeezes my arm.

He and Ryder take off while Talia grabs me by the arm and leads me inside.

"I guess if you're going to get introduced to the family it's only fitting you meet Ryder too," Sarah laughs. "He and Josh have been inseparable since childhood."

"They're both annoying. Two older brothers that I didn't ask for. I'm so excited to get a sister," Talia gushes.

"I was apprehensive about reaching out," I admit as Sarah gestures for me to sit down on the couch. "But I'm glad I did."

"Me too," Talia giggles. "When I saw that I had a sister I think I stared at the results on the app and your text for an hour not knowing what to do."

"Had I known how he left your mother, I probably wouldn't have."

"That wasn't your fault though. It was his choice to use and manipulate her and everyone in town for his benefit. You weren't even born yet."

"He never told you that he had other children?" Sarah asks.

I shake my head and inhale slowly. "Never. He constantly told me he didn't ever want kids but that he got stuck with me and didn't have a choice."

"That's lovely."

"It is what it is. I've made peace with it."

"You should write a book about it," Talia sighs. "The stories you told us about how you were stealing jewelry at the age of four or how he used you as a scapegoat for everything is so wild."

"Yeah, I've thought about it," I answer quietly.

"Did I hear Ryder say that the two of you ran into each other this morning?" Sarah interjects with a raised eyebrow.

"We did, literally smacked into each other."

"That's adorable. He's single and a really good guy," Talia teases. "Even if he's annoying."

I hold up my hands. "I'm not looking for anything right now. My life is the Marine Corps."

"I get that, he's quite a bit older than you too," she sighs. "I would just love for you to stick around Ash Cove longer and I'm blatantly ignoring how mismatched you two would be with a decade of age difference.."

"Do you drink, Gia?" Sarah asks.

"I do."

"I am dying for a virgin margarita, you in? You and Talia can have tequila in yours."

"Of course."

The three of us go into the kitchen and Sarah starts pulling out ingredients and placing them in front of the blender. We're talking nonstop, laughing as we get to know each other better.

This is nice. I've never had this before.

Before long, Josh and Ryder return. Ryder's eyes fall on me immediately.

There's that gorgeous smile again.

Talia nudges me and I can't help but giggle at her.

"I see y'all didn't wait for us to get back."

"I'm having FOMO. I can't wait until this baby boy is out of me so I can join in on Margarita nights again," Sarah smiles.

"How far along are you?" I ask.

"Thirty-six weeks. He'll be here before we know it."

"That's amazing."

"It doesn't feel amazing right now," Sarah laughs. "I'm miserable."

"But you're beautiful," Josh gushes as he wraps his arms around her and kisses her on the cheek.

Talia makes a gagging sound, and everyone laughs.

"Where are you stationed at, Gia?" Ryder asks.

"I was in Okinawa. I just got transferred to Quantico, that's why I was able to take this trip."

"You were stationed in Japan?" Sarah gushes as she slaps at Josh. "You didn't tell me that."

"Yeah," I laugh.

"That's amazing."

"It's pretty cool. It's not someplace I would have gone on my own and it's nice."

"What did you do that you were transferred to Quantico?" Ryder asks.

"If I told you, then I'd have to kill you," I tease with a wink.

He chuckles, his eyes locking on to mine.

"Virginia is so close," Talia interjects. "We can visit each other a lot. This makes my heart so happy."

"Don't you drill at Fort Eustis sometimes?" Sarah asks Ryder.

"I do, which isn't too far from Quantico."

"Small world."

"How long have you been in the Marine Corps?" Ryder interjects.

"Three years, how long have you been in the Army?"

"Fourteen."

Whoa, he's way older than I thought he was. He does not look like he's thirty-two. I guess being Josh's best friend it would make sense that they're the same age.

He's still hot though.

"You're thirty-two?"

"Yes, is that bad?"

"No," I giggle. "I just wouldn't have guessed that."

We spend the rest of the afternoon drinking, laughing, and hanging out.

Being raised by a single father and moving around a lot, I never really developed friendships or understood what it was like to have a family. The Marine Corps taught me about family, but I still am kind of distant when it comes to making friends.

This is different, this feels natural.

"I am beat," Talia stretches and yawns later that night. "I'm going to head home."

"I'm exhausted as well," Sarah sighs.

"Gia, want to meet up for lunch tomorrow?" Talia asks. "There's an amazing pizza place in town that we can all meet up at."

"I'd like that."

"When do you go back?"

"Not for a few days at least."

"That's great. We'll pack in as much as we can."

"That would be amazing. I didn't expect to have this much fun."

"We're a lively group," Talia teases.

"I should head back to the hotel."

"Are you okay to drive?" Ryder asks me.

"Yeah, I haven't had a margarita or any alcohol for a while."

"Just checking. I should head out too. I'll see you tomorrow," he says as he and Josh do a weird handshake.

Talia hugs us all and heads out of the house. I hug Sarah and Josh before I start out as well. Talia is already gone by the time I leave. Ryder is waiting for me by my car.

"I'm starving. I also am wide awake because of the time changes. Would you like to grab something to eat with me?"I hesitate for a moment then nod.

"I could eat. I'm also in a little bit of a time change rut."

"I assumed. Do you want to ride with me or follow?"

"Follow."

"Got it," he smiles. "There's a great diner on the boardwalk, it's open all night. Josh said you're at the only hotel here and it's within walking distance. We can park there and walk if you'd like."

"Is that Delaney's? I saw it when I was coming into town. That sounds perfect."

"That's exactly where I'm talking about."

He opens my car door for me and then shuts the door when I climb inside. He then trots to his car. He pulls out of the circle driveway, and I follow behind him.

What am I doing?

Why did I agree to go to dinner with this man?

He's way older than me and I'm not looking for anything. I don't even live here.

Ten minutes later, we're pulling into the parking lot of my hotel. He hurries to get out before me and open my door for me.

He's really sweet.

"I'm not sure how you feel about carbs, but this place has the best pancakes in the U.S."

"That's a big claim."

"It says so on the sign, so it must be true," he chuckles as he points at the sign at the entrance to the old building.

"Must be," I laugh.

He opens the door for me and gestures for me to walk in before him. An older woman is running around and tells us to have a seat anywhere. Ryder puts his hand on my back briefly. When I look back at him, he's gesturing to a booth by a window. I follow behind him.

"I'll seat us and get us our drinks, Marge!" he calls out to the waitress.

"You're a saint, Ryder. Do you want your usual?"

"Yes, Ma'am, pancakes and bacon times two."

"I'll let George know. It's so good to have you back in town, sugar," she drawls.

"I see you know the locals well."

"I've been coming here since I was twelve, I think," he chuckles. "I worked here in high school too."

"Wow," I say as I sit down.

Ryder doesn't sit in the booth yet; he walks over to the diner's counter and then goes behind it. He grabs two coffee cups and pours coffee in it, while also grabbing creamer. He grabs two slices of pie from the rotating display case too before walking back over to me.

He expertly handles the coffee and the pies.

That's impressive.

Just as he puts everything down on the table about ten kids walk in the door. He makes eye contact with Marge and then looks down at me apologetically.

"Go," I laugh as I realize that the diner's full and Marge is the only one working.

"It won't take me long," he smiles before he turns to the group of kids and tells them to have a seat.

He grabs menus and hands them out to the table before taking drink orders. He doesn't write anything down, just memorizes them and then goes to fill them. By the time he has them filled and handed out Marge is free enough to take their orders.

"If you ever want to quit everything else and come back to work here, I'll take you in a heartbeat," Marge grins at him.

"I'll keep that in mind," he laughs as he sits across from me.

As I look outside the window, the moonlight is reflecting off the ocean, combined with the lights on the boardwalk it's a surreal sight.

"That's why I chose it," he chuckles.

"Are you originally from here?"

"Yes, born and raised. I'm only here visiting. I live in California part of the year."

"That's pretty cool. Why part of the year?"

"My job. I have a busy period and when it slows down I come back here. There's something about a small town that helps ground you after chaos."

"That's true. This is my first time visiting Ash Cove, it's got a certain appeal to it."

"I'll let the tourism bureau know you think so," he teases. "Are you single?"

"I am. Are you?"

"I am," he grins.

"So, you and Josh have known each other for a while?"

"Since kindergarten."

"That's a long time for a friendship to last."

"Maybe so. It's definitely normal around these parts, small towns and all."

"That means you know the history of my dad."

"A little. I know that he disappeared one day, and people thought he vanished into thin air. I remember for about a month or so no one could believe that such a good, devoted man would just walk out on his wife and children that he clearly adored. I remember my mom saying that a few times."

"And then everyone learned he wasn't what he seemed."

"For a bit, people thought that Josh's mom was in on all of it too. My mom and grandma always said that she couldn't fake that devastation and shock. Josh and I were almost eleven when that happened."

"I think it's when he got my mom pregnant that everything started exploding around him and he left," I murmur.

The waitress comes back through with our drinks and two plates of pancakes for us. We're quiet for a moment while we dig into our food.

Okay, the best pancakes in the U.S. might be right. These are so light and fluffy.

"The timeline would sync that way. He stole a lot of money from a lot of people."

"That's what he did best."

"You two didn't get along?"

"You could say that," I shake my head and he nods slowly.

"What made you join the Marine Corps?"

"Something about getting away where no one knew me or my father and the thrill of getting to travel all over the world. What about you?"

"It was a backup plan to my other career."

"Other career?"

"I play hockey too."

"Vast difference," I laugh. "Are you any good?"

"Not horrible."

We continue eating and talking, getting to know each other. We have a lot in common with both being in the military. Our meals are long finished before I realize that we've been sitting here talking for a while.

I glance down at my phone and realize it's almost four in the morning.

"At this point, I should just stay up until my morning run," I tease.

"Care for a running buddy?"

"I'd like that."

"I have to say, I was hoping I'd run into you again when I went for a run tomorrow morning?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're gorgeous. Getting to be around you at Josh's and now, you're pretty incredible. It's rare to find someone who gets all the parts of me, especially the military part."

"Try being a woman in the Marine Corps," I tease.

"I can't imagine that's easy."

"Most men are intimidated."

"I'm not."

"I've noticed. And I appreciate that."

"I'm not here long, it seems like you're not either, but I'd really like to get to know you better."

"Okay."

"Why don't we take a walk on the beach right now? I'm not ready to call it a night."

"That sounds great," I sigh.

He pays for our meal and then the two of us leave the restaurant. Once outside, he puts his hand on the small of my back briefly again to lead me to the beach.

Why does that gesture make my stomach flip?

We're quiet as we walk to the water. We both remove our shoes and carry them in our hands as we let the sand squish between our toes.

"This is extremely forward, but I'm dying to kiss you," Ryder says as stops before a wave crashes over his feet.

My eyes widen in surprise, my stomach flips again. Guys my age wouldn't have been so polite as to ask.

"I'm dying for you to kiss me," I drawl back to him.

"Perfect."

He grins, his eyes locked on to mine before he leans forward and covers my mouth with his.

An electric current races through my body as my stomach flips excitedly. Goosebumps follow as his hand goes to cup my cheek sweetly.

Holy Hell this man can kiss.

My pelvis rocks forward as if searching for him.

Down, girl.

When he pulls away, both of us are breathless and both of us are lost in the other's eyes.

There's something about him.

"Let's get out of here," I say. "This may be forward as well, but do you want to come back to my hotel with me?"

"Perfect," he laughs.

We quickly make our way to the hotel, barely containing our excitement and desire for each other. The short walk feels like an eternity as we steal passionate kisses in between quickened steps.

There's a large crack of thunder just as the skies open up and it starts to pour down rain.

"Oh shit," I giggle.

"Looks like the hurricane is a lot closer than they originally thought."

"Hurricane?"

"Yes, we're supposed to have a hurricane hit land by Sunday night. Let's get you into your room before you're soaked."

I fumble with my key card at the entrance, finally managing to open the door to my room. As soon as the door is closed, he pushes me against it and begins kissing me with such intensity that my knees go weak.

He lifts me effortlessly and carries me to the bed, never breaking our kiss. The storm outside rages on, matching the passion that we are sharing in this moment. Clothes quickly find their way to the floor as we explore each other"s bodies with a hunger that can only be satiated by one another.

"I need to taste you," he says gruffly as he gently pushes my thighs apart.

I suck in a breath as he moves downward, making a trail with his mouth before he finds my hot, wet core. I grip the sheets as his finger gently explores my clit, butterfly-like touches so soft that I'm not sure if I'm imagining them.

"Yessss," I moan.

"Beautiful," he breathes before he buries his head between my legs. His fingers and his tongue explore. He's like a starving man at a buffet and I'm the main course.

Yessss, please don't stop.

As he continues to pleasure me, my body trembles with every touch, every stroke, every caress.

I arch my back, my fingers digging into the sheets as his touch sends waves of pleasure coursing through me. My breathing becomes ragged as I feel myself reaching the edge. I desperately grab for him, wanting to feel him inside me, needing to feel his cock in my throat to ground me. Anything to focus on other than the sensations that are rushing through me right now.

He pulls away with a chuckle, moving my hands so that I can't pull him up.

"Be a good girl and let me eat," he drawls with a look that tells me not to argue.

"Yes, Sir," I murmur, surprised by the words as they fall out of my mouth.

He goes right back to between my legs.

Lick, suck, oh damn, that's amazing.

I reach down and grip his head, guiding him closer to me as I feel the sensations pushing me to the edge. He responds to my urgency and increases the intensity of his movements, his tongue delving deeper into me as his fingers speed up their rhythm.

His lips meet my clit again, sending waves of pleasure through me. I can feel my orgasm building, growing stronger with every touch. I moan, arching my back as I cling to him, desperate for release.

I feel him push two fingers inside me, curling them to graze my G-spot. I cry out.

"God, yes!"

He continues the movement, sending me spinning over the edge as my entire body shakes with pleasure.

As I come down from my high, he slowly pulls his fingers out of me and leans up to kiss me gently. "You taste amazing."

I laugh weakly, "That was intense."

He grins, "I'm not done with you yet."

He stands up and reaches for my hand. He pulls me to where I'm sitting up. His erection is hard and throbbing, and I can feel my own desire for him growing even stronger.

My hand goes to his shaft, my mouth following suit.

"Shit, yesss," he breathes as my tongue teases the head of his cock.

His hand goes to my hair, pulling my dark hair into a ponytail so it doesn't distract me.

I bob up and down on his cock, licking and sucking, letting it hit the back of my throat as I moan against him.

He sucks in a breath and groans before he pulls me off him and turns me around so that I'm on all fours in front of him. He stops for a second and I hear him moving around, when I look back he's pulling out his wallet. He flashes a condom at me with a smile.

At least he has his wits about him. Guys my age usually pout when I ask for a condom and I didn't even have to mention it this time.

I hear the wrapper open before he slides it on. He guides his large cock inside me.

"Oh fuck," I moan as he fills me, stretching me to fit his massive erection.

His hands grip my hips, holding me in place as he begins to thrust in and out of me, slowly at first, allowing me to adjust to his size. My body responds to his advances, my hips rocking back to meet his every stroke.

"You feel so fucking good," he growls in my ear. "The way you look at me drives me crazy. Those gorgeous eyes on me make me want to do whatever you ask."

The sound of our bodies slapping together fills the room, our moans and gasps the only other sound. I can feel every inch of him inside me, his cock stretching me wide and filling me in a way I've never experienced before.

His thrusts grow more urgent, his hips slamming into my ass.

"Yes, harder," I urge him, my voice hoarse and needy.

He obliges, slamming into me with reckless abandon. My breasts bounce with each powerful thrust, my nipples scraping against the sheets.

His hand goes forward, his fingers finding my clit.

"Oh shit," I groan as I sit up, my back against his chest.

He kisses my neck as his other hand goes to my breasts, his finger and thumb closing around a nipple. His fingers on my breast and the one rubbing my clit are using the same motion and I've never felt anything more intense in my life.

He's panting and grunting in my ear as I try to focus and stave off all of the sensations. I want to cum so badly, but I also don't want this to end.

"You feel so good," he growls. "You're so damn tight. I don't know if I can hold on much longer. You ready to cum for me, baby?"

"Yes, yes, please, fuck me harder."

He growls as he slams into me faster and harder. His fingers on my nipple and clit move faster, shoving me over the edge.

"Come for me," he growls, thrusting deep inside me as he hits my G-spot with precise strokes.

I can feel the waves of pleasure crashing over me, my body tensing and shaking as I cry out his name.

With one final cry, he comes deep inside me, his cock twitching and pulsing as he fills me with his seed.

"Fuck," I moan, my body still shaking from the intensity of our lovemaking.

He collapses beside me and chuckles before he tugs me into him. I push him away.

"I need a minute," I say as I lay there in the fetal position trying to come down from my high.

"Take your time," he breathes in my ear.

I try to calm my breathing and try to stave off the emotions that are washing over me.

I've never experienced anything that intense before in my life. I feel like I'm floating.

I don't ever want to leave Ash Cove.

The next morning, I'm woken up by the incessant ringing of a phone. It's not mine, so it must belong to the sexy man beside me.

"Ryder, your phone."

He groans and answers it.

"Lafferty," he says into it. "Yes, Sir. On my way, Sir."

He hangs up the phone and looks back at me apologetically.

"Is everything okay?"

"I'm getting called out to help with rescues."

"Oh."

"I need to go," he blows out a breath and runs a hand through his hair.

He stands up and throws his clothes on quickly.

"Okay, well, be safe," I say as I stand up with him.

He pulls me into a passionate kiss.

"I'll see you soon. I'll be back tonight. Can I see you again?"

"Absolutely. I leave on Monday though."

"I'll come back here tonight and take you to dinner."

"Okay."

He kisses me again and is gone within seconds. I fall onto the bed and stare at the door.

***

Ryder never showed back up that night. The following day I meet my siblings for a cookout at Josh's, I expect to see him there.

"Will Ryder be here too?" I ask Josh.

He narrows his eyes and looks back at me with a funny expression.

"No, he got called out to pull people out down south where it's flooding. He'll be there the next few days for sure."

"Oh, we hung out after we left here. I had fun, I was hoping to see him again."

"You did what?"

"We went to Delaney's for breakfast. Both of us are still on different time zones. It was nice to catch up with someone who gets the military part of my life."

"You know he's in his thirties, right?"

"Yes," I laugh. "Will you give him my number? I didn't get a chance to and I'll be gone tomorrow."

"Yeah, yeah, I can do that. But I don't want you dating him, talking to him or whatever. There's too much of an age difference."

"I can't be friends with your best friend?"

"You're not wanting me to give him your number so you two can be friends," he snaps. "I'm not going to enable chaos."

"Chaos?" I repeat as he walks away quickly.

He walks away quickly just as Talia walks up behind me.

"If he doesn't, I will. Josh means well but he basically had to become the adult at the age of ten so he's very overprotective of the people he loves."

"And he doesn't trust me yet."

"I don't think it's you he doesn't trust. It's our father's parenting. You know what, it's probably best if from here on out, you don't let on that you're interested in Ryder. Like, I'm not a big fan of you two dating because there's such an age difference, but I also understand that it's probably nice to have someone who gets your military life."

"I get that," I murmur. "And it is. I don't want to hide something from Josh. That would make me just like our father.

Will I ever stop being punished for the sins of our father? It's not my fault that he had to raise me.

I report to my duty station and get settled in on Monday morning. By Wednesday after a conversation with Josh, I learned that Ryder came back to Ash Cove and he gave him my phone number but Ryder kind of blew him off about it, saying that we hung out and it was fun but nothing worth continuing.

Ouch.

Talia later told me that Josh lied and didn't give him my number, but she did, and Ryder was very weird about the whole exchange.

By Sunday, I hadn't received any messages or phone calls from him.

I guess all he wanted was a one-night stand.