“Aw, come on. It can’t be all about business. Now you sound like Ben.”
“Who’s Ben?”
“Ben Reynolds. My business manager. And one of my sponsors. Great guy. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“Is he here?”
“Not yet. He’s flying in tomorrow. He’s a former surfer. One of the best.”
“Did he teach you how to surf?”
“Babe, nobody teaches you how to surf. You’re either born with it or not.”
“I see.” She’d had lessons and certainly hadn’t been born with surfing knowledge, but if that was his mantra, who was she to argue?
“Hey, I know I said I’d take you to dinner, but there’s a party on the beach tonight, kind of a precursor to the competition. Will you come?”
“Is it open to the public?”
“No. But you can be my date.”
She liked where this was going. “Sure.”
“Awesome. I’ve got some interviews and stuff I need to do. How about I pick you up at your room at like . . . five thirty?”
“That sounds great.”
He stood. “I’ll see you then. Later, Tori.”
She watched him walk away, admiring his great legs, his amazing strong back and his very fine ass.
So. . . . she had a date. With a hot surfer.
She got up and threw on her wrap, grabbed her bag and headed back to the hotel to take a shower, a smile creeping onto her face.
Apparently, she still had it going on.
*
Alex smiled as he wandered away from Tori.
He liked this woman. She was smart, and kind of a smartass.
He liked smart women who thought of other things besides hooking up with a surfer. He’d met plenty of those—pretty women, sure, but after he got out of bed he wanted to be able to have a conversation. He already knew he could have an intelligent conversation with Tori. And he sure as hell wouldn’t mind having her in his bed, either. Whether she was interested in that part or not remained to be seen.
Even though he was here for work, he could take some time for fun as well.
He walked along the shoreline, studying the swells and wind. Great timing for the event. Waves were solid and high, and should make for some stellar barrels.
He was itching to get out there and compete.
But in the meantime, he had a date tonight with a beautiful woman.
His smile widened.
Chapter Three
Victoria had been more than ready for tonight. She surprised herself by anticipating Alex’s arrival with a bout of nervousness. And she was never nervous.
Fortunately, Alex picked her up right on time. She’d dressed casual, putting on a simple sundress and sandals, figuring this wouldn’t be a fancy event. Alex wore board shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, so she’d guessed correctly.
He smiled and leaned an arm against the door. “You look gorgeous.”
She closed the door and slid her arm through his. “And you’re great for my ego. I might just stick you in my suitcase and take you back to New York with me.”
He shook his head. “Nah. The city would stifle me. Can’t surf in your Hudson river.”
She laughed. “No, you definitely couldn’t.”
They walked outside and down the sidewalk leading toward where he’d surfed today.
“So tell me about this party tonight.”
“Most of the surfers competing are already in, especially the newcomers. Sponsors and advertisers are throwing a party. Everyone will chill, unwind a little before the big events get started. It’s a chance for some of the newer competitors to get to know everyone and do a meet and greet with the sponsors.”
“That’s nice for them.”
“Yeah. Getting sponsorship is a big deal for the young guys. If they can hook up with someone, and do well in the competition, it’ll keep them going for the next year.”
“Is that how you did so well?”
“It helps to score high when you’re first starting out. You don’t have to work so hard to gain sponsorship. They’ll come to you, then.”
“So what you’re saying is you didn’t have to go to the sponsors.”
He gave her a sexy, wide grin. “I won. A lot when I first started. After that, the sponsors started coming to me. I got lucky.”
“Darling, I don’t think luck had anything to do with it.”
Tents had been set up on the beach with drinks and food. The sponsors each had a booth, too. Anything from surfboards and clothes to wax and tanning supplies was represented.
“Any of those your sponsors?” Tori asked as they walked by a tent to grab some food and a drink.
Alex leaned back to peruse the booths. “A couple.”
“So when you’re surfing, do you wear ball caps emblazoned with your sponsor logos?”
He laughed. “Uh, no.”
There were a lot of people here—not just the guys competing, but apparently their families, too. Plus a lot of very young, very attractive women.
“Hey, Alex.”
“Hey, yourself, Heather,” Alex said to a girl who came up and hugged him.