Bound to You

Chapter 15: Surfing

“Darcy, I am leaving in five minutes and if you aren’t in the car I’m going surfing without you!” Riker called up the stairs. Darcy rolled her eyes as she pulled her curls up into a ponytail. She hadn’t had time to straighten it, thanks to Riker’s wanting to get to the beach early for the lesson. Rydel was sitting on the edge of her bed watching as Darcy ran frantically around the room. “I’M COMING!” she yelled out into the hallway. She turned around to face Rydel. “Is this alright? I’ve never gone surfing before.” She quickly posed to show off her printed, navy blue bikini. Rydel nodded. “It’s fine. It’s your first time so you don’t need a wetsuit or anything. You’ll probably end up wiping out more than anything today.” She said, laughing. Darcy gave her a look as she slipped into a pair of jean shorts. “Thanks, Delly.” She said flatly. She quickly pulled a baggy tanktop over her head before frantically looking around the room once again. “Where are my-” “Your Vans are underneath your bed.” Rydel finished for her. Darcy smiled gratefully as she yanked her shoes from underneath her bed. “Don’t you guys have a concert tonight?” she asked as she slipped them on. Rydel nodded. “Yes, at 7:00. Make sure Riker gets to the club by 2:00. He loses track of time once you hand him a board.” She said jokingly. Darcy nodded as she hopped up to stand in front of Rydel once again. “I shall. How do I look?” she asked. Rydel grinned. “Like you’re about to go shred some waves.” “One minute, Darcy!” Riker’s voice came echoing up the stairs. Darcy groaned and turned towards the door. “It’s too early for this.” She grumbled as she made her way towards the staircase. She heard Rydel giggling behind her as she exited. “Good luck!” she called.  

**  

Darcy stepped out of Riker’s car and onto the pavement. She breathed in deeply, inhaling the salty morning air. “Couldn’t we have done this later in the day?” she complained sleepily. It was just after 8:00 in the morning. Riker came walking around the front of the car carrying both surfboards. “We could have, but then we wouldn’t have had the beach to ourselves.” He gestured to the empty shoreline to make his point. The sun was still sitting low in the sky, casting a pinkish glow across the water. “It’s beautiful.” Darcy murmured. Riker grinned and nudged her gently with one of the boards. “Well do you wanna stand here and stare at it or do you want to go get in the water?” he asked impatiently. He began jogging down the sandbank towards the beach. She followed quickly behind, moving slightly slower due to the ankle-deep sand. Riker stopped a few yards away from the water’s edge. He tossed both boards down onto the ground and pulled his sweatshirt over his head, leaving him in only a pair of brightly colored swim trunks. She took a moment to admire his shirtless torso while his attention was turned elsewhere. He wasn’t as muscular as Ross; he was built a bit more slender. Oddly enough, she found it to be a lot more attractive. She quickly turned her attention towards the water when Riker’s gaze moved in her direction. “Ready to do this?” he asked eagerly. She nodded as she kicked her Vans off into the sand next to his shirt. “Ready.” she replied. He stared at her oddly for a few moments. “What?” she asked impatiently. He laughed. “You can’t get in the water with your shorts and shirt on, Darcy.” He replied, gesturing to her clothes. She looked down at herself briefly before looking back up at Riker. “But it’s cold.” She pouted. He shook his head and laughed again. “Your clothes are going to weigh you down once they’re wet. I’m in my trunks. Come on, Darce; we don’t have all day. We’ve got soundcheck for our show tonight in a few hours.” He crossed his arms and continued to stare her down. She sighed in resignation. “Fine.” She grumbled. She reluctantly slipped out of her jean shorts and t-shirt and tossed them onto the sand roughly. A chilly, early morning breeze immediately swept across the beach. Darcy shivered and began leaping from foot to foot in an attempt to warm herself. “Can we please get in the water now?” she pleaded. Riker nodded obligingly, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth. He picked up the smaller of the two boards and handed it to her before picking up the larger one for himself. He gestured for her to follow him as he began walking towards the water. She stepped hesitantly into the waves lapping gently against the shore and let out an involuntary squeal. “What?” he asked worriedly, turning around. She stood shivering in the ankle-deep water. “It’s freaking cold!” she exclaimed. He rolled his eyes. “Quit being a baby and get out here. It’ll warm up after a while.” He assured her. He was already waist-deep in the water. She shook her head furiously. “No. I changed my mind. I don’t want to do this anymore.” She quickly turned around and jogged back onto the beach. Riker rolled his eyes again and followed after her. “Darcy, get back in the water.” He called as he sloshed through the waves. She shook her head once more and threw her board down onto the sand. “Nope.” She said stubbornly, crossing her arms. She sat down cross-legged on the shore. Riker stepped onto the sand and tossed his board down as well. “Darcy Elisabeth Davis, I’m giving you one more chance. Either you get your butt out into the water or I will pick you up and throw you into the water.” He warned, crossing his arms as well. Darcy laughed and smiled smugly. She was by no means a ‘petite’ girl; she might have been slender, but she was a solid 5’8”. There was no way he could pick her up. She looked up at him with a glint of arrogance. “I’d like to see you try.” She challenged. He shrugged and began walking towards her. “So be it.” He replied. He came to stand behind her and looped his arms underneath hers. He lifted her off the ground with ease. “What?? No!” she cried. He whirled her around before throwing her over his shoulder, all in one smooth motion. “Amateur.” He muttered as he began walking back towards the water. Darcy felt cold droplets splash up and hit her as Riker stomped through the waves. “Riker please don’t!” she pleaded, laughing despite her best attempts to keep a straight face. He continued walking until he was waist deep in the water once again. He threw her off of his shoulder and caught her in his arms so she was cradled against his chest bridal-style. “Riker, no!” she whimpered. She clung desperately to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He shook his head and laughed. “Oh, Darcy…you can hold onto me as tightly as you want. It isn’t going to help.” He said, a dangerous smirk on his face. She shook her head furiously. “I don’t care. I’ll take you down with me.” She growled. His smirk grew. “That was the plan.” He replied mischievously. Before she could react he dropped down into the water, still holding her in his arms. She barely had enough time to hold her breath before she felt the icy water wash over her. She was completely submerged in the salty waves. Seconds later she felt Riker release his grip on her waist. She took the opportunity to escape. She pushed her way to the surface and frantically began gasping for air. Riker’s head reappeared moments later. He was grinning from ear to ear. She glared angrily at him. “I hate you.” She muttered. His grin only widened. “No you don’t. Now come on, let’s go get our boards. We don’t have all day.” He said as he began swimming back towards the shore.