Free Elf on the Beach by TJ Nichols

Chapter 1
     
    T EACHING TOURISTS how to surf was always fun. The kids threw themselves into it and had a certain fearlessness that most adults had grown out of. However, this adult class was mostly made up of European University students who had decided to have a hot, sandy Christmas instead of a snowy one. Kyle had never seen snow, so he couldn’t judge, but he had plans to go snowboarding next winter.
    Snowy or sunny, he was sure he’d still hate the holiday season.
    How many of the would-be surfers were spending the holidays overseas to avoid their families? At least they had families to avoid. If he had a real family, he’d be spending it with them instead of alone.
    A couple of German girls in bikinis giggled and fell off their boards. They hadn’t even gotten in the water yet. He grinned and repeated what he’d said about balancing their weight.
    They giggled again, but Kyle wasn’t interested in them. The guy in low-slung board shorts and skin that didn’t look like it had ever seen the sun was much more interesting. He grinned impishly as he practiced going from lying down to standing up on the board. His long dark hair flopped over his eyes.
    Roone glanced Kyle’s way, as if seeking approval.
    Kyle nodded. Roone’s grin widened; then he looked away.
    Had that been a look? Had he not been imagining the sizzle? A fling would go a long way to improving the holiday season. Or at least provide a distraction. Yeah, because they always worked out so well.
    Kyle dragged his gaze back to the other students. He was not having any more one-night stands or go-nowhere flings. They were little more than sugar highs that left him with a craving for something more. He wanted what he’d never had, love.
    “Right, let’s get you lot wet.” There were fifteen minutes left of the class. He was willing to bet that none of them would manage standing up on the board. “If anyone stands up today, I’ll buy you a beer.”
    Adults were generally too worried about looking stupid to really try. But it was funny as fuck to watch. He put his board in the water and walked out until the waves were lapping at his knees. “Right. Come on, give it a shot.”
    He lay down, then got up and rode the next wave to show them it wasn’t that hard. It was barely a wave, more of a nudge closer to shore. Once class was over, he was going to paddle out and have a proper surf. While conditions were perfect for beginners, it was a little tame for him, but still better than staying dry.
    The six wannabe surfers waded awkwardly into the water.
    “No sharks, yar?” one of the German girls asked.
    “No sharks.” None had been sighted close in, and the beaches were patrolled. No one wanted another shark attack in Margaret River. It wasn’t good for tourism or his income… or the person getting bitten.
    Roone lay on his board, tried to stand up, and then promptly fell off. Kyle swiftly splashed over, but the young man resurfaced, laughing. Kyle still offered his hand, even though it was clear Roone didn’t need help. Roone took it, his grip firm. His pale skin glistened as water streamed off him. He flicked his hair out of his eyes.
    Kyle shook his head. “There’s no rush. Get a feel for it, then stand.”
    “But I’m in a rush.”
    “Holiday almost over?”
    The grin faded for a moment. “Two weeks.”
    “You can always come back.”
    That killed Roone’s grin completely. “I’ll be standing before the end of this class. I want that beer.”
    Kyle much preferred the grinning Roone to the serious one, but he wasn’t going to deny him a beer. It didn’t take long for the smile to return, along with a frown as Roone concentrated. The girls managed to get to their knees, squealing as they fell off. The other three guys were trying but getting distracted by the girls.
    Teaching surfing lessons was never dull.
    “Okay, last try, then back to shore.” Kyle clapped his hands together. He glanced at Roone.
    Roone met his gaze and held it.