**Sandy Toes and Salty Noses**

As I stepped off the plane and onto the sun-kissed runway of the Outer Banks, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions swirling inside me. The warm breeze carried the scent of saltwater and seaweed, a familiar smell that brought back memories of my childhood summers spent here with my family. My heels clicked on the pavement as I made my way to the arrivals gate, my assistant Max and my 13-year-old brother Michael trailing behind me. Max, with his perpetual smile and love for food, was already eyeing the nearest restaurant, no doubt searching for his next meal. Michael, on the other hand, was glued to his phone, oblivious to the world around him. I took a deep breath, feeling the coastal air fill my lungs, and gazed out at the endless stretch of beachy houses and quaint shops. It was a far cry from the bright lights and endless energy of Las Vegas, where I'd spent the last few years building a life with my mom. We'd moved there after my dad had essentially cut us off, choosing to focus on his boat business over being a part of our lives. My mom, a successful fashion designer, had always been more focused on her career than being a parent, but I couldn't blame her for that. She'd done her best to provide for us, even if it meant sacrificing some of the motherly love and attention we'd always craved. My dad, on the other hand, had made his choice clear: he was more interested in his business ventures than in being a part of our lives. The three of us – Max, Michael, and I – had just arrived in the Outer Banks, where my dad had a sprawling beach house that I'd never actually seen before. He'd bought it years ago, but I knew very little about it. My mom had told me it was one of his many properties, and that he'd been living here for at least five years, completely detached from our lives. As we made our way to the car, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. My dad's decision to cut ties with us had left a deep wound, one that still lingered. I'd heard rumors of his success, of his lavish lifestyle and extravagant parties, but I didn't know much about his life here. What I did know was that he'd invited me to stay in his beach house for a bit, and I'd agreed, mostly to get away from the stress of Las Vegas and to find some solace in the familiarity of the Outer Banks. "Hey, Kristina?" and "Kristina, are you okay?" Max's voice interrupted my thoughts as he nodded towards the car. I smiled, grateful for his concern. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just get this over with." The drive to my dad's house was a long one, winding through the narrow streets and picturesque towns of the Outer Banks. As we passed by the marshy landscape and the ocean views, I felt a pang of excitement mixed with anxiety. What would it be like to live here, even if just for a little while? As we turned onto a long, winding road lined with oak trees and beach houses, I spotted a familiar figure standing by the entrance of the property. My heart sank. I hadn't seen my dad in years, but the stories I'd heard about him made my skin crawl. He was a man who'd abandoned his family for the sake of his business, and I wasn't sure I was ready to face him. The house loomed before us, a stunning beachfront property with a private dock and a view that seemed to stretch on forever. I could feel my anxiety spiking as I took in the sheer scale of it all – the perfect blend of elegance and ruggedness. My heels clicked on the pavement as I stepped out of the car, feeling a little like a fish out of water. This was it, the moment of truth. I was about to face my dad, and the thought made my stomach twist into knots. "Well, well, well," a deep voice drawled from behind me. "Look what we have here." I turned to see a tall, brooding figure standing by the door, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity. His messy blond hair and striking blue eyes made my heart skip a beat, but I pushed the feeling aside. Who was this guy, and why did he look so familiar? My eyes narrowed as I took in the sight of him. He was rugged, with a strong jawline and piercing gaze that seemed to bore into my soul. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. "JJ Maybank," he said, his eyes flicking over me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "I've heard a lot about you." My heart skipped a beat as I took in the sight of him. There was something about JJ Maybank that seemed to rub people the wrong way. His eyes seemed to gleam with a perpetual challenge, as if daring anyone to take him on. "And I've heard a lot about you, too," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Not that I'm interested." JJ's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to me. "You're not exactly what I expected," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "But then, I suppose you're not exactly the type to...follow the rules." I raised an eyebrow, my confidence wavering for a moment before I regained my composure. "I'm not exactly sure what you're insinuating," I said, trying to keep my cool, "but I'm here to stay. For now." He snorted, a smirk twisting his lips. "Oh, I'm sure you are. You're just like all the others – stuck-up and entitled." His words stung, but I refused to back down. I was Kristina Marsh, after all. I wasn't about to let some arrogant, entitled guy push me around. "I'm not stuck-up or entitled," I said, my voice steady. "I'm just... pragmatic." JJ raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Pragmatic?" I nodded, trying to ignore the way his eyes seemed to bore into me. "Yeah. I do what needs to be done." He chuckled, a low, husky sound that sent shivers down my spine. "I'm sure you do." The air seemed to vibrate with tension as we stood there, sizing each other up. I could tell he didn't like me, and I wasn't exactly thrilled about him either. But there, as I looked into those piercing blue eyes, I felt a spark of something I couldn't quite explain. Maybe it was the way he looked at me, like he was daring me to take him on. Or maybe it was the way my heart seemed to be racing, like it was trying to keep up with the challenge he'd presented. Either way, I was in for a rude awakening. As I looked at JJ, I could feel the hate radiating from him, and I knew that this was just the beginning of our complicated dance. I wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was certain – this was going to be a long, eventful summer.