That was a really nice thing to say. Kenna was falling for this guy. Hard. “Trust me, I’ve seen pictures of this beach. It’s perfect. There’s even a grassy area we can sit on if you truly don’t want to be on the sand itself. The waves there aren’t terribly intense, but from what I’ve seen online, because of some rocks, the east side of the beach has waves that are good for bodyboarding, while the west side is calmer. There’s a huge pool if we want a change of pace, and they have free umbrellas and chairs too. It’s gonna be awesome.”
Marshall smiled down at her. “I can’t wait to spend the day together,” he said. “Doesn’t matter what we do, as long as I get to hang out with you.”
Kenna felt herself leaning toward him. “I feel the same.”
She smiled the rest of the way down the stairs and out into the parking lot. She was still smiling when he opened the door to the Jeep and handed her the seat belt.
“Where to?” he asked as he started the engine after he’d gotten into the driver’s side.
“Get on the interstate and head toward the Naval base.”
“You got it,” Marshall said as he backed out.
Kenna knew she still had a goofy smile on her face, but she was so looking forward to today. She hoped she and Marshall could sneak in without being caught. There was a backup public beach nearby if needed, but she hoped it wouldn’t be. The thought of doing something a little illicit with Marshall made adrenaline rush through her veins.
Shit, she was so screwed. If she was this excited about spending a day with the man, how would she feel when they eventually slept together?
Because there was no doubt in her mind that was where they were headed. And she couldn’t wait.
Chapter Nine
Aleck’s stomach dropped to his feet when Kenna directed him to turn into the Coral Springs condo complex the private beach was connected to.
His condo complex.
“Here it is,” she whispered as if a security guard might hear her all the way out in the parking lot. “I’ve been drooling over this place ever since I saw it online. They’ve got a beautiful beach, the pool has a slide, which is awesome, and they even have hammocks strung up around a grassy barbeque area. It’s perfect.”
“No place is perfect,” Aleck mumbled. He knew he should just straight up tell her that he lived here, and he opened his mouth to do just that. To make a joke about how he knew all about the amenities because he paid a shitload each month in home owner association fees. But she spoke again before he could.
“I bet the people here don’t appreciate what they have. They probably sit up in their overpriced condos and complain that it’s too sunny. Or the water is too blue or something.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t get rich people. As pretty as this place is, there’s no connection to the locals out here. Most of my neighbors are native to Hawaii, and they’re generous and funny and have welcomed me with open arms. I love walking around my neighborhood and playing with the kids and being a part of a community. I bet everyone living here is from the mainland and they probably don’t even know their neighbors. It’s kind of sad, really.”
Well, shit. That wasn’t exactly the opening he wanted to confess that he lived here. Aleck wanted Kenna to like him, not think of him as pathetic. And it wouldn’t help to admit that he owned a penthouse.
His opportunity to not only tell Kenna that he lived here, but that he was one of the rich people she didn’t seem to think much of, was cut short again when she opened her door excitedly and hopped out.
Not sure how this was gonna go, Aleck slowly got out as well. He reached into the backseat and grabbed both their bags and met Kenna at the front of the Jeep.
“Okay, this is what I’m thinking,” Kenna said as she reached for her bag.
Aleck gave it to her, only because he knew it wasn’t very heavy.
“There’s only a few entrances and the beach has a fence around it to keep it private, so we’re going to have to go in the main door and right through the lobby. That’s tricky, because if they have security, they might ask for our IDs or something. But if we’re in the middle of a conversation, maybe they’ll feel as if it’s rude to interrupt us. If there’s a security desk, you can give the person that chin lift thing you do so well. Whatever you do, stay casual. Don’t look guilty. Try to blend in.” She chuckled. “Although, everyone is probably wearing overpriced name-brand clothing and you’ve got…a pineapple on.”
“Hey, I love this shirt,” Aleck told her.
She smiled up at him and patted his chest. “I do too. But I’m thinking the people around here wouldn’t be caught dead in it. Come on, we’ve got this.”
It was obvious Kenna was amped up and totally excited about the possibility of getting onto the private beach. Aleck wasn’t all that happy about how she constantly seemed to put down the residents, though. Yes, most people who lived here probably had very comfortable bank accounts, but that didn’t mean they were assholes. He might not hang out with many of his neighbors, but he’d met a lot of them, and they seemed like perfectly nice people.
Not wanting to be a downer when Kenna was so excited, he took her hand in his and they headed for the entrance. If they really were trying to slip onto the property without being noticed, Aleck knew they’d fail. The security here was top-notch and no one got past the front desk without being recognized or without showing ID and letting them know who they were visiting.
But he went along with Kenna’s plan. The idea of sneaking in clearly thrilled her. The time to admit he lived here had definitely passed, and an uneasy feeling churned in his gut. He should’ve said something immediately, when he’d found out what beach she wanted to visit.
He’d already put his foot in his mouth about her job and didn’t want to say or do anything else that would give her a reason to decide they weren’t compatible—and it was abundantly obvious she thought she had nothing in common with rich people.
Now he’d have to find a way to tell her another time.
Funny thing, remember the other day when we went to the beach at that condo complex? Well, I live there.
Shit, that wouldn’t work. He’d have to come up with something much better, and if she couldn’t forgive him for not fessing up sooner, well…at least he could give her this adventure.
“Marshall, pay attention,” Kenna scolded. “We’ve only got one shot at this and I really want to check out this beach.”
“What happens if we get caught?” he asked.
Kenna scrunched her nose adorably. “I’ve got another beach in mind as a fallback. But it’s not as nice as this one.”
“I don’t care where we go or what we do,” Aleck told her. “I’m just thrilled to get to spend time with you.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Wow, I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“It’s true. Fancy private beach, hanging out in that amazing beanbag of yours, or sitting in a dive restaurant eating peanut butter and jelly. I just like being with you. You make me feel…happy.”
Aleck regretted the words the second they left his lips because they were so sappy.