“I think taking it slow is the right idea, at least for the next forty-eight hours or so.” His expression is thoughtful, gaze looking out at the water. “We want to build a solid foundation for our marriage.”
“Right,” I drawl. “Dare I ask, have you been married before?”
“No, I haven’t. What about you?”
“Nope,” I say.
“Then our expertise is on the same level.” He gives my fingers a squeeze. “I have a good feeling about this, Alice. A very good feeling indeed.”
Waves lap at the shore, the sound soothing. After all the noise at the bar and then the bright lights at the diner, it’s good to be outside in the clean ocean air. To stare off into the distance and think not particularly deep thoughts. My feet hurt and my head is tired, but the company is lovely. He has the hem of his jeans rolled up, toes digging into the sand. And his bare feet are every bit as attractive and interesting as the rest of him. Toes have never particularly titillated me before, yet here we are.
“Never really spent much time at the beach,” he says. “More used to the mountains.”
“There’re no sharks in the mountains.” A random but relevant comment. Shark week made an impression on me. “So it’s probably safer.”
“Yeah.” He scratches at the dark stubble on his chin. “It does have that going for it. Though they do have Bigfoot up in the hills.”
“But does he actually attack people or is he more of a hairy introvert who just wants to be left alone?”
“The latter, I think.”
“Can’t believe you rock climb. Isn’t that hard?”
“Well, it’s not always easy.”
“You use safety harnesses and wear a helmet, right?”
He winces. “Ah, not so much.”
“You free climb?” I tear myself free of his grip and turn on him. “Beck, that’s dangerous. People die doing that.”
“But it’s cool, right?”
“Are you doing it because you think it’s cool?”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s for the challenge. Me against the mountain. See, there’s not just the physical aspect, but there’s the mental fortitude required as well. It’s an amazing experience.”
“I don’t even know why you bother flirting with me,” I say. “I think staying up past my bedtime to finish a book is a perilous and exciting adventure.”
“Climbing is a calculated risk and I am as careful as can be. Promise not to make you a widow anytime soon, if that helps.”
“Thanks. I think you’re very brave.”
He just smiles.
Meanwhile, my frown is intense. I can feel it. While this has been fun, it makes no sense whatsoever. Insecurity is a bitch, but it’s not always without cause. “You know, at first I thought you were just talking to me because Rob dared you or something.”
“You did? Why would you think that?” He frowns back at me.
I just shrug. No need to delve into my various complexes and issues right here and now. Or ever, for that matter.
“Let me state unequivocally for the record,” he says. “I’m not here to hurt your feelings or lead you on, okay?”
“Okay.”
He motions me closer with his hand. “Now you say it back to me.”
“Ah, I’m not going to hurt your feelings or lead you on.”
“Thank you,” and he says it so sincerely. Guess I’m not the only one who’s been screwed over in the past. “Now what do you think about our future prospects, wife?”
“I still think we’re complete opposites.”
“So according to your comments over dinner, we will therefore have much to discuss for the rest of our lives.” He steps closer. Moonlight and shadows make him even more handsome. A little dangerous and a lot mysterious. The breeze tousles his hair and he stares back at me, calm as can be. He keeps his emotions well contained. I can’t read him at all. Though the comedy seems like a type of protection, a sleight of hand to hide his real feelings. I can’t talk; sarcasm and wit are my crutches of choice.
“I didn’t think you were paying attention,” I say.
“Of course I was.” He takes another step closer. Our chests are almost touching now and his gaze never leaves my face. The heat of his body is intense, the pull of him extreme. Like he’s this giant magnet I want to fall into and crash against. Stupid of me not to take him home tonight and get naked, preferably with no lights on. A real lost opportunity. How often does someone of Beck’s caliber come along? Answer: next to never. “According to the rules of taking it slow, Alice, I’m not allowed to kiss you yet. Which is damn hard when you’re looking at me that way.”
“There are rules?”
“You don’t know them? To be exact, I’m quoting article five subsection seven.”
“That one, huh?”
“That’s right. No kissing on the first date. And definitely no head.”
A laugh stutters out of me. “Oh. What a shame.”
“It is. But we can hug it out and discreetly feel each other up over our clothing,” he says, his voice low and hypnotic. “If you like.”
“Actually, that sounds quite nice.”
“I was hoping you’d feel that way. All right, then.” He holds his arms open. “I’m ready.”
We’re so close I barely need to move to be in his embrace. My arms go around his waist and my cheek rests against his pec. Arms wrap around me, holding me tight. He smells amazing, warm man flesh with the faint hint of sweat and the lingering scent of his aftershave. Combined with the salt air, it is all things good and right in this world. I could get high off of him, no problem. He holds me against him while his other hand is busy giving me a neck rub. The pads of his fingers stroking over my skin before kneading the muscle with just the right amount of pressure. The man knows what he’s doing. I give this hug eleven out of ten.
Meanwhile, his face is buried in the top of my head, sniffing at my long blond hair. He’s not even being discreet.
“I probably smell of stale beer,” I say, trying to be helpful.
His chest moves slightly as he chuckles. “No. It’s something floral.”
“Hibiscus.”
“Ah. Pretty.”
It’s actually from a dry shampoo because I’m two days past needing to wash my hair. Though he doesn’t need to know this. The length of my leg hairs would also probably scare the man, but such is life. Sometimes a girl just needs to go natural. Also, I wasn’t in the mood or anticipating getting this close with anyone. At least, not tonight. Being female can be ridiculously high maintenance.
But back to the hugging.
It’s funny, his body is hard yet comfortable and the way he holds me is nothing less than swoon worthy. Like I’m treasured and protected. But also wanted. And with my breasts squished against his chest, he can no doubt feel my hard nipples reacting to his touch. Oh well. With his firm hand now working its way up and down my spine, going a little lower each time, teasing us both, there’s no innocence about this embrace. Something is also happening in his pants.
“Isn’t this nice?” he whispers. “And so chaste.”