Page 27 of Body Shot

“Why not? What’s wrong with vanilla? It’s a lovely flavor.”

“Sure it is. But you need something more exciting.”

“I like vanilla.”

We cross the street to the small ice cream shop and study the menu. “Be wild,” I murmur. “Try something new.”

She huffs, then orders Crazy Cookie Sundae Swirl. “I don’t know how I’ll stand the excitement of eating peanut butter and chocolate.”

I grin, charmed by her sarcastic humor. “I’ll have two scoops of chocolate,” I request.

She nudges me in the ribs with her elbow. “Chocolate? That’s almost as boring as vanilla.”

Moments later we’re seated on the low wall that runs along the boardwalk, facing the endless blue of ocean and sky, licking ice cream.

I watch her tongue and lips as she eats, my groin tightening. What I said about not being able to explain the chemistry between us was very true, because she’s not the type of woman I’m usually attracted to. Not that there’s anything wrong with the way she looks—her skin is pale gold, smooth and perfect. Big brown eyes framed with long lashes and a generous mouth don’t need a lot of makeup to emphasize them. Her dark gold hair is a non-descript style, long and straight, but shiny and healthy, though I prefer it loose rather than pulled back into the low ponytail she’s wearing today. She isn’t obvious with her beauty, hiding a sweet body beneath loose clothes. Although today those long legs are on display beneath the hem of her shorts and they’re as amazing as I thought.

But there’s more to my attraction to her than just how she looks.

“You’re looking at me that way again.”

I jerk my mind back from thoughts of those legs wrapped around me. “Yeah, you seem to have that effect on me.”

She holds my gaze as her tongue comes out to lick her ice cream, and the guy downstairs stirs again.

“Your ice cream is melting.” She gestures.

Chocolate runs down the side of my cone. I quickly lap it up and devour the rest. When we’re done, I rise. “Let’s check out the arcade.”

“It’s been an hour.”

“Live dangerously. Take another hour.” I swing my legs over the wall to stand on the sidewalk and reach for her hand.

She makes an exasperated noise. “You’re very persuasive.”

“It’s my charming personality.” I give her a guileless smile.

She snorts, but I catch the curve of her mouth.

Another hour of playing Donkey Kong and shooting basketball hoops—or attempting to, in her case—passes quickly, but Hayden doesn’t seem to notice, intent on sinking a ball at least once. She’s not good at it, but sheisdetermined, her little tongue out as she carefully focuses on the net. I admire that. Finally, she sinks one and turns to me, beaming that gorgeous smile and shoving her hands in the air. “Yes!”

Her delight in her accomplishment makes my chest fill with soft heat.

It’s late afternoon when we emerge to stroll past little shops. “I’m getting hungry.” I pat my belly. “How about you?”

She stops walking. “I really need to get home.”

“You need to eat dinner.” I see the indecision on her face. “I’ll take you somewhere quick. You’ll be home by seven.”

“I’ve wasted the whole afternoon.”

I give her a look.

“Oh. I’m sorry. That sounded bad.” She bites her lip. “It’s just that I have a really important meeting tomorrow I need to be ready for.”

“I’m sure you’re ready. And you need to change that attitude. This afternoon was not a waste of time. I know you were having fun.” We laughed our asses off as we competed against each other playing Pac-Man. “That’s not a waste, Hayden.”

She sighs. “I know, I know. Okay. Something quick, then I really have to get home.”

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