Page 82 of Body Shot

A soft heat expands in my chest as we separate, and I look around more. Beck points out fossilized shell and water-level marks that indicate how long the ocean has been boring its way into the rock and sandstone. “The colors are mineral deposits and vegetable matter,” he adds.

“Okay, this is fascinating. Red iron oxide.” I study the black, grays and yellow colors, which are vegetable matter. “I love that purple color. Iodine, from kelp.”

“You’re so smart.”

I give him a quick look. Is he making fun of me?

He catches the look and his smile fades. “What?”

I press my lips together. “Sorry. When people say things like that to me, I assume it’s an insult.”

He sets his hands on my waist. “Why would that be an insult?”

I drop my gaze to his chest. “When you’re smart and nerdy and not into the same things the other kids are, they can be mean.”

He goes very still, then says, “Ah. Well, yeah, kids can be mean. But baby, I totally meant that as a compliment.”

I lift my eyes and meet his, and the warm admiration eases my affront. He really means that. My heart turns over in my chest. “Thank you.”

He gives me a little squeeze, then releases me. “This tunnel took two years to dig. It was used to smuggle Chinese immigrants, and contraband whisky during Prohibition.”

“It’s cool to be able to access the cave this way.”

“There are other caves, but this is the only one you can access by land.”

“Isn’t the ocean amazing?” I tip my head back to look up at the rock ceiling. “Carving this out of rock over thousands and thousands of years?”

“Yeah.” His voice is a little gruff and he gives my ponytail a tug. “Amazing.”

“Sometimes I get so impatient about things—my research, and my goals. But when you think of how long it took to create this, it makes me realize maybe I need to slow down.”

“I like how your impatience drives you.” He kisses my nose. “But yeah, sometimes slowing down and just appreciating the things around us is important.”

We wander along the wooden platform. I run my fingers over initials and words that were carved into the railing. Beck moves up behind me and presses his big body to mine, trapping me against the railing. “Look.” He speaks in a low voice in my ear. “Out at the ocean.”

I follow his gaze to the bright opening of the cave. “It’s incredible.”

He nuzzles my hair. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this. It would’ve been a big fail if you’d been terrified. Or you thought it was stupid.”

“I would never think that!”

“It’s kind of touristy. But it’s fun.”

“It really is.”

We meander around a while longer, soaking up the unusual atmosphere of the cave, then climb the stairs to exit. I head to the gift shop to explore there too, admiring some pretty jewelry made by a local artist from shells and polished gems and silver. I admire the blue abalone earrings, rings and necklaces, and pretty starfish crusted with tiny sparkly gems.

“Not buying anything?” Beck asks.

“Nah. I don’t wear much jewelry. Takes too much time in the morning to decide what goes with whatever I’m wearing. Although I’m usually wearing pretty much the same thing every day.”

He doesn’t say anything more, and after a while we make our way back out into the bright sunshine. I immediately slide my sunglasses from the top of my head back down to my nose. Beck does the same with the aviators hooked into the neckline of his T-shirt.

“Let’s explore out here a bit.”

I let him tuck my hand into his and we head toward the coast. After walking around and admiring the ocean, the cliffs, and some seals sunning themselves on rocks, Beck directs me to a nearby restaurant for an early dinner.

Instead of the burger place I expect, I find myself in an elegant seafood restaurant with a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean. I look down at my khaki shorts, tank top, and tennis shoes. “I’m not dressed for somewhere like this.”

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