Page 33 of Dangerous Secret

She went.

After she parked where Grayson had told her to, she walked up the beach to his house, and her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. Somehow, he’d timed it so that he was walking past her wearing board shorts, no shirt and with a surfboard tucked under his arm.

Holy hotness!Her feet tripped over themselves when her eyes locked on that naked—and so amazing—chest. “Huh…” she said. Her ability to use words had apparently taken off with the wind blowing past her.

“Keep walking,” he said quietly as she neared him. Acting as if he didn’t know her, he continued down to the water with his surfboard.

She kept walking.

Just how long was she supposed to walk, though? She guessed she’d passed him fifteen minutes ago. Did he really know how to surf? It had been a real effort not to turn and watch him. And dear heaven, she wanted to slide her fingers over that chest, and after testing the firmness of those muscles, she’d lick them. Never in her life had she had such a thought, and it made her giggle like a schoolgirl giddy with her first crush. And look, there was that very chest walking toward her.

How’d he do that? She glanced back, scrunching her eyebrows at seeing how far she’d traveled. It was impossible that he was ahead of her, but unless she was hallucinating, he somehow was. “How—”

“Go back to my house and go inside. It’s the one with the red surfboard propped up next to the stairs.” He kept going.

Okaaaay.This cloak-and-dagger stuff wasn’t for her. Next time she had the bright idea to come to the beach,she was going to have Einstein hide her car keys. Ahead of her, Grayson broke into a jog, and as they had with the front of him, her eyes locked on his back and what a sight to behold. Even wearing clothes, it was obvious that he was built mighty fine, but wearing nothing but board shorts… Someone slap an oxygen mask over her face because he really was breath stealing.

She wanted her hands on that broad chest, the trim waist and…she fanned her face when her gaze reached his butt.Thatshe wanted to see naked. She wanted those long legs wrapped around hers while his body covered hers. She just bet that Grayson Montana knew how to make a woman’s body sing, and she wanted her body to sing if only just once.

What if she let herself have one time with him? She had faith that he would find a way to bring her little boy back to her, but until then, what if…

Thewhat-ifsbounced around in her head as she walked back down the beach. She was a single woman and hadn’t been with another man but Anthony since meeting him. She’d never cheated on him, not even during the last few years of their marriage when she’d been so miserable. Why shouldn’t she enjoy the company of a man if that was what she wanted? As soon as she had her boy back, he would be her sole focus for who knew how long.

It could be years before she felt she could bring another man into her and Tyler’s life. It all depended on the damage Anthony had done to their son. The time from now until he came home would be her only chance to have a little something for herself.

A thought nagged at her, though. Would that mean she was using Grayson for her own personal pleasure? Would that be a selfish thing to do on her part? How would he react if she was up-front with him, if she told him what shewanted? She’d be clear that as soon as she was reunited with Tyler that the affair would be over. She snorted. In only a few minutes, she’d gone from considering just one night with him to maybe having a short affair.

When he reached his house, instead of going inside, he veered off to the water. She didn’t let herself watch him slip away. She didn’t think anyone was following her, but if so, she didn’t want to tip them off that she had any interest in him.

“Who are you, and what have you done with Harlow?” she murmured, chuckling. It wasn’t that long ago that she’d been hiding inside her ugly dresses and tight buns. Now her hair was blowing in the breeze, and she was wearing shorts as she dug her bare toes in the sand while considering having a fling with a man who made her heart flutter. It was wonderful. She jogged up the stairs and went in Grayson’s house.

He came in a minute later. “Back in a sec.”

She blinked as the man starring in her brand-new fantasies walked past without stopping, still wearing nothing but board shorts. If he was going to put on a shirt, she wished he wouldn’t. She’d really like some more chest-looking time. Although, she’d probably embarrass herself by drooling, or God forbid, actually licking him, so a shirt was probably a good idea.

When he returned, he was dressed in soft, well-worn jeans and a dark blue T-shirt not tucked in. He was barefoot, and why was that just downright sexy? Jeez, was she so sex-starved that she was now adding a man’s feet to her fantasies?

“You okay?” he said.

“Huh?” Heat burned her cheeks as she dragged her gazefrom his feet to his face. “I mean, sorry? What did you say?”

Amusement along with an awareness of where her mind was filled his eyes. He leaned a hip against the island, his gaze never leaving hers. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but is there a reason for this surprise visit?” When she hesitated, he said, “I mean it, Harlow, you’re welcome here anytime, but is everything okay? Has something happened?”

“No. I just got antsy this morning and had to get out of my apartment, and a walk on the beach sounded like a good idea. I didn’t mean to come to your house.” She shrugged as she gave him a smile.

He smiled back. “Well, it’s a nice surprise. As far as I could tell, you weren’t followed.”

“Oh, good. I wasn’t thinking when I came here, but that won’t happen again.”

“I hope you mean that you’ll think next time, not that you’ll never come here again. I like having you here.”

Oh, silly heart, stop that fluttering thing you’re doing.“I have to ask. How in the world did you get ahead of me on the beach?”

“I swam.”

“No way.”

“Way.” He smirked. “You forget I was a SEAL. Swimming’s kind of our thing. One of our many things.”

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