Page 34 of Summer Kisses

I let my head fall back. I wasn't going to survive this. Why had I thought it would be a good idea to invite Hazel to move in with me? I was the only one struggling with the proximity. Hazel was seemingly cool and unaffected.

Chapter Nine

HAZEL

Brady seemed irritated when he came into the bedroom. Was it adjusting to having someone sharing his space? In a few days, we'd get over the awkwardness. Then things would get back to normal. I wouldn't feel all tingly inside when I was sitting on his lap or content when I snuggled against his chest.

I sat at the edge of his small pool and let my feet dangle, wondering how nice it would be if this was my life.

Brady opened the slider, blocking Max from exiting. "You can't come with us this time, bud."

"You broke his heart," I said when I saw Max's dejected face on the other side of the door.

Brady smiled at me as he walked toward me. "I want you all to myself."

My heart skipped a beat as he held his hand out to me. I took it and let him assist me to standing. With his free hand he grabbed two chairs, and I slung my bag over my shoulder. I fully intended to enjoy the beach and forget about any worries.

Brady set the chairs on the beach, and I laid the towels on the sand. I sat down on one, stretching my legs in front of me, enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Brady stood in front of me.

I raised my hand to shield the sun from my face. "Why are you blocking the light?"

He cocked his head. "You're not going to sit on a towel all afternoon, are you?"

"What did you have in mind?" I asked, my heart taking flight. Everything with Brady was so fun but I wasn’t a huge fan of swimming in the ocean.

He flung a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the water. "Let's go for a swim."

I took long walks, hunted for shells, and read paperbacks, but I rarely went in the water.

He raised a brow. "I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Ugh. Fine." I stood, pulling the cover-up off my body and letting it drift to the towel.

His eyes sparked with something. Was it desire? Then he turned and took off for the surf, calling over his shoulder, "Last one in is a rotten egg!"

"What are you? A child?" I muttered as I kicked off my flip-flops and jogged after him.

He dove effortlessly into the swell of a wave. I took my time, moving more slowly in the water, adjusting to the temperature.

"Come on, slowpoke," Brady taunted as he ran his hands over his hair, then ducked himself under. As he stood to his full height, the water dropped from his skin, and it was difficult to draw a deep breath.

His body was sculpted with ridges and valleys and miles of tan skin. There was a smattering of chesnut-colored hair on his chest that made me want to touch it to see how soft it was.

I'd avoided looking at Brady directly, especially when he was shirtless. I knew I'd react this way, and I wanted to avoid the unassailable truth—I was attracted to my best friend, andthe desire wasn't going away. It was morphing into something bigger than I ever could have imagined.

"Get in here. You're all pink.”

I moved slowly through the water, reluctant to get too close to him but knowing I was flush with desire, not the heat from the sun.

When I was close, he reached out to snag my hand, tugging me closer to him as we rode the swell of a wave. "Isn't that better?"

It felt good to be in the cool water, but it was scary too. "I don't normally come out this far."

He held me more tightly to him as we rose with another swell. "Don't worry. I've got you."

His hand covered my lower back, sending tingles of desire through my body. I gripped his biceps, scared to let go. I could swim, but I wasn't very strong. Not a match for the riptides present in the ocean. I'd always preferred the relative safety of the beach. You couldn't get hurt if you stayed on the sidelines. Which seemed to be a good metaphor for life in general and especially my relationship with Brady.

---