Page 25 of Embraced at Seaside
“So, you did this because you want to hear me say that I want you.” She shook her head. “You’re unbelievable. I should be in bed, sleeping.”
He was about to take a bite of his muffin, and he stopped, mouth open, hand in midair. “Seriously?”
Her life was chaotic enough without confusing what was going on between them as something more. She still wasn’t sure exactly what all of this was supposed to mean, and she was afraid to put herself out there on this new level with Hunter. What if she gave in and told him the truth—that she wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone or anything in her life—but this was all a game to him? She hedged her bets and went with a middle-of-the-road response.
“You could work on your delivery.”
He shook his head, then took a bite of his muffin. His brows knitted, and he nodded as he chewed. “My delivery.”
“Yeah. You basically burst into my house and dragged me out here. A woman likes a man with finesse.”
He cocked his head. “How would you know? You’re not exactly a relationship expert.”
“I’ve had boyfriends before. Besides, a woman knows these things.”
She turned away, watching a seabird land by the water’s edge and peck at something in the sand. Hunter took her drink and plate and set them aside. He wasted no time in straddling her waist and taking her down to her back, arms pinned beneath his hands.Thisshe understood.Thiswas Hunter.
“Hunter.” She laughed.
“Finesse, huh?” With a wicked glint in his eyes, he lowered his mouth to her neck and nipped at the sensitive skin just above her collarbone. “Tell me about thisfinesse.” He dragged his tongue along her neck, then sucked her skin into his mouth, making her entire body catch fire. “First you want romance. Now you want finesse?”
“Hunter.” His name came out like a purr.
He sealed his lips over hers in a punishingly intense kiss, then abruptly pulled away, gazing intently into her eyes. “I’m not good at finesse.” He lowered his mouth to hers, brushing over her lips, a whisper of a touch, and spoke just above a whisper. “But I’m trying to get romance right.”
He was quiet for a long moment. Jana could barely process the emotions in his eyes. He wasn’t just looking at her like he wanted her. He was looking at her like he wantedonlyher. Her mind reeled as he eased off of her and sat back down, like he hadn’t just sent her world spinning.
They ate in silence, and when they were done, Hunter put away their plates and cups, then scooted closer to Jana. She had never been more aware of their nearness than she was right then. Their legs barely touched from hip to ankle, but it was enough to send goose bumps up her arms. Hunter leaned back on his palms, reaching one arm behind her, so she was tucked in the recess of his shoulder but hardly touching him.
They watched the sunrise with little more than a few words said about passing birds or the colors in the sky. But even the air felt different around them now. Hunter was clearly making an effort, but she wasn’t sure he even knew why he was doing it or what it really meant. She liked this, though, sitting close, content without tearing each other’s clothes off. When she felt his fingers gently cover hers, she smiled.Finesse.
The sun lifted into the sky, its reflection dancing off the water like diamonds. The perfect backdrop to a strange and wonderful morning. She closed her eyes and lifted her face toward the warmth of the sun.
She felt Hunter brush her hair from her shoulder.
“The morning sun looks good on you.”
She opened her eyes at the tenderness in his voice and the sweetness of his words and met his gaze. The tense lines around his mouth had softened. Gone were the clenched jaw and the in-control stare, and all that was left was his beautiful face. She was pretty sure he would bark at her for calling him beautiful, but when he wasn’t making her crazy, she noticed things like the dimple beneath his left eye, his angular nose, and the way his dark brows arched slightly in the middle. When those brows came together and his gaze turned sinful, he could slay her steely resolve in a single hot second. Now the soft look in his eyes, coupled with the gentle sounds of the bay and the efforts he’d taken to be romantic, slayed her heart instead of her libido.
“What time do you have to be at work?” he asked.
“Work?”Ohmygosh!She jumped to her feet and began gathering the cooler and tugging at the blanket. “We have to go.”
Hunter jumped up, took the cooler from her hands, and followed her as she hurried back over the dune toward the truck. “Why? Do you teach this early?”
“No. I have to meet Bella and the girls.” She picked up their shoes and held them against her chest as she ran across the parking lot. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cut our time short.” She reallywassorry. She wanted to know what might happen next between them, like if she were reading a book, maybe the couple would have shared a tender kiss or said something sweet.
“For what?” He unlocked the door and she climbed in.
She waited for him to settle into the driver’s seat and start the truck before answering. “To talk to Theresa about using the rec center for my new dance studio. Hurry, please.”
How could she have forgotten to watch the time? Bella had texted her last night to say that Theresa was going back to Boston at nine o’clock for the day. She needed to hurry.
“What new dance studio?” Luckily, the roads weren’t busy that early in the morning.
“I’m thinking about quitting Marco’s and opening my own studio.”
He didn’t say anything more until they were driving down her street and he’d pulled into the driveway. She jumped out as soon as the truck stopped.
