Page 43 of Fraud
I’D NEVER BEEN MORE INtune with the sound of someone’s footsteps in my entire life.
As Kate took each hesitant step toward me, I found myself growing more and more aware of the way the sand crushed beneath her feet and how her breaths seemed to falter as she grew near. Even over the roar of the ocean, I could pick out each and every noise she made, as if I’d been preprogrammed to her individual frequency.
I knew I was playing with fire. I’d been in danger of getting burned ever since I met this strange woman.
But I couldn’t seem to help myself.
Is she scared?
Nervous?
Turned on?
Every time I talked myself into following the rules I’d laid out, I would end up right back here.
Breaking them in spades.
Sure, I could reason with myself and say this was all part of the plan. After all, I had sought out to seduce the woman. But I knew that was just more bullshit I was telling myself.
I was stretching this whole thing out. Making every moment last for as long as possible, so I could enjoy it all.
Enjoy her and everything she had to offer.
And didn’t that make me the biggest asshole of them all?
Because I knew how this would end.
I knew.
And she definitely did not.
Finally, I heard the change in water as she approached. It moved differently as she walked toward me, as if it were welcoming her. Every molecule in my body wanted to turn around, to see her beautiful nakedness under the moonlight.
But I’d promised I wouldn’t, and considering everything I’d done so far in the name of professional growth, I owed her that much.
“This water is really fucking cold,” she said, announcing her arrival.
I laughed instantly. “I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard you curse before.”
She giggled with a slight shiver. “I curse,” she said adamantly before amending, “Mostly in my head, but I do curse.”
I felt her shoulder brush mine as cold salt water sloshed around us. Knowing the depth of the water was enough to completely cover her, I turned.
The tips of her hair were wet as the honey-blonde ends floated weightlessly around her. Without thinking, I reached out, letting several silky strands wrap around the pads of my fingers. It was an intimate thing to do, and I immediately recognized the gesture for what it was, letting my hand fall back to the water.
Awkward silence followed.
“So, this is skinny-dipping then?” she asked as we stood side by side while the waves tried to push past us.
“Yep,” I replied, feeling like a total loser.
I’d coaxed her out here on a dare, and she’d taken me up on it. Now, I was failing the job.
Why was I being such a pussy?
“I thought it would be more…”
“More what?” I asked.
