Page 19 of By The Book
“You’re off to the beach. Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day.”
It would’ve been if he wasn’t so focused on the fact her eyes were puffy, she sounded congested from her tears, and he could tell by the tone of her voice that she was more than a little upset. “Why don’t you come with me?”
“What?”
“Just for a little while.”
“Oh, I shouldn’t. I need to do some things and—”
“Come on. It’s Saturday and, if I’m not mistaken, the first day of your vacation?”
“It…is.”
“Well, first days of vacation should be spent doing something fun. Let’s go hit the sand, breathe in the salt air, and forget our troubles for an hour or two. What do you say?”
Chapter 9
Claire hadn’t intended to say yes, but somehow she’d found herself back in the house, changing into a swimsuit, and glaring at Tommy’s door as she’d walked by.
She hadn’t bothered knocking when she’d opened the door, but she’d noted he was back in bed, his head on the pillow as though he hadn’t a care in the world.
She supposed she ought to be thankful he’d returned so soon after running out of the house like that, but she felt it had more to do with his state of undress than the fact he’d wanted to revisit their situation and discuss what he’d done.
She’d been in her room when she’d heard his familiar stride in the hall and winced when his door had closed just shy of a slam.
Knowing Tommy couldn’t have taken the system far, she’d gone out to take a look at possible hiding places when Denz had spotted her.
A grackle squawked overhead, drawing her out of her dazed state to the beach in front of her now.
“Claire? You sure you’re okay?” Denz asked.
Claire turned her head and tried not to notice how good Denz looked in his swim trunks. The man’s shoulder was still scarred and bruised, but he had a good tan and plenty of muscles, and even staring at her from behind his dark aviators, he looked, well,good. “Just a lot on my mind.”
“I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”
Oh, she was sure he’d been told a lot of things. But how could she share what had happened with Tommy when her brain had yet to process it? Who was that angry, bitter boy who’d made her gasp and cry with pain? “Tommy and I had a fight.”
“I gathered as much. Anything I can do to help?”
She and Denz had sat there in silence for the last thirty minutes or so, staring at the ocean while breathing in the salt air. Now she grabbed her sunscreen and debated on whether or not to ask her next question. “No. Um, I need to turn. Would you…mind?” she asked, holding up the spray. “Just my back.”
“No problem.”
She watched as he shoved himself up out of the beach chair and took the two steps toward hers. He extended a hand, and she automatically accepted it, only to regret it when she saw his head tilt and his mouth firm.
Claire quickly shoved the spray at him and pulled her hand away, forcing him to hurry to catch it.
She turned and gave him her back, pulling her braided hair over her shoulder to give him full access.
Her modest suit would definitely be considered a “mom” suit in that it was a one-piece with full coverage, but both sides of the black suit were split, with thin, black straps crisscrossing both sides from breast to hip. She’d liked the little detail when she’d purchased it because it gave the otherwise plain suit some interest, but now even that felt like too much when she was so aware of Denz’s gaze.
The spray was cold as he moved it over her back, but it was the shock of his large hand rubbing the sunscreen in that rocked her. She hadn’t expected that, and even though he only touched her upper shoulders and neck, she found herself sucking in air to combat the alluring desire to lean back, just for a moment, and let someone else hold her upright.
What she wouldn’t give for someone to lean on right now. A partner. A friend. Someone to share the load she carried.
“That should do it,” he murmured, his voice low and husky near her ear. “Unless you want me to spray your legs.”
“N-no, I’ve got it. Thanks.”
