“Tradition?”
“The mistletoe.”
“What?” She frowned, glanced up. And blinked. “Oh. Where did that come from?”
Her confusion was downright adorable. And he absolutely owed the server he’d bribed to hang the mistletoe a second tip. “Doesn’t matter,” he murmured, brushing a quick kiss to her forehead before stepping back. “It got me a kiss.”
He headed down the deserted beach with a spring in his step and a quiet, impossible hope warming his chest.
11
It was early, the first pale strokes of light bleeding over the mountain range far behind them. The bay shimmered, millions of tiny diamonds scattered across the surface, the water’s gentle lap a mere murmur. The call of a lone seagull and the distant shouts of fishermen trading instructions were the only sounds drifting along the quiet arc of the shore.
She’d missed him yesterday. With a fierceness and depth that unsettled her. She kept catching herself searching for him — for just a glimpse, a reassurance he was still here — but he stayed away. Even the tucked-away table remained empty during breakfast service.
And all through the festivities she felt … not quite empty. Not exactly. More likeincomplete.
As if he should’ve been beside her, sharing her world.
As if he somehow belonged in it.
But that was impossible. Wasn’t it?
Despite his words a few nights ago, she wasn’t worth him giving up the life he had. And God knew, she never wanted to step into his.
She drew in a slow breath, lifting her gaze toward the shoreline.
And there he was.
Already waiting for her, a solitary silhouette on the sand beside a sleek kayak. He filled the black wetsuit like … well, like JK Kenzie. It was impossible not to think of all the times she’d watched him appear on-screen, Navy SEAL, walking from the ocean … only this time, he was walking towardher.
They met halfway. “Good morning, my sweet Suze,” he murmured, brushing a barely-there kiss on her lips, the faintest hint of mint on his breath. Before she could gather her thoughts enough to greet him, he added, “Let me take this from you.” He caught the kayak with practiced ease.
“Thank you,” she mumbled.
“My pleasure.” His gaze lingered on her in a way that warmed her skin. “You always look ravishing … but in a wetsuit?” A slow smile curved his mouth. “You steal my breath.”
Her heart stuttered. Dratted man. “Ready for the challenge?” she asked, trying for lightness while her pulse betrayed her.
He lowered the kayak in the damp sand beside his and his smile shifted into a wicked grin. “I’m already in the greatest challenge of my life,” he said. “But yes, I’m absolutely up for testing your prowess on the water.”
For the gazillionth time, she questioned the wisdom of suggesting this … outing. He was far too charming, far too smooth with his words. And the way he said them, so soft and sure, almost made her believe he meant every one.
Cold water washed over her feet, jolting her back to herself. Time to get out on the open water and work off the restless energy buzzing beneath her skin. Better to row it out than do something truly foolish … like launch herself and kiss that charm right off his face. She lifted her sunglasses in place, pulled herlife jacket closed, securing the clasps, and tugged the spray skirt straight.
“Day’s wasting, mister movie star,” she called out, moving the vessel into ankle-deep water.
She steadied the kayak with one hand, stowed the small waterproof backpack with the other, lowered herself into the seat in one smooth motion, and stretched the skirt across the cockpit rim. Paddle in hand, she dipped the first blade and pushed off, the gentle pull of the water welcoming her as she glided away from shore.
His laughter followed her, warm and unhurried.
It didn’t take long for him to pull alongside. “Where are we headed, by the way?”
She was relieved to see he’d donned a life jacket and secured a spray skirt. At least she wouldn’t have to help him bail water out of his kayak. “Cape Columbine. About seventy minutes of steady rowing in these conditions.”
The hum of an engine caught her attention. She glanced back. A small RIB trailed them, cutting a neat wake. His security detail. “I see we have company today.” They were usually excellent at blending into the background, but out on open water there was nowhere for them to disappear.
He offered an apologetic shrug. “They insisted. It wouldn’t do for JK Kenzie to drown on their watch.”
