“I like to read. Spend time with Joe. Claire and I like to hike. I fly back to Hoonah when I can, too, and spend time with my parents on their homestead. They always put me to work, so a lot of my free time is spent repairing chicken coops and fences to make sure the animals don’t get out.”
“Are you an only child?”
She nodded. “Not for lack of trying. My parents just struggled with infertility. They had me in their early twenties but then were never able to have more kids.”
Our server returned with our drinks, then disappeared again when we asked for a few more minutes. Neither of us had even cracked open the menu.
Dinner passed quickly as the conversation flowed easily between us. Once we finished our meal, we got back in the truck and headed further south along the main road. After several minutes, I steered into a pull-off and we got out, heading down to the beach.
“Is this something you do regularly? Look for sea glass?” Mina asked as I helped her over some driftwood.
I didn’t let go of her hand once she was on the other side of the log. It felt too good nestled in mine. “I used to. My mom likes to make windchimes and other art out of it. When I was young, she’d take my sister and me to the beach a few times a month in the summer, and we’d spend several hours combing the shoreline for sea glass and bits of driftwood.”
“Really? Does she still make things out of all that?”
“Yes. I have some of her art at my house. I’ll have to show it to you.” I also made a mental note to ask Mom to make a piece for Mina, using anything I found today. Judging by the excitement on Mina’s face, she’d love it.
“So, where do I find the best stuff?” Mina glanced at me, then focused on the sand.
“It really depends on where you are. Some beaches get picked faster than others. Around here, we’ll probably be more likely to find things close to the waterline, where they’ve just washed in, or where the waves have recently uncovered them from the sand.”
Mina kicked off her shoes, then shook off my hold to peel off her socks, stuffing them down into the toes of her shoes. “Lead the way.”
I chuckled, but didn’t argue, taking off my own socks and shoes.
We left our footwear on top of a weathered log and headed for the wet sand.
Waves crashed, the cool water lapping over our feet. Time passed as we combed the sand, looking for treasures. It wasn’t until the light waned as the sun dipped low in the sky that I realized how late it was. Spending time with her was easy. Effortless.
Pockets heavy with sea glass, a few shells, and some pieces of driftwood, I led her back to our shoes. With our feet still sandy, we elected to walk back to the truck barefoot. Once there, we perched on the tailgate and brushed off our feet before donning our footwear.
Reluctantly, I pointed the truck toward Parker’s Landing and her house. I didn’t want our evening to end, but I knew it must. We both needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow was Sunday, but we both had to work.
Night was well on its way when I pulled into her driveway half an hour later.
“I had a lovely time tonight. Thank you.” Mina put a hand on her door handle as she looked at me.
I put the truck in park, but left it running. “You’re welcome. I had a nice time too.” I tipped my chin toward her front porch. “Come on. I’ll walk you up.” I opened my door.
She met me around front. I ghosted a hand over her shoulder and along her spine as we walked toward the house. I wanted to touch her in so many other ways, but I didn’t dare. We needed to slow down the heat building between us and do this right. I didn’t want our relationship to be just about sex.
On the porch, she turned to look up at me. “Thank you again for a wonderful evening.” A banked fire blazed in the depths of her blue eyes, warming my insides.
I bit back a groan. All I wanted was to sink into the pillowy softness of her body.
I’d have to settle for her lips.
Grasping her chin with my thumb and forefinger, I tilted her face up, then leaned down. “I’m glad we could find the time. I promise to do better about that. Finding time for you, I mean. I want this to work.”
That fire in her eyes grew, no longer banked. “Me too.”
Unable to resist her any longer, I closed the distance between us and kissed her. Long and deep, hopefully showing her I meant what I said.
Her hands came up to rest on my chest, curling into my shirt. When she moaned and pressed her body to mine, I gentled the kiss and lifted my head.
“Do you want to come in?” Her voice, low and sultry, threatened to destroy any willpower I had left.
Somehow, I held on and shook my head. “Not tonight. I want to do this right. Court you a little first before we take that step again.”
