Six months later
“Happy New Year, Gidge,” Reid said, before his mouth met mine in a kiss that harbored so much love and hope for the future.
“Mmm, Happy New Year, handsome,” I replied, holding him close.
We stood out on the back deck, wrapped in a blanket, bracing the cold chill of winter to watch the fireworks.
Reid had been offered a job with the FBI not long after we returned home and his new position landed us here in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, a small town about an hour away from Sunset Bay where Ryder and his family lived. When he told us about the little beach town with its beautiful coast and quaint boardwalk, I never imagined it would be as breathtaking as this. The moment we arrived, Reid and I shared a look, and we both knew without saying it out loud that we’d found our home.
Reid and Jameson had grown rather close since they started working together. We’ve even had him and his lovely wife, Emily, and their precious daughter, Rosa, over for dinner once. When they were here, Emily invited me out to lunch and shopping with her and a few of her friends. I haven’t taken her up on the offer yet because I’ve been so busy, but I’m thinking I may. I really enjoyed chatting with her.
But I miss my best friend terribly.
Max has been different since Mexico. Quiet. Which is not like her. I could sense there was tension between her and my brother, because every time I brought him up she would quickly change the subject. And good luck getting anything out of my brother, who had become an expert at evading my questions when it came to Max.
He visits at least once a month, but it’s an overnight stay then he’s gone the next morning, on to his next mission. I worry about him a lot but he loves his job, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
I continued to work from home, editing, but there was something else I’ve been wanting to do. Something I was deeply passionate about. I’d wanted to talk to Reid about it for weeks, but I’d been too nervous.
I ran my hands up and down his arms, loving the way they fit around me. Held me. Reassured me that no matter what he had my back.
So why was I so nervous about telling him?
“What’s on your mind, babe?”
I snuggled in closer to him, pressing the side of my head to his chest. “What makes you think there’s something on my mind?”
He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Because I know you. Talk to me. What is it?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking.”
“Clearly.” He smirked.
Swallowing hard, I summoned my courage. “I want to open a surf shop. Sell custom boards and other surf stuff. I also want to offer free lessons to those who can’t afford them. I’ll still edit as a source of income until I get it off the ground, but I really want to do this. Surfing makes me happy and it gives me peace. I want to spread that peace around.” I watched him carefully, looking for any indication that he liked the idea, but he remained quiet. “Well, what do you think? Am I crazy? Reid, talk to me!”
“Yeah, you’re crazy. Actually, you’re fucking certifiable.”
My heart sunk, disappointment crushing me. He’s right. It’s a ridiculous idea. I’m about to tell him that but stop when a smirk lifts the edge of his lips.
“But it’s what I love most about you.”
My heart swelled, hope igniting inside of me. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I asked. “Do you think I should go for it?”
His smile only grew. “Yeah, baby, I think you should go for it. It will be the best fucking surf shop to hit this state.”
Laughing, I launched myself at him, excitement exploding through me.
Without another word, Reid wrapped his hand around mine and led me back into the house. Once he shut the sliding glass door, he pushed the blanket to the floor then spun me around and pressed me against the cold glass. His hands held my face in place while he devoured my mouth, each swipe of his tongue further confirmation that I was his forever.
“I want you. So fucking bad. I need to be inside of you.”
Looking down, I saw just how bad he wanted me and a thrill raced down my spine. I slipped from between his hard body and the glass door, walking backward and farther into the living room.
His mouth twisted into a scowl, and I grinned.
He loved this game.
“Where do think you’re going?” he asked.
