For several moments neither of them spoke.
Their arms brushed occasionally as they walked, and every accidental touch sparked awareness instantly.
Eventually Blaze glanced down at her. “You nervous?”
Johanna looked up carefully. “About what?”
“Me.”
The confidence in that answer should’ve irritated her.
Instead, warmth bloomed low in her stomach again.
“A little,” she admitted honestly.
Blaze nodded slowly like honesty mattered to him.
“Good.”
Johanna blinked. “Good?”
His eyes lowered briefly to her mouth. “Means I’m not the only one struggling tonight.”
Heat swept through her instantly because Lord, she felt him too.
Everywhere.
He tossed the beer can in the trash bin, then took her hand and intertwined their fingers.
The ocean breeze lifted the hem of her coat while Blaze reached out automatically, steadying her through uneven sand with one hand brushing lightly against her waist.
The touch lingered slightly too long.
Johanna inhaled sharply.
Blaze’s gaze darkened immediately.
That awareness flashed between them again, heavier now than before.
Hungry.
Dinner had carried emotional intimacy, but this felt physical. Like attraction finally stopped pretending to behave itself.
Blaze stepped closer slowly until warmth from his body surrounded her against the cool ocean air.
“I know what your problem is,” he murmured.
Johanna’s voice softened despite herself. “You really enjoy diagnosing me.”
A grin tugged briefly at his mouth before fading again. “No,” he said quietly. “Your problem is you think fighting this protects you.”
“Who says I’m fighting anything?” she said, although somewhere deep down… she knew he was right.
Blaze lifted one hand slowly and brushed his thumb along her jaw.
Johanna’s eyes fluttered briefly closed. The tenderness nearly undid her.
“Braxton…”
