She drew in a deep, shuddery breath. “Let’s do it.”
He signaled to the waitress. “The bill please.”
Chapter 8
If Jade was surprised by Nate’s uneventful teenage years, he was shocked by how much she’d gotten him to reveal about his childhood. His grandmother and Toby were the only ones who knew what growing up with his parents was like. Not even his band members knew the full story.
He hadn’t talked about his past in years. It only brought up harsh memories. But earlier when he did, there wasn’t the stabbing pain in his chest that happened whenever he talked about his parents. What was it about Jade that made him feel comfortable enough to open up?
He’d have to wonder about that another time. Because he had better things to think about now, like Jade’s skinny-dipping bomb. He’d be an idiot to refuse.
Moving at groundbreaking speed, he’d paid the bill and had them standing outside on the footpath. He hoped she wouldn’t change her mind, and it killed him to ask, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She nibbled on her plump bottom lip, a lip he desperately wanted to taste, and anticipation drummed through his body.
She straightened her shoulders. “Someone has to help you live out your teenage years. Come on,” she said, linking her fingers through his. “I know just the place.”
* * * *
After crossing the road, they strolled along a strip of Brimland Point where small boutiques and cafés lined the street. The smell of the ocean nearby wafted through the sultry night air as they continued to walk in silence.
Nate hadn’t let go of Jade’s hand; it was smaller than his callused one, and heat surged through her from the innocent touch. But what wasn’t so innocent was the fact she was going skinny-dipping with a man she barely knew. And it didn’t make her want to run and hide. It only turned up the heat to the next level.
When they reached the beach, the fresh ocean breeze did nothing to relieve her feverish skin. She removed her heels and curled her toes in the cool sand and waited for Nate to take off his shoes.
“We need to walk past those beach houses and rock pools. There’s a section that’s partially secluded.” Her voice shook. Why was she so nervous? She’d done this a bunch of times as a teenager. Well, maybe not a bunch, but once or twice. And never with boys. Oh shit.
They trudged along the soft sand, and all too soon, they reached the section of the beach surrounded by boulders. Jade’s stomach churned, and she flicked a nervous glance over her shoulder at the houses in the distance. Hopefully, they were far enough away not to be seen. Thankfully, the pale light thrown from the full moon kept them in relative darkness.
Nate sat on the sand and Jade followed. Taking a deep breath of the briny air, she tried to calm her jittery nerves.
The ocean was more like a lake and only a ripple of tiny waves hit the shore.
“Do you think there are any sharks?” Nate asked.
Jade gave a startled laugh. “Oh God, I hope not.”
“I’ve watched Jaws, I know what happens when the beautiful woman convinces the sexy guy to go skinny-dipping—”
“You’re calling yourself sexy?” She made a scoffing sound.
Oh yes, he was the sexiest man she’d ever seen, but she’d keep that to herself. She didn’t want him to get an inflated ego. And he’d called her beautiful. Her heart pounded.
“Don’t worry, little girl, I’m here to protect you,” Jade teased.
He laughed and stood up. The moon cast enough light for Jade to see him unbuttoning his shirt. Once off, it floated to the ground. He had wide shoulders, narrow hips, and hard abs. Tattooed over his left pec was an intricate design of musical notes, roses, and a guitar. It was beautiful—he was beautiful. Her breath quickened.
Next, Nate unbuttoned the fly of his jeans, pushed them down slowly, and stepped out of them, tossing them on top of his rumpled shirt. Was she going swimming or watching the strip show Thunder from Down Under? Where was her wallet so she could put a twenty in his underwear? That thought made her focus on the tight, thin, black fabric hugging him and the impressive bulge straining behind it. He deserved more than a twenty.
Jade wanted to burn this erotic display in her memory because she doubted she’d ever witness anything so spectacular again.
His chuckle rumbled into the night air, and she lifted her gaze and stared into his hooded eyes. “Like what you see?”
“You’re all right. You might need a few more workouts at the gym though.”
He threw his head back and laughed. Obviously not taking offense at her criticism, he stood unselfconsciously with hands on hips, gazing at her with a sexy gleam in his eyes. “It’s your turn.”
“My turn?” Yes, stupid. Who else is on the beach?
