“Not me.”
“Especially you,” she said softly. “You’re one wave away from it, Suit.”
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. His hand came up—not touching her, but close enough she felt the heat of his skin near her arm. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what? Tell you the truth? You’re wound so tight I’m surprised you can breathe.”
“And you’re so loose you’re barely tethered to the ground.”
“At least I can still feel things.”
“Oh, I’m feeling plenty.” His voice dropped, rough at the edges.
Her breath caught. Anger swirled, but underneath was something worse. Want. The kind that didn’t care about logic or compatibility or the fact this man represented everything she hated.
For a stunning brief moment, Rowan felt it from him, too. The way his gaze dipped to her mouth. The tension in his shoulders like he was fighting the urge to reach for her. She couldn’t help pushing back in challenge. “You don’t even like me,” she said.
“No,” he agreed. “I don’t.”
“I think you’re everything wrong with the world. Greed. Ambition. Caring more about bottom lines than people or community.”
“And I think you’re wasting your life playing in the sand.”
The words should have hurt. Instead, they sparked something feral in her chest. She tilted her head. “Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
Recklessness spurred her on, though Rowan was sure she’d regret it. “Like you want to kiss me just to shut me up.”
His breath hitched. For a moment—one reckless, impossible moment—she thought he might actually do it. His hand lifted anotherinch. His gaze dropped to her mouth again, lingering. Was that a growl from his throat or her imagination?
They were locked in a battle stare worthy of Bagel, but she refused to surrender.
Kelsey’s voice rang from the back. “Coming! Sorry, Dad.”
Everett stepped back like he’d been shocked. He dragged a hand through his hair.
Rowan turned away, pulse hammering, and made herself busy with the leash again.
Kelsey burst through the door, hair wet, wearing a dry pair of shorts and a T-shirt. “Ready! Sorry, let’s go, Dad. See you tomorrow, Rowan!”
She said goodbye and nodded at Everett.
When they finally left, Rowan slumped behind the counter with a groan. What the hell had just happened? Was it a weird hate thing that caused that sexual tension? Or was she finally, officially, losing her damn mind?
There was only one thing left to do. Push the entire episode from her mind and go sand some boards.
Hopefully he wouldn’t show up tomorrow and she could forget the whole thing.
Chapter Nine
Everett walked Kelsey to the car on autopilot. The late sun was brutal, turning the sand gold and the air thick, and he could still feel Rowan’s breath on his mouth like a phantom.
“You okay, Dad?” Kelsey asked, juggling her board bag and towel. “You’re doing that thing with your jaw.”
“What thing?” he said sharply.
“The clenchy thing.” She grinned, completely unbothered. “You look like you’re trying not to yell at someone in your head.”
