Sexual tension stretched between them. Damned if her cheeks weren’t heated because she was now thinking about all the things he did masterfully.
Like in the bedroom.
“I underestimated your sense of humor,” she muttered, not ready to cross any line. She didn’t know what they were doing. Why was she having feelings alone on a beach with Everett Hale?
She was acting like a teen girl nervous for a first kiss. So cringe.
Their pinkies brushed. “I planned to talk to you tonight.”
“About?” she asked.
“Boundaries. About not getting too close to Kelsey. About how temporary this whole thing is.”
The words hurt but Rowan refused to show it. Instead, she nodded. “Makes sense. You don’t want her to get too close so she’s not too upset when summer ends.”
“Exactly.”
“Another situation you’d like to control.”
He huffed out a breath. She caught the scent of whiskey and clove on the wind. She wondered if his jaw had a five-o’clock shadow or if his razor bent to his will and refused to create stubble. “I like control to gain better odds. But I’ve dealt with some real shit, too, Rowan. I’m not trapped in a corporate ivory tower like you assume.”
She nodded, properly schooled. “You’re right. I apologize.”
Everett stopped walking and muttered a curse. “You were supposed to storm off or call me an asshole. Don’t make this harder.”
She tilted her head, confused. “I have no problem calling you an asshole when you act like one. But you also don’t deserve to be judged because you have money and wear designer clothes. You told me a little bit about your dad, who sounded harsh. You told me about Kelsey’s mother, who left you and Kelsey behind. We all go through bad stuff, and how we deal with it makes us who we are.”
His gaze locked on hers. Heat licked through her veins. Her muscles softened and she swayed slightly toward him. The air sparked with awareness until Rowan could hear every rough breath, every ramped-up heartbeat, as they faced each other on the sand.
“I was wrong.” She waited, sensing his next words might change everything. “My daughter hasn’t been this happy in so long. It’s like alight clicked on inside of her and I don’t want it to turn off.” He took a step closer. His broad shoulders filled her vision and then he lowered his head, inch by inch, giving her plenty of time to move away.
She didn’t.
“I won’t tell you to stop being the reason her light is on.”
Something trembled loose inside her. “Everett ...”
His hands cupped her cheeks. His warm breath rushed over her lips and suddenly she was surrounded by his touch and scent. The grip of his gaze never wavered. His thumbs stroked the line of her jaw. It was like being overtaken with slow, deliberate actions; a heady combination of that razor-sharp control and sensual focus, making her feel like the center of his world.
“I’ve been waiting to hear my name, Rowan,” he whispered. “And it sounds as good as I imagined.”
Then his mouth closed over hers.
Did she whimper? Rowan had no idea. All she knew was the soft, firm heat of his mouth over hers, kissing her like she’d never been kissed before.
She expected structure, calculated movements, and expertise.
She got shocking warmth, intensity, and a raw hunger that shook her to the core. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, asking for entry, and this time, Rowan couldn’t help the greedy noise that escaped her throat.
He took advantage and slid his tongue inside, lazily exploring every inch of her mouth without apology. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she moved closer. Her breasts pressed against the hard wall of his chest, where warmth burned through the fabric of his shirt. His hands moved from her face to thrust in her tangled hair to tilt her head and dive more deeply into the kiss.
Time stopped. The crash of waves and wind continued. The stars gleamed and the moon cast beams of light onto the water.
It all fell away when Everett Hale kissed her.
When he slowly lifted his head, she almost swayed on her feet. Those dark eyes speared deep. Her body ached for more, her core throbbing and empty, head dizzy.
“Wow.”
