Page 29 of Beneath the Dawn

“I agree.” Dante figured the portable corrals had been installed because a good number of people rode horses on this stretch of beach. He brought his mount to a stop beside her. When he heard a loud screeching sound above, he glanced up and recognized Edgar. The seagull hadn’t been a nuisance since that first day, and he had a feeling Marti had developed a soft spot toward the creature. He knew she was feeding the bird—a bribe to keep Edgar away during the times when she wanted to enjoyed the beach alone.

She would leave a sprig of grapes on her back porch every morning for the seagull. Edgar would swoop low, grab the grapes, and then keep moving. Following Marti’s lead, Dante had begun leaving a bowl of blueberries outside of his screened patio every evening. Edgar had probably never eaten so well.

Dismounting, Dante secured his horse before walking over to help her down off hers. He extended his hand to her, and the moment she accepted it, he felt an electrical charge through his body. By her sharp gasp, obviously, she had felt it, too. The moment her feet touched the earth, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

When he finally broke the kiss, she automatically cuddled closer into his embrace. He loved the way she felt in his arms. “I needed that,” he whispered close to her ear.

“I needed it more, Dante Avera,” she whispered back.

He stroked her hair. When he had returned from swimming this morning, he’d discovered she had undone her braids, and her hair now hung in silky waves around her shoulders. As they’d raced the horses, her hair had blown freely in the wind. It had looked like something out of a movie.

He inhaled deeply, trying to clear his head. What in the world was happening to him? Why was he allowing Marti to tip his world upside down? The only thing he could hold onto was that she would be leaving in a month’s time, and his world would return to normal.

He couldn’t believe how much he was counting on that.

CHAPTER 11

Over the next two weeks, Dante and Marti spent the majority of their time together. After his morning swim, they would get together for coffee, either at his home or hers. In addition to spending time on the beach, they enjoyed activities such as biking, hiking, and walking along the seashore. He even rented a boat and then took her out to teach her to fish.

They went horseback riding on the beach a few more times, and he had taken her into town to catch a movie at the Wild Rose Point Theater. The Salty Dog Diner had become their favorite lunch spot if they were out, and they rotated cooking duties when they stayed home.

Their nights belonged to them, and not one night passed that they didn’t share a bed. He told Marti about buying the third house in Lasco Cove, and she agreed it was a wise investment. And it meant they didn’t have to worry about anyone intruding on their privacy. Then she had teasingly told him not to get any ideas about making an offer for her place. Because she had no intention of selling—especially after this month. She loved Wild Rose Point and had every intention of returning next summer. So he’d better be ready for her.

As Marti stood by the window in Dante’s bedroom, watching him as he swam in the ocean waters, she realized she would have no problem restarting an affair with him next year if he returned here. And she had a feeling that if she told him she’d be here, he’d find a way to be here, too. She knew she wasn’t alone in enjoying every moment of their affair.

Never had she met a man who was so loving and giving in the bedroom. His lovemaking skills surpassed those of anyone she’d been with before him. And he was very good with his hands. Even now, all she had to do was close her eyes, and she could almost feel them on her skin.

She’d never been with anyone like him. And even though this was a short-term affair, she knew she’d never forget how incredible it felt to have him inside of her, his shaft pounding endlessly into her, while her inner muscles clenched him for dear life, as if trying to extract everything from him. He would make the sound of a deep growl right before he came--though that never happened until he made sure she was pleasured first. He was the most unselfish lover she’d ever known, and she would definitely miss him when she left in two weeks.

Two weeks…

She felt sad at the thought of leaving but knew all good things eventually had to come to an end. Her time with Dante would be one of them. But then she would remember their agreement--No regrets ─ and knew that was the only way for them. The words love or forever were not in their playbook. That ship had pretty much sailed, and another one wouldn’t be coming to shore.

She turned away from the window when she heard her phone ring. Crossing Dante’s bedroom, she picked it up off the nightstand as soon as she recognized the ringtone. It was Kara. Her sister called her at least once a week at different times, and her first question after saying hello was always the same--Have you met anyone yet? And Marti’s response would always be a resounding, “No.”

Hmm, her response this morning would be different. She intended to twist the truth a little. “Hello, Kara. How are you, Virgil and the girls?”

“We’re all fine. I went to the doctor yesterday. He told Virgil and me that our son is doing well. He’s going to be a big baby. You can’t believe how fat I’ve become--like a blimp. I look like I’m having twins again.”

She knew her sister was exaggerating. Kara had looked gorgeous while pregnant. “And the folks?”

“They are doing fine, too. I understand they broke their rule of not bothering you and called anyway.”

“They did, but that was okay. I’m surprised they held off so long.”

Her parents were the best, and although they meant well, they could be a little overprotective. It had been a huge switch in their relationship. In the past, they’d aimed their overprotectiveness at Kara, who’d been the youngest. But now, it was Marti who was the recipient of all their parental concern.

Marti knew their current parental attitude stemmed from the fact that she’d had to seek medical care for stress and anxiety attacks during the time of the rift between her and Kara. Although that was all in the past and she and her sister had mended things, her parents sometimes acted as if they thought she might break, since she didn’t have what they considered ‘a real life’, complete with a husband and kids.

“Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, are you still enjoying your time in London? Have you met anyone yet?”

“Yes.”

The phone went silent for a moment. Then Kara asked in what sounded like a cautious voice, “Yes, to my question of you enjoying your time in London, or yes, to you meeting someone?”

“Yes, to both, actually.”

“Hallelujah! Tell me about him,” Kara said, her voice switching from cautious to excited.