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‘Not yet!’ shouted Caleb, as she braced her arms to stand.

She waited, gulping in lungfuls of salt-spray air. The roar of the water urged her to jump, but she waited for Caleb to give her the go-ahead.

‘Now!’ he shouted, and she leapt to her feet, wobbled and then corrected herself in the nick of time. She glanced back at Caleb, wondering why he wasn’t already ahead of her. He was kneeling on his board and holding hers steady with one hand. Then he let go and crashed out.

There were shouts of encouragement from the beach, and she braced with all her strength to ride the wave for as long as she could, even managing a shaky turn. Overwhelming joy and pride rushed through her as she sailed into the shallows and managed to jump down into the dying wave.

It had only been a few seconds, but it had been worth every heartbeat.

Grinning, she turned back to see Caleb wading towards her. He swept back his hair with one hand like the perfect hero. Grabbing her board, she splashed through the water, her heart still pounding with adrenaline and joy.

‘Thank you!’ she yelled, dropping her board so she could wrap both arms tightly around his waist, not caring about the tug of the leash, or the fact other people were watching.

‘It was all you,’ said Caleb, but she knew that was a lie. He’d helped her, and even though it had only been for a short time, she was eternally grateful to him for giving her that gift. She knew that no matter what, she’d always cherish her time with him. He might not be here with her for a long time, but it would definitely be a good time.

He brushed aside a few strands of wet hair from her face, turning them in his fingers as he did so, as if fascinated by the feel of them.

‘What’s next?’ she asked, her heart still hammering in her chest so loudly her voice felt like a whisper in comparison. Reaching up, she cupped his face, answering an unspoken question that had been building between them for weeks. ‘I want to know.’

This time, it was Caleb who made the first move, swooping down to meet her lips and crush her against him, as if he’d been waiting a lifetime for her to let him in.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kissing Hannah in the crashing surf was the most cinematic moment of Caleb’s life, and there wasn’t even a camera in sight. She’d come to him elated and glowing, full of life and possibilities – so unbearably cute that he’d been unable to think coherently. And then she’d touched him, reminding them both of his mantra.

What’s next? The motto of a man who always left everyone else behind.

And this beautiful woman had said yes to wanting more from him, even though she knew it wouldn’t last. He’d been elated at first, desperate to feel her mouth against his, to seal the deal between them and ensure she never regretted her decision.

The kiss was everything he’d imagined and more. Fireworks of desire and longing exploded between them. A kiss that was so perfect, it eclipsed all others. Was it because no one had ever made him wait before? Why had he wanted to wait? Usually, he would have shrugged and moved on, scratched the itch with someone else who enjoyed his wild life, and not shed a tear when they said goodbye.

Reluctantly he pulled away, his heart still pounding in his chest. ‘So, friends with benefits. You’re okay with that?’ he asked, his breath ragged as his fingernails dug into the hard foam of his board in anticipation.

Hannah nodded, her lips red from his mouth and sea salt. ‘Yes, I want…’ She struggled to find the words, and then grinned. ‘To enjoy every second. No matter how long it lasts.’

He grinned, unable to resist brushing another quick kiss against her mouth, but was also conscious that the food was being served on the beach, that people were watching them, and more importantly – a wetsuit could only hide so much.

‘Heeeeeyyyyy!’ drawled Emma with a knowing grin as they walked back to the loungers. ‘Enjoy the waves?’

Hannah blushed and Caleb shook his wet sleeve at Emma, causing her to scream with laughter as the ice-cold droplets hit her.

‘The food’s arrived,’ said Lucas, gesturing to the picnic table that a couple of maids had set up. He sauntered over. ‘Thanks, we’ll take it from here,’ said Lucas, dismissing the staff.

Everyone moved to the picnic table to help unload the food.

‘As we start filming on Monday,’ said Bianca conversationally, ‘I thought we could have a little party at my house after to celebrate? I’ve some friends coming in from London.’

Emma frowned and stopped midway between the picnic table and her lounger, with lines of worry etched on her face. ‘We’re filming interiors for the next two weeks. It might be best to leave any parties until after your close-ups are done.’

Bianca pouted at Lucas, who crumbled like a sandcastle. ‘A little get-together won’t hurt. We can invite some of the crew – and keep the medics with us to ensure we don’t go mad,’ Lucas said with a light shrug. ‘Besides, I’m sure we can rejig the close-ups if we need to.’

‘Sure,’ Emma said with a wince. Caleb knew from experience how much of a pain in the neck a rejig was – especially for people like Emma, who worked so closely with the production team to ensure things ran smoothly. ‘If that’s okay with you guys?’

Zach and Hannah exchanged shocked glances, before Hannah answered, ‘Ermm, sounds good.’

‘Although…’ Emma said, flicking through a calendar on her phone, which was so covered in coloured appointments it made Caleb blink against the brightness. ‘Lucas can’t do Monday night. You have a meeting with Franco after filming.’

Bianca’s eyes narrowed. ‘What evening can he do?’