Page 77 of The House Beyond the Dunes

I turn my body until I’m facing him. My knees brush the side of his leg. For a moment, he doesn’t look at me, but I really want him to look at me. Finally, his head turns. I moisten my lips. I want him to kiss me, and his darkening eyes tell me he knows that. But he doesn’t lean toward me.

I tip in toward him, praying he’ll meet me halfway and not leave me hanging. A muscle pulses in his jaw, and then slowly he closes the narrow gap between us.

When our lips touch, I do taste beer, as well as the salt from the chips. He has an earth energy. Solid, stable. Patient. Whereas Kyle was fire. Hot, intense.

Feeling no sense of panic, I tilt more into the kiss. He cups the side of my face. He’s enjoying the kiss, too. I rise off my stool, and step between his legs. His hand skims over the base of my spine. Something sparks deep inside me, and I can almost feel myself floating over my body.

I reach for the hem of my sweater and pull it over my head. My full breasts spill over a simple white bra trimmed in delicate lace. He presses me against him.

I glide my hand down his belly and slide it under his waistband. He’s hard. He wants this as much as I do. He grabs my hand, and for a moment our eyes lock. He wants me. But a part of him needs to remain loyal to Kyle.

Finally, he rises and pulls me toward a midsize sofa tucked in a corner by the windows. It’s one of the few pieces not covered in plastic. I lower to the plush fabric. He pulls off his shirt and straddles me.

This is going to happen. And I’m not scared. I want this.

Outside, a gust of wind slams into the side of the house, rattling one of the storm shutters. The loud bang startles us both, and we jerk back. The moment is broken.

He draws away, his back stiffening as if he realizes he’s betrayed something sacred. “I don’t know where that came from.”

Without him close, a breeze cools my warm skin. “Me either. But it was nice.”

“We got carried away.” His voice is rusty. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

He grabs his shirt and yanks it over his head. It’s as if someone dumped an ice bucket on him.

I swallow my disappointment as I sit up. I stand and cross to my sweater. It takes a moment to turn my sleeves right side out. He’s looking away.

“You’re right.” That’s a lie. I’m attracted to him, and I needed to prove I’m not a crazy woman who loses it when a man touches her. Tears tighten my throat. “Do you hate me?”

“What?” His brow furrows. “No. I don’t hate you.”

“I was with your friend when he died.” My voice is uneven and ragged. “Do you blame me?”

He looks at me. There’s pain and certainly regret in his eyes. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Does he believe that? Does Devon? Do I?

Suddenly, I feel like a fool. It’s as if I’m trapped in my body. I can see the world outside, but it’s unattainable and a million miles away.

“Thanks again for dinner, but I better get back.” I don’t want to leave but staying now is impossible. I can’t tell if he notices my unease, but it doesn’t matter.

I’m starting to believe my own loneliness and fear pushed me toward Kyle. He was kind, and he made me feel safe. Maybe he liked the idea of rescuing me. And part of me really wanted to be saved.

Reece’s features look carved in stone. “You’re going back to an empty house?”

“It’s not that bad. There are books.” I’ve barely scanned the titles but mentioning them makes me feel a little less lame. “And I need the rest. I’m leaving tomorrow if the weather cooperates.”

A slight smile softens some of the hard lines etched in his face. He’s close enough to touch me, take my hand, and pull me toward him. He doesn’t. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” I step away. I’m not sure why I’m drawn to him or his apparent strength. Still, the added distance solidifies my isolation.

He leans forward a fraction as if ready to kiss me. “Stay a little longer, and I’ll tell you a story about Kyle and me.”

“Why?”

“I like talking to you.”

But not kissing me? Still, I’m curious and ready to latch on to any excuse not to be alone. Yes, I want to know about Kyle, but I also want to know something more about Reece. “Is this a Huck Finn kind of adventure?”

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