Page 12 of Legal Attraction

“Just what I wanted to hear.” She tugged him along over the back patio and through gardens and out on a large expanse of green that led to a stairwell.

The ocean crashed below, and the air had a salty mist to it. He smiled. “This is exactly what I needed.”

They climbed down the stairs and stepped out onto wet sand. She immediately kicked off her shoes, and he did the same, rolling and then tucking each sock into its respective shoe.

Her mouth twitched while she watched him, but she didn’t say anything.

He laced their fingers together again. The sky was dark, the light from the moon hidden behind a rocky ridge until they approached the water close enough that the moon shone down on the air around them. And then it was all lit with a silver glow that felt magical. The moonlight line across the water defined a path straight to the horizon. “I want to go out there.”

“Do you?” Her eyes flashed with adventure and then she started tugging him to the water.

But he laughed. “No, no. I want to follow that path. Did you ever look at the moon path on the water and want to follow it, to keep going straight to the horizon?”

She stepped closer, shaking her head. “I don’t think so, but that’s pretty poetic for an attorney.”

“Attorneys can be poetic.” He felt mildly defensive. “We’re not as stiff as some might think.”

“Oh, you’re not?” She danced in front of him. “Prove it.” Then she turned and ran toward the water, splashing in until she was up to her knees.

“That’s not really fair. Your dress isn’t even wet.”

“Oh, it’s wet. See, drops!” She spun. “You coming?”

Her dancing light and carefree form was too much to resist. But he wasn’t stepping into the water in his suit pants. He loosened his belt.

When her eyes widened, he called out. “Turn around. Nothing to see here.”

She whirled around so fast he laughed. Wow, there was something to like in this beautiful energetic woman. Something with staying power. Not for the first time he wished he could spend more time with her.

He folded his suit pants carefully to preserve the crease, grateful he was wearing a good solid pair of compression shorts instead of underwear and then he pulled off his shirt. Before he could think twice, he was racing into the water, past her in a flurry of splashing waves that hopefully doused her completely and then dove into the ocean.

The cool water welcomed his tired frame and he took his time before surfacing. When he came up for air, she was right beside him.

“Do you often skinny dip with strangers?”

“This doesn’t count. These shorts are as good as any speedo.”

“Hmm.” A wave rolled under them. He kicked off the sand to ride the top of it as it went past. “The water is gorgeous.”

“It really is. There is nothing in all the world like the Mediterranean.” She dove into the next wave and came up smoothing her hair back. “This feels nice.”

He moved closer but she scooted back and laughed with her hand up. “I left my dress on the beach. I was wearing a Valenti. Not about to dunk that.”

“Is that a designer?”

“A very specific designer. Yes.”

“So, what are you wearing…now?” With a laugh, he pretended he could see down into the dark water.

“Oh stop. It’s the same as a bikini. Just stay over there where you belong.”

“You’re making the first moves here. I’m just here for the swim.” He swam a few strokes further out. “How far is it shallow?”

“We have at least another thirty yards. He’s got the best property on this island.”

“He seems like a great guy. I’m going to like working with him.”

“Do you think you will come here often?”

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