Page 64 of Tempting the Heart

I chuckled. “Yeah. Maybe when we’re sixteen.”

“Are you turning into a pansy or were you born one?” she joked, kneeling on her board as she began to paddle away fromthe shore. “Besides, you’re supposed to stay on your board, not go into the water.”

I tugged my Polo over my head and tossed it with Mae’s before fastening my life vest on.

Slowly balancing on my board, I pushed away from the shore and paddled next to Mae as she stood.

She looked graceful and confident.

“It looks like you’ve done this a time or two.” I smiled, standing next to her on my own board.

Mae nodded. “It’s something I love to do when I need to clear my mind, and as long as we stay near the shore and in the inlet, we won’t freeze to death if we fall in.”

“That’s something to look forward to,” I said, smiling as she whisked her paddle into the water.

“Thanks for planning this.” My paddle glided through the water as I stared at the rugged terrain surrounding us. Homes peppered the shoreline, set back enough to allow the pebbled beaches and rugged terrain to take over. This part of the world was so unlike where I had places.

Wisconsin’s sandy beaches along the Great Lakes were spectacular, and the smaller ones were just as beautiful. It was their little secret. Absolutely nobody would expect to find pure sand beaches in a place that also made ice castles in the winter. It was why I loved staying in Wisconsin in the winter. I could take my kayak out on Buttercup Lake and forget about whatever the day had brought.

When I felt like a change, I could fly to North Carolina and feel like I’d suddenly landed where tropical met the East Coast.The sea breezes and warm weather were a fun change in the winter when I needed to thaw out. It was the best of both worlds.

But there were so many times when I wished I could share it with someone.

I glanced over at Mae, who looked deep in thought as her board bobbed softly across the water.

Today was amazing. Every day with her was amazing.

But I was still on Marigold Island. Curiosity Bay still held memories that I couldn’t shake. It was like two worlds collided into one blurry vision of my future. I loved nothing more than spending time with Mae, but I couldn’t imagine being at my parents’ beck and call only to be used as their target.

The thought made my stomach sick.

I liked the beauty that the Pacific Northwest had to offer. The solitude was unlike anywhere I’d been.

“Isn’t it relaxing?” she called over her shoulder.

I nodded with a smile. “It is, and the view is pretty incredible, too.”

She grinned and tilted her chin. “You’re staring right at me.”

“I know.”

“You’re such a boy,” she teased.

“Mayflower, I’ve been keeping it in for twenty years.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.” She paddled away, and I couldn’t help but fall a little harder.

Last night, after kissing her at the coffee shop, she drove home, and I returned to the hotel. I think we both knew if we followed each other home, we wouldn’t stop at merely kissing.

I let out a deep breath and couldn’t help but smile at the memory of her in my arms last night, seeing that tidbit of jealousy about Bethany.

It gave me a little bit of hope.

She glanced at me, and my heart skipped a beat. Things felt so right as long as I kept my parents out of it.

As long as I pretended my parents didn’t exist.

My teeth clenched at the thought.

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