Page 66 of Tempting the Heart

She paddled us over to my board, and the paddle was floating next to it as she used her paddle to bring my board closer.

“Do I dare try to get on it from here?”

“I don’t know. Just don’t make me fall off.”

I playfully scowled. “I thought you said it wasn’t very cold.”

“Well, it’s not as cold as the sound, but it’s still nippy. I haven’t fallen in the water here for years for a reason.”

I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “Fine. I’ll be the gentleman.”

Before she could respond, I hopped into the water and crawled onto my board, kneeling as we paddled toward the beach.

As we pulled our boards with us, I looked over at Mae and couldn’t believe my eyes. The girl I’d had a crush on had very much become a woman, and I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to hold her in my arms and make love to her.

She was so strong, incredibly gorgeous, and kind. The admiration I had for her was so strong it almost hurt. The thought of going another twenty years without her as a constant fixture in my life made my world nearly stop.

I didn’t want to imagine it.

I just… I couldn’t believe how much I was falling for her.

“You ready to go back to my place and roast some marshmallows for lunch?”

“Really?”

She grinned. “What? You wanted trail mix or something?”

“No. Marshmallows sound perfect.” I nodded. “So, who brought the paddleboards here? I doubt they’d fit on your car.”

Her brows lifted. “Brad.”

“So, he knows?”

“Well, I certainly didn’t broadcast things, but I’m assuming he could put two and two together.”

I smiled, slipping my shoes on. “Yeah. I probably owe him a call or…”

“You don’t owe him anything. We’re grown adults.”

“True, but I want to tell him that I respect him and trust your judgment.”

She smiled and nodded. “I get it.”

“I can put the boards in my truck and meet you at your house?”

Mae nodded and slid her hand into mine before swiping a quick kiss along my cheek. She pulled her shorts on and tossed me my Polo. I watched her scan the water and let out a slow sigh before she pulled her shirt over her head, the fabric skimming over her breasts. She put on her shoes and glanced at me.

But in an instant, she darted away like a pixie.

“Last one up the hill is a rotten egg,” she called, grabbing her board and making a dash for it.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” I dove for my board and hauled it up, chasing after her as she bounded up the skinny trail to where we’d parked our cars.

How she managed to haul her paddle and board up was beyond me. When I finally thought I’d caught up, I tripped over my paddle and nearly took a nosedive before steadying myself.

She turned around, offered her hand, and smiled. “Not bad for a guy who hasn’t climbed our beaches in a while. A little different from Wisco?”

“A little hillier, let’s say.”

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