Page 172 of Risky Passion

“We should go for a walk along the beach.”

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, it’ll be fun.”

“I’m in,” Jaxson said. “Hey, Yasmin, could you drop us down at the beach? Tory and I are going to take a walk.”

“Oh, nice! It’s a perfect night for it.” Yasmin kept driving past School Road, and when she pulled into an empty parking lot, we all climbed out. The salty breeze drifted over me, carrying the sound of the waves crashing nearby.

“Wow, it’s beautiful here tonight,” Yasmin said, looking out toward the ocean.

“Thanks for the ride,” Jaxson said. “We can walk home—we won’t be long.”

“Sure, no worries. Oh, wait!’ She clicked her fingers, strode to the trunk, and popped the lid. “I think I have . . . Aha! A picnic blanket.”

She pulled out the tartan checkered rug. “I keep it here just in case Cobra ever gets any romantic ideas.”

“Right,” Cobra said, touching his nose. “Duly noted.”

Yasmin’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Sometimes you just gotta tell ’em straight,” she said, handing me the blanket and pulling me into a quick hug. “Enjoy. And try not to get sand in your crack.”

We all burst out laughing.

“Thanks for the tip,” I said, still giggling.

She winked. “My pleasure. Come on, Cobra, let’s leave these lovebirds to their romantic stroll.”

“Wow,” Cobra said, shaking his head as he turned to us. “She’s as subtle as a sledgehammer.” He shook Jaxson’s hand. “Have a think about what Levi said. We’d love to have you guys move into town.”

“Thanks, mate,” Jaxson said, clapping Cobra on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”

As their car disappeared up the road, we kicked off our shoesand strolled onto the warm sand, hand in hand. I tucked the blanket under my arm and hooked my other arm through Jaxson’s. The soft crunch of sand beneath our feet was as comforting as the warm night air wrapping around us. The waves crashed into shore in a steady, soothing rhythm that seemed to sync with the calm in my chest.

High above us, the moon was so bright that the five islands in the distance were perfectly visible, their dark silhouettes breaking up the horizon. Cruise ships and cargo ships dotted the far-off waters, their tiny lights flickering like stars on the sea.

“This is beautiful,” I said, giving Jaxson’s hand a gentle squeeze.

He lowered his gaze to mine, and his lips curved into a soft smile. “Sure is.”

My insides fluttered at the intensity in his gaze. “I’m talking about the beach,” I teased, bumping my hip into his.

“Oh,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “There’s a beach?”

I burst out laughing, and he squeezed my hand a little harder, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in an easy, relaxed motion. That small gesture sent a wave of tingles through me, making me feel like a giddy teenager.

We’d been talking nonstop since we’d arrived at the wedding venue, but now, as we strolled farther along the beach, words weren’t necessary anymore, and we fell into a comfortable silence.

We’d waited a month to be together again. And while today had been amazing, it had also been torture. All I wanted was to be alone with Jaxson. To have him all to myself. To kiss him, touch him, and feel his body pressed against mine.

“Oh wow, Jaxson, look.” I pointed ahead at a turtle making her way across the sand toward the water. “She’s laid her eggs.”

Pausing two feet from the turtle, his arm slid around my shoulders, tugging me to his side, and as I leaned into him, we watched the turtle crawl back toward the ocean, leaving behind her precious clutch of eggs. Her quiet determination was mesmerizing. The turtle finally reached the waterline, and her shell disappeared beneath the waves.

“She’s incredible,” I said, resting my cheek against Jaxson’s chest.

“She is,” he said, sounding breathless.

When I glanced up at him, his eyes weren’t on the turtle . . . they were on me.

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