Page 45 of Race to the Beach

Maxi was quiet for a moment.“I don’t know.There is a lot of work to do.”

“But we have ice cream to eat first.The walk won’t be far, and I promise to work late to make up the time.”.

She glanced at him.“You really want to take that walk.”

“I do.Ice cream cones taste best when you’re strolling along the beach.”

“Really?I hadn’t heard that.”She turned toward the beach.“Let’s go.”

He fell in step with her.The sun was warm that day, but the sea breeze made it comfortable.And for a time, they walked in a comfortable silence.

They crossed through the park, across the road and down the steps to the beach.He didn’t know how much time had passed, and he didn’t care.He would stay up all night, working on the car if necessary.

He glanced over at Maxi as she lifted her face to the sun.Her neck was long and slender, just right for kissing.Her chin was small and dimpled.Her cheeks had a slight rosy hue, perhaps from the bright sunshine.

When she lowered her chin, she glanced his way.When their gazes met, the breath caught in his chest.His gaze lowered to her lips.It was so tempting to kiss her.

As though she could read his thoughts, she turned her head.In that instant, the moment had been snatched away from him.It was only then he finally acknowledged to himself that he was starting to fall for her.

The startling thought caused him to stop in his tracks.I’m falling for Maxi.How was that possible?He had sworn off relationships after his last disastrous one.

He searched for all the reasons this was a bad idea.Maxi wasn’t the person he should fall for.She didn’t live on the island.She didn’t even live close to Bluestar.How were they supposed to maintain a relationship after the race?

Maybe that was it.Maybe that was what would make this okay.It would be a short summer fling.No expectations.No commitments.

“Owen, what’s wrong?”Maxi had stopped a couple of steps ahead of him and looked back at him with a concerned look creasing her brow.

“Uh.I just thought of something I should do.”His gaze lowered once more to her very kissable lips.

“Do you want to go back?”

“Not yet.”

And so they resumed walking.He wasn’t sure what to do with his idea about their summer fling.It wasn’t like he was just going to outright ask her.

“Oh, look.”Maxi stopped and pointed at the sand.“What is it?”

He followed her finger and saw a bit of blue in the sand.He bent over and picked it up.“It’s sea glass that has been sanded smooth by the sand.”

“It’s so pretty.”When she reached for it, he smiled as he lifted it over his head.“Hey.Give me.”

“You have to get it,” he teased as he continued to hold it over his head.

Her rosy lips were too tempting to resist.He didn’t take time to consider his next move.Instead, he just acted in the moment.As she lifted up on her tiptoes, he lowered his head and captured her lips with his own.

At first, she didn’t move.His heart stilled.Was she going to reject him?

Then she leaned into him.His heart resumed beating—more like hammering against his ribs.With the summer sun shining down on them, he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close.Could she feel the way she made his heart pound?

They stood in each other’s arms as the ocean lapped at the shoreline.If it was possible to make time stand still, he would have done it.This moment felt perfect to him—she felt perfect for him.

She jumped back.As his arms fell to his sides, her wide-eyed stare landed on him.“We shouldn’t have done that.”

Oh no.That was not what one wanted to hear after a kiss.How had he read the signs all wrong?Disappointment consumed him.

Thinking fast on his feet, he said, “I thought it would make our charade more realistic.”

She arched a brow.“But there’s no one this far down on the beach.”

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