Page 70 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

He grinned, and her heart came alive. “Then put on your suit, partner. I’ll grab mine and meet you back here.”

She hurried to her room and donned her two-piece bathing suit before pulling on her favorite jean shorts and a bright-green tank top, along with her green high-top sneakers. Fear gripped her as she thought about stepping into the ocean water, but she dismissed it. Right now, she was focused on brightening Cade’s world, and she’d worry about her own issues later. She crammed two towels into a backpack and then slipped it onto her shoulders before rushing out the back door.

Back at the garage, Cade stood by his motorcycle and held out a black helmet. He wore dark-gray swim trunks and a pale-blue T-shirt that complemented his glorious eyes.

He nodded toward the bike, and she noticed that he’d added a seat that was positioned on the fender. “You ready?”

“I think so.” She gnawed her lower lip.

“I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.” He held up the helmet. “Would it be all right...?”

“Yeah.”

He slipped the helmet onto her head and then closed the straps under her chin. His nearness made her insides burn. “Okay?” he asked.

She nodded.

He donned a matching helmet, and for a moment she wondered if the helmet she wore once belonged to his ex. Had she ridden on the back of this same motorcycle?

More questions about this woman invaded her mind. What was her name? What did she look like? Were they engaged? Had she broken his heart, or had he broken hers? How long had they dated?

Does he still love her?

“Everleigh?”

Her eyes snapped to his, and she realized she’d been staring into space. “Yeah?”

“Everything all right?”

“Uh-huh.” It was a good thing he couldn’t see her face since she was certain it was crimson.

He climbed onto the bike and held his hand out to her. She took it, and he guided her onto the back, where she perched on the seat. “Hold on to me as tight as you want to. You won’t hurt me.”

She wrapped her arms around his middle and silently marveled at the taut muscles in his back and chest. She breathed in the scent of him—laundry soap mixed with sandalwood and something uniquely Cade—and rested her head against his back.

Cade started the motorcycle, and the engine roared before he steered out of the garage. He paused to close the door before they set off down the driveway, passing the beautiful view of the bay with its rolling water glimmering in the sun.

Everleigh closed her eyes and held on tight, enjoying the feel of his body next to hers. All too soon he was steering into a space in front of Beach Reads. He killed the engine and pulled off his helmet. “What do you think?”

“It was okay.” She tried in vain not to grin while removing her helmet.

“Just okay, huh?”

She shrugged, and he gave her a look of disbelief. He took her hand and helped her off the bike.

“I’ll wait here,” he said, retrieving his phone from his back pocket and staring at the screen.

“Oh no, you won’t.” She tugged his hand, but he didn’t budge. “If you come with me, I’ll buy you ice cream.”

“Can I get a lollipop and a sticker too?” he deadpanned.

She rested her hands on her hips. “Cade, you are the most stubborn man I’ve ever known.”

“Funny.” He touched his chin. “I think you’ve told me that before.”

“Please come with me,” she begged.

“Nope.”

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