Page 32 of Stick Around,
But as she looked at me, all my reasons why this was a bad idea fell away. “Want to get some air?”
She nodded, slipping her hand into mine as we made our way toward the exit.
Chapter 11
Secret Spot
Quinn
The night air cooled my flushed cheeks as we stepped into the quiet parking lot, the echo of our kiss still pulsing in my chest. Enzo kept hold of my hand as he led me toward his truck.
“If you’re up for a quick drive, there’s a place I want to show you.” His voice carried a hint of hesitation as he opened the passenger door.
“Sure.” As I climbed in, his hand brushed along my lower back, a featherlight touch that somehow made me feel more than our kiss.
We drove with the windows halfway down, my hair whipping into tangles I’d regret later, but after dancing and that kiss, it felt good. It also momentarily distracted me from the man sitting next to me. Why was a man driving with one hand on top of the steering wheel looking relaxed, so damned sexy? The only thing that would have made it sexier was if he’d worn his hat.
Enzo shifted in his seat as if he could hear my thoughts. “Are you glad you came? To La Cuesta?”
I glanced over at him. “Yeah. It’s easy to forget places like this exist when you’re caught up in your own mess.”
His mouth twitched, almost a smile. “I know what you mean. I’ve been here so long I barely see it anymore. I love the ranch and working with the animals, but sometimes it feels like something is missing.”
“Sounds like teaching.” I exhaled, watching the lights spill across the dashboard. “Some days I’m buried in paperwork and behavior charts, and then a kid learns something they’ve been struggling with or says something completely profound that makes me remember why I love what I do. But then...”
“But then what?” The truck eased onto a narrow side road I would’ve missed completely if I were driving.
I shook my head, not wanting this to turn into a therapy session about my love-hate relationship with my career choice. “This looksverysketchy.”
He laughed but didn’t say anything as we bumped along for a minute before he parked and turned toward me. “We’re here.”
“Which is where, exactly?” I peered through the windshield but only saw darkness.
Enzo grinned a rare, full smile that transformed his entire face. I hoped it was an ‘I’m excited to show you’ grin and not a ‘you just made a grave mistake’ grin.
I followed him out of the truck, my boots crunching on gravel. He took my hand again, leading me along a narrow path. The breeze picked up, carrying the unmistakable scent of the ocean.
We approached what I now realized was the edge of a bluff, and the view stole my breath. Below us, waves crashed against jagged rocks, their white foam visible even in the darkness. The moon cast a silver pathway across the water that seemed to leadstraight to the horizon. Stars scattered across the sky, brighter than I’d ever seen them.
“This is my secret spot.” He led me to a wooden railing. “I come here when I need to think.”
I leaned forward slightly, feeling the spray of distant waves carried up by the wind. A shiver ran through me, partly from the chill and partly from the strange intimacy of being shown something so personal.
Enzo noticed immediately. “Cold?” Before I could answer, he moved behind me and wrapped me in his arms.
“You don’t have to…” My protest died as the warmth of his front met my back. The solid wall of him was unexpectedly comforting, like sinking into a favorite chair you forgot was so perfect. His arms formed a protective circle around me, and I relaxed into the unfamiliar embrace with surprising ease.
“Better?” His voice had dropped to a low rumble, the vibration traveling from his chest into my shoulder blades. The single word tickled my ear and sent a tingle right between my legs where it shouldnotbe going.
I nodded, leaning back into him. “Thank you.” My fingers found the edge of his sleeve where it rested against my waist, and I absently ran my finger over his wrist.
The vastness of the ocean spread before us, but all I could focus on was how easily and naturally I fit against him. I’d felt hollow for months, long before my engagement ended, but this simple connection filled something in me I hadn’t realized was empty.
“I should probably apologize for the bar.” Enzo rested his chin on my shoulder.
I turned my head to look at him, confused. “For what?”
“Kissing you.” His eyes remained on the ocean. “It complicates things.”
