Page 95 of Never With You
I should say no. That’s the smart and safe thing to do.
Just say no.
I nod, ignoring everything running through my mind. “Yeah.”
He smiles like he’s happy with my answer and grabs my hand, leading me through the crowd. Just before we get to the exit, Mack Farnsworth steps in front of us, halting our escape. He looks directly at me.
“There are not a lot of people who stand up to me. I respect it when they’re justified in their boldness. You were right about what you said.” His eyes flick briefly to Nate. “I can do better.”
He doesn’t say exactlywhathe can do better with, but I suppose this apology is as good as it gets with him. He gives a stiff smile then turns around, returning to the table where Connie waits.
Nate looks over his shoulder. “That was new.”
“Maybe I will be favorite daughter-in-law after all.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” He nods to the door. “Let’s go.”
Once outside and away from the lounge, Nate leads me along the winding sidewalk to the beach. We let go of each other's hands to remove our shoes for a more comfortable walk on the sand. It’s a relief not having anyone around to maintain the pretense of handholding and touching.
Such a relief.
We walk down to the water, nothing but moonlight showing the way.
“It feels much better out here than back on the dance floor.” His feet sink into the damp sand.
A small wave pushes toward us, spilling over my toes. “Yeah, the water feels amazing.”
“We could skinny dip.” Nate’s mischievous smile sends my stomach into a swirl.
I lift my brows, meeting his challenge. “Okay.”
“Okay?” His jaw drops. “Okay? Who even are you? The Carly I know would never agree to strip down and swim in the ocean at night—especially with me.”
I laugh. “Well, you already saw me naked.”
“I saw nothing of the sort.”
“And it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve skinny-dipped on vacation.”
His eyes widen. “You are full of surprises.”
“That’s just because you don’t know me that well.” I kick the approaching wave, sending a few sprinkles of water in Nate’s direction.
He does the same thing to get me back. “And whose fault is that?”
“Oh, it’s definitely mine.” I laugh, turning from the splashes. “It’s hard for me to let people see the real me.”
“I don’t know.” His expression shifts to something more serious. “I think I’m starting to crack the code.”
The moonlight, the sound of the waves, the smell of the ocean, and Nate’s dark eyes all somehow make me forget the reasons I dislike him. I’ve built a defense around my heart, but at this moment, I can’t remember why it’s there.
I hold his gaze. “Unless it’s all fake.”
“It’s notallfake.”
He stares at me for a second, contemplating me, and then, as if he decides something, he throws his shoes up on the beach. His eyes never leave mine as his hand reaches out. His fingers trail down my wrist to where I’m holding my sandals. He takes my shoes and throws them up the beach by his.
“What if we had one kiss that wasn’t for anyone but us?”
