Page 5 of Married to Murder
I fell to my knees, laughing. “That was amazing.”
He stood over me, his shadow shading my face. “See? Told you you could do it.”
“I want to go again.” I got up clumsily, smiling.
“Yeah?” He looked pleased. “That little dunk didn’t scare you?”
I frowned. “Hell, no. No one ever died from swallowing a little seawater.”
“No one I know.” He grinned again and slapped my back. “Let’s do it.”
I followed him back out, feeling a little more confident now. We repeated the same thing we’d just done, with Seth swimming along beside me. I didn’t catch the next few waves though, and when I finally did catch one again, I fell right away. But after tasting success, I wasn’t willing to give up just yet. We kept at it for a long while, and I managed to catch a few more waves. At one point, Seth ran up on the beach and grabbed his board, and we paddled out together to where the surf broke. I couldn’t see much of him when I was trying to surf, but after a while, my muscles burned and were so shaky and exhausted, I sat on the beach and just watched him surf.
He was amazing—graceful and lithe. His beautiful body bent and twisted with the movements of the board and waves so effortlessly. I was impressed and strangely turned on just watching him. I couldn’t believe someone who surfed as well as him had the patience to teach someone like me. Not once had he seemed annoyed or frustrated that I wasn’t learning fast enough. He’d never once made me feel inadequate or stupid. He’d simply encouraged me with an empathy I’d rarely seen in another human.
When he finally came out of the ocean, he looked so happy it tugged at my heart. I watched him approach me, and it occurred to me that I really liked him. I didn’t know anything about him, but he was a pleasure to hang out with. I could tell he enjoyed my company too because his smiles weren’t forced; they were warm and genuine.
He plopped down on the sand next to me with a grunt. “This day has turned out to be pretty cool.” He nodded and smiled at me. “Thanks.”
I laughed awkwardly. “Not sure what you’re thanking me for.”
He stared out at the ocean, resting his chin on his knees. The wind fluffed his damp hair, and he inhaled a deep breath. “You got me out of the shop. I needed this more than I even knew.”
“You don’t surf every day?” I waved toward the beach. “You’re right here.”
“Yeah. I usually surf every morning. But it’s nice to have someone with me.” He shrugged. “You’re cool.”
I was oddly flattered at his comment. I wasn’t sure why the opinion of a guy I barely knew mattered, but it did. “Back at you.”
He turned his head and met my gaze. “Are you really staying the night in town?”
I nodded, at first wondering why he wanted to know that. But then excitement nudged me at the look in his eyes. There was definitely some heat buried in his sky-blue eyes. “Why do you ask?”
He shrugged. “Just wondering.” He pulled his gaze away, and his jaw tensed.
I was no stranger to picking guys up. I wasn’t in a relationship, and I could sleep with who I wanted. But I got the feeling just crudely hitting on Seth would result in a rejection. I could feel he was attracted to me, but judging from the set of his jaw, he was fighting it. Was it because he didn’t sleep with customers? Or was it something else?
I cleared my throat, and with my pulse racing, I asked, “Would you have dinner with me tonight?”
He didn’t look surprised at my question, which I guess made sense—he probably got hit on all the time. He was gorgeous. “Tonight?”
I nodded. “Why not? I don’t know anybody else in town.” I lived about an hour and a half away in San Luis Obispo. I was staying in town because I’d had a business meeting earlier in Montecito and hadn’t felt like making the drive back home.
He didn’t answer immediately. He gave me another assessing look, and some tension left his body. “I guess dinner couldn’t hurt.” He smiled. “So long as you’re buying.”
“I’m definitely buying.”
“Sure. I’ll have dinner with you, Tanner. Wouldn’t want to think of you eating all alone.”
“Great.” I was surprised at how glad I was he’d accepted. My surfing lesson and sitting here on the beach with him made me feel like a kid again. I felt more carefree than I usually did, and the idea of spending more time with him pleased me greatly. “Where shall we go?”
“Did you want a fancy restaurant or something more casual?”
I liked expensive restaurants and being pampered, but I definitely got the feeling he’d be happier somewhere less formal. “Casual.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Awesome. I have a little place I’d love to take you to. The fish is so fresh it might still have a hook in its mouth.” He grinned.
I laughed. “Sounds perfect.” I glanced down at my wet suit. “I guess I’ll go back to the hotel and clean up. I can pick you up around… seven?”
