Page 29 of Sharkbait
I laugh. “Right. Gotcha.”
“This…” He walks forward and takes my hand, then seems to think better of it. He looks deep into my eyes. “May I?”
I can only nod. There’s so much electricity pulsing through me right now.
He takes my hand again, extends my thumb and pinky, then curls my other three fingers into my palm.
“This,” he repeats, looking down at our hands, “is a shaka.” He traces my hand shape with his finger. “It’s—”
“A gesture of friendly intent often associated with Hawaii andsurf culture,” I finish the sentence for him.
“That’s right. Damn, Calliope wasn’t kidding about you and trivia, huh?”
I shrug. “Growing up, Alex Trebek was basically my de facto dad. I racked up a lot of hours watchingJeopardy.” He opens his mouth to say something about that, but I cut him off before he can. “Are you Hawaiian?”
A soft smile crosses his lips. “Sort of.”
He continues to hold my wrist and trace my hand. I let him.
“We lived there until I was thirteen, and my dad’s job transferred us to Philly.”
“Do you ever get back there?” I breathe. My eyes are locked on the sight of his hand caressing mine.
“Careful, Louise.”
“What?” My eyes dart up to his.
“Ask me too many questions and we might just get to know each other.” He gives my hand one soft squeeze, then gently releases it by my side.
I’m more turned on than I’ve ever been in my life.
And all he did was touch my hand.
He jogs down the steps, tosses the cooler in the back of his Jeep, and drives away, never once looking back at me.
I quietly shut the door and tap my forehead against it. A whole bunch of times.
“What. The hell. Was that.”
I startle. “Callie! You scared me.”
Calliope and Mabel are standing in the foyer, pure puppy dog energy emanating from them.
“Ooooh! What’s the story with you and James?” Mabel practically squeals.
“Nothing,” I say. “No story.”
“You just had hand sex on Mabel’s stoop,” Calliope says. “There’s definitely a story.”
Mabel hightails it to the kitchen, pours me another margarita, and runs it back to me.
I grab it without a second thought and knock it down.
Calliope kicks back on the floral sofa and says, “Sister friend? Start talking.”
Chapter Eight
Louise
