Page 6 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

She laughed, free and uninhibited for the first time since . . . she didn’t know when. It was bittersweet knowing she’d been so lost in the sadness of grief for so long.

He was looking at her like she’d had one tequila too many. Maybe she had. Because she was going to go fishing with a stranger in a sparkly gold cocktail gown. “I’ve been fishing once or twice.”

“So is that a yes?”

“Okay, but first, I need to know your name.”

“Nash.”

She held out her hand to him. “Nice to meet you, Nash. I’m Bella.”

He hesitated and then took her hand. His palm enveloped hers, big and rough with calluses. How would they feel on my skin? Brushing over my breasts, or dipping between my thighs . . . She shivered.

He dropped his arm and stepped back, his mouth set in a grim line. “I’ll pull the truck around.”

“I’ll just grab my purse and meet you out front.”

He nodded and turned around, walking towards the gravel parking lot, filled with cars.

Isabella tipped her head back to the sky. “Okay, I’m doing it. I’m stepping into tomorrow.”

Maybe then she would be able to figure out what the hell to do next.

3

NASH

Nash opened the door to his truck as the chilly ocean breeze blew over him. The marina always smelled like brine, what had fast become one of his favorite smells. The fact that it cleaned his senses of the sweet rose hip blossoms the woman in his passenger seat wore was a bonus. How long has it been since someone made me look twice?

It was that lost look in her eyes that pulled at something familiar inside him. Nothing and no one evoked so much of a spark of emotion in him these days—and that was just the way he liked it. Simple. Clean. No attachments.

The passenger-side door opened and she climbed out, her sexy heels clicking on the pavement as she shivered in the salty air. He took his time, studying her while her focus was preoccupied by their surroundings. Her toned calves led up her long legs to the shimmering dress that hugged her curves. His mouth watered. God, he wanted to get his hands under that fabric and see if she was just as juicy as she looked. Wide hips and an ass he’d only ever dreamed about sashayed as she walked. But she didn’t seem to be conscious of just how fucking sexy she was, which made her all the more enticing.

“So, this is where your boat is?” she asked.

His focus drifted up her stomach to her ample breasts and farther until he met her electric gaze. “Yup.”

A few strands of dark brown hair blew over her round face as she scanned the marina again, starting with the bait and tackle shop behind them and moving back to the docks. Her pert little nose crinkled and those full red lips that begged him to bite pursed. Bella tucked her arms against herself, shivering slightly.

“You still want to do this?”

Her attention shot to him as she rubbed her hands over the too-thin sweater covering her arms. “Of course.” Her voice cracked, the only tell that she wasn’t as confident as she seemed.

He locked the truck and headed towards the boat. The floodlight outside the store flashed on, temporarily blinding him as they headed for the docks.

Bella gasped and ducked, moving closer to his side, but not touching him.

“It’s motion-activated.”

“Right.” She sighed.

His boat was farther down, inky-black water lapping at the floating docks as he walked just a little slower than normal for his guest.

Bella stumbled. His hand shot out to grab her before she ended up in the bay. He tugged her against his side, his hand firmly planted on her lower back. Energy pulsed between them. Her chest heaved as her liquid amber eyes—the color of his favorite whiskey—flicked to him, wide and unsure.

“Be more careful.” His voice came out much gruffer than he’d intended.

She gave him a curt nod, but relaxed against him as he gently ushered her to the boat. He grabbed the edge, pulling it closer to the dock, and slid a leg over until he was safely on board. There was no way she was going to make it in that sexy-as-fuck dress. He was half tempted to let her try, just to see if her cheeks got pink.

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