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Which is why I stop in front of one of the many touristy shops filling the squat row of buildings lining the road, a plan forming. It takes me all of two seconds to commit when I see the racks of bikinis lining the front window.
Valerie lets out a little yelp as I change our trajectory, tugging her into the store behind me. “I thought we were going to the beach.”
“We are.” I grab a couple towels off the shelf, tucking them under one arm before continuing to the rack that brought me inside, the image it construed of Valerie’s perfect body warming in the sun baked into my brain. “Pick one.”
Valerie’s eyes rest on the collection of barely existent bathing suits, widening the smallest bit. “You want to get in the water?”
“If you haven’t been to the beach, then I’m assuming you haven’t been for a swim either.” It’s a weak argument that I’m doing this for her benefit when this is a purely selfish move.
Maybe I am as bad as they say.
Valerie’s lower lip pinches between her teeth again in that move that’s driving me to distraction, and a hint of excitement flares in her eyes. “I’ve never been in the ocean.”
I grab the first pair of trunks I see and add them to the towels under my arm. “Then yes, I want to get in the water.”
CHAPTER FOUR
VALERIE
“IT’S NOT AS big as I expected it to be.” I squint down the strip of glittering sand scattered with brightly colored umbrellas and overly tanned bodies.
Fynn chuckles beside me.
I spin away from where my gaze has caught on a little old man sporting a G-string, to focus on Fynn. “What?”
“Nothing.” He shoots me a grin that makes me sweat even more than the sun cooking into my skin. “Just thinking you might be difficult to impress if you think this is small.”
I chew my lip, worried I’ve offended him by accidentally insulting the place he’s brought me. “I didn’t say it was small. I said it wasn’t as big as I expected it to be.”
The double meaning of my words finally registers, my own naiveté embarrassing me enough that I have to force myself to brazen through. Prove I’m not entirely innocent. I move my gaze down Fynn’s front then back to his face. “Why are you worried I’m difficult to impress?”
“I’m not worried.” His deep blue gaze darkens in a way that speeds my pulse. “Not even a little.”
Oh my.
Now I’m standing in the middle of a crowded beach wondering exactly how unworried he is. Specifically.
“Shall we pick a spot?” His free hand comes to mine, the other gripping the giant beach tote he bought to carry our towels and sunscreen, along with the unmentionables I stuffed into the bottom after using the store’s dressing room to change into a bikini I’m feeling much less confident about wearing now that I’m in the public eye.
My gaze goes back to the packed beach. “Is there even room for us?” I’ve avoided the beach for just this reason. It intimidates the hell out of me.
But Fynn seems undaunted, his strides long as he leads me across the loose sand. “I’m sure we can find room.”
I hop a little as my steps stir up the surprisingly scalding sand, trying to kick it free of my new plastic flip flops so the soles of my feet don’t melt off. “Why is it so freaking hot?”
“Because it’s summer in Florida.” Fynn stops in his tracks to crouch down and I nearly bump into his big body as I flail around, trying to save my skin. “Hold on.”
I don’t have time to register his words before one long arm swings back to hook behind me, hauling my body halfway up his back. I yelp, automatically wrapping both arms at his neck as he bounces me into place. A big hand plants right against my ass and I hook both legs at his waist, seeking out a little more stability. Fynn continues down the beach, steps even and smooth in spite of the uneven terrain and my added weight.
His head tips, one dark brow angling my way. “Better?”
“Yes.” The word is embarrassingly breathy. Every move Fynn makes rocks my lady bits against his lower back and that small amount of properly applied friction is more than enough to get my motor running. But then the hand gripping my ass flexes, his long fingers dangerously close to a part that’s never been properly serviced by anyone besides me. “Ohh.”
“I’ve got you.” Fynn mistakes my reaction for one of fear and the hand on my backside grips even tighter. “We’re almost there.”
I don’t know if we are, but I sure am.
I’m panting by the time he slows to a stop, letting my body slide down his back as he drops our gear to the ground. Every inch of me is over sensitized and ultra-aware of his closeness as he brushes against me, making sure I’m steady on my feet.
