Page 35 of Chasing Forever

For a while, she tried to concentrate on reading. She’d loaded her Kindle with several romance novels before she’d left home, thinking that even if she were writing again, she’d still have plenty of time to read. But she’d never expected to be spending her time with someone else, especially a man.

She was distracted with Chase lying so close, and she kept sneaking peeks at him. She watched his chest rise and fall as he breathed, and then she trailed her gaze down his long length. His very presence stirred her and made her feel things she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Finally, she gave up on reading and sat up to slide her Kindle into her bag. The movement must have roused Chase because he sat up too.

“Did I wake you?”

“I was just resting.”

“I was thinking about cooling off.” The water looked inviting, and she at least wanted to get her feet wet.

“I’ll come with you.”

“Okay.”

They walked down to the water’s edge, and Callie noticed a few heads turn in his direction, but he seemed oblivious. She felt a burst of pride that she was there with him, even if it was misguided. They weren’t a couple, and they could barely be called friends. Still, she enjoyed being with him.

They waded into the water until it was up to her knees, and she looked down at a colorful school of fish swimming by. When she glanced back up, she saw that Chase was further out and immersed up to his neck. He caught eyes with her and smiled.

Talk about sexy. Does he know it?

He crooked his index finger at her, motioning for her to come and join him. While she enjoyed swimming in pools, she was always a bit trepidatious about swimming in the ocean, especially here, where she knew the undertow could be strong and dangerous. However, this beach had two lifeguard stations, and it made her feel safer. Truthfully, it had been part of the reason she’d chosen it, but she hadn’t told him that.

Looking around and seeing all the people in the water laughing and splashing made her worries disappear, and she started moving toward him. She hadn’t expected the quick drop-off, though, and it caught her off balance. She plunged headfirst into the water and came up sputtering.

She reemerged to see Chase laughing. “You didn’t warn me about the drop-off,” she accused once she’d reached him.

“Sorry. I thought you’d see it.”

“I was looking at you.” Great! Why’d you just admit that?

“Really? I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be. I was just trying to judge how deep it was.” She was standing on her tiptoes with her head above water, but one wave and…

It was like she’d conjured it up, and the next thing she knew, she slammed right into his hard chest. His arms immediately went around her waist, and he held on tight. She gripped his shoulders and clung to him. After the wave receded, she relaxed some, but he still didn’t let go.

“Are you okay?”

At this proximity, it was impossible to think straight, let alone form a complete sentence. Their bodies were touching from shoulders to hips, and she felt every hard ridge of him pressing against her. This was another time when she didn’t mind being petite. She felt safe and protected with his large, strong body wrapped around her. But she felt something else too as evidenced by her hard nipples.

“Callie?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Just startled.”

“Me too,” he said, but she got the sense he wasn’t talking about the wave.

“You can let go of me now.”

“I don’t think so.”

She gaped at him and stared directly into his striking pale green eyes. They really were an unusual color. She wasn’t just making that up for her book. “Why not?”

“I’m afraid you’ll go under, and I can’t let that happen.”

She cocked her head and studied him, trying to ascertain if he was joking. But he looked dead serious—unless this was his lawyer face, the one he used to intimidate people in the courtroom.

The waves were gentler now, and he loosened his grip some. Glancing down at his shoulders, she said, “I left red marks.”