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Gunnar’s grin makes his adorable dimple pop out. If my bladder weren’t about to burst, I would jump his bones right here on the beach.
“Either the lake or that rock over there is a pretty private spot.”
I survey the premises. Neither is a viable urination option to me. I’m sure I’ve peed in alleyways when I was wasted, but while sober, I would never even entertain the idea. “No thanks. I’ll hold it.”
“No one is around. The ones that are won’t remember it in the morning.”
“That’s all right. I’ll wait.” But I can’t focus on anything except the waves coming in and out and in again. I cross my legs. I swear, urine is about to explode out of my nose. If I had driven myself, I would have gone home.
“Suit yourself.”
Silence falls over us. He takes another swig of his beer. Suit yourself, my ass. He can whip it out anywhere and pee without any shame. I couldn’t do that even if I were anatomically able.
Gunnar flicks his eyes my way, and I wonder why in the hell he is not taken. He must eat live chickens or be a devil worshiper or something. He’s pretty much the total package. He should have figured out before now that I am not a total package. I’m not even close. I’m a brown cardboard box, crunched up in one corner, with no ribbon or bow, and certainly no delivery confirmation.
“Do you want me to be your lookout?”
“Yes!”
He helps me to my feet, and I’m quite grateful. If I exert too much pressure on my abdomen, I’m going to wet my pants. I follow him toward a huge boulder away from the bonfire. I slap the sand off my pants if for no other reason than to keep me from freaking out about what I’m about to do. If I weren’t with a policeman, I’m sure I would get arrested for indecent exposure.
“I cannot believe I’m doing this.”
He stops and motions for me to keep going around to the other side of the boulder.
I make a swirly motion with my finger. “Turn around.”
He rolls his eyes. “Oh, please. Urinating is a natural act.”
“It’s not natural for me to pee outside, so if you don’t mind, I need my privacy.”
He groans but turns around, anyway. “Why don’t I... never mind. Would you like me to sing while you go? To drown out the noise?”
I poke my head around again. “That’d be nice. Thanks.”
It takes a few minutes because I have a shy bladder, but finally, the sweet release of urine begins. Ahh. Gunnar whistles “Whistle While You Work” with his back to me. After I drip dry and zip up, I come around the boulder, still tucking in my T-shirt.
And right at that moment, Liza and Jake walk up. Liza grins. “My, my. Y’all don’t waste any time.”
I grab her arm. “No, it’s not what you think.”
She points at Gunnar. “It’s about time you figured out how to do it.”
Gunnar hangs his head low. I bop him on the arm. He takes me by the hand and tugs me away from Liza. We walk on the beach, near the waterline, away from the crowd, until it becomes quiet. In fact, we’ve walked so far, I think we’re in front of a private residence. I hope we’re not trespassing. Fortunately, I’m with the law.
Heat rises up my neck. “People in this town are so quick to judge. Isn’t there a Bible verse about that?”
“She’s only funnin’.”
“I don’t like people assuming things about me.”
He stops walking and drops my hand. “Assuming you and I are attracted to one another is a terrible thing, right?”
“That’s not what I meant.” I groan. “People need to stop pushing.”
Gunnar throws his hands up in defense. “Maybe I like your company. Is that so terrible? Because if it is, all you have to do is say the word.”
My heart sinks. I’m all alone with a handsome guy on a hot summer night, and I’m saying stupid things to chase him away. Something is terribly wrong with me. I blow out a breath so I have time to think of something decent to say.
“I’m not used to people in my business. That’s all. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.” I drag my toe through the sand to form a heart shape. “And for the record, I like your company too.”
His eyebrows scrunch together. “Maybe you should blog about it.”
I bust out a belly laugh. “I might have to do that.”
He sits on the sand near the water’s edge and pulls me down next to him. I barely hear the music from where we sit. My knee bumps his as I get comfy in the sand. He rests his arm behind me so he’s leaning in to me. His warm breath tickles my ear.
I wink at him. “You like me for my money, don’t you?”
“Yep. I’m that shallow.”
I laugh and nudge him with my shoulder.
“I’m not impressed with a lot of money. It changes people.”
“I don’t think I’ve changed.”
“Not yet.”
I’m sure since Willow is an attorney, she has lots of money. Maybe from experience, he knows what money can do to people. I scoot my knees up and rest my chin on them. My toes wiggle through the cool, wet sand. “I have had a few daydreams about my life now that I don’t have to worry about finances anymore.”
He points at me. “That would be nice, I guess. To be able to take care of your family.”
If I had a family. I dig my feet deeper into the sand. “I hate to admit this, but it’s real pretty out here.”
He stares off toward the other people. In the distance, someone starts a volleyball game. “It’s my favorite place. I come here to clear my head.”
“I can see why. I guess chasing bad guys all day can wear even someone as big and tough as you out.”
He pins me in place with a cold stare. “That and when your fiancée dumps you at your wedding rehearsal.”
Tears pool in my eyes. He mentioned the ex-girlfriend, and Regina and Mel haven’t been shy about their disdain for her, but I never imagined this happening to him. Any girl that leaves this man at the altar is seriously disturbed.
“Oh, Gunnar. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He’s probably so jaded now, a girl would have to be near perfect to pass his test. I wouldn’t blame him if he never wanted to go down that road again.
He shrugs. “It’s okay. I guess I assumed you knew. It’s old news, but every now and then, I’ll see something that brings back bad memories, and I head here to...”
“To clear your head?”
“Yeah. I bet you think we don’t have problems down here, don’t you?”
“I was hoping so. What’s the attraction, then?”
He rotates so the light of the moon shines on his face, making him even more godlike. “So you’re considering staying?”
I goose him in the ribs. “I didn’t say that. I was talking about you.”
He blows out a breath. “I like it here. I almost drowned in the big city.”
My hand finds his, and he squeezes it, making my insides flip-flop. “I bet you’d be okay if you gave it another chance. There’s a lot to offer in a big city.”
He lies down on the sand, and I collapse beside him. We stare at the stars, still holding hands. There he goes again, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb. If he can make my stomach turn to jelly with a single touch, I’m not sure if I can handle his hands doing anything else.
“I’m content.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed. I don’t know the definition of the word.”
He laughs as he threads his fingers through mine. “Always looking for greener grass?”
He focuses again on the stars. I wish I had paid attention in science class because I would love to know what constellation is above us.
“I don’t know about that. I guess I’ve always been too afraid to plant seeds to see if anything could grow.”
He lets go of my hand and rolls onto his side to face me then props his head up with his hand. “The grass really will die if you spend more time worrying about it dying than you do making it thrive.”
I roll over to face him. “What if I’m a lousy gardener, Mr. Philosopher? What if I put in the effort and it wasn’t supposed to grow in the first place?”
He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “It’s called faith. You have to trust that you’re doing your best and make the most of the results.”
I reach out to touch his face. I have to know what that five o’clock shadow feels like. Oh dear, I shouldn’t have done that. Now I’ll never want to remove my hand from his warm, stubbly chin.
He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
“Don’t you want more out of life?” I ask.
His eyes flutter open, and I wonder if this is what he looks like when he first wakes up in the morning, because if it is, I could get used to it. “Of course, but I can achieve it without changing my geography. It’s not where you are; it’s who you’re with that matters.”
I turn over onto my back and stare at the stars again because his face is way too distracting. “I wish I could be more like you.”
He holds up a thumb. “You want to almost lose your thumbs?”
I giggle.
He leans in to me, and I can feel my heart about to beat out of my chest. “No. To enjoy each day, each moment.”
He leans closer, putting one arm on either side of me. Holy mother of God. Please put me out of my misery and kiss me because my ovaries are about to explode. I’m only talking about a simple kiss. It’s not as if we have to get married. But this is the South, so maybe we do. Okay by me.
“I do enjoy each day. I’m enjoying right now. A lot.”
His eyes flick to my mouth and back to my eyes. I slide my hands up his chest, and he moans. He lowers his face at the same time that damn dog pays us a visit and gives us both sloppy kisses. We bump foreheads in a rush to get away from him.
“Ow,” Gunnar yells. “Dammit, Griff. Get your own sexy—”
“If you call me a bitch, you’re going to get smacked.”
He rubs his nose, and I rub mine, then he helps me to a standing position and laughs. “I would never say that about you.”
“I guess Griff can’t hold his licker, either.” I waggle my eyebrows. “Get it?”
He groans. “That was so bad.” He stares at my lips and sighs. “I don’t think I’ll ever get to kiss you.”
I tug him by the collar and plant a fast smooch on his lips. “There. That’s better, right?” Not for me, it isn’t. Holy crap. Those lips are even softer than I imagined.
He grimaces. “Not at all. It’s like going to Six Flags and not riding The Scream Machine. I am not happy riding the kiddie mine train.”
I throw out my hands. “I’m here, ready to ride whatever ride you’re talking about.” I know I shouldn’t encourage him since I’m leaving soon, but I want this.
He throws his head back with laughter as he pulls me in close, snaking one arm around my waist. The other hand holds the back of my head. It’s about damn time. His soft lips barely touch mine, when his phone buzzes, causing him to let out a pitiful whimper into my mouth.
“It’s a conspiracy.”
Gunnar frowns as he reads the text message. “I have to go. Chris Finley is sick, and I’ve been called in to work.”
“If I ever meet this Chris dude...”
He wraps an arm around my shoulders, tucks me in to his side, and plants a chaste kiss on the top of my head. “Don’t worry. I’ll give him a stern talking-to myself.”
He takes my hand, and we walk back to the others. With his other hand, he adjusts his board shorts. Oh my God. I think I’m going to die if I don’t get another taste of him soon—one that’s longer than a millisecond.
He waves to me as he hustles up to his car and zooms away. When I have the nerve to peek over at Liza, she winks. I guess her mission has been accomplished.
This is way better than getting drunk. Way better.