His grip tightened preventing her escape. “Their prying gives me an excuse.”
“An excuse?”
“To hold you.”
This was one time she liked his blunt honesty, and in response she rested her head against his shoulder.
“As a friend, of course,” he added with a mirthful emphasis on the word friend.
“Then I won’t object. As a friend.”
The sand became wet and cold as they walked out where normally the waves and water crashed. But with low tide, the beach was exposed, leaving small translucent jellyfish and tiny crabs out in the open for the seagulls swirling overhead.
She hadn’t walked on a beach barefoot since she was a little girl. Now, next to Tom with the damp sand beneath her feet, the sea breeze caressing her face, and the softening glow of the sun painting a masterpiece over the water, she couldn’t imagine any other place she’d rather be.
When they reached the ocean’s edge, they stopped and let cold but gentle waves lap their toes. They stood silently, and when she glanced at Tom, she could see deep satisfaction in his features, a peace there she’d never noticed before.
“You love the ocean,” she stated softly.
“I always have.” The wistfulness in his tone twisted her heart. She couldn’t stop herself from pulling her hand from his and sliding it around his waist instead. When he did likewise, so that she was tucked against his side in the crook of his arm, she realized she was exactly where she wanted to be. She didn’t miss the parties or the shops or the theater or the yacht races. She didn’t miss her home or her maids or even her friends.
She’d never been more content than at that moment. Only one thing could have made it better, and that was another kiss.
“We could give your parents something more to see.” She tried to keep her voice light and teasing, even though deep down the craving for another kiss was growing. “That is, if you think they need a little more convincing that we’re a happily married couple.”
“We’ve moved out too far to give them a show.”
“Shall we move back within their sights?” The tide was turning, and the waves were getting higher, splashing the hem of her skirt even though she had it bunched with one hand.
Except for the tightening of his arm against hers, he didn’t move. He seemed to wage an inner debate before letting go of her. “As long as the show doesn’t involve kissing.” His voice was stern.
She smiled and gave him a playful shove before moving away from him. “Of course it won’t.”
“All right.”
“Then let’s go.” She started running back the way they’d come. “I’ll race you.”
“You’d never be able to outrun me.”
She hiked up her skirt and ran faster. The hard-packed wet sand was much easier to traverse than the loose grains. “I doubt you can catch me.” She smiled at him over her shoulder.
He hadn’t moved, and he watched her almost lazily, his lips curving up into a devastating, lop-sided grin. “I’m giving you a head start.”
“I don’t need it.” She was nearing the sand dune and their shoes, and the dry sand was beginning to slow her down. She stumbled along, laughing and breathless.
“I’m starting.” And with that, he jolted forward at a sprint.
She shrieked at his speed and tried to increase her pace. But now that she was in dry sand, her feet sank and she could hardly move.
“You better pick up the pace,” he called.
She only laughed and tried to push herself the last dozen paces. But her feet felt as though she’d strapped stones to them. Before she could beat him to the place where they’d left their shoes, he reached her and grabbed her waist to stop her. Under his momentum, they both tumbled forward. He somehow managed to wrap her in his arms and twist around so that she found herself landing on top of him. As his back hit the sand and she crushed him under her weight, he grunted and closed his eyes.
She sucked in a rapid breath of concern and quickly rolled next to him. “Are you okay?”
He didn’t respond.
She lifted a hand to his cheek. The thin layer of stubble was rough against her fingers like the grains of sand. “Tom?”
He remained motionless.
She’d hurt him. Or maybe he’d hit his head in the fall. “Oh no,” she whispered starting to rise.
But at that moment, his arms snaked around her, preventing her from moving. His eyes