Footprints In The Sand - Michelle Horst Page 0,45

Hayden was targeting me for some reason.” I nod, now I remember how mean Hayden was to me. “He was such a mean person. I don’t get it.” I take another sip of my coffee and then I let my eyes wander to Seth’s eyes. “I thought you kissed Paige. It was stupid but my life was already such a mess. That was the last of the crumbs slipping through my fingers. It felt like I lost everything.”

“But you didn’t,” Seth says. He puts down his mug and comes over to me. He takes hold of my mug and places it on the counter, as well. His fingers brush over my cheeks and then slips into my hair. “You know that now, right? You didn’t lose your parents or me.”

He’s wearing a blue button-up shirt, and I start to play with the buttons. I give him a nervous smile and then drop my eyes again. I brush my fingers over his belt and whisper, “I know that now. I didn’t know it then.”

Seth takes hold of my hand, stilling my fingers. “Don’t play down there unless you mean it. I’m not a saint.”

“Oh my!” I yank my hand away, embarrassment flooding me. “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.” I hold my hand to my chest in total shock of where it was. I didn’t mean to touch him there. I was just fiddling with his belt.

Seth gives me a wicked smile that makes my insides tingle with desire. “Unless you want to?” I can see the twinkle in his eye and realize he’s teasing me.

I take a step closer to him and I let a finger trail over the stubble on his jaw. It tickles my finger. “Well, there is one thing I want to do.” I swallow hard on the nervous lump in my throat. I can do this! “Can you come with me to see my parents?”

A smile lights up his face. “I’d love to. You want to go today?”

“Please.”

~*~

Chapter Forty

Seth~

As we drive into town, I hear Lacey take a deep breath. “You want to stop somewhere first, or do you want to go straight to your parents?” I place my hand on her leg to stop it from jumping.

She places her hand over mine and gives me a tentative smile. “Can we go to the beach first?”

I smile widely, liking that idea very much. “Sure.” I steer the car in the direction of the beach, happy to have a moment.

I park the car, and then I get out and run around the car so I can open the door for Lacey.

Her eyes are on the ocean as she gets out, and I remember the first time I saw her. She stole my heart from that very first moment. I can’t believe I never saw her before that day, because she’s all I see now.

We take off our shoes and leave them in the car. I roll the edges of my pants up, and then I follow behind her as she walks across the beach. I let my eyes slip over her body, enjoying the view very much. I can’t wait to make her mine, and I will, soon.

My eyes drop to the footprints in the sand she’s leaving behind and then I look behind me and I see the two trails of footprints – mine following hers. I’ll always follow her. She’s the only light in my life. She’s no longer a shooting star just passing by, she’s my sun now. Without her there will be a permanent night in my life.

“Damn, Brody, is that you?” I hear from behind me. My hands fist at the sound of his voice. I look back over my shoulder and sure enough, it’s Hayden and he’s heading our way.

I watch him and see the moment he notices Lacey. In school he used to look at her like she was trash, but now I see interest and I don’t like it one bit.

When he reaches us, I feel Lacey move in behind me.

Hayden still looks the same. He’s still a gangly wimp. I guess that’s what happens to you if you have too much money and you do nothing every day.

His eyes are still on Lacey and he chuckles. “Aww, come on, mouse,” I hate the flirting tone he’s trying to use on her. “I’m not going to bite. It’s been a while and wow-”

I lose my temper and step up to him as he comes too close. I shove at