The Path to Sunshine Cove (Cape Sanctuary #2) - RaeAnne Thayne Page 0,60
the four options. I like this part of the job, actually. It’s tangible progress. Probably like you feel watching a structure being framed. One minute there’s nothing there, the next you have the bones of a house. In my case, the process is reversed in a way, clearing out the stuff to reveal those bones again.”
“How did the night go with the girls?” he asked, leaning against her truck.
“We survived. No bad dreams, no bed-wetting. The morning wasn’t terrific as we dealt with dog vomit but we survived that, too.”
“Any word from Rachel about how the appointment went?”
“I think they’re still there. It was supposed to last all day. I’m sure she’ll text me when she’s done.”
“I had a good time last night. It’s been a long time since I’ve had pizza in the park.”
She smiled. “The girls did, too. Ava was still talking about Sophie’s fun dad this morning.”
He laughed. “I don’t think Sophie would agree with that particular description right now.”
“Is she still mad at you for laying down the law yesterday about surfing by herself?”
He sighed. “She’s mad at me about something. I have no idea if it’s something in particular I’ve done or just general discontent that she has me for a father.”
“It’s probably just a phase. Teenage girls can sometimes be moody. I know. I was one.”
“I think this might be something more than that but she clams up whenever I try to ask. If she won’t tell me what’s wrong, though, I can’t fix it.”
“That must be tough.” Jess gave him a sympathetic look. Nate was the kind of man who had to fix things. Find the answers. Solve the puzzle. That was in his nature. She understood him because she was the same, yet one more thing they had in common.
“Raising a daughter is not for the faint of heart,” he said.
She had to smile at his heartfelt tone. “I’m sure when she’s ready, she’ll tell you what’s wrong.”
He didn’t answer and she lifted her gaze, not sure why. He was looking down at her with an intent expression that made her toes curl.
She had always thought that was a stupid turn of phrase in books but now she totally understood what people meant by it.
He was gazing at her mouth, she realized, and she suddenly knew he was remembering their kiss the day before.
“I think we need a do-over,” he said.
“Excuse me?”
“Yesterday wasn’t a real kiss.”
She blinked. “Funny. It felt quite real to me.”
“It was mouths only. Does that really count?”
Oh, it counted all right. She’d never had a kiss that counted more.
“I wasn’t aware we were keeping score.”
“You said that kiss yesterday morning should work this attraction out of our systems. I don’t know about you, but that certainly didn’t happen on my part. I think we need a do-over. One where I don’t have to worry about my damp wet suit making you cold.”
“Oh,” she exclaimed. “Is that why you didn’t touch me?”
“Yes. And believe me, it wasn’t easy, especially when I wanted to press you up against the wall of your trailer.”
“Oh.”
It was as if he had sucked all the oxygen out of the entire area. She was suddenly aware of nothing but him.
He took a step forward and she swallowed hard. “I don’t think a mouths-only kiss was enough to get this out of our systems. I think we should try again when we can use hands.”
She ought to make some glib comment and go back inside with Eleanor, where she would be safe.
She couldn’t think of anything glib. She could only focus on the sudden aching hunger that seemed to have taken over all rational thought.
“That sounds fair.”
Her words were barely out when he was reaching for her and pulling her against him, his mouth fierce and urgent on hers.
She kissed him back, all thought of caution completely escaping her brain.
He was right. She hadn’t worked anything out of her system. Spending the evening with him and Sophie, seeing his sweetness to her nieces, had only increased her awareness of him.
The kiss the morning before had been delicious. This one, with her body pressed against his and his hands against her back and his hair beneath her fingers, was mind-bending.
She had spent more than twenty-four hours reminding herself of all the reasons why she couldn’t have a fling with him. After thirty seconds in his arms, she forgot all about those reasons.
What would be the harm? They were both unattached adults. He was a decent guy who