growing across his jaw the man was the epitome of sexy pirate right now. “None. This is your first time at the Gulf, enjoy it.”
Before she could stop him, he was pulling her into surf. She laughed as the water tickled her feet.
Before she could stop herself, she splashed water toward him with her good hand. He’d wrapped plastic around her cast earlier and taped it in place. Taking care of her yet again.
He laughed.
Then they were playing.
She was playing with Allen on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico after someone had almost killed her.
Life had some strange twists.
She almost tripped, but strong arms were there to hold her. Nothing had felt more right.
That was when it happened.
When everything just shifted sideways.
Izzie caught her breath. His eyes were as stormy gray as the clouds currently over Texas in the far distance.
“Careful. Don’t want to break your arm even more.”
“No. No, I don’t.” Her hand rested against his hard chest, the T-shirt damp beneath her fingers. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
When his head lowered this time, Izzie met him halfway.
It was different now. Not the quick teasing kisses he’d given her earlier just to disconcert her.
No. When his lips covered hers this time, it was for real. It was male hunger for the woman in his arms.
Izzie slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was as real for her now, too.
Oh hell, things were changing between them, far faster than she thought she could handle. He felt so real beneath her hands. The wind disturbed her hair, sending it everywhere.
One large hand rose to cup the back of her head. To hold her still.
For his kiss. This time it felt so much more real than the others.
He pressed his lips to hers, and she was a goner. Then he was lifting her, straight off her feet. Out of the surf. He carried her, wrapped up in his arms, across the silky sand.
When he set her on her feet and started the quiet walk back to the van, she knew exactly what was going to happen when they got there.
The instant he closed and locked the door, Izzie pulled him into her arms and showed him exactly how she felt.
74
They spent two days at the national seashore, loving and playing together in a way he hadn’t in a long, long time.
It was perfect. Only the reason why they were there at all was a dark cloud over them.
Allen tried not to think of it, but he kept his eyes on their surroundings at all times.
He took his role of her protector seriously.
They were taking off in the morning. They’d stayed in one place too long for his comfort.
She talked him into one more walk up the beach.
Allen made himself a vow—he’d bring her back there someday. Maybe in the same van.
He scooped her up into his arms as the surf broke against his feet.
She felt like glass in his arms. She wasn’t that much shorter than average for a woman, but she felt so delicate. Fragile. Like she’d disappear into the wind if he ever let her go.
Allen understood. He even knew why it felt that way.
He wanted to grab on to the woman in his arms so tightly she’d never get away from him. Never be taken from him. He brushed his lips against hers, then took the embrace deeper.
He didn’t know how long they stood there, wrapped up in each other’s arms. It was the whimpering that pulled him back.
Fear shot through him, fear that he’d hurt her inadvertently.
The last thing he’d ever want to do was hurt Izzie.
But…she had a puzzled look on her face.
It wasn’t her. Something was growling now. Near his foot.
Something sharp sank into his skin.
He glanced down, then let her feet slip back to the sand. “Izzie, look.”
A bedraggled puppy no more than five pounds was gnawing on the side of his left foot.
Allen leaned down and scooped the small dog into his hands. The poor thing was matted and covered with filth. If he wasn’t mistaken, there was a bite mark on its side. Allen turned it slightly. His—his side. It was most definitely male. Still intact. The puppy was not very old. “A puppy.”
He looked at her. Her face had softened, her lips were swollen from his kiss, and she had that dewy-eyed look that had his gut tightening with instant lust. Her attention shifted to the puppy and softened even more. Her mouth rounded softly. “He’s so...dirty.”
“I think he’s been out