Wild Open Hearts (Bluewater Billionaires) - Kathryn Nolan Page 0,67

No poses.”

I pointed to the burger again. She dutifully held it. “I forgot to tell you. Penelope should be ready for adoption applications in a month.”

Luna’s face changed: happiness, joy, compassion. I hit click.

That was the real Luna da Rosa.

“Beck,” she said, hands flying to her throat. “Oh, I’m so thrilled to hear that.”

“I know,” I grinned. “I can tell. And here’s your picture.”

“Nope,” she laughed. “That’s one of two hundred. Keep that finger limber, boss.”

“I think we got it on the first try,” I said softly. “Take a look.”

She took the phone, examined her portrait. Gave me a strange look. “I… love it. Thank you.”

“You don’t actually have to post it,” I said. “It could also be only for you and me. To commemorate our date.”

She flushed prettily and put down the burger. “If that was the case, then you would have to be in the picture too.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Although, now I’m upset with myself. If I’d known we were going on a date, I would have packed more flower crowns.”

My lips tugged at the ends. “I’m… sorry I didn’t answer you. Earlier. Words aren’t my strong suit.”

“That’s right,” she said, smirking. “I forgot I’m supposed to be kind of mad at you. Your text messaging flirt game needs some work. Because no response doesn’t really make a girl swoon.”

“Noted for the future,” I said, repeating her words from the other night.

“You have to sweep her off her feet, show her how you feel, Mr. Mason. Fireworks.” She wiggled her fingers in the air.

“Showing I can do. Actions I can do.” Then I slid the table between us to the right. Reached forward and dragged Luna into my lap. She gasped as my arms wrapped around her waist.

“How’s this?” My lips hovered an inch from hers.

“G—good,” she whispered.

“Should we take that picture now?”

She nodded, eyes mischievous and locked on my mouth. “Yes, please.”

“Do it then.” I nudged my nose across her jaw.

With a playful smile, she held her phone out and snuggled against me. Flipped the camera around until I could see tiny versions of ourselves. As she prepared to take the picture, I leaned in and gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek. Click went her phone as she exploded in laughter. I dragged my mouth across her cheek and buried my nose in her hair. I’d been dreaming of it since the night on the beach.

“Will you take me home now, Beck?” she asked, voice shaking.

“Of course,” I said. She showed me her phone—I usually hated pictures of myself, hadn’t taken one in years. I’d certainly spent more of my life frightening people than being admired. I knew some people found me sexually attractive, but I’d never once felt like I was a person with a face to be admired. Only feared. Despised, even. The recent news stories featuring my mug shots—which I’d thought I’d never see again—had made it clear how people felt about my face.

This picture, however, told a different story. Luna was laughing, filled with light, with my arms holding her tight. I looked happy as I kissed her, and she looked comfortable, and we could have been newlyweds for the obvious amount of trust between us.

My natural instinct to read body language sent back one message: this is real, Beck.

It had to be, right?

37

Luna

Beck and I roared down the highway on his motorcycle, a crystal-blue ocean to our right that grew darker and darker as the sun set and the stars burst forth. Palm trees danced overhead as the engine’s delicious vibration echoed between my thighs. I was breathless, free, leaning with Beck into every turn, aroused by the sight of his hands on this dangerous machine. The sexy competence of it all was enough to send my head spinning. On sharp turns, I just let myself feel—big man, loud bike, ocean breeze, salt air. The endless fear and turmoil that had plagued me since we’d first gotten the news about Ferris Mark was evaporating the faster Beck took us, the more curves we hugged as we raced toward home.

I didn’t know what was going to happen next on this date. Didn’t know if it was right or wrong, courageous or foolish, if it would make Jasmine happy or Sylvia cheer.

All I knew was that whatever step the universe had been pushing me toward this entire time I was ready for now.

So, so ready.

Bluewater was beautiful drenched in moonlight as we pulled in, the still water sparkling, my eccentric neighbors taking