Sea of Love(24)

Lacy emptied the remaining wine into their glasses. “Really? I had you pegged all wrong,” she said with a smile.

“I doubt that. You probably had me pegged pretty close,” Dane said. Unfortunately.

Lacy rested her head back on her chair and closed her eyes. Dane had the urge to pick her up and carry her inside, tuck her into bed, and let her fall asleep in his arms, safe and warm. Instead he pushed to his feet.

“I think I’d better go,” he said.

Lacy sat up. “You don’t have to go.”

“I do. I promised you that I wouldn’t fall in love with you, and spending too much time with you isn’t going to help me keep that promise.” Dane took her hand and helped her to her feet. Her body swayed with fatigue, and when she settled herself on her legs, her lips were inches from his. Dane inhaled the clean, fresh scent of her shampoo. His hands ached to touch her hips and pull her close, to draw her chest against his, his mouth to her lips. She looked up at him with a wanting look, a look that was seared into his memory from their night on the dunes.

“I have to go,” he whispered.

She licked her lower lip.

Dane stifled a groan. Walk away. “It was nice to”—God, I want to kiss you—see you.” He shoved his shaking hands into the pockets of his jeans and took a step back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lacy.”

She arched a brow. “Tomorrow,” she said.

“Sleep tight.” He walked backward toward the front door, knocking into a chair and stumbling over it. Lacy raced to his side, catching his arm. They stood at the same time, measured movements, each watching the other. Need flashed in her eyes. I’m not blowing this.

‘Thank you,” he managed, then turned and headed for the door. “Tomorrow. Eight o’clock. See you then.”





THE SECOND THE door closed, Lacy groaned aloud, then threw herself onto the couch.

“Shit. Shitshitshit.” She rolled onto her stomach and buried her face in the pillow. What am I going to do? Go get him! She ran to the front door and peered out the sidelight window. He was gone. She leaned her back against the door and sank down to her heels. She’d wanted to kiss him so badly that she could already feel his lips on hers. She could practically taste the sweet wine on his breath. What am I going to do?

Her phone vibrated. She read the text from Dane. Good night, Lace.

She wanted to tell him to come back. For a minute she stared at the phone, unable to return the text. He’s just doing what he promised. No pressure. She finally texted him back. G’night.

She stood in the center of the living room, waiting for another text. After ten silent minutes, she threw her phone on the couch. Then, spotting Dane’s sweater on the chair out on the deck, she went to retrieve it. The cool breeze felt good against her skin, which had become far too warm in anticipation of his touch. She lay back on the lounge chair and brought his sweater to her nose, inhaling deeply. She moaned at the delicious reminder, then inhaled his scent again. She settled his sweater over her chest and spread it out so it covered her whole torso. He’s so big. The thought sent a shiver down low, and her mind conjured up the image of him naked, perched above her, his chest a wall of muscle, his arms trembling as he thrust his large cock in and out of her. She slipped her hand beneath her waistband and touched herself, not surprised by the wetness she felt or the instant reaction she had to the teasing flick of her fingers. Lacy closed her eyes and pictured Dane, working herself into a fury of lust and desire. His name sailed from her lips like a prayer as she climbed quickly to the height of a hard and urgent climax. Aftershocks rumbled through her body as she lay under the cover of the night, her mind playing with thoughts of the man she swore she’d never kiss again and wondering what tomorrow might bring.





Chapter Fourteen


THE NEXT MORNING, Dane popped out of bed with renewed energy. He moved through the plush cabin of Treat’s forty-two-foot sailboat and into the galley, where he brewed a pot of coffee. Then he showered and called Rob. He raised an eyebrow when it went to voicemail.

“You lazy son of a bitch, asleep at seven. Enjoy your day off and call me if you want to talk. I’ve been thinking about you and Sheila, and I wonder if you shouldn’t just take a day or two and go to her parents’ house. Talk to her. Clear the air of whatever’s going on. Anyway, man, I’m around. I’m here if you want to talk.”

Dane’s next phone call was to Lacy. He pushed her speed dial number on his cell phone, whistling as it rang. Then he hung up quickly. Damn it. He didn’t want to seem like he was hounding her. He hadn’t been able to resist stopping by the evening before, and hell, leaving was about the toughest thing he’d ever had to do. But a promise was a promise, and he’d be damned if he’d be the one to break it. He had to prove himself to her, and he wanted to help her through her fear of sharks. He wondered if Hugh had been right and that her fear was really the crux of what was keeping her from accepting him back into her life. At least last night was a start. He loved Lacy, and he hated knowing that anything could steal her confidence. Sharks and the oceans had always been his passion, but what he felt for Lacy was far stronger than the love he felt for anything else. He was the perfect person to help her through this, and in the end, maybe Lacy would finally see him for the man he was trying to be. The man I am.

His phone vibrated with a text from Lacy. Dane smiled as he scrolled to read it.

Did you just call?

He laughed and texted back. I called, then remembered ur not supposed 2 fall in love w/me so…

He drank his coffee on the deck and stretched out in the morning sun. When his phone vibrated again, a thrill ran through him.

A hang-up will def keep me from falling in luv w/u. See u in 20 mins.

Dane watched Lacy walking toward the dock. Her blond curls hung thick and wild around her nicely tanned face. Her hips swayed as she walked in a short white skirt, and the navy sleeveless blouse and white sneakers she wore gave her a nautical look. Dane smiled. Every time he saw her, she looked even prettier than she had the time before.

She looked at the itinerary he’d given her, on which he’d written, I’ll be in the third slip from the left. She wrinkled her nose, looked to the left, then to the right, then checked the paper again and scanned the boats one more time. She was so damn cute that he was tempted to watch her for a few more minutes as she figured things out, but the urge to be closer to her was greater than his desire to watch her.

Dane stood and waved. “Lace!”

She waved and approached the boat with a smile. “This is like the boat we were on in Wellfleet.”

“Sort of. It’s much smaller. Treat has great taste,” Dane said.

“You stayed here? Why am I not surprised?” she asked.

He kissed her cheek. “Friends greet that way, so that’s within my rights,” he teased. He reached for her hand to help her aboard.

“I’m not going out with you to hunt for sharks,” she said.

“I know. There are no sharks in coffee, and I don’t think there are many sharks at the library, so we should be safe.” He helped her onto the boat. “Home away from home,” he said. “Coffee?”

“No, thanks,” Lacy said, eyeing the cabin. Her cheeks flushed.

“Don’t even think about it. I’m not going down in that cabin with you. The last time I did, you took advantage of me.” He winked and was relieved when she smiled.

“Does the library open this early?” she asked.

“No, but I thought we might go to the fish pier, then maybe take a walk through town, and by the time the library opens, we’ll be right there.”

“Don’t you have to work?” she asked.

“We tagged a big one Sunday, and yeah, I have to work, but I’ve reprioritized my duties, and I’ve dedicated the next few days to ensuring that you get a proper education on all things Brave.” Dane finished his coffee and went belowdecks to wash his coffee cup while Lacy relaxed in the sun.

“Ready?” he asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose,” she said.

A few minutes later, they climbed into Dane’s car and drove down to the Chatham fish pier. It was too early to see the fishermen bringing in their loads for the day, but Dane had already spoken to the pier manager and he had something else in store for Lacy.

They parked by the road and walked down a steep hill toward the pier.

“This is so cute,” she said as they passed the fish market.

“That body of water is Aunt Lydia’s Cove, and see that little island? It’s Tern Island Sanctuary.” He took her hand in his. “Come on.” As they climbed the steps to the second-story deck of the fish pier, Dane let go of her hand, not wanting to push the limits.

It was harder than he thought it would be to not reach for her again. He had to remain strong. No pressure. He pretended not to notice the questioning look in her eyes.

She went to the far side of the upper deck. “Seals,” she said, pointing to the little dark heads popping in and out of the water by the island.

“Yup. That’s why they called the Brave Foundation. In the last decade, this area has gone from a seal population of two or three thousand to more like fifteen or sixteen thousand. Seals came, sharks followed,” he explained.