As if conjured by her thoughts, a man jogging along the beach snagged her attention.
It couldn’t be him. She chided herself even as she walked closer to shore. There must be any number of men who chose to run the beach in the morning. Hell, she’d seen plenty of them since starting her swim.
But this man sported familiar, tousled blond hair.
And abs she’d run her lips over.
Of course he’d be shirtless. Hayden loved to show off. And with a body like his, she couldn’t blame him.
She crouched lower in the water until the waves lapped against her lips and the briny taste of the ocean slipped into her mouth. He’d never notice her, she reasoned. There were others in the sea, and from the looks of things, he was intent on his run, white earphones pressed into each ear.
Safe, she allowed herself to watch him. He moved with a grace she wouldn’t have associated with a man his size. Without his shirt, she was treated to a front-row view of how his honed muscles worked in concert. A man who lived his life in search of the next debauched adventure shouldn’t be so perfect, she mused. This was a classic case of a higher power giving with both hands.
And choosing a most undeserving subject.
Heads turned as he jogged by, many of them female ones. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who’d decided to enjoy the show.
Hayden reached the end of the beach and turned around to retrace his steps.
Watching him move with such effortless surety drew her mind back to the night of the gala. With the taste of champagne in her mouth, she’d slipped her hand into his when he asked her to dance. It’d been the first time he’d ever touched her in anything other than a professional setting. Though other couples crowded the dance floor, she’d had eyes only for him. When his hand slid across her lower back, she couldn’t help the goose bumps that rose at his touch.
And he’d noticed.
With Christmas cheer in the air and his hands on her body, she’d wondered, just for a moment, what it would be like to throw caution to the wind. Everyone else seemed to have no problem taking what they wanted.
Why should she be any different?
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t duck lower in the waves when Hayden’s head turned.
Blue eyes clashed with hers in instant recognition.
Torn between racing for her towel and swimming farther out to sea, she waited indecisively as he slowed to a stop on the sand before her.
“Best run ever,” he said, scanning her wet body.
Avery automatically bent her knees to ensure the waves covered her shoulders. “Shouldn’t your billionaire MO be to sleep till noon?”
“Absolutely,” he replied. “Don’t tell anyone, or you’ll ruin my reputation.” His grin widened. “Planning on coming out any time soon?”
“I’ve got time,” she called back.
He checked his iPod. “The perpetually prompt Ms. Clarke is going to lounge in the water when there’s work to be done?”
“Head back to the hotel and I’ll follow shortly,” she said.
He crossed his arms. “And miss what I’m sure will be the best part of my day?”
“Hayden,” she hissed.
“Avery,” he replied mildly.
She crouched lower in the water, debating her options. He was right about the time. If she wanted dry hair by her first meeting, she needed to get out soon. Worse, she’d been playing in the waves long enough for her body to grow cold.
But the thought of walking out of the surf with his hot gaze on her in nothing but her red bikini had her heart leaping in her chest.
“I could always come in,” he said. “Take a quick dip to cool off.”
If he entered the water with her, she very much doubted the resulting effect would cool anything off.
“Fine,” she said, pointing toward shore. “Please grab my towel for me.”
When he bent to follow her command, she raced as fast as she could from the water.
Of course, it wasn’t near fast enough.
She’d reached calf-depth when he straightened toward her, towel in his grasp. The amusement drained from his eyes as he saw her, a hot hunger taking its place.
She told herself the extra roll to her hips was merely because of the uneven sand beneath her feet, but even so, she had a hard time catching her breath when he looked at her like he was now.
No one had stared at her that way in years. Even when she’d worn a wedding ring, she hadn’t been treated to an expression of such blind lust.
Though a blush rose to her cheeks, a curious feeling of power filled her. Hayden spent his days with the most beautiful women the world had to offer.
Yet here he was, watching her with a need he couldn’t hide.
The water lapped at her ankles as she took her last steps from the ocean.