Chapter 12
It should have taken only ten minutes to get home; however, Dylan opted for the longer, much more scenic route—an attempt to prolong his time with Chloe. A right turn past Providence Square. A left past Sea Dog Pier. Then onto Ocean Blvd, riding alongside the water, the full moon’s light glimmering, dancing, cascading off the waves. With every turn, Chloe clung onto, leaned into him, that much tighter…and at her touch, every single one of Dylan’s nerve-endings tingled.
She was his first passenger aboard Tamale.
The first woman—in a long while—to make his heart skitter.
Dude, you’re only giving her a ride home, not taking her on a journey to happy-ever-after-ville.He let out an indulgent snicker at his own inner rebuttal as he rolled to a halt when they came to a stop sign.
“What’s so funny?”
“Life, Miss Davenport.”
Because six months ago, Dylan thought life, as he knew it, was over. The expectation to feel again had perished. And there he was,feeling, marveling, wondering, if the woman nestled behind him, her head resting against his shoulder blade, was the one he’d been destined for. As if everything that happened, leading up to this very moment, was meant to be.
“Can you believe I was just thinking the same thing?”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I’m not one to take risks, like accepting a ride on a motorcycle.”
“Yet, here you are sitting on the back of my bike like a boss. So, how does it feel to be a bad-ass risk taker?”
When she propped her chin on his shoulder and murmured, “Exhilarating,” Dylan found himself gripping the handlebars tighter when he zoomed on, a sudden chill sweeping over his body as if he were some lovestruck fool. Falling for a woman a man barely met was highly unheard of.
Ahem…
Not in Fortune’s Bay.The true love story about how his Uncle Stan and Aunt Katie met during a Spring Break mishap, thirty years ago, was now top of his mind. A story so cliché, it could’ve only happened in a town known for stringing couples together in a destiny-style fashion. The two had come to Fortune’s Bay for a week of fun with a group of college friends—Stan with two of his buddies and Katie with two BFFs. Even back then, theBayhad been a prime destination spot for Spring Breakers, lured in by its ambience.
Katie and her friends answered an ad to rent a cozy two-bedroom overlooking the water.
Stan and his friends replied to an ad posted in their dorms for a two-bedroom party pad on the beach.
Unfortunately, the property manager placed two different ads for the same cottage, subsequently renting to both groups of friends. Naturally, since it was Spring Break and all, every other place in Fortune’s Bay was booked. The groups of friends had no choice but to share the house—guys in one room, girls in the other. By the end of the week, they wereallcouples—Marge and Mitch, Hillary and Dan—AKA the Early Brew Crew, and Stanley and Katheryn—AKA Uncle Stan and Aunt Katie. After college, the couples tied the knot, then moved to Fortune’s Bay. When word got around that beachside cottages would be torn down to make room for new businesses, Stan and Katie got a loan to purchase the cottage they stayed at that Spring Break, and it became a little coffee shop called Destiny’s Brew.
Turning the corner onto Buccaneer Lane, Dylan slowed his roll as he approached home. “Here we are, safe and sound.”
“Thanks for the ride.” Although the engine was now turned off, and the bike was parked, Chloe clung onto Dylan’s midsection as if she were holding on for dear life.
“You all right, Miss Davenport?” he asked, removing his helmet.
“Oh, yes. I-I suppose I can let go now.” She let out a soft chuckle as she unwrapped her arms from around his waist. “Um, Dylan?”
“Yes?” He eased off of Tamale, and held out a hand to help her step off and onto the sidewalk.
“Do you think we can do this again sometime?”
A smile touched Dylan’s lips as they stood facing one another under the moonlight, a salty ocean breeze moving between them. He took in Chloe’s angelic beauty, unable to take his eyes off her, mesmerized by every detail. The seemingly permanent twinkle in her eyes. The single freckle garnishing the tip of her nose. The fullest set of lips.
This should have been the moment seized with a kiss.
Not yet.
Dylan closed the minuscule space separating them, as he helped unfasten her helmet. “Of course we can do this again some time. I’d be honored.”
Honored to kiss, hold, even watch the sun rise and slowly fall with you.
He shook those thoughts out of his head, unable to place his finger on exactly what it was about her that pulled him in.Everything.
“Maybe you can be my personal Fortune’s Bay tour guide?” She looked down, at first, then blinked up at him, long lashes framing those hypnotic-blue eyes.
“Sounds like a great idea,” he said, placing her helmet back in its compartment and handing over her purse. “Now, let’s get inside. I believe I owe you a manuscript.”
