As I got closer to the car, I reached for the key fob, pushing the button as I pulled it from my pocket. The unlocking mechanism snicked on the driver’s side door, and I hit it again to unlatch all the locks. Once I’d opened my side, while on the verge of sitting, I finally ventured a look in Beau’s direction.
He was still a good distance away, maybe twenty steps or so behind me, but I counted it as a win that he was still walking toward the car. I dropped down in the seat and reached to turn off the interior overhead lights then pushed the headlights button off before I started the car. I kept watch on him with every step he took.
I read about the intensity of love at first sight. When you see someone from across a space and every instinct connectedyou to them. I didn’t doubt such a thing happened but never considered I’d be on the receiving end.
Suddenly, I experienced a deep sense of vulnerability. At the same time, a comforting warmth spread through me. I brought my other leg inside the car and shut the door. I needed the minute alone to try to gain perspective.
The worry of driving without a license no longer mattered. Let the consequences fall where they may. I’d drive anywhere as long as Beau was in the seat next to me.
So much for taking it slow.
The passenger door opened, and he took a seat, shutting him inside. My head swam with his scent, all guy mixed with a spicy, clean cologne. I held my tongue that wanted to confess how much I dug the way he smelled and started the engine, putting the gear shift in reverse. I needed to put distance between us and the party.
“Where do you live, and how familiar are you with the back roads?” I asked. “Can you get us there?”
“Probably,” he said. “I’ve spent summers here for most of my life, but that isn’t sayin’ a whole lot.”
In the silence, my body soaked up the rich tenor of his voice. Beau felt like home. A place I needed to be…Stop.
“This is my first time in Sea Springs,” I said. “Joy has a GPS in the glove box if we need it.”
Beau didn’t reply as the car bounced down the trail, hitting each deep rut and oversized rock in the way. After we took the first of two turns that hid the field from the road, I flipped on the headlights. “The only rule given to us about the party was to turn the headlights off and not draw any unwanted attention. Think we accomplished it or will I have some angry cowboys after me?”
The trail came to an end, having me drive the last leg through a field. The night was much darker out here than I was used to.I couldn’t see too far in front of me, requiring the lights to guide my way.
Beau gave a huff and reached for his seatbelt. “If you’re really the son of the owner of Richmond Resorts, turning your headlights on is the least of your problems.”
The reply held warmth and humor.
“I figured my problem might be more the plaid walking shorts I’m wearing in a sea of Wranglers and cowboy boots. I know it sounds crazy, but I do blend in well in many parts of the world.” As I said the last few words, I turned to waggle my brows.
The stare we did so well held again. My glance shifted between him and the field as I navigated the car onto the frontage road. It sure appeared that he blushed. I’d never known anyone to be shy about anything.
“So you live around here now?” I asked.
“I guess so.”
I waited but nothing more was said. He now stared out the passenger side window, seemingly ignoring me.
“What does I guess mean?” I finally asked.
It took a few seconds more before Beau answered. “I’m from Mobile, Alabama, but my mom’s from here. My grandparents have a B&B in Sea Springs where my mom grew up. My great grandparents bought the house. But times aren’t good. I don’t know if we’ll stick around here for longer than a couple of years.”
“I think I heard you played football?” I asked as I came to a four-way stop close to the entrance of Highway 146. I let the car idle, unsure which way to go, and took the opportunity to openly ogle Beau. He continued to stare out the passenger window. That didn’t stop me from the slow perusal of his body. He was hot. Lean and muscular. A trim waist and strong thighs. The tingles were back with a vengeance.
“Football,” he said dryly. My gaze shifted up. He’d caught me staring. I wasn’t even embarrassed in the least. He pointed a finger out the front windshield. “Take the highway.”
Got it. I was to drive, so I did, taking the ramp to merge onto the highway.
“Sorry.” But I wasn’t at all. “So you play football?”
“Not anymore.”
Clearly, this Beau wasn’t a man of many words. “You’re from Alabama but you live here now. How did that happen?”
“My parents split up a few months back. Me and my mom moved here after the divorce. She’s gonna be the new vice principal at the high school I’m supposed to attend. And no, I’m not playin’ football anymore. It’s pretty much the reason we had to move.”
I scowled at the explanation as I tried to understand. “Does that mean your father wants you to play and you don’t want to?”
