Tess was debating whether to see if Bree was available for dinner when her phone rang. It was Bree’s number, and she felt her heart somersault.
“Good evening.” Tess used her reserved tone. She wanted Bree to define the conversation because this was a new situation for them—attending a professional conference together in a professional capacity.Good eveningsafely covered a lot of territory.
“I was just checking to see if you have dinner plans.”
Tess was struck by how much she wanted a life where spontaneous dinner plans like this just fell into place.
“What did you have in mind?” The unexpected call knocked Tess right out of any resolve to remain reserved. “Remember, I’m the guarded and stodgy Judge Fairchild, here in Monterey for arrogance training.”
“Maybe guarded and stodgy in that black robe, but not tonight. I know better, way better. Where are you staying?” Bree asked.
“A little cottage down by the beach. Pink. I should have borrowed your jacket for this trip so I’d match the exterior.”
“How adventurous are you?” Bree’s voice purred through the phone.
That purr woke up something in Tess. She seemed to be a dismal failure at resisting the temptation of Bree.
“It depends what you have in mind. Nothing that’s going to get me arrested, I hope.”
“I’m thinking tacos. On a blanket. On the beach as the sun goes down. Sand between our toes. Maybe even a little ankle-deep wading.” Bree cleared her throat. “But no skinny-dipping if you’re unwilling to end up behind bars.”
Tess had been working so hard to steer clear of entertaining thoughts of a naked Bree on this trip. Anything that might requireWhat happens in Monterey stays in Montereywasn’t on her agenda. But it seemed the reset attempts of Corazon Cove staying in Corazon Cove weren’t on the agenda either.
“I might be able to manage that,” Tess replied. “Tacos. Sand between my toes. Ankle-deep wading. But no criminal activity. I’ve sworn to uphold the law.”
“Okay. I’ll take what I can get.” Bree chuckled. “How do you want to do this? Shall I pick up tacos on the way over to you or come get you first?”
“We can walk to the beach from here, so while you’re picking up the tacos, I can see if I can come up with a beach blanket.”
“You’ve got a deal. How many tacos can you eat? And chicken, fish, or beef?”
“How about two?” Tess replied. “Fish, since we’re seaside.”
“I’ll see you in a little while. And thanks, Tess. So much better than grabbing something down in the hotel café or bar.”
Tess had to agree as she hung up and headed to the manager’s cottage to see if she could round up a blanket for their spontaneous dinner. She promised herself, nothing wild. Just a couple of tacos on the beach.
“Two for you and two for me.” Bree sat cross-legged on the faded unicorn bedspread the manager had found for Tess. The tacos were still in an open-lidded box sitting between them. It was early evening, and the beach was deserted except for a woman and her dog, and they were just leaving. “Are you good?”
“I’m good.” Tess hadn’t been to an ocean beach like this in…not in probably ever. Sitting around in the sand with bare feetand in rolled-up jeans simply enjoying the salt and seaweed laden smells of the shore while the waves rose and fell had never been on Tess’s childhood itinerary. An itinerary filled with so many more important things.
“Are you warm enough? Because we can arm wrestle for my jacket,” Bree asked. “Sorry it’s not the pink one.”
“I’m fine. But I’d take you.”
Bree’s head popped up, and she gave Tess a quizzical look.
Tess swallowed. “At arm wrestling.”
Bree seemed to be letting that sink in. She nodded, and then the azure of her eyes reflected a gleam as the tip of her tongue swept across her lower lip. “Wanna bet?”
“Do I look like the betting sort?” Tess offered a huff.
“Are you telling me that you aren’t going to back up your claims with proof? Maybe chicken?” Bree tsked as she brought up her right arm and squeezed her flexed bicep with her left hand.
Tess thought for a moment. Was she really going to do this? So out of character, but where had that cautious, controlled character led her? To the lonely, job-oriented life that she’d wanted to change. And then she’d met Bree, and her life was no longer just her job. Tess had seen the possibility of filling that hole in her heart. Her life now had her desire for Bree, it had the thrill of stolen kisses, it had the warm comradery of sharing an evening with Bree’s family. It had her sitting here barefoot on the beach to indulge in tacos with Bree, and now it had this opportunity—to toss aside that stick-up-her-backside reputation she’d talked to Flo about before she’d ever met Bree. Hell yes, she was going to do this.
Tess shoved the taco box to the side and stretched out on her stomach. With her elbow on the blanket, she raised her right forearm with her hand extended. Bree laughed as she took a similar position opposite her. Tess suddenly had a clear view ofBree’s pale, smooth, and very ample cleavage in this position. Bree did a slight upper body wiggle that left no doubt she knew where Tess’s attention had gone.
