Page 78 of Never To Be Mine

But she didn’t.

When we pulled into my driveway, I felt that familiar surge of pride I always got when showing someone my house for the first time. It wasn’t the biggest place on the beach—not even close—but it was mine.

Juno got out of her car and just stared at the house, then at the view beyond it.

“Holy shit,” she said.

“Yeah.” I walked up beside her. “That was pretty much my reaction too when I first saw it.”

The Pacific stretched out before us, endless and blue under the afternoon sun. A few surfers bobbed in the water, waiting for the perfect wave.

“Come on,” I said, gesturing toward the front door. “It’s even better from inside.”

I unlocked the door and led her through the entryway. The house was open concept—living room, kitchen, and dining area all flowing together with those massive windows that looked out onto my deck and the ocean beyond. I’d kept the furniture minimal and clean. Lots of natural wood and neutral colors that didn’t compete with the view.

“This is beautiful,” Juno said, walking toward the windows like they were pulling her forward. “I can’t believe you live here.”

I headed to the kitchen. “Want something to drink? I’ve got wine, beer, sparkling water, regular water, or I could make us some smoothies.”

She turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised. “If you make me a smoothie right now, I’m leaving.”

I laughed. “Fair enough. Water?”

“Sure. Why not.”

I added lemon slices to each glass and handed her one.

“To successful commercial shoots,” I said, raising my glass.

“To surviving them,” she corrected, clinking her glass against mine.

I slid open the glass door and we stepped outside. The ocean breeze hit us immediately, carrying that salt smell I’d grown to love. The sound of the waves was louder out here. I had a few lounge chairs set up, a small table between them.

Juno kicked off her heels and walked to the railing. She leaned against it and lifted her face to the sun, closing her eyes.

“I could get used to this,” she said.

“It never gets old.” I joined her at the railing, close enough that our arms almost touched. “Some mornings I wake up early just to watch the sun rise over the water. Best meditation I’ve ever found.”

“Better than yoga?”

“Definitely.”

I should have stepped back and created some distance. We’d agreed to keep things professional, and in that moment, there was nothing professional about my thoughts.

I moved closer. She didn’t step back.

25

JUNO

He reached for my glass, setting it on the railing without looking. In the next breath, his mouth was on mine. I kissed him back immediately, my hands sliding up his arms and into his hair, pulling him closer.

Fuck professional boundaries.

The kiss deepened fast, his tongue sliding against mine, one hand cupping the back of my neck while the other settled at my waist. I pressed into him, feeling all six feet of hard muscle against my softness. It was too much and not enough. His teeth grazed my lower lip.

When he finally broke away, both of us breathing hard, his eyes were dark with the same need I felt. He took my hand without a word and led me through his house, down the hallway to his bedroom. I followed because I didn’t want to stop. The door clicked shut behind us, and then we were kissing again, slower this time but no less intense.