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He threw back his head and laughed harder than he had in…well, forever. Sophie Birch proved to be a direct link to his funny bone. Brains, beauty, sense of humor—she intrigued every part of him.
“See, I occasionally can get a guy to laugh, but girls like that get a guy to…”
“What?” He stopped laughing and stared at her.
“Do whatever they want.”
“The only person I want to be with is you. You’re far more beautiful than they are. Than any woman in the Strand,” he said.
“Please,” she whispered. “You don’t need to exaggerate like that to keep me around.”
“I’m not exaggerating. Not by a long shot.” He traced a finger down her neck and across her collarbone. “You’ve got an amazing mind, a rockin’ body, and a heart that’s more genuine and kind than anyone I know.”
Goose bumps popped up on her skin, but damp eyes behind heavy blinking almost undid him. Hadn’t anyone ever told her how awesome she was? He pulled her into his arms and breathed in the flowery scent of her hair. Felt the wild thumping inside her chest.
“Let’s do something,” he said. He couldn’t match her in smarts, but he could give her a peek into his life. A glimpse he hadn’t shared with anyone else.
She looked up at him, her brows knit together. “What?”
“Come on.” He grabbed his board and took her hand. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to do.”
“Uh, okay. And thank you,” she said softly. “For saying such nice things. No one’s ever complimented me like that before.”
He slowed his pace. “No guy has ever told you you’re hot?” At twenty-four, she had to have been in relationships.
She gave a nervous giggle. “No.”
“You’ve had boyfriends, though, right?” Zane noted the sky darkening, the clouds edging out the blue hues. The temperature had stayed the same, though, a balmy breeze blowing across their faces.
“Two.” Her quiet voice drew his eye. “But they didn’t last very long and…”
“And?”
“There was no real chemistry. I think they were more out of convenience than anything else.”
Real chemistry. He took a minute to think on that. He’d experienced lust for sure, desire, urges, horniness, puppy love as a kid. But honest-to-God chemistry?
Not until now.
Did it flow both ways? He had no idea. The way Sophie looked at him. The flushes she couldn’t keep at bay. Her shallow breathing when he was close. He knew she found him attractive. And when he’d wrapped his arms around her a minute ago, he’d also felt her nipples harden. The more they touched, the more she responded.
But a woman like Sophie would need more. She’d want an intellectual connection as well, and there were thousands of men out there with more intelligence than he had.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Uh, yeah.”
What the hell was he doing? Whatever he was feeling for Sophie was damn selfish. But she was a grown woman and could make her own decisions. She knew what he was, and for the next few days, there was no reason not to enjoy each other.
He might be a total ass for taking advantage of her innocence. He might be a prick for asking her to help with his image.
But right now he hoped to redeem himself some by letting her in further than anyone had been before.
Chapter Seven
Once again, Sophie surprised the hell out of him. She’d been quiet on the short drive, like she sensed the war battling inside him.Do this. Don’t do this. Let her in.Run as far away as possible and never peer into those knowing eyes of hers again. This was the biggest leap he’d taken since the day he left home, and he had no clue why he’d decided to jump now.
It’s her hand. Inside his as they walked down the quiet street just outside of White Strand.
