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Lu falls back on the seat and closes her eyes, tilting up her chin so the breeze blows her hair out of her face.
It’s all I can do not to stare. She’s fucking gorgeous. Hair everywhere, shoulders and mouth relaxed. Music swells around us. Breeze is warm. My blood is hot.
I’m practically shaking with the need to make this girl mine. I dreamt about her for years. Even after I gave up hope of ever winning her back, she’d still slip into my dreams. Wild and happy and so beautiful I’d wake up hard every time.
But I need to take it slow. This song is a case in point. I may be in hot pursuit, but Lu wants nothing to do with me. I’ve got one shot, and one shot only, to prove to her I’m the kind of man she deserves.
And that man needs to slow his roll and respect her timing. Girl just ended a serious relationship. I doubt she’s ready to hear the things I wanna say to her.
So I literally slow down, easing my foot off the pedal.
No need to rush when I got Lu in a good place.
But she must notice, because she cracks open an eye and says, “Good thing we’re not in a rush, grandpa.”
“Just keepin’ you alive, princess.”
Her nostrils flare. “I’m Louise. Not Lu, and definitely not princess.”
“Don’t lie, Lu. You still like being a passenger princess on a long golf cart ride, don’t you?”
“You have no idea who I am or what I like.”
I change hands on the wheel so I can lean toward her, listening. “What? You really tellin’ me you don’t have someone driving you around aimlessly for hours while y’all listen to whatever playlist you’re into that day?”
“Unfortunately I have to be an adult now, so no.”
“Tragic.” I shake my head.
“No shit.” Her eyes flick down my body. A flare of arousal ignites between my legs. “But you seem to have all the time in the world.”
I smile. “To do this? Listen to good music while enjoying good company? Hell yeah, I do.”
“God, you’re shameless.” She rolls her eyes. “You know your flattery’s wasted on me, right?”
“You can’t tell me you’re not feeling better than you were half an hour ago.”
Lu rolls her tongue between her lips, a pair of indents appearing between her eyebrows. They used to show up whenever she was giving something a good ponder.
“It was a classic boot and rally. Of course I’m feeling better.” Lu spears a hand through her hair, mussing it to the side in the sexiest way imaginable. I hold the wheel in a death grip. “I just had way too much Chardonnay last night. Dad’s not here, so Mom is living it up.”
My heart skips a beat. “Your parents doing well?”
“Well enough, I guess.” She cuts me a glance. “What about yours?”
“Mom’s still on the island. Dad’s still gone.”
“That sucks.”
“Does, yeah. But Mom’s remarried, and I think she’s happier now.”
A long beat of silence.
“Can we talk about last night?” I ask.
Lu turns away, eyes glued to the blur of trees we pass. “I’d rather not. It was a mistake. Like I said, too much Chardonnay.”
“If you say so.” A pause. I need to tread carefully. “Coop told me about your breakup. I’m sorry.”
I watch her throat work as she swallows. “I haven’t been single in a while. Got a little . . . carried away with the booze.”
Confirmation she is indeed single. That’s a good thing. The fact that she’s clearly been hurt, and hurt badly, isn’t.
“Just know that whatever you need, Lu, I’m more than happy to oblige.”
She cuts me another look, sharper this time. “It’s Louise. And I don’t need a damn thing from you, Riley. Now shut up so I can listen to the music. This is my favorite Julia song.”
I nod. “Yes ma’am.”
A few minutes later, I pull into my parking spot in Harbour Village directly across from the ferry landing. At the moment, things are quiet. It’s a little early for the lunch crowd at Stede’s, but a few tourists I don’t recognize are seated on the patio, drinks in hand as they look out over the water.
Beside the restaurant, the door to Surf’s Up is propped open, allowing passersby a glimpse into the activewear shop I helped a friend of mine open a few years back.
I’ve spent the past decade building my empire. Keeping Bald Head small and authentic while transforming it into a world-class destination. And my chest still swells anytime I lay eyes on the fruits of my labor.
Something else swells as I watch Louise climb out of the golf cart, showing me far more leg than I can handle. I catch a glimpse of panties—pink lace, fuck me—when she raises her arm to wave at Cooper and Goldie, who are waiting at the entrance to Dock A, where Dolly is moored.
