AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, I got shacked.”
Her delicate brow scrunched, clearly confused by his surf lingo.
“It’s, ah, when you ride the inside of the wave.”
“Oh, right.” She gave him what she thought was the shaka sign, but instead was the symbol for headbanging rock-n-rollers. “Hang loose, brah.”
Ryland chuckled. “Close, but not quite right.” With a crooked smile, he reached out, took her soft hand in his and bent her index finger down. “There you go.”
His words came out husky and their gazes locked, the air between them instantly igniting. Ryland couldn’t deny the zing of awareness that passed through him when he touched her. His attention dipped to her glossy lips. Hell, he wanted to taste them more than he wanted anything else.
Pulling in a steadying breath, he released her hand and raked his fingers through his wild, sun-streaked hair. It was too long on top, but he liked it that way. And, unlike the Navy, The Agency didn’t care how long he let it grow. Before Ryland lost his nerve yet again, he blurted out, “Would you like to go out sometime?”
So much for waiting for the perfect moment.
There was no missing the way her aqua eyes lit up. “I’d like that.”
He nodded, his usual confidence returning. “Great. There’s this place not too far away called Driftwood. They have the best food.”
“Oh, I passed by there the other day. It’s right on the beach.”
“I’d take you tonight, but I have a work meeting that could go late. So how about tomorrow evening?”
“Sure.” She tilted her head, studying him. “What do you do for work?”
He hesitated briefly. “I’m former military and now work for a government agency.”
Her eyebrows shot straight up and when he didn’t offer any more information, she flashed him an adorable, half-smile. “Like the FBI? Are you a spy or something?”
The FBI had agents; the CIA had spies. And Harper had an abundance of artless charm.
But Ryland needed to shut down any and all conversation about what he did for a living. Because as far as the world knew, The Agency didn’t exist. And it was up to him to keep it that way by not giving away any details about what he actually did for a living.
“Nah. Nothing that exciting.” Okay, so a bit of a lie, but the less she knew, the better. Flipping the conversation, Ryland said, “You just moved to San Diego, right?”
“Almost three weeks ago.”
“What brought you here?”
He could’ve sworn a dark look flashed over her pretty face before she said, “My sister lives here and she recently bought a restaurant that she’s renovating. I offered to help her and she accepted. I’ve always liked San Diego, and L.A. lost its charm about a year ago.”
Ryland propped his arm on top of the row of mailboxes and leaned closer. “Why’s that?”
Her gaze dipped to the tattoo on his forearm. “The people just aren’t very nice. Unless, of course, you can do something for them. Then they’re your best friend.” The dry tone in her voice spoke volumes.
“Phonies?”
She nodded. “It’s okay. I’d much rather be down here. It seems more real.”
“I think so.” He straightened up and glanced down at the large Casio G-Shock watch on his wrist. “Well, welcome to paradise. I should get going, though. Can’t be late or the boss won’t be happy.”
“See you tomorrow then?”
“Definitely. I’ll come over at six to get you.”
“Apartment two-twelve.”
“Two-twelve,” he repeated.Roger that, sweetheart.Ryland gave her another smile, and his gaze trailed hungrily along her curves as he watched her walk. For being so small, she had plenty of them. Mouth watering, eyes glued to the sway of her hips and rounded ass, he mentally groaned.
