Chrissy tried to keep a stern look on her face but soon dissolved into giggles of her own. The sound washed over him, every bit as refreshing and memorable as the ocean waves themselves. He fought the temptation to put his other arm around her waist and draw her closer. He was succeeding, too, until she looked up at him with those gorgeous brown eyes. Her lips parted slightly, immediately drawing his attention.
He ought to steer her back in the direction they’d come, but his feet wouldn’t move. The distance between them evaporated, though he wasn’t sure which of them moved first.
Wyatt leaned down until his lips brushed against hers in a brief kiss. He was going to step back, but her soft sigh had him moving in to kiss her again. Just before he felt the warmth of her lips, she straightened, and her face moved away from his.
His heart stalled and then raced like a runaway train. “What’s wrong?”
Chrissy gripped his arms for another moment before dropping her hands. The pink in her cheeks was just barely visible in the fading sun. “I can’t… you may end up being Emma’s boss… It’d be weird,” she finished lamely. Her chin fell as she clasped her hands together in an obvious sign of discomfort. “I’m sorry.”
There was no doubt she was right, but Wyatt’s throat tightened with disappointment. Their kiss was so short, he might have imagined it. But it’d been long enough to prove they had some serious chemistry there.
Maybe he shouldn’t have pressed her to come to the reunion with him. As much as he wanted to regret doing so, he couldn’t. The look on her face as she experienced the ocean for the first time made it all worthwhile.
Wyatt reached out to touch her arm but stopped himself. “No, I’m the one who should be sorry.” He cleared his throat, uncertain what to say. He gestured toward the waves and then in the direction of the sunset. “I blame the ambiance.” To his relief, she gave a little laugh. “Come on, we’d better be getting back before it’s too dark to find our shoes.”
She seemed relieved for the change in subject. They walked along the beach in near silence, allowing his thoughts to all but scream in his head.
Was it wrong to want to kiss Chrissy again? She clearly regretted it. She seemed like the type to slap first and demand an apology later if he were to try it again. Knowing his family, it was unlikely he and Chrissy would get any time alone.
That was for the best. He had a feeling it would be way too easy to allow himself to fall for Chrissy.
