“Easy, Snoot,” Addy called as she trotted up to join them, each footfall kicking up a plume of sand.
God, she looked good. Fresh-faced, her cheeks glowing from the run—or perhaps from nerves as jittery as his? Her tight expression was hard to read as she swung a backpack off her shoulder and clutched it to her chest.
“I, uh, packed us lunch.”
“It’s nearly three, Addy.”
She lifted her shoulder. “Seems we talk best over food, so…”
“Right. I, uh…” His mouth went desert dry, and words stuck in his throat. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” He glanced around for a sheltered spot.
“Kieran.” She gripped his forearm gently, and the urgency in her voice yanked his gaze back to hers—as deep and green as the sea, a soulful stare that brooked no evasion. “I care about you. Let’s not waste time with bullshit pleasantries.”
Warmth bloomed in his chest. God, this woman! Direct and frank, and braver than he was by far.
“Agreed. And for the record, I care about you too.”
“That’s a good place to start.” She rose onto her toes and pecked his lips. “Now, where shall we eat?”
He cast a glance at the shoreline and smiled. “I know just the spot.”
He shouldered her backpack, and arm in arm they walked south, scattering little plovers before them on the mirror-smooth sand, until they reached the rock wall that marked the entrance to Ivan’s Hollow, a secret cove accessible only at low tide. And right now, the tide was very low indeed. On a cool autumn day like this, they’d likely have the spot to themselves.
Grinning, he clasped Addy’s hand. “Quick now, before the next wave soaks us.” He broke into a run, towing her around the outcropping and into the secret beach known only to locals. Snoot sprinted ahead of them, splashing in the shallow surf.
When they trotted to a stop, Addy dropped his hand and pivoted in a slow circle, mouth agape as she drank in the U-shaped enclosure of slate-gray cliffs dotted with wind-twisted pines. Sugar-soft sand at their feet, gentle swells before them, and—as if cued by their arrival—a squadron of pelicans that flapped past in perfect formation, heading south.
Addy clasped her hands over her heart. “This is magical!”
“It’s my favorite place.”
While Snoot lowered his nose and wandered off to explore, Kieran led her to a log above the waterline where they sat while Addy unpacked their lunch: crusty rolls stuffed with meat, cheese, and vegetables, and dripping with oil and vinegar. “The love child of an Italian grinder and a New Orleans muffaletta. I hope you like it.”
“You’re too good to me, Addy.” Armed with paper napkins, he took a big chomp. “Mmmf,” he moaned around a mouthful of mortadella, salami, ham, provolone, and some kind of pickled vegetable relish.
She giggled. “Here, you’ve got olive salad in your beard.” She dabbed at his chin with a napkin, and he gently seized her wrist. Better get it out now before he lost his nerve.
“Addy, love, I’m sorry. Truly I am. Last night was perfect until I spoiled it. I hadn’t had a nightmare in a while, and I foolishly put that possibility out of mind because I wanted to spend the night in your arms.” He flattened her palm over his heart. “I had no right to put you in danger.”
Her eyes glowed with emotion. “Listen, since the moment we met, I’ve been completely honest with you. You know how rare that is for me? I usually keep the messy details to myself, but you make me feel comfortable and safe, and last night…” The tip of her tongue chased a drop of olive oil clinging to her lip. “You were right. Once with you is not enough.”
Did she realize how her unconscious, sensual gestures drove him mad? His cock reared up, straining painfully against his zipper. But diving back into her bed wouldn’t remove the obstacles between them.
Addy flushed and ducked her head. “I promise, I didn’t come over here to jump your bones. I just want to clear the air and see if we can find our way past this.” She took his hand and threaded her fingers through his. “I really hope we can. I could use a friend who understands what I’ve been through, someone I can talk to about the aftershocks, about how to rebuild a life after going through hell.”
Her mouth said “friend,” but the glimmer in her eye promised more.
“I wish I knew how to help you, Addy.” He sighed and shook his head. “Since coming to Trappers Cove, I’ve been fooling myself. I thought I was putting the past behind me, but…” Damn, this was hard, but he had to push through for Addy’s sake.
“I realize I’ve only been surviving, just skimming the surface,” he continued. “Meeting you makes me want to dive deep, do the hard work, you know? But I’m afraid I’m too damaged to be the friend you deserve.”
There it was, the truth in all its ugliness. Heart hammering, he waited for her to take it up—or turn away.
Addy scooted closer, pressing her thigh to his—an intoxicating distraction. “I don’t need a perfect partner, Kieran, just someone I can open up to.”
A sudden lightness filled his body, fizzing like champagne and hope. He raised her hand to his lips. “That I can do.”
The way her pupils flared at the touch of his mouth on her skin…Jaysus!
