“You thought of everything.”
And I didn’t knowwhatto think. What I’d expected to be a brief morning swim was looking an awful lot like an entire day’s outing.
Why was Jack doing this? Especially with a deadline looming?
“How’s your book coming along?” I asked as we traversed the short path from the parking lot through a gap in the grass-covered dunes. “Did you finish already?”
“I still have to come up with an ending, but honestly, I’m at a total loss. You were right last night—Iamin need of inspiration.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been writing so much so fast, I’m feeling a little drained. You’ve got to refill the well at some point or no more water will come out of it, you know? I thought a change of scenery might help. Thought you might need one, too.”
“Oh yes, an enormous oceanfront mansion can get sooooo boring.”
We both laughed and he grabbed my hand. “If you’re tired of the ocean, maybe I should have flown you to a cabin on a mountaintop in Vermont.”
I smiled over at him as we walked. “In all honesty Jack, these few weeks have done an amazing job of refilling the well for me. Taking care of my dad—though I’m honored to do it and wouldn’t have it any other way—has taken a lot out of me. That on top of my regular work schedule had me pretty worn down. Spending this time with no real responsibilities other than my job, doing so much reading for pleasure, and being in a beautiful place where all my needs have been met... well, let’s just say my ‘imprisonment’ has turned out to be really good for me.”
He squeezed my hand. “I’m glad.”
Just past the sand dunes, the beach opened up, stretching out like a soft white blanket rippling under an endless expanse of blue sky.
It was completely empty, I guessed because it was past peak season. All the families who vacationed here during the summer months were tucked back into their suburbs and cities. That left the two of us to enjoy what amounted to a private beach.
“Wow. You’re right. It is beautiful.” I turned to Jack. “I do love it.”
He smiled. “I knew you would.”
He dropped the basket and bag then stripped off his shirt. Muscles rippled and bulged across his chest, arms, legs, and tight abdomen as he moved.
Speaking of beautiful things.
His body literally awed me, the sight stealing my breath and making my bikini bottoms damp.
“See something you like?” he teased with a rascally smile. “Well, come and get it.”
Without waiting for me, he took off running, splashing in and diving under the surface.
After a few seconds, he popped up and turned back to face me, letting out a joyful whoop as he beckoned with a hand raised high over his head.
“Come on in. It’s not cold. It feels good.”
I followed, not running in as he had but taking my time to remove my coverup then wade in slowly.
When the first wave rushed over my feet and ankles, I squealed. “You liar, itiscold. Either that or you’re a penguin.”
He grinned back at me, his blue eyes made even bluer by the backdrop of the water and sky. “Idorun a little hot.”
Or a lot.
Those paparazzi photos online had failed to do him justice. Jack looked fantastic, shirtless in only his swim trunks. Which were now wet and hinting at an outline of some truly impressive cargo.
Completely unaware he was being ogled, Jack playfully smacked the water with his hand, splashing it toward me.
“You’ll get used to it,” he promised.
If he meant the sight of him wet and nearly naked, I seriously doubted that was possible. Of course he was referring to the cold water.
Determined to be brave, I cringed and moved ahead. After all, how often did I get a chance to take a helicopter trip to a private beach?
