Page 56 of Love on the Line
“Really? I love the beach.” She rolled down the window and stuck her hand out. “And this is the perfect day. We don’t usually hit the seventies in March.”
“I know. Next month I have another Big Brothers Big Sisters event on the beach. I’m supposed to sign a bunch of footballs and camp out with the kids. It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for the organization, and they’re really hyping it. I hope the weather is good. It’s a crap shoot in April with the rain.”
She glanced at him, and her heart softened. He really cared about the kids. “That sounds like fun. They’re lucky to have your support.”
He shrugged. “They’re not so lucky, but I do what I can.”
“It’s not seventies yet. My fingers are freezing now.” She held the button to close the window and touched his arm.
A wicked smile formed on his face. “I have a place where you can warm them up.”
Oh hell no. Now that thought would get stuck in her head. Like he needed to give her any ideas. “Not while you’re driving.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge?”
“Stop it.” She play-slapped his arm.
As they approached the boardwalk, bright pink marathon signs lined the streets. Police officers stood in front of roads with cones blocking access.
“Are you kidding me?” Wyatt frowned. “I never thought to check for any events because it’s off-season.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Even with the race, it couldn’t be as packed as any day in the summer.
Wyatt parked in the crowded lot at the end of the boardwalk. When Anne got out, the cool, salty ocean breeze blew her hair. The scents of cotton candy, fried dough, and popcorn wafted over, making her stomach rumble.
They navigated between groups of people gathered at various mile markers on the boardwalk.
“How about some lunch?” Wyatt asked. “It’s almost noon.”
“You read my mind. What should we get?”
“We’re at the boardwalk. Gotta start with a big tub of salt and vinegar fries.” He steered her over to the stand.
They sat on a bench overlooking the water while they ate. Seagulls screeched, diving and fighting over dropped food from tourists.
“These are so good.” Anne wiped her mouth with a napkin and took another bite of a French fry.
Wyatt leaned over and kissed her. “Yum. You’re more delicious than the food. Salty and sweet.”
She wasn’t going to last the day. Her brain ceased functioning when his lips moved over hers like that. What would it be like when they were on her breasts?
“Mommy, Mommy can we get ice cream?” A little girl’s voice rang out.
Wyatt pulled back and sighed. He traced a hand down her neck to where her pulse was erratically beating, and she shivered.
A ghost of a smile formed on his face.
He knew the effect he was having on her, all right. And damn if she didn’t love it.
A man wearing a Ravens jersey walked past with a woman. He glanced in their direction, stumbled, and stopped. “Wyatt Pearson?”
Wyatt nodded, and the man hurried to their bench, followed by the woman. “I’m a huge fan. Any chance I could get a picture with you?”
“Sure.” Wyatt stood, and the woman pulled her phone out of her purse and snapped a shot of them.
Another group of people passing by stopped and pointed to Wyatt, whispering to each other. After the man thanked Wyatt and left, the others approached, also wanting pictures.
He glanced at Anne as more fans gathered, a worried frown on his face. Is this what would happen whenever they went to public places? No more stealing kisses on the bench. Her heart sighed.
