Page 7 of Beneath the Dawn

Marti was at her wits’ end. Nothing she did would make the bird fly away. The seagull had seemingly come out of nowhere and was refusing to move on. It was a menace. She had tried shooing it away, but it wasn’t the least bit afraid of her. It was as if the blasted thing was claiming this stretch of beach.

“Scat, Edgar! Leave. Now!”

As if the bird not only recognized the deep male voice but also the command, it screeched loudly before flapping its wings and taking off. Marti watched the seagull fly away and couldn’t help admiring the sight of Edgar’s white wings against the backdrop of the bright blue sky.

It was only then that she switched her attention to the man who had rescued her from the seagull. He was wearing a pair of denim shorts that showcased muscular legs, and a San Francisco 49ers T-shirt that covered his broad shoulders and a sculpted chest. His hair was no longer wet and seemed to fall in silky waves around his shoulders. He didn’t just look gorgeous, but also almost irresistible.

“Are you okay?” he asked, as his gaze scanned over her body.

The heat from his gaze felt hot on her skin, to the point that she was tempted to grab her cover-up and put it on. She wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt underdressed in front of him. There honestly wasn’t any reason for it, since she was certain he’d probably seen women wearing a lot less. Still, did he have to look at her like that?

“I’m fine. Thanks for being my secret weapon. Now I’m wondering how you got him to obey you. Should I have said scat instead of shoo?”

He grinned. “Not sure that’s what it is. Edgar just knows my disposition. I took an ornithology class in college. Not that I was interested in the study of birds, but I needed an elective and figured that class should be easy enough.”

“Was it?” she asked, sliding down to sit cross-legged on the huge towel spread out on the sand.

“Yes, and I enjoyed it, too. I discovered a lot of things about birds that I hadn’t known.”

“Like what?” she asked, motioning with her hand for him to join her on the beach towel.

Kicking his sandals off, he dropped down beside her. “Like the fact that seagulls are pretty damn smart. They can discern human behavior and individual personalities. I think the reason Edgar constantly annoys so many people is because he knows that he can get away with it.”

“Who named him?”

Dante leaned back on his arms. “I believe the townsfolk did. According to the locals I’ve gotten to know since being here, that seagull is considered a legend in Wild Rose Point, even if he is an annoying menace. He likes to make his presence known.”

“Obviously,” she said. “He’s also a thief. He flew off with a cluster of my grapes and then had the audacity to come back for more.”

He chuckled. “A seagull’s favorite thing to do is eat. They’re known to observe people closely, trying to decide who will be their next food-snatching victim.”

“That’s not what I wanted to hear. I was planning to spend a lot of time on the beach while I’m here,” she said, frowning. “I refuse to give up my beach time, but the last thing I want to do is fight a seagull who assumes he has territorial rights around here.”

***

Dante smiled as he listened to Marti’s outburst. She looked so cute when she was upset. Damn, as far as he was concerned, she looked beautiful, period. He could pick up a faint scent of the cologne she had been wearing that morning. He figured the salt water had diluted most of it, but still, she smelled good.

He switched his gaze from her to the ocean. The last thing he’d thought he’d find when he’d decided to come here for three months was a gorgeous woman who piqued his interest. He had been prepared to just rest, relax, and enjoy some “me” time. But he knew that would be impossible now. Not with this woman living next door.

Because he was attracted to her. Big time. They weren’t the kids they’d been when they’d spent time together on this beach so long ago. They were adults with primal urges, and he wasn’t managing his so well.

He figured he might as well attack the matter head-on and glanced over at her. “I recall you saying why you’re single. However, you didn’t say if you were seriously involved with anyone.”

She had been gazing out at the ocean, as if enjoying a quiet moment. His words made her look at him. “Why do you want to know?”

He smiled. “I think we’re both old enough to figure that one out, Marti.”

She didn’t say anything but held his gaze a moment, and he knew she felt it. Hell, she had probably felt it that morning, the same way he had. That high degree of sexual chemistry flowing between them that he saw no reason to downplay. He hadn’t planned for this but had no problem dealing with it...although his way of dealing might be totally different from hers.

However, as he continued to gaze into her beautiful silver-gray eyes, his entire body began throbbing from the inside out, and he knew from the way she was looking back at him that she was probably feeling a few throbs herself. It wasn’t unexpected. They weren’t teenagers. Nor were they hot-and-bothered, barely liberated twenty-year-olds. They’d been there and done that. They were mature adults who didn’t have the time or the inclination to play games. Sexual or otherwise.

Still, the intensity of the attraction surprised him…until he remembered that he hadn’t made love to a woman in a while. Close to ten months, in fact. And the funny thing about it was that he hadn’t missed sex…until he had seen her this morning. Now, he was overwhelmed with raw, pent-up desire.

“Aren’t we moving a little too fast, Dante?” she asked, intruding into his thoughts.

“I don’t think so. We’re not kids anymore. And when two people get to be our age, and there is a very strong sexual attraction between them, but no need for a committed relationship, the speed at which things happen isn’t much of a concern. Do you know why?”

“No, why?” she asked.