Page 147 of Dream Chaser

“Sorry I took forever.” She raked her fingers through my hair. “I didn’t want to leave the report half-done, and then Lilian called.”

“Did she?” I gripped Nova’s thighs tighter, holding her close.

Nova bit her bottom lip, nodding. “Yeah, but I can’t be expected to think clearly like this.” She pecked my cheek. “Let’s walk, and I’ll tell you.”

I set her down and laced our fingers together as I led her down a narrow path among overgrown weeds.

Once we were on the beach, she faced the water, eyes wide with wonder. “This place is amazing.”

I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders as I pulled her against my chest. “It is. I came here to swim a few times. Thought you might like it.”

She pulled the camera out and brought it to her eyes, humming as she looked into the viewfinder. “Love it.” The shutter clicked, then she tipped her head back until her blue eyes clung to mine. “I’ll need lots of photography practice. Lilian wants me to help them shoot the new collection’s campaign. They need another photographer, and I thought it’d be amazing to add it to my résumé and portfolio.”

I turned her around in my arms. “Knew it,” I said, cupping her cheeks. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Ale.” She toyed with the strings of my hoodie. “I’m thrilled. The pay’s amazing, too.” For a split second, sadness took over Nova’s expression. She blinked as if trying to chase it away.

“But?” I asked. “Are you having second thoughts?”

She shook her head, then exhaled. “Of course not. It’s just… I wish I could save the money instead of using it on my divorce.”

“Still nothing from his lawyer?”

Nova leaned her forehead on my shoulder. “Nope. I might ask Edward to reach out.”

I rubbed circles over her back, listening to the waves crash against the rocks. Waiting for Rowan to find more proof had seemed logical when I’d left his office, but I already had enough to act.

I’d give him a few days. Enough to plan my move.

“Maybe you won’t need to keep paying,” I said.

Part of me thought Nova deserved to know the truth. Another, the part that wanted to protect her, urged me to keep quiet until I had more proof and a plan. I’d rather not get her hopes up if Rowan’s findings weren’t enough to make a difference.

Nova glanced up at me. “That’d be amazing, but I doubt it. We’ll shoot the campaign in March. I’ll be lucky if he answers by then, let alone agrees to settle. Let’s not think about that now though, okay?” She circled my neck with her arms. “I already feel awful about still being married.”

“Not your fault.” I captured her lips with mine, cradling the back of her head in my palm as we kissed.

I loathed that she was legally tied to him still, but I didn’t doubt her feelings for me. And I wanted her to be free for lots of selfish reasons—free so I could show her off, call her mine, make plans for the future.

Assuming she wanted that, too.

The gift I had for her was burning a hole in my pocket. I was waiting for the perfect moment that hadn’t quite arrived.

We strolled along the beach, her hand in mine, the fizz of waves and cries of seagulls the only sounds.

When we reached the opposite end of the beach, the sky darkened. Gray swallowed the blue, and Nova took pictures of the suddenly gloomy sky, sighing. “It’s going to rain again.”

On cue, a drop splashed against the back of my hand.

She looked from the ocean to me, grinning. “Race you to the car, boss?”

I swiped my thumb over her jaw. “I run almost daily. You won’t stand a chance.”

She tilted her face up, eyes closed, a smile on her lips. “God, I love the rain. What will you give me if I get there first?”

I’d give her anything, but I played along. “I’ve got something for you.”

Nova eyed me. “Something I haven’t seen before? If it’s something I’ve seen or touched, I want it anyway.”