Page 43 of Chasing Forever

“We could walk down the beach a little further and pose on those rocks,” he said, pointing to the left. Not that he was trying to take advantage of the situation, but it had been her idea to take pictures in the first place.

“Okay.”

He took her hand as they headed toward an outcropping of rocks. The sun had sunk further now, and its rays spread out on the horizon in a dazzling display. There were only a few more minutes of daylight left, so he picked up his pace.

Callie held his hand tightly and matched her steps to his.

Once they reached the rocks, he let go. “I’ll get into position and then give you a hand up.”

“Be careful. They might be slippery,” she said.

Some of the rocks were dry on top where the waves hadn’t wetted them, and Chase picked his way along until he found one with a wide, flat top that was mostly dry. “Found one. Give me your hand.”

She slipped her hand into his again, and he noted her willingness to trust him as he pulled her up onto the rock. She wobbled a bit and brushed up against him, and then they were facing each other.

In that moment, time stopped, and Chase forgot why they were even there. He gazed down at her, backlit by the sunset, her hair brushing her bare shoulders, and he lost all ability to think. He only wanted to feel.

Callie hadn’t budged, and her eyes locked on his, searching them, for what, he wasn’t sure. Did she want him to back away or come closer? Her lips parted, and her chest rose and fell, but was it from the exertion of climbing on the rocks or from being so close? He felt completely inept standing there, and he waited for a sign.

Just then a wave crashed against the rocks and splashed them, but Callie got the brunt of it since she was partially blocking him. She gave a little cry and fell against him, wrapping her arms around his waist to gain hold.

It was as if Mother Nature was trying to push them together again. This time, when he looked down at her, there was no mistaking the invitation in her beautiful brown eyes.

He slowly dipped his head down, giving her a chance to back away, but if anything, she pressed her body closer. His hands went around her waist and locked her in place, and he lowered his lips to hers.

He’d intended on going slow, but Callie opened her mouth to him, and their kiss ignited. He felt ravenous as he plundered her mouth and tangled with her tongue. He tasted the fruitiness of her cocktail and smelled the sweet scent of her perfume as she tucked her body around him, surrendering completely and giving as much as she took.

Her breasts were smashed against him, and his erection pressed into her stomach. He couldn’t be sure how long they kissed, but when she pulled back, he decided it wasn’t nearly long enough.

“Chase?” They were both panting and staring at each other with surprise and longing.

He brushed her hair off her shoulder and braced himself for whatever came next.

“Let’s go home.”

Chapter 21

Callie was shaking as they drove back to the resort, and she clamped her hands on the wheel to stop the tremors. Kissing Chase hadn’t been part of the plan, but now that she had…

He kept shooting her concerned glances, and she knew she should say something, but she wasn’t sure what. Every nerve ending tingled, and her body sizzled with awareness of him.

She felt unbearably warm, so she rolled down her window, but just as quickly, she got chilled and rolled it back up again. A couple of times, Chase opened his mouth to speak, but then he’d snap it shut again.

Luckily, it was a short ride, and Callie couldn’t wait to park and escape the confined space. She’d think better once there was some distance between them. They walked up to their front doors in awkward silence and then paused.

“Callie, I…”

“No. You don’t have to say anything.”

“But…”

“I’m not angry at you.”

He looked visibly relieved and let out a sigh. He took a step closer, and she sucked in a breath. She was afraid that if he came too close, she’d yank him into her condo and rip his clothes off.

Seeming to sense her hesitation, he halted, but he reached out and fixed the strap of her dress, that had slipped down her shoulder. The pads of his fingertips brushed her bare skin and made her tingly all over again.

“Callie.”