“Hell can be fun, so I heard,” he called over his shoulder. “I’ll take you there.”
Her laughter increased. “You’re a bad influence, you know that?”
“Babe, you ain’t seen nothing yet.” He sped up, his mood soaring. An unfamiliar, happy sensation slapped a grin onto his face. A grin so wide his cheeks hurt as he headed toward the beach.
It was going to be a good day. Goddamn, it was a red-letter day. He was sure of it.
****
Belle abandoned the tug of frustration Teddy’s interference had caused. She didn’t need it. And this was something she really needed.
Each turn of the Harley’s wheel, each rev of the engine, put distance between herself and the reclusive, heartbroken life she’d been living. Now she was headed to the beach, with a guy she could pick up and put down. She was free, the salt-laden wind in her face told her that, as did the palm trees coming into view.
The sky was cobalt blue, not a single cloud, and on the sidewalk, dog walkers and roller-skaters ambled along, lazy in the heat.
“Which beach we going to?” she asked.
“Just south of Strands. My buddy owns a Jet Ski rental there.”
“I dunno about this Jet Ski idea.” She had plans of sunning herself on the sand, book in hand, perhaps a beer or an ice cream.
“You’ll love it,” he called over his shoulder.
“But I wanna read my book.”
He kind of huffed. “You gotta get out of those pages, live a little.”
“What the heck am I doing now?”
“You’re coming to the beach with me. And no arguing. We’re hitting the surf on a ski.”
Belle pressed her lips together and frowned. All she’d done was swap Teddy’s and Rigor’s overbearing ways for Wyatt’s. Well, she’d show him she was her own boss and laze on the beach with the duke and his maid for as long as she wanted.
They pulled into a nearly deserted lot that ran parallel to the dunes. Long, pale grass whispered as they swayed in the sea breeze. A yellow sign readSam’s Skisand pointed to the left.
She climbed off the bike and breathed deep, pulling in the briny air and letting it lace her tongue. “Ah, this is good. Real air and a million miles from Phoenix.”
“A few days in the desert is enough for me.” Wyatt climbed off the bike. “Too far from this.” He gestured to the beach and the rolling waves.
“It is beautiful.”
“You’rebeautiful.” He grinned and placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Don’t go soft on me.”
“Babe.” He grabbed his crutch. “I ain’t never soft when you’re around.” He let his attention go to her breasts. “And with you wearing hardly anything, fuck. Maybe the beach wasn’t such a good idea. Not enough privacy.”
She batted his arm and laughed. “Get sex off your brain. We’re having a day out.”
“True, and you won’t be needing this.” He took her bag.
“Yeah, I will, it’s got my towel and book.”
Quickly, he dropped it in his bike box and locked it shut. “You can have it after we’ve had a little fun.” He wound his fingers with hers. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Sam.”
“I wanna lay on the beach.”
“And you will, later.” He tugged her toward the sandy boardwalk. “This way, you won’t regret it.”