Just A Kiss (Angel Sands 4)

“I wish I could feel certain.” Caitie slumped in the sofa opposite, leaning her head back on the cool leather. She hadn’t been able to get their kiss out of her mind. The way he’d touched her, kissed her, set her on fire. Her chest ached every time she thought about him. In spite of herself, she’d fallen for him all over again.

And it hurt.

“I’m certain enough for the both of us,” Harper told her. “I know people. And a kiss that hot needs to lead to something more. So call him and put us all out of our misery.”

“What about Rachel?” Caitie asked, her mouth dry.

“What about her?” Harper shrugged. “Look, it’s obvious she has a crush on him, but that’s all it is. If he isn’t interested then he’s free to kiss whoever he wants.” She grinned. “And he wants you.”

“This is so messed up. I liked it better when he was a fantasy.”

“Did you really?” Harper tilted her head to the side, a smile playing at her lips.

“No.” Caitie couldn’t help but smile back. Because her fantasies were nothing compared to that kiss. She could still feel his lips against hers, still taste him on them. And when she closed her eyes, she could feel his strength as he held her, touched her, made her needy in a way she’d never been before.

“Are you sure they’re not dating?” Caitie asked, hope blooming in her chest.

“I’d stake your life on it,” Harper said, her eyes twinkling. “But there’s only one way to find out. Call him. Ask him. Don’t let this chance slip away.” She leaned forward and pulled Caitie’s phone from her purse, holding it out to her.

Caitie looked at it for a moment. Harper was right, dammit. She was a grown, strong, intelligent woman, not a teenage girl with a crush. Tomorrow she’d be pitching for a multi-million dollar deal. Surely she could call Breck and ask him how he felt.

“Okay,” she said, letting out a mouthful of air. “I’ll call him.”

“Yes!” Harper pumped her fist. “God this is romantic. He’s the first boy you kissed. I’m melting here, thinking about the two of you.”

“Don’t count your chickens,” Caitie warned her. “It’s just a call. And if it turns out he really is dating Rachel Foss, it’ll be all your fault.” She took the phone from Harper’s grasp and turned on her heel, heading for the bedroom. “Wish me luck.”

“You won’t need it,” Harper shouted. “You’ve got this, my friend.”

* * *

“I’ll never get bored of this view.” Lucas leaned back in the wooden chair o

n Breck’s deck, staring out at the ocean. Breck passed him a bottle of beer, and Lucas leaned forward to take it, before leaning back on his Adirondack chair.

He’d spotted Breck from the beach as he’d run along it, and had stopped to shoot the breeze with him. Breck welcomed the distraction. For the past day and a half his head had been a mess of thoughts.

Of Caitie. Of that kiss. Of how holding her in his arms had made him feel. If he closed his eyes he could still smell the sweet scent of her. His fingers tingled with the memory of how soft her skin had been. For ten minutes he’d been in heaven, his need to taste her overwhelming every sense he had.

And now? He was beyond confused.

It was Caitie he couldn’t stop thinking about. His best friend’s little sister. She was under his skin in a way he’d never expected, and his body itched with a need he couldn’t shake off.

If it was anybody else maybe he’d scratch it. But not her. You didn’t have a fling with your buddy’s little sister, everybody knew that. Especially when you weren’t a relationship kind of guy.

But the thought of not touching her again. Not feeling her soft lips against his… it was driving him crazy. God, he needed to get her out of his mind.

“You okay, man?” Lucas asked, bringing him out of his reverie.

“Yeah.” Breck nodded. He needed to be careful. Lucas wasn’t stupid. He already knew something was up. What had he been saying? Oh yeah, he’d been admiring the beach.

“The view’s what sold me on this place,” Breck said, keeping his voice even. He could get through this. “The inside isn’t much to look at, but who cares when you have this on your doorstep? You don’t get this back east.”

The sun had hit the line between the ocean and the sky, casting orange shadows across the waves. Only a few more minutes and the moon would be visible. It was the end of another day.

“I can’t imagine living anywhere but California,” Lucas said, his voice soft. “Or Angel Sands now that I’m with Ember. But I’m not sure we’re going to be able to live on the beach forever.”

“Why not?” Breck asked, crossing his legs in front of him. “I thought you loved your cottage.”