“Well, that is totally right. Everyone knows the condiments go in the door.”
“Absolutely not. The door is for small shit that gets lost in the back of the fridge.”
“Like what?”
“Um…capers.”
She stared at him. “Capers? Seriously?”
“I’m just yanking your chain. I don’t give a shit where stuff goes in the fridge. And I sure as hell wouldn’t spend a lot of time arguing over it. I’d rather fuck than fight.”
“Oh.”
“Speaking of fucking, we have some sexy toe sucking to get back to.”
“I think you were not being completely honest about the foot fetish thing.”
He smiled. “There are probably some other kinky things we could explore if you’re not into feet.” Oh, hell yeah. There were a million things he still wanted to do to her. The taste of her pussy had become addictive, along with the feel of her mouth on him and the way she kissed and…yeah, he was hooked.
Chapter 18
“I can’t believe you’ve never been to the Sunny Jim Sea Cave.”
Hayden tipped her head back, smiling, the sun warm on her face with Beck’s convertible roof open as they cruised along I-5 a few weeks later on a Saturday afternoon. “I can’t believe it either.”
Beck had been taking her on a series of “adventures,” some tame like this one, others more daring. He’d been careful of her dislike of surprises but still managed to create excitement for her every time they saw each other, and had been considerate of her busy work schedule and need to help out her aunt and uncle.
He had to work tonight but they’d have the day. He’d given her instructions about footwear, because the steps through the tunnel into the cave could be slippery. Since she liked to be well prepared, she’d Googled the cave to learn more about it.
“What happened to dinner in a nice restaurant as a date?” she asked.
“What?” He shot her a sideways look as he drove.
“You’re taking me to a cave. We’ve gone go-karting and mountain biking, and now you’re taking me on a date to a cave. Some guys would make dinner reservations at Emilio’s.” She named a pricey restaurant in Coronado that she’d never been to.
He laughed. “Oh, come on. You can go on a dinner date with anyone. I’m going for unique and fun, remember?”
“Right.”
The only problem with adventures instead of staid dinner dates was that you really got to know a person on a different level. And the more she got to know Beck, the more she liked him. And that was scary.
“After all, whatshisdick took you to Conquistadors on a date.”
She choked on a laugh. “Whatshisdick?”
“Whatever his name was.”
“What’s wrong with Conquistadors as a date? Hey, we sort of had a date there too.”
“Oh yeah. Right.” He paused. “And what about tonight? We’re doing another tequila tasting night. Want to come?” Another pause. “That sounded dirty, didn’t it?”
“Only in your dirty mind.”
“You’re getting to know me so well.”
She grinned and pushed her sunglasses higher on her nose. Yes, she was getting to know him better, but even so she had a sense that there was much about himself he was holding back. But then, she was trying to keep her emotions safe behind walls too. “I guess I could come try more tequila. Maybe you’ll have something special to show me in the back again.”
“Oh, baby. I’ve definitely got something special to show you.”
Amusement bubbled inside her and she felt amazingly carefree and light. It was a gorgeous day and she was with a gorgeous man in a gorgeous car, and she felt pretty damn good about that. Even though they were behind on their research into messenger RNA therapeutics for treating cardiovascular disease, and she’d been working late every day on her presentation for next week’s health-care conference.
It only took about fifteen minutes to get from her place to the cave on Coast Boulevard. They entered a small, brown-shingled storefront.
“It’s so cute.” She looked around as Beck paid for them. There was a little gift shop she’d like to check out after. They headed down some wooden steps. She eyed a hand-printed sign. “When something says enter at your own risk, that makes me nervous.”
“I got you, baby, don’t worry.” He followed her down the stairs, close enough that they were touching. They entered cool, damp darkness lit by lamps at intervals along the way. Another sign warned them of the low ceiling, and Beck, being tall, was careful to duck. Hayden shivered.
Beck reached for her hand. “Nervous?”
“Um, no. Okay, a little. It’s safe, right? It won’t collapse on us?”
“Totally safe. Well, barring an earthquake, of course.”
“Beck!”
He grinned. “Are you claustrophobic?”
“No. This doesn’t bother me.”
They emerged into the cave from the tunnel and she gazed around in awe as they walked along the wooden deck toward the bright opening of the cave onto the ocean.
“The best way to see it is by kayak,” Beck said. “We’ll do that next time. Have you ever kayaked?”
“No. Though I’ve always been a little curious about it.”
“Then we’ll definitely do that. And we can see some of the other caves.”
“Kayaking seems tame for you.”
His smile was warm and white in the dim cave. “I don’t have to seek out thrills every minute of every day.”
“No?”
He tugged her closer and his hands slid over her hips to cup her ass and bring her up against him. “I kinda get a thrill just from being with you.”
“Oh, you sweet-talker, you.”
He bent and brushed his mouth over hers. “Yep.”
She got a thrill just from being with him, no doubt about that.
“How about snorkeling? We can rent snorkel equipment and go in the water too.”
“I’ve snorkeled,” she said. “But it was a long time ago, when Mom and Dad took me to Thailand. And in Mexico.”
“Hey.” He studied her face. “You’ve traveled a lot. Thailand? That’s pretty cool.”
“It really was. But I was fifteen years old, so it was a while ago. And after Dad got sick, we didn’t have any more adventures.”
“Ah.” He kissed her again, his lips warm and firm on hers. Something fluttered deep in her belly. “Well, then. Here you go.”
A soft heat expanded in her chest as they separated and she looked around more. Beck pointed out fossilized shell and water-level marks that indicated how long the ocean had been boring its way into the rock and sandstone. “The colors are mineral deposits and vegetable matter,” he added.
“Okay, this is fascinating. Red iron oxide.” She studied the black, gray, and yellow colors, which were vegetable matter. “I love that purple color. Iodine, from kelp.”
“You’re so smart.”
She gave him a quick look. Was he making fun of her?
He caught the look and his smile faded. “What?”
She pressed her lips together. “Sorry. When people say things like that to me, I assume it’s an insult.”
He set his hands on her waist. “Why would that be an insult?”
She dropped her gaze to his chest. “When you’re smart and nerdy and not into the same things the other kids are, they can be mean.”
He went very still, then said, “Ah. Well, yeah, kids can be mean. But baby, I totally meant that as a compliment.”
She lifted her eyes and met his, and the warm admiration eased her affront. He really meant that. Her heart turned over in her chest. “Thank you.”
He gave her a little squeeze, then released her. “This tunnel took two years to dig. It was used to smuggle Chinese immigrants, and contraband whisky during Prohibition.”
“It’s cool to be able to access the cave this way.”
“There are other caves, but this is the only one you can access by
land.”
“Isn’t the ocean amazing?” Hayden tipped her head back to look up at the rock ceiling. “Carving this out of rock over thousands and thousands of years?”
“Yeah.” His voice was a little gruff and he gave her ponytail a tug. “Amazing.”
“Sometimes I get so impatient about things—my research and my goals. But when you think of how long it took to create this, it makes me realize maybe I need to slow down.”
“I like how your impatience drives you.” He kissed her nose. “But yeah, sometimes slowing down and just appreciating the things around us is important.”
They wandered along the wooden platform. Hayden ran her fingers over initials and words that had been carved into the railing. Beck moved up behind her and pressed his big body to hers, trapping her against the railing. “Look.” He spoke in a low voice in her ear. “Out at the ocean.”
She followed his gaze to the bright opening of the cave. “It’s incredible.”
He nuzzled her hair. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this. It would’ve been a big fail if you’d been terrified. Or you thought it was stupid.”
“I would never think that!”
“It’s kind of touristy. But it’s fun.”
“It really is.”
They meandered around a while longer, soaking up the unusual atmosphere of the cave, then climbed the stairs to exit. Hayden headed to the gift shop to explore there too, admiring some pretty jewelry that was made by a local artist from shells and polished gems and silver. She admired the blue abalone earrings, rings, and necklaces, and pretty starfish crusted with tiny sparkly gems.
“Not buying anything?” Beck asked her.
“Nah. I don’t wear much jewelry. Takes too much time in the morning to decide what goes with whatever I’m wearing. Although I’m usually wearing pretty much the same thing every day.”
He didn’t say anything more, and after a while they made their way back out into the bright sunshine. She immediately slid her sunglasses from the top of her head back down to her nose. Beck did the same with the aviators he’d tucked into the neckline of his T-shirt.
“Let’s explore out here a bit.”
She let him tuck her hand into his and they headed toward the coast. After walking around and admiring the ocean, the cliffs, and some seals sunning themselves on rocks, Beck directed her to a nearby restaurant for an early dinner.
Instead of the burger place she expected, she found herself in an elegant seafood restaurant with a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean. She looked down at her khaki shorts, tank top, and tennis shoes. “I’m not dressed for somewhere like this.”
“Who cares? You’re gorgeous whatever you’re wearing.”
She wanted to tell him to stop saying that. She knew she wasn’t gorgeous. It almost felt like more teasing, like sarcasm. But that warm look in his eyes alleviated her discomfort and…she actually felt gorgeous.
He entered the restaurant with the ease of someone accustomed to dining in fine establishments like this, which had her blinking in surprise. They were soon seated at a table next to the glass wall, making it feel like they were practically floating over the ocean.
“This is beautiful,” she whispered, picking up the menu. “Did you bring me here just because of my crack about a nice dinner date?”
“No.” He gave her a lazy smile. “I already had a reservation here.”
“Oh my God, they actually do have burgers.”
Beck’s lips curved. “You were afraid you couldn’t get one?”
“No, I…I thought you’d want a burger.”
“I do like burgers.” He looked over the menu. “But I think today I’ll have the roasted pork tacos.”
She nodded, pursing her lips. “It’s hard to decide.”
Eventually she ordered the grilled salmon, served with Swiss chard and relish made of Meyer lemons and olives. Beck ordered them some chips and salsa to share, and glasses of a Pinot Grigio, naming the unfamiliar brand with apparent knowledge that again surprised her. When it arrived, she picked up her glass and sipped it, letting the crisp notes of pear, apple, and lemon tingle on her taste buds. With the stunning blue ocean and sky, the warm golden sun, and Beck’s glowing dark eyes across the table from her, she felt like she’d left the real world and was living in a dream.
“Attagirl,” he murmured. “Look at you almost purring like cat. Using all your senses. Like the wine?”
“It’s lovely.” She gave him a slow smile. With her legs crossed, she idly bounced the top foot in its tennis shoe, not even caring that she was sadly underdressed for this stylish restaurant. Because she was soaking up the sun and sea, the beauty that surrounded her (including Beck), and the delicious wine. “Thank you.”
The server appeared with their chips and Hayden’s eyes popped open at the presentation. “Gorgeous.” There were three different kinds of salsa, served in pretty white bowls. She picked up a chip, which was thin and delicate, and scooped one salsa. Flavor exploded on her tongue, bright acidic tomato, fresh cilantro, and the warmth of hot peppers. “Wow! This is amazing!”
Beck sampled some too. “Yeah,” he said slowly. “It is good. The chef here has won a bunch of awards.”
“I can see why. Yum.” Hayden loaded another chip and popped it in her mouth. “You should hire him. No offense, but this is way better than the chips and salsa you serve at Conquistadors.”
“Huh. No offense taken.” One corner of his mouth deepened. “You’re right. We’ve actually been talking about trying to improve our food.”
“Who’s your chef? Not an award winner, I assume.” She flashed a smile.
“Nope. Not even sure you can call him a chef. He buys our salsa in big jugs from some distributor.”
“Ah.” She nodded. “I guess that’s the difference. These are obviously freshly made. Even the chips, I think. And this green sauce is amazing.”
“Yeah. Dammit.” He frowned.
“Now you look mad. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult your food.”
“No, you didn’t. Like I said, it’s true. We’ve been seeing our food sales decline even though liquor sales are growing and the bar seems to be busy all the time. It’s an issue we have to deal with. It’s been hard to get together with Danny, our manager, to discuss it.”
“I’m sure hiring an award-winning chef is expensive.”
“Oh yeah. I mean, I have no idea how expensive, but yeah.”
She took in the faint notch that stayed between his dark eyebrows. Apparently, this was a source of concern for him. “I don’t know much about bars or restaurants, but if you want to talk about it, I’m a good listener. And I’m a good customer.”
He smiled, although it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I don’t need to bother you with my problems.”
“Why not? You helped me with mine.” At his questioning look, she said, “My aunt and uncle, that night she fell.”
“I didn’t do anything except go with you.”
“You did help. And I appreciated your support.”
The slight frown reappeared. Apparently she wasn’t saying the right things today. Time to change the subject! “I love how they got the name of that cave,” she said, and the conversation turned back to their experience earlier that afternoon as the sun lowered in the sky over the ocean.
—
Hayden asked Carrie to come to the tequila tasting with her that night, and it didn’t require much convincing. Carrie was eager to hear about Hayden’s earlier adventure at the cave. As they entered the bar, Hayden couldn’t help reflecting back in time.
“Remember that first night we came here?” she said to Carrie as they walked in. “Wow, we had no idea what was going to happen.”
“No idea you were going to end up getting nailed in the back office.”
Hayden choked on a laugh.
“And that you’d end up with a hot boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“What is he, then?”
“I don’t know.” Hayden made a face and they strolled toward the bar, where Marco was again checking guests in. “Um, lover?”
“Okay. I guess I can accept that.”
“Hello, ladies.” Marco flashed his sexy grin at them. Well, it was sexy, but it didn’t turn Hayden’s knees to jelly like Beck’s smile did. But no matter, because Marco was giving Carrie all his attention. “Carrie Garner, right?”
“Right.” She lifted one brow.
“Glad you could join us again.”
“And me, right, Marco?” Hayden spoke up, tongue in cheek.
He barely glanced at her. “Of course. Where would you ladies like to sit? How about right here at the end of the bar?”
“I think I’d like to sit more in the middle,” Carrie said, turning her back on him.
Hayden blinked and followed her friend toward a couple of empty bar stools farther away. They climbed up and Hayden looked around for Beck. She didn’t see him anywhere, but he had to be there.
They were served chips and salsa again. She stared at the red salsa and flavorless chips. “Ugh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“This food is awful compared to what we had earlier.” She told Carrie about their early dinner and her discussion with Beck about the food. “I think I pissed him off by insulting Conquistadors’ food.”
“Oops.” Carrie took a chip and crunched it. “Eh. It’s okay, I guess.”
“You can buy those at the grocery store. Same with the salsa. They need to serve better stuff. But I guess that’s none of my business.” She’d been thinking about how Beck had closed down after that. Or maybe “closed down” wasn’t correct—he’d been flirty and fun, which was great. But even though he was trying to make her life more fun, life wasn’t all flirty games, and sometimes it was good to have someone to share your worries with.
Except that wasn’t what their relationship was about. It was about fun. It was about sex and keeping things light, and anytime things got serious, Beck made a joke or threw off a cocky, carefree attitude.
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