Honor

Chapter 49

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

E vie

How was I supposed to fall asleep after kissing my boss?

It wasn’t just any kiss either. It was the kiss - the kiss that will forever change kissing for me.

After Lottie tried and failed to get me to tell her what Randall, Reid, and I were discussing before she came back to my room, she said goodnight and left.

I undressed, took a bath, and then got dressed again, but this time in a long blue sundress.

It was a wardrobe staple when I lived in Milford. I think I’ve worn it two or three times since moving to Manhattan. When I noticed it hanging in the back of my closet this morning, I shoved it into my suitcase. I’m glad I did because it’s one of the most comfortable things I own and perfect for a quiet walk on the beach.

I glance at the time display on my phone. It’s almost midnight. I suspect everyone is still gathered around the pool or hanging out on the large wooden deck attached to the rear of the house.

As I was pulling into the driveway earlier, I noticed a path leading from the side of the house down to the beach. I can access that through a sliding glass door in the dining room. As long as no one is in there, I can sneak out of here for my moonlit walk unnoticed.

I slide my feet into my sandals before I toss my phone onto my bed. It’s too late for my mom to call me, and since my boss is hopefully fast asleep somewhere in this house, I won’t be hearing from him.

I slide open the door an inch and listen carefully. Soft music flows down the hallway that leads to my room. I can hear voices, but they’re muted. It’s as if the people talking are trying to keep it down for those of us who called it a night early.

As soon as I’m out of the bedroom, I softly shut the door behind me and make my way to the dining room. Since it’s not near the large living room that I suspect people have gathered in, I’m in the clear.

I slide open the glass door and step into the chilly night air.

The smell of the salt water hits me instantly, along with a breeze. I stand still for a few seconds, just soaking it all in.

Fresh air, the warmth still lingering from the heat of the day, and the near silence that is almost impossible to find in New York City surround me.

Emotions bubble within me because even though I just had a mini vacation in Paris, I needed this. I needed to step outside my day-to-day life and into a world where nature dictates each moment.

I sprint down the path toward the beach. Laughing out loud, I slide off my sandals and let my toes sink into the soft sand. I know it’s likely littered with small pebbles, rocks, and sea shells, but I don’t care.

I’ve waited a lifetime for this, so I take full advantage of it.

Just as I near the water, I stop dead in my tracks.

A tall man is standing near the shoreline, facing the ocean. He’s shirtless and only wearing dark colored swim trunks.

My gaze lingers on him. I’m grateful that there’s a full moon in the clear sky. I can make out the muscles in his back and how broad his shoulders are.

His hand jumps up to rake through his hair before it falls to his hip. I instantly know who it is because I’ve seen him do that exact move hundreds of times when he’s frustrated.

“Reid,” I whisper. “It’s Reid.”

He turns abruptly. I can’t say that it’s his ridiculous sense of hearing that spins him so he’s facing me. I’m near enough that it was easy for him to make out my voice.

“Evangeline?” he asks, walking toward me. “What are you doing?”

I’d ask him the same question, but his hair is wet and pushed back from his forehead. Droplets of water are covering his chest, arms, and legs. It’s obvious that he dove into the water for a late night swim.

“It’s not safe to swim alone,” I say without thinking.

A deep chuckle flows from him. “I’m not alone now.”

I shake my head. “I’m not going in the water. It’s too cold and too dark.”

His hand darts out toward me. “I’ll keep you safe.”

I believe him, but still, the idea of wading out into the depths of the water at this time of night is scary to me. “I don’t think so.”

“At least let the water touch your toes.” His voice is so alluring, as is his outstretched hand, so I drop mine into it.

“Not far, though,” I say.

“Not far,” he repeats, squeezing my hand to offer the comfort he must sense I need. “Can you swim?”

I nod but verbally add my response, “I can, but don’t let go of me, okay?”

He does one better. He tugs me closer to wrap an arm around my waist, even though he’s still holding my hand in his. “I won’t let go of you.”

The word forever lingers between us, or at least in my mind it does.

It must still be the wine tainting my thought process because we’ve only shared one kiss and he’s my boss. Until recently, I could barely stand the man. Now, I’m not sure how I’ll stand going back to what we’ve always been: an executive assistant and her grumpy employer.

He backs up, guiding me as he does. I match each of his steps with my own until the bitter cold of the water hits my toes.

I can’t help but shiver.

That lures a quick burst of deep laughter from him. “You’ll get used to it in no time.”

I know he means the temperature of the water, but still I ask for clarification because getting used to holding his hand is something I know I could do. It’s something I think I want to do. “I’ll get used to what in no time?”

With the calm waves lapping at our feet, he tugs me against him. “This.”

“This?” I study his face and how he’s gazing down at me with something in his eyes. Maybe it’s amusement, or could it be more? Reverence? Pure lust?

“Us.” The tiny word holds so much promise in just those two letters.

“Us,” I repeat.

He nods. It’s a slow and purposeful movement. An affirmation that we’ve ceased to be Miss Starling and her boss, Mr. Hunt. We’re simply Reid and Evie now, two people alone on a beach with just the moonlight as a guide to what could be.

His hand drops mine to claim my chin. He pinches it between his thumb and index finger as he draws my face up so our eyes lock again. “Kiss me again, Evie.”

It’s not a question or an order. It’s a plea, so I nod softly as I inch up to my tiptoes. His tongue glides over his bottom lip before he seals his mouth over mine.