“Nice view.”
“I splurged on my budget a little. Okay, a lot. Normally, I wouldn’t care what kind of hotel room I stayed in, because after a while they all look the same to me. But here?
I love the idea of taking an early morning walk on the beach. So while we’re in Florida, I decided . . . screw it. I’m going to take advantage of every spare second I have to indulge my love of the ocean.”
He laughed as they headed up the stairs toward the front lobby. “I didn’t know you were an ocean lover.”
“Almost all of the places we moved to when I was a kid were landlocked, so any chance I have to be near the water is a thrill for me. I can’t get enough of the beach and the ocean.”
He signaled for Oscar, who nodded and went on the run to retrieve his car. “I actually have a house here.”
She turned to face him. “You do not.”
“I do. I love it here.”
“I’m so jealous.”
“Since we race here twice a year, I’ve grown accustomed to the beach and ocean myself. I’m a big fan.”
“I’ll bet you have a house on the beach, too.”
His lips curved. “I’ll take you to my house later.”
“God, I’m so going to hate you if you have a house on the beach.”
He grinned at her, then heard the rumble of the GTO. Oscar, smart boy that he was, didn’t abuse the privilege of driving it, so it was a tame rumble as he drove it up to the front of the parking area.
“Oh, my God,” Evelyn said. “This is your car?”
“One of them,” Gray said as he held the door for her.
Gray paid Oscar, who grinned and pocketed the money. “Man, it was fun just to drive it and park it. Thanks.”
“My pleasure. Thanks for taking care of her for me.”
He slid in, pulled down his sunglasses, and turned to Evelyn, who was running her fingers over the seats. “I love muscle cars. I might not be as in the know about racing, but I do love muscle cars.” She ran her fingers over the GTO symbol on the dash.
“God, Gray. This car is so sexy.”
He grinned, put it in first, and headed out.
She pulled her sunglasses out of her purse, not seeming to care when he hit third gear and pulled onto the highway, her hair blowing in the breeze. She grabbed a ponytail holder and wound her hair up into it. “Where are we going?”
“Just for a ride along the ocean highway right now. I figured I’d give you a little tour, and give me a chance to blow the dust out of her carburetors.”
She dragged her gaze away from the view of the ocean and to him. “One of the cars. So this isn’t your only one.”
“No.”
“How many do you have?”
“Right now I have six.”
“Good lord. I’ve got to see them.”
He loved a woman who got excited over a muscle car. “You will. But first, we’ll hit the water.”
She looked out the windshield with a grin on her face. “Fantastic.”
As they drove, he stole glances at Evelyn. She never once complained about her hair blowing or the hot sun beating down on her. She tilted her head back, laid her arm on the door, and watched the ocean go by.
He was in one of his favorite cars, with a beautiful woman occupying the seat next to him. What more could he ask for?
They drove for about forty-five minutes, then he pulled into a marina, parked the car in a corner slot far away from the traffic. He gave a wave to the parking attendant, Walter, who he knew would give an eagle eye to his baby, making sure no one would park next to her. He grabbed their bags and left his keys at the desk. Walter nodded from his spot on the high perch of the lot.
“I thought we were going to hit the beach,” Evelyn said.
He slipped his hand into hers as they headed down the wooden deck. “We will. Be patient.”
He led her to the boat that was parked toward the end of the slip.
“Seriously? You have a yacht?” she asked as he helped her on board.
“It’s a boat.”
“It’s a yacht. I know the difference.”
“Whatever.” He handed her the bags. “You want to store these down in the galley while I get us ready to take off?”
She took the bags from him. “I suppose this is your . . . boat.”
“Yeah.”
She rolled her eyes, then headed down to the galley. He got them untied and pushed off, then started the engine, easing through as they headed out. Evelyn came up and stood next to him while he pushed past the warning zone, then gave it some gas.
“You might want to take a seat.”
She grabbed the chair next to his and he cranked the speed up, the bow rising as he churned through the waves. He was damn happy to be on the sea again. During the racing season he didn’t get many days off, and very rarely got to come home and play with his toys. He was glad for Evelyn’s company, for an excuse to take the boat out today.