That drew her eyes to his. “Tell me a secret and I’ll tell you.”
He smiled at the tit for tat presented with mischief in her beautiful eyes.
“Okay.” He propped himself up on his elbows beside her. “The truth is, moving was hard. I was scared to death to move away from Boston. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I was scared about starting a new job, afraid that Evan would hate me, afraid that my parents would need me and I’d be two hours away.”
“Oh, Caden.” She leaned up and kissed him softly.
“And now I’m scared that I’ve messed up Evan for good.”
He rolled onto his back beside her, surprised at the truth streaming from his subconscious. He’d never admitted his fear to anyone before, or just how deep it ran.
She stroked his cheek. “I’m sure you didn’t mess him up for good. He’s just settling in. This time next year he’ll have forgotten how hard it was; he’ll have new technology club friends. You’ll see.”
“I hope so. It would kill me if I realized that although I moved here with the sole intent of protecting Evan, I had somehow made the worst decision of his life, while it was the best decision of mine.” He closed his eyes for a beat, and when he opened them, he noticed Bella’s eyes were damp.
“You’re such a good dad, Caden.” She pressed her lips to his, and her voice turned serious. “Are you considering moving back to Boston?”
He shook his head. “I moved here for a reason, and that reason hasn’t changed. I just have to believe that it was for the best. That it was fated to be.”
“You believe in fate?”
“Well, I think you and I were destined to be together. And I also think you’re skipping out on sharing your secret.” He kissed her again, then ran his finger down her cheek. “Why do you pretend that you don’t have a love of all things girly?”
“I don’t pretend. It’s just not part of my personality.” She ran her finger along his arm.
“But it is, babe. You’re very feminine.”
“I’m brash, and loud, and take charge.” She furrowed her brow, and it made him smile.
“You are self-confident, independent, and secure. But you’re also feminine. You wear dresses every day. You walk with graceful steps, and your hips swing in an extremely feminine fashion. You flirt like a seductress, and sometimes you get this look in your eyes when we’re talking.” He breathed her in, giving himself a second to catch his breath. “It’s tender and sweet. Your essence is girly, babe, no matter how much you try to deny it.”
Her cheeks heated. “I don’t try to. I just don’t share it with many people. I like knowing that I can bang nails into my own deck and move furniture, or…” She rolled her eyes. “Whatever else I need to do. And as a woman, when you can’t do those things, I think it makes you vulnerable. It lessens your strength and independence.”
“Does Amy do all those things?”
She laughed. “Are you kidding? No. Neither does Jenna.”
He arched a brow. “So, I don’t get it. Do you have any less respect for them?”
“Of course not.” She lay flat on her back and covered her face with her arm. “It’s just my thing. I can’t even believe I’m telling you this. Really, when did you enter the zone that has always been reserved for just my Seaside girlfriends?”
“Since we fell in love,” he whispered.
She reached for his hand, needing the safety of him while she exposed her secret. “I was really girly when I was a teenager, but it seemed like every time I asked a guy for help with anything—my car, carrying something heavy—they always wanted something sexual in return. I learned pretty quickly that guys tended to take advantage of girly girls, so I decided not to be that person anymore, at least not publicly. Is that a big deal? That I keep my girly side private and only share it with those I really care about?”
He shifted so she was beneath him. “It is a big deal to me, to be included in those you care about.” He kissed her chin. “I adore your girly side.”
She licked her lips. “Would you rather I got my handcuffs and took you every which way on my terms?”
He took her in a greedy kiss, aroused by the thought of being restrained by her.
“One day I’d love to see you take control.” He kissed her again.
“But not tonight, lover girl.” He kissed her softly. “Tonight I just want to be close. No games, no props, no diversions. I just want to love you.”
Chapter Nineteen
THE NEXT MORNING Bella stood on the deck of the fishing boat docked at the marina, anxiously watching for Caden and Evan to arrive. The sun beat down on her shoulders and a gentle breeze brushed across her back. Everyone from Seaside except Jamie and Vera had arrived early. They were too excited to wait at the cottages. Amy, Tony, and Leanna were at the helm talking with Joe Bloom, the owner of the boat, while Kurt prepared a comfortable place for Vera to settle into inside in case she wanted to get out of the sun. His thoughtfulness was endless.
Jenna paced the deck in her red bikini top and a pair of cutoff shorts. “What if Pete doesn’t show up?”
Bella shaded her eyes from the sun and peered in the direction of the parking lot. “Then we’ll go out and catch some fish and have a great time without him.”
“I know that.” Jenna put her hands on her hips. “But what would it mean?”
“That he’s an idiot and it’s time for you to move on.” Bella draped her arm over Jenna’s shoulder, but Jenna shrugged out of her reach.
“You’re a total buzzkill.” Jenna tugged at her bikini top.
“Oh, stop. He’ll show up. The real question is where are Caden, Evan, Jamie, and Vera?” She leaned against the wooden railing.
“Well, don’t worry. If they don’t show up, you can always move on.” Jenna smirked.
“Ugh. Jenna, I was kidding. I just wish Pete would jump at the chance to be with you.” Bella turned back toward the parking lot. “There they are.” She pointed to Caden and Evan. Pete was nowhere in sight.
“Pete isn’t with them.” Jenna rolled her eyes. “See? He’s totally not interested.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions.” Bella went to greet them.
“Sorry we’re late.” Caden looked sporty and handsome in a pair of khaki shorts and a white tank top. He carried a small duffel bag and raked his eyes down Bella’s body. He settled a hand on her hip, leaned in close, and said quietly, “Love that bathing suit, babe.”
She had worn an emerald-green bikini that accentuated her bust, along with a white cotton miniskirt. She loved getting a rise out of Caden, and the suit earned her another lascivious look.
Caden pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll go put our stuff inside and be right back.”
“Sounds good.” She turned her attention to Evan, who was scrolling through texts on his phone. “Hey, Ev. How’s it going?” Bella said.