23. Callie
CHAPTER 23
CALLIE
M ax holds my hand as we go down to the beach, and I try not to think about how it feels both comfortable and exciting.
When we reach the bottom of the steps, he slips off his shoes and socks and rolls up his pant legs, before he kneels and undoes the straps on my sandals. Hand-holding felt intimate, but him bowing in front of me, his fingers working at my ankles, is next level, and despite myself, my nipples go hard in response to his touch.
After he slips my shoes from my feet, he sets them next to his and takes my hand again. When I’m unsteady on the sand, he tightens his grip, keeping me stable.
We walk along the shore for a bit, and when we’re out of view of the party, I loosen my hold on his hand. “You can relax and stop the act for a while.”
“The act?”
“The boyfriend role.”
He doesn’t let go. “It’s easy pretending to be your boyfriend.”
It sounds like he’s flirting, but I could take his comment a couple of different ways. Maybe he just means that I’m easy to get along with. The key word in what he said is pretending.
We continue on for a while, watching the sun light up the surf in a blaze of orange and yellow as it sinks to the horizon.
I can’t say I’m having fun, but I’m more relaxed than I’ve been for a while, even though I’m continually distracted by conflicting thoughts about the man walking next to me.
This would be an incredibly romantic scene if we were actually dating.
After the sun disappears, we turn back toward the resort. In the distance, the party is still in full swing, fairy lights twinkling on the trees, the faint sound of music reaching us on the breeze.
Max lifts my hand in his, giving it a squeeze. “Do you want to get married someday?”
For the briefest of moments, my silly brain jolts, thinking he’s talking about him and me, but I quickly come to my senses. “No, I think it’s all pointless.”
His pace slows as he turns to face me, brows lifted high in question.
“Marriage is a waste of time, fueled by unrealistic high hopes that eventually crash and burn,” I add.
Now, he comes to a full stop. “Wow.”
I shrug. “That’s what I’ve seen. The statistics support it.”
He looks at me for a beat before resuming our walk. “Is that what you think will happen for your sister?” He lifts his free hand toward the resort. “Is this all a waste of time?”
I take a breath and prepare to answer, but I don’t know what to say. I’m happy for Sadie, and I wish the best for her and Adam. My hope is that they’ll be among the lucky few who do have a successful marriage.
“I hope Sadie and Adam will be happy. Marriage just isn’t for me.”
“Maybe you haven’t met the right person yet.” His grin is back, but his eyes are serious. I meet them briefly, but then look out toward the darkening ocean.
He leaves me to my thoughts for a few minutes, but I don’t want to think about whether or not the right man is out there. I don’t believe there is a right man for me, and even if there is, I’m not prepared to go through the heartache it would require to find him. I’ve been through enough already.
A rogue wave rolls in, perilously close to our feet, and I jump in front of Max to get out of the way. I try to move further away from the surf, but he keeps hold of my hand. “What’s the matter? Don’t want to get your feet wet?”
“The water’s probably cold.”
His grin is devilish as he stands firm and keeps me close. “Let’s find out.”
The hem of my dress is well out of the way, but I gather it up anyway, using my free hand. The next wave glides in, but stops short.
“Looks like we need to get closer.” Max slides his arm around my waist and walks us a few inches toward the water, where I brace myself for the incoming swell. When the water bites at my toes, I run in place, trying to keep one foot out of the water at all times, but only managing to splash some of it further up my leg.
“I was right. It’s cold!”
He doesn’t budge and doesn’t let me go. “It’s refreshing.” When another one comes in, he pulls me closer. “I’ll keep you warm.”
I’m laughing as the next wave splashes in, the heat of Max’s solid body seeping into my arms and chest. My feet are suffering, but the rest of me feels pretty darn good in his arms.
“It’s invigorating,” he says as he rubs my back.
“It’s torture!” I’m actually coming around to agree with him, but it’s more fun to protest.
Max’s hands slide to my hips as he steps us backward, out of reach of the water, up where the dry sand is warm under my feet. He keeps his arms wrapped around me, holding me against his chest, rubbing my bare arms to take the chill away.
He smells good. I let myself soften into his embrace and lean into the strength of him. His breath is warm against my ear when he leans down to ask if I’m feeling better.
I’m feeling good. Too good.
If it were just Max and me here, pretending to be a couple, it might be easy to let myself have the kind of fun that Ana’s always reading and talking about.
The man is attractive, and appealing in every way. He’d be easy to fall for—so it’s a good thing that his brother has come along, too.