Coast Guard Courtship by Lisa Carter

Author:Lisa Carter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“We’re supposed to pay by the pound picked.” Amelia laughed. “Maybe it’d be simpler to put Max on the scale.”

Max squatted beside a cluster of ripened strawberry plants. He’d discarded his bucket two rows earlier. Now, as the red juice splattered over his cheeks testified, he was just feeding his face.

Reclining against the arching pecan tree, Amelia jostled the lounging Coastie. “And he’s not the only one.”

Braeden gestured toward the buckets overflowing with red berries. “I picked my weight in strawberries, I’ll have you know.” He leaned on his elbow, propping his head in his hand.

His gaze roamed across her face. The warmth in his regard took Amelia’s breath. Blushing at the intensity in his eyes, she focused on the muscle jumping in his jaw.

What was happening here? To her common sense? To her heart?

She’d do well to remember Lindi and now Honey—and the pain that followed such brief moments of bliss. She had responsibilities. No time for such nonsense.

Max. Her father. The boat. Obligations...

She closed her eyes against a rush of feeling. Willed the beating of her heart to slow. She opened her eyes to find his gaze still fixed on her. And imagined what it would be like to kiss Braeden Scott. To be cared for by a man who seemed determined to undermine her previous notions of love and the Guard.

Addled by his nearness, Amelia scrambled to a sitting position, scraping against the bark. Had she completely lost what was left of her mind? First Petty Officer Scott was, if nothing else, way out of her league when it came to matters of the heart.

He’d already admitted to a broken engagement. This thing between them—chemistry or boredom? A master tease and flirt, it was probably his way of whiling away a late-spring afternoon.

Amelia cut her eyes at him, inordinately pleased to note a pulse continued to throb in his neck as he stared out over the strawberry fields.

He took a deep breath. “Shorin’ up the barricades again, ’Melia?” Braeden searched her face for answers she couldn’t give him. Answers she didn’t know.

Amelia drew her legs to her chin. She nuzzled her cheek against the frayed jean patches covering her knees.

He frowned. “Not sure what I need to do or say to get you to trust me. To show you how much I care about you.” Braeden combed his hand over his head. “’Cause I’m tired of being your friend.”

She blinked. “What?”

Braeden nodded. “You heard me. You may choose to live in the land of self-delusion, but I won’t.” He grabbed her hand and laid it over his heart.

Her fingers splayed against his chest, she gasped as his heart hammered a beat to match her own.

Braeden’s eyes blazed. “Feel my heartbeat, Amelia Duer. This is what happens every time I see you, much less get near you. And don’t you dare lie to my face and tell me I don’t have the same effect on you.”

She tried yanking her hand out of his grasp. “Arrogant much, Coastie?”

He held on.

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