The First Man You Meet (Mills & Boon Short Stories) by Debbie Macomber

Author:Debbie Macomber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, General, Short Stories (Single Author), Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2009-02-01T05:25:54+00:00

Chapter Seven

‘‘HEY,’’ SHELLY SAID reassuringly, ‘‘don’t look so concerned. It was just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill kiss.’’ She stood indignantly and brushed the wet sand from her jeans. ‘‘Besides, it didn’t mean anything.’’

Mark’s scowl darkened. ‘‘Didn’t mean anything?’’ he echoed.

‘‘Of course it didn’t! I mean, we were both wondering what it would be like, don’t you think? Good grief, we seem to be running into each other every other day and it only makes sense that we should want to, you know, experiment.’’

‘‘In other words, you think the kiss was just a means of satisfying our mutual curiosity?’’

‘‘Sure. All this nonsense about the wedding dress overcame our normal good sense, and we succumbed to the temptation.’’ Thank goodness Mark seemed to understand her rambling. Shelly’s knees were shaking. It was a wonder she could still stand upright. Although she’d tried to minimize the effects of his kiss, it left her feeling as though she’d never been kissed before. Her entire body had been overwhelmed by a feeling of rightness. Now all she felt was the crushing weight of confusion. She shouldn’t be feeling any of these things for Mark. A CPA! An almost-engaged CPA, to boot.

‘‘And was your curiosity satisfied?’’ he demanded. His blue eyes probed and waited.

‘‘Uh…yes. And yours?’’

‘‘Yes,’’ he muttered, but he was frowning again.

The youth from the rental agency leaped out of the truck and loaded Shelly’s moped into the back. ‘‘You’re not supposed to get the engine wet,’’ he scolded. ‘‘It’s in the rental agreement. You’ll have to pay a fine.’’

Shelly nodded. She didn’t have an excuse; she doubted the agency would accept her trying to escape Mark as a legitimate reason for damaging one of their vehicles.

Mark hefted his own bike onto the truck as well, and the three of them got into the pickup’s cab and rode silently down the long stretch of beach.

Shelly went to the office to deal with her fine and was surprised to find Mark waiting for her when she’d finished. ‘‘You hungry?’’ he asked in an offhand invitation.

‘‘Uh…’’ She would have thought he’d be anxious to see the last of her.

‘‘Good,’’ he said immediately, not giving her a chance to reply. His hand grasped her elbow firmly as he led her to a nearby fish-and-chips stand. Shelly couldn’t recall the last time a man had taken her elbow. Her first reaction was to object to what she considered an outdated gesture but she was surprised to find it oddly comfortable, even pleasant.

They ordered their fish and chips, then carried the small baskets to a picnic table.

‘‘I should have paid for my own,’’ she said once they were seated, vaguely guilty that he’d paid for both meals. Janice might be the jealous type, and Shelly didn’t want her to hear about this.

His eyes met hers, steady and direct. ‘‘When I ask you to join me, I pick up the bill.’’

Any argument she had vanished before it reached her lips.

After that, Shelly concentrated on her fish and chips, which were fresh and absolutely delicious.

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