The Scent of Salt & Sand: An Escaped Novella by Kristin Cast & P.C. Cast

Author:Kristin Cast & P.C. Cast [Cast, Kristin & Cast, P.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2016-08-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Dean tried to hurry after Melody, but the sand seemed to have a life of its own, trapping his feet and sending him to his knees. “I’m fucking soaked again, and again she got away from me,” he muttered to himself. Streetlights shaped like upside-down teardrops cast enough light that he could track Melody’s progress as she sprinted through Aquatic Park. He shuffled to shore and ineffectively wiped at the sand coating his soaked pant legs. When he looked up, she was jogging across Beach Street, and then disappearing into Ghirardelli Square. “Well, at least this time I know where she lives and where she works.” Determinedly, he bent to pick up both her shoes and his own, and began to follow Melody.

What the hell had happened? Had he been too forceful with her? He hadn’t meant to be pushy, but she’d felt so damn good in his arms. And she’d seemed to be enjoying herself. He sighed and shook his head. Maybe it was time he gave in, and listened to what he’d been told all these years—to stop trying to understand women.

“Women,” he huffed. “It’s like they’re a completely different species.”

He continued slogging through Aquatic Park, mulling over the knowledge his Nana worked to instill in him. “Find The One, mio bambino, and spend your life trying your best to love her.” Nana said that was all any man could do. He’d told her that was an old-fashioned way to look at women, but she’d smiled that foxlike grin of hers and said, “Old fashion or old wisdom? Ah, you will see when you finally fall in love.”

Dean stopped in the middle of the park like he’d hit a glass wall.

Jesus Christ, am I in love?

Dumbfounded, Dean just stood there, staring at the cream-colored lights that spelled out GHIRARDELLI SQUARE.

“No, not possible. I’ve only known her for a day.” He brushed a sandy hand through his hair. “We’ve only been out once. Sure it was amazing, and also a little confusing, but it was only one date. It can’t happen that fast, can it?”

But there it was—the knot in his gut that he’d never had before. Not when he’d thought he’d fallen in love with Kristi in high school. Not when he’d almost gotten engaged to Adrienne just before he’d graduated from the police academy. Not ever before in his life. The truth was that no woman had ever made him feel the things Melody was making him feel, but whether that meant love or lust, or both, he wasn’t sure.

“Well, I’m going to find out.”

He kicked into a jog, hurrying to Beach Street, and fidgeted anxiously while a line of empty tour buses crawled past. He cursed, sure that Melody had already reached the Fairmont, and rushed across the street. He was halfway up the stairs that led to the heart of the square and the posh Fairmont Residences when the huge clock tower began to chime…and chime…and chime.

Midnight wasn’t actually late for a date, but this date was unusual because they’d been together since early afternoon.

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