Seaside Dreams (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book One) Contemporary Romance by Melissa Foster Page B

. Fine.” She stalked back and locked the door, secretly enjoying that he cared enough to push the issue. “Satisfied?”
    He arched a brow. “Very. I know your belongings are safe and I got a great look at your ass.”
    “You’re impossible,” she said with a laugh.
    He opened the truck door and helped her in. “You know you love it.” His truck smelled masculine and safe, like him.
    “So what do you have planned for our not-a-date?” she asked as he started the vehicle.
    He drove out of the development with that panty-dropping smile Bella loved so much and reached across the seat. “Hold my hand and maybe I’ll tell you.”
    This was dangerously enjoyable. He was dangerously enjoyable. Bella put her hand in his, relishing the feel of it.
    “Never mind,” she said with a comfortable sigh. “Don’t tell me. I want to be surprised.”
    It was a nice warm evening with a gentle breeze. They drove through Eastham and headed into Orleans with the windows open, holding hands and listening to music. With most men, Bella felt pressure to fill gaps in conversation, but with Caden the silence was comfortable, maybe even comforting. He already felt familiar, and holding hands drove that feeling deeper.
    A few minutes later, he parked in front of the Orleans Book Stop. The Book Stop was located in a small white saltbox-style house that had been renovated into a bookstore. Caden held the door open for Bella and bowed dramatically, sweeping his arm before her.
    “After you, madam. I hope you don’t mind bookstores.”
    “Interesting choice for a first not-a-date, but a good one. I love bookstores, probably a little too much. You haven’t seen the stacks of books on the far side of my bed.”
    He reached for her hand, and she followed him around a wide display of books.
    “We only made it to the bedroom door, remember?” He squeezed her hand, and she flushed with the memory.
    She moved in close and whispered, “Yes, I remember. You’re a naughty boy.” The heat in his eyes made her want to kiss him again.
    “It’s you,” he said easily.
    “ Tsk . I’m the naughty one?” She glanced at the teenage girl behind the counter, who appeared to be too busy texting to eavesdrop on their conversation.
    “No. You make me want to be naughty,” he teased.
    “Oh.” She hooked her finger in his jeans, trying to remember how to breathe.
    “You’re torturous,” he said. He took her finger from his waistband and turned back to the books. “Books. Focus.” He slid his eyes toward her, and she licked her lips. “Christ, Bella.”
    That was too fun of a reaction not to do it again.
    He snagged her hand and hurried down to the lower level. Her pulse quickened as they wound their way through two aisles of books and he cornered her against the bathroom door. She loved this game of cat and mouse, and when he pressed his hips to hers and she felt his desire, she couldn’t help but hook her finger in his waistband again. He glanced up at the security camera in the corner of the room, and when their eyes connected again, a streak of lust spiraled through to her core. He tangled his hands in her hair and kissed her like he was a soldier who’d just come home from the war.
    “I…This…” He scrubbed his face with his hand and turned away. It was all she could do to watch him close his eyes for a breath, then turn back, looking as hot and flustered as she felt. Through gritted teeth and a harsh whisper, he said, “I don’t want just hot sex with you, Bella.”
    She felt playful, and seeing him so flustered sent a thrill through her. “So you are a fetish guy.”
    His eyes darkened and narrowed, pinning her to the door. “No. I want hand holding and talking and whatever the heck else people do to get to know each other. I want to cook you dinner and watch stupid movies that make you cry.”
    Her heart melted a little. She wanted all those things, too, but she knew if she opened her mouth, she’d deflect his words with