Chapter 30

The public showers and changing rooms were teeming with people, and Jon didn’t want to risk being noticed, so they sat on the towels for a few minutes to dry off in the sun. Keira felt a little awkward after becoming so emotional with him, but at the same time she was glad to get her feelings off her chest.

She pulled two bottles of water from the bag and handed one to Jon, then twisted the cap off hers and took a sip. She poured a little into the sand between them and settled down on her stomach to build a tiny sandcastle. Jon lay on his side and watched her lazily. When she was done, he reached over and added stairs. They came out perfect and she nodded, satisfied. “Nice job. You have very talented hands.” She was flirting, and it felt good to be on familiar ground again.

He gave her a slow smile and reached across to run his fingers up the back of her thigh. “Yeah, I do…but you already knew that.”

She held her breath as his fingers climbed higher. He stopped just short of her bikini line and then pulled his hand away. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

Not for food, she thought. “A little bit. What do you have in mind?”

“That’s a loaded question.” He smirked.

“I meant, what did you have in mind to eat?” she clarified, and then instantly regretted her choice of words.

His blue eyes twinkled with mischief and he laughed, clearly enjoying her discomfort. “Any other ways you’d like to phrase that?” he teased.

She groaned and tried again, this time talking slowly through clenched teeth. “What…food…do…you…want…to…eat…for…lunch?”

“Ohhh, you were talking about food…now I understand.”

She laughed. “You are too much, Jonny. You haven’t grown up at all.”

“I’ve learned a few new tricks, though.” He said with a wink, and she tried to push aside the quick flash of jealousy that arose when she thought of all the other women he must have learned those tricks with. What am I doing here? I could never handle being involved with a rock star, and that’s definitely what he is now.

“Are you ready to get outta here?” he asked. She nodded and stood up, pulling her capris on over her now-dry bikini. They shook off the towels and folded them up, then grabbed the rest of their stuff and headed for the parking lot. Sliding into the car, she put the key in the ignition and glanced at the digital clock in the dash.

“Holy crap, it’s already four o’clock!” She exclaimed. “I guess we’ll be having dinner instead of lunch.”

“We can get some takeout. We’re not exactly dressed to eat at a restaurant.”

Keira nodded in agreement. She felt sandy and sticky from the salt water, and she definitely didn’t feel up to going to a restaurant.

“Do you want to come to my place, or would you be more comfortable if we go back to yours?” Jon asked.

She thought about it for a minute. What the hell. “Let’s go to your place. Show me how a rock star lives.”

He smiled at her, glad to see that she was starting to relax around him. She turned the radio on and John Mayer’s sexy, soothing voice filled the car.

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You better know that in the end
It’s better to say too much
Than never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

She smiled. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard the song, but it was the first time she’d paid full attention to the lyrics. It’s perfect.

As if he’d read her mind, Jon said, “Hey, this could be your theme song.”

She blushed. “I know. What can I say? I like wearing my heart on my sleeve sometimes. Better to tell people how you feel about them than to risk never telling them at all.”

“I wasn’t making fun of you, Kathy. I admire you for being so open.” Jon said seriously.

She relaxed and smiled at him. “Thank you.” She said. “Now where can we go to get some takeout?”