Beginning Again: Book 1 in the Second Chances series (Crimson Romance)

Free Beginning Again: Book 1 in the Second Chances series (Crimson Romance) by Peggy Bird Page B

Book: Beginning Again: Book 1 in the Second Chances series (Crimson Romance) by Peggy Bird Read Free Book Online
Authors: Peggy Bird
Tags: Romance, spicy
Hovering just far enough away so it didn’t swamp the couple with the backwash from the rotor blades, was a Coast Guard helicopter. The two Coasties inside the helo were waving at them.
    “Oh, shit. This is awful,” she said, pulling the blanket further up over her before dropping her head into her hands.
    “They’re too far away to see us clearly enough to know who we are. What’s outside the blanket is dressed and what isn’t dressed is completely covered. It’s really kinda funny.”
    “Easy for you to say. Here I am … ”
    “I’m here, too, babe. And all they can see is a couple having a little afternoon delight on the beach. They’re either impressed that a white-haired old guy can still do it or they’re jealous because they’re working and we’re not. Maybe both.”
    “Right. Working. My tax dollars being used to spy on me.”
    “You sound like one of those anti-government nuts.”
    “Good God, I hope not. But I am embarrassed.”
    “Because they’ll what … report you? To whom?”
    “Because they’ll film us and put it on YouTube.”
    “But I don’t see anyone hanging out the side of the copter with a camera in hand, so I don’t think that’s gonna happen. Come on, they won’t leave until we acknowledge we see them. We’ll wave; they’ll go away.”
    He waved and, reluctantly, so did she. Just as Collins predicted, as soon as they did, the pilot and his — or her — colleague flew seaward until their helicopter looked like an oversized dragonfly in the distance.
    When they’d gone, Collins pulled Liz to him and kissed her forehead. “So, we’ve got beach and public place checked off the list, haven’t we?”
    “And added ‘with an audience,’ too,” she said.
    “I don’t think they actually saw anything, Liz.”
    “But they’ll have a good story to tell their buddies when they get back to base.”
    “I doubt it’s the first time anyone’s made love on the beach, babe. Maybe they just amuse themselves by keeping count.”
    Twenty minutes later, as they finished the last of the open bottle of champagne, two helicopters appeared from the south. This time, the couple was completely dressed and sitting up on the blanket.
    “Looks like we have more company,” Collins said as he waved at the approaching helos.
    Liz laughed and joined him in greeting their new friends. With nothing interesting to see, the Coasties waggled their aircraft at them in salutation and went on their way.
    Once the helicopters disappeared, Collins started packing up the picnic basket. “I think we’ve done everything that can be done here, don’t you?”
    “Hell, yes. And so help me God, if I show up on YouTube or Facebook or whatever else is out there to torment foolish old women … ”
    “And so help me God, if you don’t stop harping on your age, I’ll take the damn videos of you half-dressed myself and post them.” He held up three fingers in the classic Boy Scout sign. “Scout’s honor.”
    “I didn’t know you were a Boy Scout.”
    He abruptly dropped his hand and grabbed the bag they were using to collect trash. “There’ve been times lately I wish I was more Scout-like than I am but, no, I’ve never been a Boy Scout.” He walked away from the blanket, picking up random bits of trash and adding them to the bag.
    It was the second time today he’d abruptly pulled away from her. She couldn’t figure out what she was doing to make him draw back. She hadn’t been kidding when she said she felt inept in dealing with men. Maybe this was the result of falling into bed with someone she’d known for such a short time. Perhaps this had all been a mistake. She didn’t want it to be. But what the hell was going on?
    When she caught up with him she took the bag he was holding and put her empty plastic glass in it. “You must be a Boy Scout if you’re intent on policing the beach like this. Need some help?”
    “No, I can … ” He looked at her, seemed to register her concern.

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