Free Nantucket by Nan Rossiter Page B

. . . how come you’re not hungry?” he asked, tossing the tail into the pine trees along the side of the road.
    â€œI think it has something to do with you,” she said with a smile, reaching into her beach bag for the plastic ware she’d grabbed. Her hand touched something cold and after she handed him the napkin she reached back in and produced two frosty bottles.
    â€œNice!” Liam said with a grin. “So, where are we going?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she said, glancing over her shoulder, “but we should go soon.”
    Liam tossed another shrimp tail into the woods and opened the door for her. Then, giving her the plate to hold, he climbed in and started the truck. Suddenly, a black Mercedes came down the road from the direction of the party and Cadie ducked. Liam waited for it to pass and looked over at her. “What? Are you not supposed to be seen with me?”
    â€œNo,” she lied. “I’m supposed to be at the party.”
    â€œWell, maybe you should stay. There’s no point in getting in trouble.”
    â€œI won’t get in trouble—there’re so many people, my parents won’t even notice. I just need to be back as soon as the fireworks end.”
    â€œThen we shouldn’t go far,” he said, driving past the black iron gates of the Wellington property and turning onto a long, sandy road that ended abruptly at a secluded beach.
    â€œHow do you know all these places?” Cadie asked, looking around. “From taking your other girlfriends?”
    Liam laughed. “Yup, all my other girlfriends have been here,” he teased. “Actually, it’s from riding my bike everywhere when I was a kid. I know every inch of this island.”
    â€œIs that the Wellingtons’?” Cadie asked in surprise, pointing across the water.
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œHey, I think I see my parents!”
    He laughed as Cadie handed the plate back to him and opened her beer. “I’ve already had two,” she confessed, taking a sip.
    â€œYou have?! And you haven’t eaten?”
    â€œI don’t need to eat.”
    He looked at her eyes. “Yes, you do. You probably have a buzz right now.”
    â€œNo, I don’t.”
    â€œYes, you do!” he said with a laugh. “Eat something,” he commanded, holding out the plate.
    Cadie picked up the cream puff. “You know what I love about cream puffs?” she asked, seductively licking the chocolate.
    â€œI can’t imagine,” he said, suddenly feeling aroused.
    She closed her eyes and put the whole thing in her mouth. “Mmm,” she murmured, “the cream.”
    Liam smiled. “You’re killing me, you know that?” he said, putting the plate on the dashboard.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she teased with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
    â€œNo, you’re not,” he said, sipping his beer.
    â€œMm-hmm,” she countered.
    â€œProve it,” he said, searching her eyes.
    â€œAll right,” she said, moving closer and unbuttoning the top of his jeans. Liam watched her and then leaned back against the door and closed his eyes.
    Ten minutes later, he pulled her onto his chest, kissed the top of her head, and tried to wrap his mind around what she’d just done. “Damn, Cadie,” he whispered. “You sure know what you’re doing. . . .”
    She leaned against him. “No, I don’t. . . .”
    â€œYes, you do,” he said softly, kissing her cheek and searching for her soft lips. “My uncle’s right,” he whispered. “You are trouble.”
    She laughed. “That’s funny . . . that’s what my father says about you. ”
    â€œHe does?” Liam asked, pulling back to search her face. “Why?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she lied.
    He lifted her chin to look at him. “Yes, you do.”
    â€œWhy does your uncle think I’m