Free Salvation by Stephanie John

It ’ s a great place to clear your head, ” he said wistfully.
    We stopped and sat, partly shaded by the massive boulder. I stretched my legs out and leant back on my hands. The beach was a place I always found soothing, somewhere to sit for hours daydreaming, letting time pass me by.
    “ You ’ re very quiet, ” Nate said, mirroring my pose. His fingers grazed mine, but neither of us moved.
    “ I think I ’ m being seduced by the view. ”
    His lips curled, as though thinking of a private joke at my expense. “ I had a feeling you ’ d like it here. ”
    I smiled wryly. “ I ’ m sure I ’ m not the first you ’ ve brought here to impress. ”
    Hurt flashed across his face, and I instantly felt guilty. “ It is wonderful, though, ” I quickly added. “ Thank you for showing me. ”
    He smiled softly. “ Ever surfed before? ” He nodded to a small group of people bobbing up and down on boards in the ocean, trying to catch a wave.
    “ No, I don ’ t like going too far from shore. ”
    He tilted his head as his lips turned downwards. “ Can you swim? ”
    “ Yes, ” I nodded, shielding my eyes from the sun ’ s glare. “ I ’ m just scared not knowing what ’ s swimming around me. ”
    Nate ’ s genuine laughter prompted a wry smile through my embarrassment. “ Don ’ t let fear of the unknown hold you back, ” he reasoned. It was an apt statement, considering our circumstances.
    “ Would you let me take you out there? ” He bumped shoulders with me. “ I ’ ll keep you safe. ”
    I giggled at his playful nature. “ We ’ ll see. ”
    “ If Mel lets me take my little goddaughter out there, I must be trustworthy, right? ” he grinned. “ Though, come to think of it, that ’ s our secret. She ’ d probably kill me if she knew. ”
    It was difficult reconciling the ruthless businessman with a carefree young man, a doting uncle with a strong presence in his family ’ s life. It was another layer of normality I hadn ’ t anticipated.
    “ I can ’ t believe how quiet it is. ” I lowered onto my forearms and tipped my head back, savouring the warmth from the setting sun.
    “ It ’ s a great place to escape from unwelcome attention or prying camera lenses. ”
    Nate quickly turned away when I caught him studying me intently. Tucking my chin into the nook of my shoulder, I watched him survey the ocean, blinking in the sunlight. “ Do you get that a lot? ”
    “ Occasionally. I like to keep my private life exactly that — private . Being photographed at events and so on is all part of the job. So far, I ’ ve managed to keep other stories out of the spotlight. ” Nate moved into an upright position, folding his arms across his bent knees. His voice roughened. “ The interest in my personal life pisses me off at times. ” He shrugged his broad shoulders, his loose shirt rippling in the breeze.
    “ You ’ ve been labelled one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. ” I sat, brushing sand off my hands. “ What, or who you ’ re doing has to make for some interesting stories for the tabloids. ”
    Nate turned sharply, examining me with questioning eyes.
    “ Plus, I bet you take a great photo. ” I smiled nervously back at him. Well, that ’ s one way of telling him how hot he is.
    Nate scanned my face suspiciously, then nodded in the direction of his house. “ We should head back. ”
    He stood, offering both hands to help me up. That familiar spark spurred through our fingers, scattering the same rush of heat up my arms and across my skin as the first time we touched. Nate hauled me up a little too heavy-handedly and I stumbled forward. My hands went out, fingers curling around solid biceps that flexed at my touch. I blinked up, taking a deep breath as I met his gaze.
    Standing in his arms, close enough to see the fire blazing in his eyes, caused a riot of sensations to weave through every part of my being. He was just so … there.
    “ Kara, ” Nate whispered,