Free Seaside Hearts (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book 2) Contemporary Romance by Melissa Foster Page A

each time he managed to catch her. His face was somber at first, but now, as she chanced one more glance, the right side of his mouth kicked up and he arched a brow; then he lowered his chin even more and sent her a seductive stare that pinned her in place. The world silenced around her, and then slowly she became aware of a flurry of movement.
    “Jenna, are you going to sit there all night?” Amy yanked her up by the hand. “Jeez, woman.”
    Charlie reached for her. “That was fascinating, wasn’t it?”
    “Fascinating.” Thrilling . Terrifying also came to mind.
    “Are you guys up for a drink?” Lacy Snow, Dane’s girlfriend, was a tall blonde with thick spiral curls that hung past her shoulders and a smile that eased even Jenna’s crazy nerves. “I know Dane would love to hang out with everyone.” She glanced at Dane, talking with a group of people by the building. Jenna recognized the dreamy look in her eyes—it was exactly how she used to look at Pete.
    Used to . When she looked at Pete now she no longer saw the quiet man who moved like a shadow, doing exactly what he was supposed to do at all times—the man she was initially attracted to. Now he appeared to be so much more. Now she saw a man with an edge, in control, mysterious. A man who was ten times as alpha as any man she’d ever met but confident enough to keep it to himself. The type of man she’d always dreamed of being with—and it scared the shit out of her and intrigued her in equal measure.
    She didn’t need a drink to make it through this night. She needed an entire bottle.
     
    THE BAND AT the Beachcomber played a mix of top forty and country music. The deck was dimly lit, the music was loud, and the dance floor was packed. They claimed the only empty table, a table for four on the corner of the deck, and thanks to a helpful waiter, they were able to secure extra chairs from around the room. The ten of them squeezed in around the small table. Jenna sat beside Charlie, directly across from Pete, who was sitting beside Amy. Dane and Lacy were at one end of the table, and Bella and Caden sat at the other, with Kurt and Leanna squeezed in at the corner.
    “That was a fascinating documentary, Dane,” Caden said. “So you’re a shark tagger and a marine biologist, and you combined the two when you founded the Brave Foundation?”
    “Brave’s mission is to use education and innovative advocacy programs in an effort to enlighten those that are fearful of sharks, and work toward their protection, and in a broader sense, protecting the oceans as well. Tagging is part of the process.” Dane pulled Lacy closer to him and kissed her temple.  “But enough about work. Kurt said Evan wanted to come out on the boat. Why don’t we make a day of it and all go out for an afternoon? Lacy could use some girl time. We’ve been on a research mission in Bermuda for the past three weeks, and she’s probably pretty sick of me.”
    Lacy wrapped her arm around Dane’s middle and pressed her body to his.  She narrowed her baby blues and looked into his dark eyes. “Never, but I would love to hang out with Leanna and the girls on the boat.” Lacy smiled at Leanna. “We can sun ourselves while the boys play fishermen.”
    “Sounds great to me. Kurt’s ahead of his deadline, so he can take an afternoon, right?” Leanna reached for Kurt’s hand.
    “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Kurt brought her hand to his lips.
    Jenna felt something against her foot and glanced beneath the table. Pete’s giant boot was pressed against her sandal. She bit her lower lip, unsure if he’d meant to do it, or if she should move her foot away. She glanced up at him and he pressed it harder.
    She swallowed.
    “Let me know when you’re thinking of going and I’ll try to get the time off,” Caden said.
    Charlie placed a hand on Jenna’s thigh, and Jenna felt her cheeks heat up. She knew he was probably waiting for her to invite him on the boat trip. She chanced