Free Crazy for Love by Victoria Dahl

voice oozed cheer.
    Chloe threw her shirt onto the sand and walked in deeper, smiling at the sound of Max’s splashing footsteps behind her. The water was up to her knees. She wasn’t the least bit surprised when he started talking.
    â€œIn Greek mythology, Amphitrite was the wife of Poseidon and the queen of the sea.” He was beside her within two seconds. She kept walking. “But in the beginning, she wasn’t simply Poseidon’s wife. Amphitrite was the sea. The ruler and the goddess and the sea itself. One day Poseidon saw her playingin the water, and he was overwhelmed by her beauty and power.”
    â€œOh?” The water lapped against her upper thighs. She stopped to gaze out at the beautiful moon reflecting off the water.
    â€œChloe.” His fingertips touched the flat of her shoulder blade, tentative at first, then his touch grew heavier, fingers spreading, palm touching her skin. His hand curved around her shoulder, holding her and pressing his heat inside.
    She froze, afraid if she shivered, he’d move his hand.
    â€œYou’re beautiful. You look like part of the sea itself tonight.” His hand kept her still as he circled around to stand in front of her. A wave pushed him closer. “Natural. Peaceful.”
    She knew he was going to kiss her, and she knew he was only kissing her to keep her from swimming, but she didn’t stop him. She wanted to be kissed. Only Thomas had kissed her in the past three years. She wanted those memories erased by someone new.
    Max’s mouth curved in a charming, crooked smile. His eyes fell to her lips and lingered as if he were savoring the moment. But…something was off. His gaze wasn’t heavy-lidded. It wasn’t soft. Sharp thoughts turned behind his eyes.
    Chloe wanted to be kissed, but more than that,she wanted to be wanted. For real. With no lies to dilute that wanting.
    He lowered his head, edging his mouth close to her ear. “I can think of better things for a sea goddess to do on a dark beach than go swimming.”
    She put effort into keeping her voice light and coy. “Oh, yeah?”
    â€œYeah.” He stepped forward, and the press of his leg moved her back a step. She knew she was being manipulated, but when his lips brushed her temple, the warmth still sent sparks racing down her neck. Not fair.
    When his hips nudged her, Chloe took a step back in frantic defense. Totally not fair. His mouth curved in triumph, as if he were thrilled he made her nervous, but Chloe was convinced his thrill had more to do with her migration toward the sand. When she planted her feet, sure enough, his eyes narrowed.
    â€œCome up to the beach,” he murmured. “I want to show you something.”
    â€œReally? Is it in your pocket? Because that sounds a little creepy.”
    â€œOh,” he said. Then, “No!” as he started to laugh. “No, not that. Jesus. I was talking about the moon.” But even past his laughter, he was moving her backward. The waves only reached her knees now.
    â€œI just thought…” His hands slipped downher shoulders to her upper arms. “We’re finally alone….”
    God, this would be so lovely if he wasn’t faking it. She could just close her eyes and pretend…
    Max dipped his head, easing a centimeter closer to her mouth. “So I thought maybe…”
    â€œOh, God, you’re really going to do this, aren’t you?”
    His chin jerked back a little before he eased back into his role. “I sure am,” he said with a slow drawl.
    â€œIt’s not fair, Max.”
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œYou’re going to make out with me just to keep me from swimming!”
    This time his whole body jerked back when his chin drew in. Chloe gave him a disappointed push to help him along.
    â€œWhat?” he huffed.
    â€œYou don’t want me to swim at night, so you’re pretending you want to make out!”
    Panic