Forever by Karen Kingsbury Page A

transformation complete. And then they would take a walk to the shore. She’d found the 40 path two visits ago. Itwound down the hillside, and though it was overgrown with weeds, she’d made it to the bottom without Dayne led the way. “Out here, it doesn’t even feel like Hollywood exists.” He was careful not to move too far ahead of her. “Not Hollywood or the paparazzi or the gossip of Tinseltown.” He breathed deep. “Out here I’m just a guy in love counting the
    And that’s the way he came across the rest of the afternoon as they reached the water, took off their shoes, and walked barefoot along the beach for a mile, stepping over the occasional rock or piece of driftwood. They talked about the wedding plans and the press and his new movie. Katy told Da about the script for Cinderella. Everything was coming together for the fall perforBefore they climbed back up the hill, he let go of her hand and waded into knee-deep water. “Wow. It’s a lot warmer than the
    And more private. But she didn’t say so. She wanted to forget how careful they had to be on the be behind his Malibu home. All those days were behind them now.
    She moved toward him, and as she did, he leaned close to the surface of the lake and
    “Oh no. Not this time.” She made a move, intent on splashing But before she could get him wet, he started to run. “Okay, She gave him an innocent look. “Don’t worry, Dayne.” She took slow steps toward him, her eyes never leaving his. “I won’t get you wet. No paybacks from me-no sir.” But just as she reached him, just as she went to push him, he lost his balance and slipped backward into the shallow water. With nothing to catch her, she fell forward and landed on top of him. Katy gasped as the water splashed her face and drenched her

FOREVER
    voun
    down the ds
    she’d made Out here, it doe, areful
    not to
    mo
    paparazzi or the here ‘m just a came across the took off their c ile
    stepping
    owe
    talked about th ie. Katy told Da’ was coming tog(
    )ack up the hill, water. “Wow. It’ it she didn’t say to be on the be .’,re behind them eane
    close to th water
    at her.
    e.” She made a m I get him wet, hi lands. “You’re ri, iocent look. “IX him, her eyes tic ic
    from me- .e went to push into the shallow ar and landed c Tater splashed he
    a problem.
    days till his wedding.”
    mance.
    ocean.”
    flicked a few drops of vvater at her.
    him back.
    okay.” He held up his hands. “You’re right.”
    41
    clothes. At the same time, Dayne propped himself up on one elbow and wiped his eyes so he could see. Katy tried to scramble free, but she couldn’t get a footing and she fell on him again.
    “Hmm.” He grinned at her. “This could be interesting.”
    “Dayne!” Katy braced herself and pulled her knees up. She spit a mouthful of lake water at him, and they both laughed. “Help me!”
    With a single motion, he smoothly flipped her onto her back, soaking the only parts of her that were still dry. He was on top now, though he used his arms to keep some space between them. He brushed his nose against hers. “It’s easier to get up from this position.”
    “Is that right?” She splashed him with both hands, but before she could squirm free she realized that they’d never been this way, this close before. And even though it was an accident, she could understand how people with the best intentions could fall into temptation in a matter of seconds. The feeling was heady and different from anything she’d ever experienced.
    He must’ve sensed it, because his expression changed. “I want to kiss you so bad.”
    “Me too.” She swallowed and without meaning to eased her hand around his waist, against the small of his back. Suddenly, in a terrifying and scintillating rush, she wanted to forget every promise she’d ever made about staying pure. Every inch of her wanted him to draw closer. “Dayne …”
    Under the gentle pressure of her hand, he lowered himself a fraction of an