Keeping Mr. Right Now: A Kisses in the Sand Novel (Entangled Bliss) by Robin Bielman Page B

voice quiet, gentle.
    “I heard you have some groupies who can be a little aggressive.”
    A slow smile took hold of his lips. “Who told you that?”
    “Honor. We were shopping this afternoon, and some woman made a show of disgust when she overheard Honor talking about how…” She paused and swallowed. “Anyway, Honor told me there are a few locals who like to follow you.”
    Voices drew his attention toward a small group of people walking in their direction. Zane took Sophie’s hand and tugged her to the stairway that led down to a small observation terrace with an unobstructed view of the coastline.
    Her breath caught, and she leaned against the iron banister. “Oh my gosh. This view is spectacular.”
    With the last remnants of daylight and first signs of nightfall crossing paths, the view was pretty amazing. “I’m glad you got to see it,” Zane said.
    She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
    “And thanks for helping me out.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    He rubbed the back of his neck, focused on the midnight-blue sea. “Out in the water, I don’t have to worry about uninvited attention or my reputation or letting anyone down. The world falls away and…and it feels good.”
    “You’re feeling bliss,” Sophie said, seeming equally taken with the darkening ocean. “You’ve trained almost your whole life to be out there, and you’ve got a connection to nature that can lead to a naturally soothing psychological effect.”
    Zane stared in awe at Sophie’s profile. She was right, and it blew his mind. How had she gotten into his head like that? He needed to change the subject.
    “What did Honor say?” he asked.
    Her head tilted and turned at the same time. “Sorry?”
    “When you two were done shopping. You said someone overheard her say something but you didn’t say what that something was.”
    “It was nothing.”
    “Oh, I think it was something.” He brushed his side against hers as he wrapped his hands around the railing. This woman intrigued him, pulled at him. They barely knew each other, yet she’d come to his defense. He itched to move behind her, hold her against his chest, and put his chin on her shoulder.
    She pushed back and sat on the bench in the corner of the terrace. If she was trying to keep her distance from him, it wasn’t going to work. He took the spot beside her, his leg grazing hers.
    “Why does it matter?”
    He shrugged. “Probably because I noticed your blush again and wondered if her comment had something to do with me.”
    “You think everything revolves around Zane Hollander, don’t you?”
    “No. But I think your blush does.”
    Her shoulders tensed and she pressed her lips together. The thin line of her mouth didn’t prevent him from hearing her irritated sigh. She was annoyed—at him, at herself?—and hell if she didn’t look cute in the process.
    “Your notice makes me jumpy.”
    “Sorry.”
    “And I don’t like it.”
    “Here’s the thing.” He bent to whisper in her ear. “I do.”
    She shivered, and he felt it as if she were a part of him. He should stop teasing her, he knew he should, but something about Sophie Birch jerked at his control.
    “I like the pink flush that rises in your cheeks and moves down your neck, your throat.” He slid a finger across her collarbone. “Makes me wonder how far down that blush goes.”
    “Please stop,” she breathed. Her eyes drifted shut.
    “What did Honor say?” Asshole .
    “She said Zane is going to love how you look, so relax and have fun tonight.”
    He dropped his arm and rested against the bench to take in her dress. “You went shopping for something to wear tonight?”
    “Yes.”
    Zane imagined Sophie wasn’t the first girl to do this, but she was the first genuine person he’d met in a long time. She had no ulterior motives. Didn’t seem to care about his fame or his money or getting her picture taken with him.
    “Sophie?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Look at me, please.”
    She very slowly