She studied the array of beer, frowning because she couldn’t remember what kind Garrett had when he’d come over. Deciding it didn’t really matter, she chose three different brands and hauled them into her basket.
The small section that served as the bakery didn’t have anything she thought Garrett would go for. It was all too froufrou and fruity, whereas she pictured him as more of a pure sugar guy.
Cake would have to do. She didn’t have time to go all-out on something exotic and complicated. Not if she was going to invite him to dinner tonight.
She picked a mix and bought ready-made frosting even though she quivered at the sin of it all. Then she made her way to the check-out and paid for delivery of the heavy groceries to her cottage.
On her way home, she found herself humming. She actually stopped in the sand and grinned as she realized she had this ridiculous giddy thrill at the idea of seeing Garrett again. She hugged her arms and squeezed, so happy and grateful that the idea of having a man in her personal space didn’t freak her out anymore.
It wasn’t as if she considered herself miraculously cured. Obviously it couldn’t be just any man. Garrett was different. He made her feel safe. And for the first time since her attack, she felt a stirring of interest in the opposite sex. For that alone, she’d always be grateful.
She started back down the beach, a ridiculous smile plastered on her face. It was a good day. And it would only get better.
Two hours later, she stood on Garrett’s porch and second-guessed her chirpy assertion that the day was so wonderful. Her hands were clammy, her mouth was dry and her heart was about to beat out of her chest.
Why was this so hard? She wasn’t afraid of Garrett. She wasn’t! It was though her psyche refused to cooperate and had hit the panic button in her brain. It was completely irrational, but then she’d already acknowledged that fear was anything but rational.
More than a little pissed that panic was putting a serious damper on her good mood, she set her jaw and knocked briskly on the door. A moment later, Garrett opened the door and his eyes widened in surprise. That might have put her off but then he smiled broadly and she could see pleasure in his expression. Her heart jolted and did a funny flip.
He was only wearing swim trunks and she was afforded a prime, up-close view of his chest. The same chest she’d drooled over from afar. He wasn’t one of those polished, hairless, pretty boys with an even tan and skin as soft as hers. No, he was rugged, paler on his belly and chest than he was on his arms and face. And he was hairy. Not in a gross, man-wolf way. There was a smattering over his upper chest, enough to give him a rougher edge, and it tapered downward to a dark line to his navel and low enough to fire her imagination about what was beneath the band of those swim trunks.
Her face lit on fire and her cheeks were so tight, she thought she might explode. Whether from embarrassment or awareness, she wasn’t sure.
Her gaze jerked up to the fresh scar on his shoulder. There were other scars. Much older. Some more faded than others. The one at his shoulder was still angry and puckered looking. He followed her stare and slid his palm over the scar.
She flushed guiltily. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. Well, I guess I did. I was curious. Sorry, though. Does it still hurt?” And God, was she babbling. Like an idiot.
He shrugged. “Some days more than others. Hey, I was about to go for a swim. Want to come?”
She blinked in surprise and took a step back. “Swimming?”
His eyes glittered with amusement. “Yeah. You know, that thing you do in the ocean? In bathing suits usually, although I wouldn’t be opposed to skinny-dipping.”
“Oh. Well. I mean, I came over to invite you to dinner.”
“Really? I’d be happy to. But no reason we couldn’t go for a swim first. Unless you’re cooking a pig or something and have to start on it now.”
He was totally ribbing her and she grinned as some of the panic melted away under the warmth of this smile. “No pig, but I did buy a fair piece of a cow.”
He rubbed his belly and sighed. “You do know how to tempt a man. So, how about that swim? I’ll help cook after we’re done.”
“Oh no you don’t,” she said with a shake of her head. “You did all the cooking last time. This time, you’re going to sit on the deck with the beer I bought for you while I do all the cooking. I already baked a cake.”
“Damn. You’re spoiling me, woman.”
Her cheeks tightened again and the warmth spread into her chest. “And yes, I think I would like to swim. I’ll just go change and meet you back here.”
“Great. I’ll wait for you on the beach.”
Sarah flew back to her cottage and rummaged through her things for the swimsuit she’d purchased just a few days after arriving on the island. She hadn’t used it yet. Not even once. But suddenly she was eager to feel the ocean.
It was a modest one-piece, and by modest, it covered everything. High-necked, broad shoulder straps and a skirt that fell midway to her knees. She felt like a granny, although she doubted many grandmothers wore suits this ugly.
Knowing she was about as attractive as a toad should have dimmed some of her enthusiasm, but she found she just didn’t care. Garrett didn’t seem to mind her odd behavior and her eccentricities. She was going to enjoy today if it killed her.
She mentally flipped Allen and Stanley Cross the bird as she trekked down the steps of her deck and onto the sun-warmed sand. Allen was already in hell, and Stanley could kiss her ass. If there was any justice in the world, he’d join his brother there eventually.