Remem-Bear Me Read Free Page B

snapped, pulling back her hands. He let her go, looking reluctant about it, and then looked out at the sunset with a sigh.
    “I suppose not. I’m going too fast. I’m not sure what to do with you. I can see you don’t feel about me the way I feel about you, but I don’t know how much of that is real and how much of it is part of what happened to you when you were away from me.”
    She swallowed. “I don’t know what to tell you. All I know is my name.” And that she was shot, but she thought she’d leave that out until she knew he could be trusted. For all she knew, he was the one who had hurt her. A stabbing pain went through her head and she put up a hand to rub at her temple. Damn her memory.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, putting up his hands. “I didn’t mean to upset you. How about we order dinner and just enjoy ourselves for a bit? You look like you need to relax.”
    She nodded slowly.
    He waved over the waiter and ordered for both of them. She’d never had a man order for her, and surprisingly, what he ordered sounded delicious, just like something she’d order for herself. More mysteries.
    While they waited for the food, he told her about the island, vague details about his family that made her prickly inside. He had grandkids, but he didn’t say anything about there being a grandma in the picture.
    His life sounded amazing, and she wanted to just insert herself into it.
    Her life had been rough, full of drudgery and loneliness, but with this bright, sparkling man who glowed with life and promise, she felt she was coming alive again. As they ate and drank, she felt the ache and stress of the past few years slowly fading away, like a year was erased with every good, relaxed moment with him.
    When dinner was done and she was comfortably full of good food and her face was sore from laughing at the things Sam said, she became aware of a low, buzzing tension between them. He checked his watch and she looked out and noticed it was getting darker.
    “Want to go for a walk on the beach?” he asked. “The sand here is amazingly soft, and it tends to be just the thing after a dinner like this.”
    She grinned and nodded, letting him help her to her feet. “That sounds lovely.”
    He settled his hand into the small of her back to lead her outside. She wondered if she should allow him to do something so familiar, but somehow, it just felt right.

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    W hen they walked outside , he bent to help her remove her sandals and carried them for her without asking. He was just the sort of man who took care of things without thinking about it, and it made her feel safe and secure. And happy for the first time in so long. It was like coming back to your heart.
    She just didn’t know why, and she wasn’t sure she would like the answer.
    They walked out by the ocean, strolling languidly just at the edge of the waves. Sam had his pants adorably rolled up and his suit coat slung over his arm. Jo looked out at the rolling water and let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
    “Want to sit for a bit?” he asked, putting his suit coat down for her in the sand. He sat down on the damp beach without complaint, and she winced because that suit probably cost more than her whole outfit combined.
    “Are you sure?” she asked.
    “What are suits for if not to be chivalrous with beautiful ladies?” he asked playfully, pulling her down onto the jacket. The sand was soft and she relaxed into it. His soft jacket kept any grains from getting to her, and she sighed as she leaned back and looked out at the ocean.
    “Thank you,” she said. “It’s so beautiful, and it’s an amazing night. I’m just sorry I can’t give you what you want.”
    “What do I want?” he asked, reaching out to touch a lock of her hair. Then he seemed to realize it was inappropriate and pulled back and sat rod straight, looking out at the ocean. “I’m sorry.”
    “I think you want me,” she said. “I just don’t know