Seduced in Sand Read Free Page A

Will, the only games Danny played were sports and genuine interest had always been easy when it came to Tabatha. Being attentive was his weakness. Especially when it meant being attentive to a clock. He was doing better with being on time, thanks to the constant use of his cell phone alarms.
    Being late for the date with Tabatha had surely been the serving hit to her quick departure. If there was one thing Danny had perfected during his marriage it was how to soften Tabatha’s anger with groveling. And passion. He’d hoped to still have that power. His hope hadn’t died, but it had suffered a hard hit with her retreat.
    However much Tabatha had changed during their separation, one irrefutable truth remained. She was drawn to him. She’d gotten better at resisting him, though not good enough to fully hide her shiver when he moved in close.
    That alone kept his hope for a reconciliation alive.
    It was time for her to see how determined he was to win her back. To prove they were supposed to be together.
    With determination firmly in his grasp, he tossed some bills on the bar for Sam, not that he’d ordered a drink, and left. He would romance his wife until she admitted she’d never stopped loving him.
    He’d start the way they met. Over laughter. He just needed to make her laugh instead of flee.
    An hour later, with how to accomplish the first step still a mystery, Danny retreated to the only place he felt truly comfortable—the beach.
    Water bottle by his side—he’d given up soft drinks and alcohol while training—he sat on the volleyball court beneath the net with his back against the support pole. Practices and drills went through his mind while the moon shone on the ocean beyond. The sand sifted through his toes, grounding him in certainty. He’d bounced through life with no real purpose or direction until Tabatha. She wouldn’t believe him if he said it, but she’d changed him.
    â€œWhat are you doing out here?” Will, his teammate, asked while dropping to the sand beside him. “Thought you had a big date tonight.”
    â€œDid. It ended early.”
    â€œSo you came here.”
    â€œIt’s where I think best.”
    â€œA first date gone wrong’s worth extra thinking?”
    Will was an amazing volleyball player and friend. And he was smart, he just saved most of his thinking for the matches. Then he was thinking of ways to get in their opponents’ heads.
    â€œNo.” Few women since Tabatha had ever gotten a first thought. None had gotten a second. “The date was with my wife.”
    â€œWife? How in Hell did I not know you were married?”
    â€œSeparated. I told you I moved here for personal reasons. Well, it’s really just one reason. Tabatha.”
    â€œI take it from the date ending early she’s not as into the idea.”
    â€œYet. I’ll win her back.” Like a shark with a taste for blood, Danny had discovered the sweetness of victory. He liked it, and winning Tabatha back would be the sweetest victory.
    â€œHow’d you screw it up in the first place?”
    â€œWhy do you assume it was me?”
    â€œIt’s always our fault. Whether we’re too good or not good enough. We just can’t make them happy.”
    â€œThis from the man whose longest relationship has been with a volleyball.”
    â€œThe ball has no expectations and it never wants to complicate things with feelings.”
    â€œYes. Feelings are horrible things,” Danny deadpanned.
    â€œThey are when they complicate shit or step onto the court with you.”
    â€œHas my game been off?” Danny knew there was nothing wrong with his game. He matched Will volley for volley and serve for serve as they defeated every team they faced.
    Will—a bigger playboy than he could ever have been—looked at him harder and more serious than normal. “Your game’s fine, but you haven’t mentioned a