Beyond the Waves (Pacific Shores Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

Pomeranian!”
    “I know. Just…” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I just got home from working a case where a woman was badly beaten. I see things in my line of work, Layne, that probably make me a little more cautious than normal, sure. But everyone thinks, ‘It will never happen to me.’” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Please, just wait for me? I’ll come with you.”
    She swallowed, unable to pull her eyes from his. When he looked at her like that, she could almost agree to anything.
    He took another step closer. “It’s so good to see you again, Layne. Why did I wait so long to come home?”
    Reality seeped into her senses, and she took a slow step back. “Kylen, nothing can come from this. I…” She glanced down. Suddenly she couldn’t look him in the eye or go on. Much as she knew she should tell him to take a hike, her double-crossing heart wouldn’t let her form the words. She needed to clear her head. She could never think straight when he was around! She took another step away. “I’ll just go for a quick run. I’ll be home in less than thirty minutes, I promise.” She hoped he couldn’t hear the desperation in her tone.
    “Did anything I just said spark even a hint of caution in you!? Use some common sense, for heaven’s sake!” In one swift stride he grabbed her wrist, then turned, gently but firmly pulling her toward his house.
    Taysia stumbled after him. She tripped over the flower bed, almost losing her footing. “Kylen! What in the world has gotten into you?” Her heart pounded in her throat. She had no intention of going into his house with him. She clearly remembered what had happened the last time she’d allowed him to draw her into his house. “Kylen, stop!” She tried to pull her wrist from his grip, but he just kept walking. “Ky, please.” Nervousness edged her voice with a tremor.
    He stopped and spun toward her so quickly her momentum pitched her against the solid strength of his chest before she could stop. She let out a surprised squeak and looked up into his face.
    Hands on her upper arms, he set her aright, but didn’t let her go. His thumbs stroked hot traces across the goose bumps on her skin, and his voice was hoarse when he spoke. “I can’t stand the thought…” He cleared his throat, looked away, blinked, then glanced back down at her. “I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you, Layne. And frankly, I’m too tired to argue with you. I’m running on about two hours’ sleep from last night, and if you’re not careful”—his eyes darted to her lips and back—”I might do something we’d both probably regret later.” He paused, then with a small grin amended, “Well, my only regret would be that you wouldn’t kiss me willingly. Not yet.”
    At the raw desire she saw in his eyes, Taysia’s heart kicked into post-marathon speed, and she opened her mouth to protest.
    Kylen let go of one arm and brushed his thumb across her lips, caressing them, and, to her dismay, studying them intently. Her knees weakened, and only the pressure of his hand on her arm kept her on her feet. “Layne, please…just”—a muscle bunched along his jaw, and he tore his eyes away to look at the ground—”be quiet and follow me.”
    Abruptly, he let her go and spun on his heel, clearly expecting her to follow.
    Taysia stumbled back a step to catch her balance, swallowed convulsively, and only took a second to decide it was probably wise just to do as he asked this once. If she turned toward the beach, he would just come after her.
    Like a meek puppy, she followed obediently in his footsteps.

    Kylen’s pulse hammered as he banged open the door to his basement apartment and motioned Taysia in ahead of him. He was glad she’d decided to give in to his request, because in his present state of exhaustion he wasn’t sure what his reaction might have been had she refused to comply.
    “I’ll only be a minute, have a seat.” He