Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
After an hour, they were laughing, and Hersch was in above his knees now. She didn’t think he’d even noticed. She kissed him, and he put his forehead against hers.
He said, “I’m so glad you’re spending the day with me.”
“Me too. You can consider it part of your welcome tour to the area. Part of the professional package of services I offer to my very special clients.”
At the words very special, he grinned and pulled her in for another kiss. They went back to her place, and he helped her take off her suit.
“I think a little bit of chocolate cake ended up in the wrong place,” he said and then leaned forward to lick the possibly nonexistent chocolate off the slope of her breast. They got in the shower, soaping each other up and enjoying each other with an urgency that surprised her. When they’d both climaxed under the streaming water, they turned off the shower and got out.
Then she opened her cabinet of wonders and treated him to an unscented sunscreen that was also a really good moisturizer. She took it upon herself to rub it well into his skin, explaining how important it was not to get a sunburn.
The next item on their agenda for the day was a bike ride down 17-Mile Drive. Of course, he had his own bike, and she had hers, so they donned helmets and headed out. It started out as a tranquil ride, as she pointed out to him some of the fanciest houses, more than one of which she’d sold, the Instagram-famous Lone Cypress, and the beauty of the coastline and forest. She loved showing off the gorgeous scenery and breathing in the sea-tinged air. But then she noticed he was riding a little faster than she was, and she was falling behind.
It sparked her competitive streak, so she picked up the pace until she was ahead of him. If Hersch was going to treat this like training, she would show him what she was made of. Her legs began to burn, and before she knew it, there were two very competitive people racing neck and neck, pretty much flying down the quiet road. They continued side by side, and soon the need to beat him rolled back to reveal an exhilaration that she’d found a man who could match her both physically and competitively. She was pretty sure he wouldn’t pout if she won their race and then tried her level best to prove her point. However, he wasn’t letting her win, no way. They reached the end of the drive, and by the imaginary finish line, they were both sweating profusely, their chests heaving with effort.
He turned and grinned at her. “That was amazing.”
She laughed. “It was. I think you won by half a wheel.”
He took a mock bow, and she laughed again. She was enjoying getting to know his more goofy, less serious side.
“I’ll get you next time,” she said, hoping beyond hope that there would be many more “next times” to come.
Hersch wiped sweat from his chin.
She asked, “Are you up for a hike? There are some amazing views I’d love to show you.”
He raised his brows. “You’re insatiable. Boogie boarding, cycling, and now hiking?”
“For some reason, I’m full of energy.” It was true. Right now, she felt like she had enough energy to hike Mount Everest.
“Okay,” he said. “If I ever get my breath back.”
They both rehydrated when they returned to the car, and then she drove them to Garland Ranch Regional Park. It was a warm day, and she was in skimpy shorts and a sports bra under a wicking T-shirt that was already wet from the sweat of their ride. He was likewise casually dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. However, Hersch being Hersch, he also carried a full backpack. When she quizzed him on what was in it, he told her water, snacks, medical supplies in case either of them had an accident, and a GPS device in case their phones stopped working.
Her jaw almost dropped. “You sure like to be prepared.”
“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail,” he said.
She carried a small bottle of water and a baseball cap to shield her face from the sun.
They set off, and as in the bike race, they were soon going at a pretty fair clip. They started by Carmel River, where the path was shaded by sycamore trees, then the trail veered sharply up, and they kept their fast pace.
She loved it. She loved not having to hold back or slow down. Even when she hiked with her sister or brothers, she often felt as though she was pacing herself, but not with Hersch. She could push as hard as she wanted, and he was right there with her.
They left the shade behind, and the sun grew increasingly warm. Soon, she’d gone through her bottle of water and was grateful when he handed her a fresh one from his pack. When the heat was too much, she simply pulled off her shirt, hiking in nothing but her sports bra and tiny shorts, and then he followed suit, stripping off his shirt so he was bare-chested. She had to stop glancing his way, because it made her mouth even drier, and all she wanted to do was stop and take him right here and right now.