Page 42 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“Isn’t it cold?”

“I wear a wet suit. It’s fine.”

“Even in March?” Even I don’t have the cajónes to swim in the Pacific in the middle of winter.

“Half an hour yesterday morning.”

“Wow.” I want to ask her a million questions. When did she start? Why? Was she a swimmer before, or was this a spontaneous decision? Because no one swims in forty-degree ocean water for the fun of it. She has to have a reason.

But I also know she won’t tell me. And there’s a different conversation that’s more pressing. We’re almost to the parking lot.

“We need to talk about last night.”

She holds her hands up. “Last night didn’t happen,” she whispers. Her eyes dart around the empty beach. “You saved me from my car, and we got trapped at the estate, but that’s all that happened.”

“I don’t like secrets.”

“What does it benefit you besides ruining my reputation to tell everyone that I kissed you?”

“I like you. I like kissing you. I’m hoping I can get you to do it again.”Shit. No. You want to be her friend, you idiot.

She grimaces. “That was a case of temporary insanity brought on by hypothermia and possible lead poisoning.”

“That’s a lot of excuses for something that we both enjoyed.”

“Landon, please. Don’t tell anyone. I’ll lose my job if they find out.”

“Is there a rule the mayor’s assistant can’t date?”

“I’m making it now. The town needs my entire focus.”

“Can I at least buy you coffee? Get you breakfast?”

She walks backward. “If you hurry, you can catch a ride to Pine Ridge with Collin. He lives three blocks that way. You’ll see his truck.” As soon as her boots hit the sidewalk, she breaks into a jog, not bothering to look back.

Zoe is a dichotomy I can’t wrap my mind around. Passionate and driven when it comes to how I renovate the estate, but scared and timid when it comes to a relationship with me. Even if it’s just friendship.

She was all in on that kiss until she let other people’s opinions decide her priorities. She could be a powerful woman if she wanted to be. Powerful and assertive and exactly what I need in my life.

If she’s not willing to fight, I’ll have to show her how good it can be if she does.

Chapter 12

Landon

Smooth stones the size of my fist litter Driftwood Cove Beach like gold coins in Scrooge McDuck’s vault. Last week, Zoe said she swims in the bay every morning, so I find her towel draped over driftwood near the water’s edge, drop my jacket, and tug off the sweatpants covering my wet suit.

A gentle breeze washes the scent of the ocean into my lungs and sends a chill down my spine. I scrub my arms to increase circulation. If I was thinking clearly, I would have overnighted a dry suit so I don’t freeze to death before I accomplish my goal, but I haven’t thought clearly since Zoe stormed into my hotel room, all sass and smiles. Why did I think today would be any different?

She sends me text messages with the town council’s orders, but when I call to engage her in a conversation, she doesn’t answer. She won’t talk about our kiss. She won’t talk about the house. Radio silence.

She doesn’t get to brush me off like I’m a dirty secret.

We kissed.

We enjoyed ourselves.

I want more.