The Hometown Hero Returns by Beth Kery Read Free Book Online

cops on us. Unless we make an ugly scene or something,” Marc said when he saw her uneasiness over trespassing.
    She took a swig of the bottled water she’d ordered with the sandwich. She offered the bottle to Marc, and he drank, too. Mari glanced away from the strangelyerotic sight of him placing his mouth where hers had just been.
    â€œI don’t plan on making a scene,” she said briskly, shoving the wrapper and the remainder of her sandwich into the bag. “And you’re awfully quiet for someone who insisted we had to talk.”
    â€œI just didn’t want to ruin the peaceful moment.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “Implying that whatever you have to say is the opposite of peaceful?”
    â€œIf it involves you reacting to it by refusing to see me again… Yeah, there might be some serious waves.”
    Mari kicked off her flip-flops and stuck her feet in the cool, fine sand. Despite her attempts to calm herself, her voice still cracked when she spoke.
    â€œMarc… You saw what happened last night as well as I did. All that animosity, all that hurt. It’d be irresponsible of us to…you know—”
    â€œI think I know, but do you? ”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” she asked slowly.
    â€œI wasn’t planning this little reunion, Mari. But now that it’s happened, I’m not willing to just walk away from it, either. And I’m not talking about sneaking down to your house and having some hot, vacation sex with an old fling.” His gaze flickered down over her neck and breasts and he added gruffly, “Although I think we both know that scenario has its appeal. The point is, you mean more than that to me. It was a hell of a thing to see you Chicago and realize that was still true, after all these years. I’m a practical guy. It’s kind of hard to run from the truth when it’s staring you right in the face.”
    Mari swallowed thickly in the silence that followed.
    â€œIt would never work out,” she said after a moment, her voice so quiet it almost couldn’t be heard above the sound of the waves breaking gently on the beach.
    â€œI don’t think you’re so sure about that. I think you want to act like you’re sure—” her heart surged against her breastbone when he reached up and caressed her jaw with large, gentle fingers “—so it’ll be easier to push me away.”
    Her spine straightened and he let his hand drop to the wood embankment. “I’m not being selfish. I’m trying to be wise,” she explained. “I don’t want you to be hurt. I don’t want my brother to worry. I don’t want your mother to be angry. I don’t want—”
    â€œWhat about you? What about what you want, Mari?”
    She looked out at the dark waters, worrying her lower lip with her front teeth. She was highly aware of him leaning toward her.
    â€œBecause here’s the thing,” Marc muttered near her left ear, causing her neck to prickle in awareness. “I think you were worried about all those things when you left Harbor Town fifteen years ago, when you cut off all ties with me. I think you were thinking about what was wise instead of what was right. ”
    She glanced at him furtively, but when she saw the expression on his face, her gaze stuck.
    â€œI think you were considering what you thought your parents would have wanted you to do in that situation, Mari.”
    Anger flared in her breast at his mention of her parents. “I don’t have to listen to this.”
    She started to stand, intent on getting away from him at that moment. He halted her with a firm hand on her shoulder but it was the earnestness in his deep voice that truly restrained her.
    â€œI’m not saying it was wrong. I understand. Your folks were suddenly gone—something you’d never dreamed of as a possibility, even in your worst nightmares—soyou did what you thought