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)
She was surprised by the relief she felt. And she could completely understand the need for a home gym. His muscles bulged under his T-shirt, and his arm had felt so solid and so strong when she’d touched it. She found herself wondering what his body looked like beneath his unassuming clothes. Ripped, no doubt, and perfectly toned. He’d be able to pick her up with one hand. And maybe she would let him…
She realized he was staring at her, waiting for her to say something. She swallowed hard. She had to stop imagining him naked and her licking every inch of his body. What was wrong with her?
Getting a grip on herself, she asked, “Pool?” And then immediately regretted it. Of course he didn’t want a pool. She was trying so hard to stop thinking about how sexy he was and how she’d like to lean right over now and kiss him that she’d momentarily forgotten the man had issues with water. “Sorry,” she said. “Forget I ever said that.”
Trying to be as professional as she could, considering that she was still in a wetsuit with salt water caking her blonde hair, she said, “You and I should have a proper meeting and really drill down to what you’re looking for, and I’ll show you all the available properties. I’m going to make you my top priority.”
“I appreciate it.” He grinned at her again, and she felt as though she’d won the lottery getting that smile.
And then, unable to stop herself, she said, “You know you’re really missing out by not learning to surf. We only begin in the shallowest water. I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you.”
He shook his head and, all of a sudden, seemed to withdraw into himself. Politely, he said, “Thank you, but I cannot imagine myself on a surfboard.”
His response was stiff and formal, nothing like the ease with which they’d been talking before. She cursed herself. Here she was all mad at Jay for pushing in and overwhelming Hersch, and then she went and did the very same thing. She promised herself she’d keep cool about it and not keep pushing him. But even as she made the promise, she knew it would be hard to keep. She liked things to go her way. If he could just get comfortable on a surfboard in shallow water, he could begin getting over his trauma. She knew that because she’d done it herself.
Right now, however, his whole body was saying, No, no, and no. So she swiftly transitioned back to their conversation about real estate and said, “I’ll head into the office for a couple of hours before I start teaching this afternoon. I’ll see what I can find for you.”
“I really appreciate that. That fellow Jay wasn’t wrong.”
How annoying to owe Jay one. She stood, and Hersch rose at the same time. She lifted her nearly empty paper cup. “Thanks for the coffee. It was perfect.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ll let you know if I find anything this afternoon.”
Chapter Five
By the time Hersch got back to his hotel room, he was already beating himself up. Why, of all the Realtors in Carmel-by-the-Sea, had he insisted on choosing Mila Davenport? Was it because she was beautiful? Which she undoubtedly was. He’d felt the connection with her before they’d even met in the moment he’d first set eyes on that painting of her fearlessly riding a wave as though she were some kind of water goddess. When he’d turned and found himself facing the woman herself, he’d been as close to speechless as he’d ever been. She was even more beautiful in real life.
Even through the ordeal of having his own life story pitched to him by some hotshot Hollywood agent, he’d felt that she understood and supported him. He felt a connection that was much more intense and deep than a simple physical spark, though of course he’d be kidding himself if he denied that the attraction was there. It was more like an explosion inside him than a spark. Yes, it overrode even that intense attraction—a meeting of two souls that had much to offer each other.
He’d already decided to hire a local real estate professional when she’d given him her card. It struck him as a happy coincidence, a sign maybe, that moving to Carmel was the right thing to do. He’d had his doubts about buying property in this gorgeous but beachy town. But when a Realtor landed at his feet, he’d be a fool not to follow his instincts.
And it wasn’t just about Mila’s pretty face, rocking-hot body, and that unspoken connection. He was a scientist—he trusted statistics. So when he’d decided to go ahead with purchasing in Carmel, his thorough research told him that Mila Davenport was one of the top salespeople in the area. And when Jay phoned him, he’d confirmed she was one of the best. In fact, Jay had told him he was thinking of buying in Carmel as well, and that Mila was the Realtor he’d choose. So, Hersch had decided to go ahead with the woman he’d wanted to hire when she’d first presented him with her card.