Page 105

“I’m not complaining; I’m voicing some comfort concerns.”

“Hmm.”

Blake made a left into the parking lot, and once they got the dogs out of the back, Blake climbed in and cleaned up the puke, despite her protests from the front seat. She sat on her seat with the dogs’ leashes in her hands.

“I said I would.”

“And I told you I got it.” He climbed out of the back of the car and kissed her briefly before taking the wad of paper towels over to the trash. When he came back, Blake grabbed the blanket, picnic basket, and her tote, groaning as if the weight was too much.

“Holy crap, what did you pack in here, woman?”

She stood up and put her free hand on her hip. “All kinds of good stuff.”

“It feels like you cleaned out your whole refrigerator.”

“Nah, just half of it.”

Blake set the stuff down on the backseat and squatted in front of her. “Hop on, Princess. Your noble steed awaits.”

“I don’t know how I feel about you calling yourself my horse. Besides, I’ve been fine for nearly three weeks.”

“Just climb up. I’m not having you injure your ankle again walking on sand.”

Hannah climbed up, laughing as Blake boosted her higher.

They picked a spot in the middle of the beach, and Hannah was glad she’d worn her Sac State sweatshirt. Despite the sun shining above, the wind off the ocean was frigid.

Blake dropped Hannah off and headed back to the car for the rest of their stuff. Hanna

h spread out the quilt, smiling to herself. She liked it when Blake hovered and was a little overprotective. It made her feel cherished.

Loved.

When he returned, she reached into the tote for two dental bones, a small one for Milo and the other for Charge.

“That ought to keep them busy while we eat.”

Blake scooted next to her, taking Charge’s and Milo’s leashes and latching them to the hook he’d twisted into the ground. “Good, because I do not like sharing my food.”

“Not even with me?” she teased as he pulled out a strawberry.

He held it toward her lips, giving her a wicked grin. When she moved forward to take a bite, he pulled it back and popped it in his mouth.

“Now, that was just mean.”

He chuckled and leaned over, kissing her deeply, and she shivered as his tongue swept inside, the sweetly tart taste of the strawberry delicious.

He pulled back slightly, his mouth a whisper away. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t think you are.” Her lips twitched as he kissed the corner of them.

“Hmm, so, so sorry.” He held up a strawberry between them, rubbing it against her bottom lip.

She bit into it, the juices running down her chin, and she shivered as he caught a droplet on her chin with his tongue.

Hannah blushed and looked around. A few families closer to the beach played and romped near the water, but no one seemed to be paying them any attention.

Hannah took the strawberry from his hand and popped it into her mouth. “Wanna see what else I brought?”