Beyond the Waves (Pacific Shores Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

Leaning his head back on the headrest, he closed his eyes. “Well”—he grinned and shifted forward—”that went well.”
    He glanced in the rearview mirror. His hair stuck up in all directions. He smoothed it down, put the key in the ignition, and headed toward the station.
    He wasn’t due in to work today. He was supposed to spend the weekend unpacking, but he needed the distraction of work right now. He’d just go into the station and organize his office. He fleetingly thought of the two hours of sleep he’d gotten last night, and considered a nap, but decided against it. He probably wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, if last night was any indication. He’d tossed and turned all night knowing he would see Taysia this morning.
    Turning right onto Fifth, he grinned, then laughed outright as he remembered the look on Taysia’s face when he’d jerked open the closet door. “She is something else.” He didn’t know whether to be flattered that he drove her crazy enough to make her hide in a cleaning closet, or insulted that she’d rather dance with a mop than face him.
    I should have called to let her know I was home .
    Pulling into the station lot, he parked and headed inside.
    “Sumner!” police chief Tom Hansen barked as soon as he walked through the door, “I’m glad you’re here. Get your uniform on! A woman was just found wandering the north end of Sunset Beach. She’s been beaten up pretty badly, and their office is currently short an officer. I’m going to need you on this one.”
    Kylen’s heart sank even as he moved to grab the spare uniform he always kept in his office. So much for organizing his office.
    He sighed as he did up the last button. Uniform in place, he headed toward the debriefing room to find out more.

    Taysia stepped into her living room later that evening and dropped her gym bag by the door. Stretching her back, she glanced at the old grandfather clock. Nine fifteen. Good, she still had time for a jog on the beach.
    After a long evening of paperwork, her muscles ached for some good, brisk exercise. Still in the workout clothes from her last class, she stepped back out the door just as Blaine pulled into the drive.
    She leaned against the rail of her porch, enjoying the scent of salty sea air as she waited for him.
    “Hey, gorgeous.” He bounded up the steps. “How’s the most beautiful girl in Oregon tonight?”
    She grinned. “I don’t know. Have you seen her?”
    “I’m looking at her right now.”
    “Well, in that case, I’m fine. Sorry I had to cancel our dinner plans. I had a day you wouldn’t believe, and at the last minute I remembered my accountant is coming on Monday and I had to get everything ready for her.”
    He shrugged. “I popped the salmon steaks into the freezer after you called me.” He grimaced. “Frozen lasagna was such a letdown, since my mouth was already watering for barbequed salmon.”
    “I’m really sorry, Blaine.”
    “Well, now I have something to look forward to, because you are definitely going to have to make this up to me.” He socked a friendly punch to her arm.
    She smiled, trying to ignore the guilt marching through her chest. She could have made it to dinner if she’d really wanted to. But the truth was, after her fiasco of a morning, she just hadn’t been up for an emotional evening of trying to determine her feelings for Blaine. “I was just headed out for a jog. Care to join me?”
    He glanced down at his dress shoes and slid his hands into his slacks. “I’m not dressed for it. Besides”—he winced good-naturedly—”you’d leave me in the dust.”
    Her grin broadened. “Oh, come on! I was easy on you last time. We jogged nice and slow, remember?”
    His eyes narrowed and he stepped closer, glowering down at her. “What I remember is gripping my knees and sucking air while you laughed about my red face.”
    She giggled. “It was really red.”
    “All right, woman!” He reached for her ribs.
    She jumped