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eyes and stared into his. “I’m sorry. The last thing you want to do is get involved with your crazy new neighbor.” She swept her hair back from her face. “I just felt so close to you. For a moment, it was like...like...”
    “ I know,” he said, his voice gruff. “Don’t worry about it. I won’t take it personally.”
    She drew back, stung. “No, I meant...Never mind. I should be getting back.” She sent him a questioning glance and then headed for shore.
    That went well.
    ~*~
 
    Skyler was embarrassed. She’d practically thrown herself at Zach and he wasn’t all that interested. Still, he’d kissed her and it was an amazing kiss, stirring her insides like a blender on high speed. She licked her lips, trying to taste its remnants.
    Zach walked along beside her, but he seemed preoccupied. At least she didn’t have to make conversation. She heaved a little sigh of relief when she spied the house with her Audi parked in front. Cassie was awake by now and she might have prepared breakfast.
    “ Thank you, Zach for taking me for a walk.” She tried to avoid his penetrating gaze. “I enjoyed it.”
    “ So did I.”
    She flashed him a nervous smile, noting his serious expression. Those green eyes could sure look grim.
    He shoved both fists in the pockets of his swim trunks. “I think I gave you the wrong impression.”
    Sky ducked her head and swallowed . Yeah, I thought you wanted me to kiss you.
    Zach cleared his throat. “The kiss was great, but it’s just that...”
    “ Don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have...”
    He held up his hand, effectively silencing her. “It’s just that I haven’t kissed anyone in a while and it took me by surprise.” He stared down at her, trying to gauge her reaction.
    “ Well, I...I haven’t kissed anybody in a long time either and if I misinterpreted your interest, I’m sorry.” She finished all in a rush, aware that her color was rising. Damn that blush reflex .
    One side of his mouth quirked up in a lop-sided grin. “You didn’t misinterpret a thing.”
    Sky met his gaze, a shiver playing around her spine.
    Zach’s fingers grazed her cheek and he bent down to place a gentle kiss against her mouth.
    The fluttering of butterfly wings filled her chest. When he drew away he stood gazing down at her, which made her feel tongue-tied. She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out all at once. “Well, now I know.” She grinned up at him, trying to maintain some semblance of control.
    He grinned back. “Now you know.”
    He left her and loped back to his balcony, waving before he disappeared inside his house.
    Skyler reached the top step as Cassie opened the sliding glass door for her.
    “ Way to go, Sky! I’m proud of you.”
    She smiled at Cassie’s smirk. “And just what is it that you’re proud of?”
    Cassie giggled. “I saw that kiss.”
    Sky made a noise in the back of her throat. “Trust me, Cass. You did not see the kiss.”
    Cassie bounced up and down, clapping her hands in glee. “There was another one? Fabulous! My plan is working.”
    Sky collapsed on the sofa, stretching her legs out in front of her. “You have a plan?”
    Cassie plopped down beside her. “I think you and Zach make a great couple. My plan is to not get in the way and let nature take its course. I’m all about biological functions, you know?”
    Sky felt laughter bubbling up from her insides. “I was having plenty of those.”
    “ Not a problem. Zach seemed to be pretty involved.”
    Sky ran her fingers through her hair, sweeping it off her forehead. “I was shameless. I kissed him first. I grabbed him around the neck and practically begged him to kiss me back.”
    Cassie giggled. “I am so proud. How was it?”
    Sky fanned her face with both hands. “It was the best kiss I’ve ever had. It was the best kiss in the history of the universe. My insides turned to jelly and I wanted to be naked with him.”
    Cassie was grinning, a little blush of her own staining her