Read In a Heartbeat (Heartbeat #1) for Free Online

was thankful for her cut. Life brought you happiness in unexpected ways. If she hadn’t stepped on that shell, they would have passed right by each other, probably never to meet again. Her foot would heal in a day or two, but his sexy voice and warm touch would stay with her forever.

    *

    “OK, give me your foot. I have to clean the wound before I put a bandage.” He knelt in front of her again and the girl extended her foot in his lap. Her skin was soft under his fingers and, unexpectedly, he wished he could touch more of her. Lying on the sand propped on her elbows, with her slim legs extended towards him, she was beautiful. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail and her face was fresh, without any make-up. Very sexy. Her huge grey eyes stared at him, ablaze.
    “This will sting.” She nodded and he poured some hydrogen peroxide to clean the sand and remaining blood away and sterilise the wound.
    A hiss escaped through her clenched teeth as her head fell backwards, her back arching, her belly flexing under her T-shirt. He knew she was in pain, but the view in front of him was so hot that his shorts suddenly became tighter at the front.
    God, I hope she doesn’t notice or she might think I’m some kind of pervert, getting off on pain.
    He didn’t know why it mattered what she thought of him, but it just did. Thankfully, he had worn his black shorts today and the colour would cover any evidence of exactly how much he liked her. Hopefully.
    After the cut was cleaned, he bandaged it and helped her up onto her feet. The top of her head reached just below his collarbone and he couldn’t help but wonder how her lips would feel right there.
    “ Grazie ,” she said and smiled. If he hadn’t been completely enthralled by her until now, her smile completely captivated him. It immediately reached her eyes and her whole face lit up. He had a feeling he knew her from somewhere, but it was unlikely. It was obvious she wasn’t a local and hadn’t even been here long, judging by her pale skin.
    “Take care,” he said as he turned and jogged in the opposite direction. He had the nagging feeling that maybe he should have asked for her number. Or at least her name. But what would she think of someone who helped her out and then hit on her? He wasn’t going to abuse the situation and live up to the ‘Italian men’ reputation. At least, not now. But if he ever saw her again, God help him, he was going to do much more than ask for her name.

    *

    Take care? Take care? That was it?
    Stella was too dumbfounded to react, but even if she wasn’t: what was she supposed to do? Run after him? She had more pride than that!
    Yeah, right. That’s why I was ogling him like he was a piece of chocolate cake and I wanted to lick the icing.
    Maybe that was why he literally ran away – he was offended. All he did was help a stranger in need and the said stranger stared at him, open-mouthed, a smile away from drooling.
    In my defence, how could I not? I’ve never met a man who had such an effect on me. I don’t know his name, but I was ready to wrap my legs around his waist. In a heartbeat.
    Shaking her head, Stella limped back towards her shoes. She wasn’t going to be able to run for a few days, which meant she wouldn’t get the chance to see him again. On the bright side, she knew where his station was and would sunbathe on that beach until he showed up. She was going to talk to him again, even if she had to fake her own drowning and he was forced to save her. Again.

    When Stella got home, she felt too exhausted to do anything – she had slept just a few hours last night and after all the events of the morning, her energy levels were running dangerously low. All she could manage was a light breakfast and a shower before she collapsed in her bed.
    She must have slept for a couple of hours when she heard a knock on the door.
    “Come in.”
    “Hey. Are you OK? Why are you in bed?” Lisa was concerned, and it showed in her every move as