“Yes. Alex McConnell.” He held out his hand.
She shook it. “Victoria Baldwin. You look a little old to be a surfer.”
His lips curved upward. “Do I?”
Well, shit, Tori. Nothing like opening your mouth and insulting the guy.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean that. I mean, you’re not too old to surf. Or do anything, quite obviously. Just look at you. Your body is totally hot, and dear God, those abs and . . . I’m going to stop talking now.”
That made him laugh. “All complimentary things. Do keep talking. Nice to meet you, Victoria.”
He had an ease about him, a confident air, plus a sense of humor. She liked that. “Do you compete a lot?”
“I’ve been doing it since I was a kid.”
She laughed. “You’re still a kid.”
He arched a brow. “Hardly. And we’re about the same age.”
He had no idea how old she was, but it was nice of him to say that.
She’d kept moving to keep her heart rate going. He’d started walking with her and she didn’t mind. As eye candy he was gorgeous. And she did enjoy some good eye candy. She intended to have a good time this vacation.
So far—excellent start.
“What do you do when you’re not on vacation, Victoria? Or do you go by Tori?”
She loved the way he said her name. “Either one is fine. I’m a sports agent.”
He stopped. “Sports agent, huh? That sounds like a fun job.”
“It is. It keeps me very busy, but I love it.”
“How long have you been doing that?”
“Fifteen years.”
He tipped his glasses down and she got a glimpse of beautiful sea-green eyes. “No shit.”
“No shit.”
“So you started when you were a kid?”
“And you’re full of it, but thanks for the compliment.”
“I’m not full of anything. I always mean what I say. You’re gorgeous, Tori.”
They arrived at the steps of her hotel. “This is where I’m staying.”
“Nice.”
“I was going to have breakfast. Would you like to join me?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
“Unless I’m keeping you from getting in the water?”
“No. I’ll do a run again later. I was already in the water earlier.”
They headed up to the outside restaurant. Tori ordered juice, yogurt and fruit. Alex ordered bacon and eggs. And coffee. She definitely wanted coffee. Now that she’d had her run, she was hungry, and fortunately, the food arrived quickly.
She watched the waves as they ate.
“Would you like some bacon?”
She waved her hand. “No, thank you.”
“Vegetarian?”
She laughed. “No. I like meat just fine. But I do like a light breakfast, and meat in moderation.”
He popped a piece of bacon in his mouth. “Must be how you stay so slim.”
“Thank you. I like to run.”
“I like to run, too. When I’m not chasing a wave I’m usually on the beach taking a run.”
They had things in common, despite the age difference. She liked that.
“So where do you live, Alex?”
He smiled. “I live wherever there’s a wave, but I try to get back home now and then, usually just for the holidays.”
When she gave him a long look, he said, “Home base is in San Diego. My parents still live there.”
“Nice place.”
“Thanks. But I don’t get there as often as I’d like. I travel all over for work, as I imagine you do. I don’t suppose you see your parents a lot either.”
She laughed. “That’s true. I do travel a lot. I have a sister in Virginia I visit when I can. Our parents are both gone now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.”
“And where do you live?”
“In New York.”
“City girl, then.”
“Very much so. Have you ever been?”
“To New York? Yeah. Great city. It has a killer energy.”
She took a sip of her coffee and nodded. “That’s what I love about it. Being there invigorates me.”
“And what brings you to the islands?”
She leaned back in her chair, cup in hand. “Utter exhaustion. While I love my job and the travel and the fast pace, if I don’t get away from it now and then I suffer burnout.”
“So you come here to escape.”
She nodded. “I take time off every December. I go to a lot of different places, but it’s usually a tropical island. I like the ocean and the beach, someplace where I can turn my phone off and let my mind relax. Get away from the job, you know?”