Secretariat Reborn by Susan Klaus Page B

Porsche parked alongside his SUV and her marching back and forth on the beach, waiting for him to come ashore. “Oh, shit,” he said and wiped the dripping coffee from his chin.
Getting up this early, she must be really pissed
.
    He gulped down half the coffee while grabbing a t-shirt from the berth. Tossing the shirt into the dinghy, he climbed down the ladder and rowed toward the Squadron.
    “Why haven’t you answered your fucking phone?” she yelled across the water. “And don’t give me the damn excuse you had no reception. You were avoiding me.”
    He didn’t respond and took his time, rowing. In foot-deep water, he stepped out of the dingy and plodded toward shore, pulling the small boat behind him. On the beach he slipped into his t-shirt and gazed at her. “I haven’t returned your calls,” he said somberly, “because what I need to say should be said in person.”
    Her irritation instantly evaporated, and her fleshy lips curved into a seductive smile. “Baby, I know I was a bitch, slamming the door in your face, but I said I was sorry.”
    “And I’m sorry too, Kate,” he said, figuring he should get to the point, “but it’s not working out between us.”
    “So you lied.” She huffed. “You were trying to break up with me on that trip to Miami.”
    “I was trying to tell you how I felt and save our relationship, but that trip—” He bit his lip and shook his head. “It convinced me there wasn’t anything to save.”
    “But we’re meant for each other. Besides my daddy, you’re theonly man I’ve ever cared about. I lost him. I can’t lose you, too. I love you, baby.”
    “You might need me, Kate, but you don’t love me. Look, I’m done arguing with you. The fact is I’m fed up with this one-sided relationship where there’s no give on your part. We have nothing in common except sex, and even that’s not worth all the bullshit.”
    “Chris, I promise I can change. I’ll treat you right. We’ll go sailing more often.”
    “It’s too late. I’m not sure what we’ve been playing at for the last few months, but I’m not happy and want out.” He dropped his head and said quietly, “Kate, I’m sorry. I just don’t see a future happening with you anymore.”
    She shrank away and slowly sat down on the edge of the dinghy. She twirled her hair and her face looked like she had been punched in the stomach. She glanced up at him, her eyes watery and bewildered. “This time you’re not just angry,” she mumbled. “You really are leaving me.”
    “No, I’m not angry, just tired. I’m sorry, Kate.” Like on the trip to Miami, he expected her to break down into tears and stepped closer to comfort her.
    She leaped to a stand and hauled off, slapping his face. “You sorry fucker!” she said, her tone and gaze spiteful. “If you think you can dump me and get away with it, you’d better think again. You’ll regret this, I promise.”
    Startled and speechless, he held his smarting cheek, her mood swings leaving him with whiplash; sweet and needy one minute and hateful the next. She marched to her car and floored the gas, leaving tire grooves on the shell lot.
    “Wow,” he said and watched the Porsche drive off. “How could I’ve been so blind?”
    Over the next several weeks, Christian focused on work. He finished restoring the McGregor in the evenings, and during the day he stayed busy renting out his boats and giving lessons. Schools had letout and the summer tourists were coming down, so thankfully business was picking up.
    Although he missed the sex, he didn’t miss Kate. He was surprised but relieved she didn’t contact him. He figured she had replaced him with a new playmate and pitied the poor sucker.
    He called his father every few days. After the first week with Rosa, Hank had stopped complaining. Apparently, Rosa and Juan now made a habit of staying for dinner, his father welcoming the company.
    Once a week, Christian also called Ed Price, keeping tabs on