“All right. But what if I can’t stay in the journalism program? What if I can’t come back at all? They’ve got applicants beating down the doors to get in. A journalism degree from Northwestern—that’s like the Holy Grail! Why should they keep me—especially if my dad loses his business and can’t pay my fees?” She looked up at him. “What if I can’t be with you?”

“Hush.” He grazed a trail of kisses along her hairline. “You’re intelligent and capable, and I love you. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it. You and me together. I’m not going anywhere.”

The wind had taken on a chill, whipping the waves to frothy peaks as the storm front moved in. Brianna shivered through her thin leather coat. “Hold me, Liam,” she whispered. “Just hold me.”

He opened his jacket and wrapped the front around her, holding her against his shirt. She was shivering, more with emotion than with cold. His arms tightened, pressing her into his warmth.

When she tilted her face up toward him, he kissed her—not gently but hungrily, his mouth devouring hers, his tongue thrusting in a desperate pantomime of what couldn’t happen—not here, not now, with no place to go and the cold swirling around them. His arousal was a solid ridge, jutting against her belly through his jeans. Desire was an ache in the pulsing core of her body. As she moved against him, his breath deepened to a rasp.

“Liam . . .” she whispered. “I want you . . . I want you so much . . .”

With a muttered oath, he pushed her firmly away from him. His hands gripped her shoulders at arm’s length. His eyes blazed into hers. “Damn it, Brianna, haven’t you made enough mistakes in the past week?” he growled. “I won’t let myself do this to you. Not now, while your life’s in a mess on so many fronts—school, your father, your legal problems. Even if we had the right place for it, you don’t need me adding to the load by making love to you.”

Brianna’s chin came up. At some deep, practical level she knew Liam was right. But he was treating her like a foolish child. Worse, he had rebuffed her, and it hurt.

“The wind is getting cold,” she said. “We need to go.”

“Good idea.”

Sand swirled around them as they crossed the beach and returned to where they’d left the bike. Brianna didn’t look up at him as she sat on the curb and pulled her socks over her chilled feet. Liam didn’t speak as he laced up his boots and handed her his helmet to wear.

Was this the end? Were they breaking up?