Chapter 9
Emilee
The cabin door closesbehind us with a soft click, and I find myself standing beside Max under the vast expanse of a cloudless sky. The sunlight we’ve been blessed with every day since we arrived shines across his face, highlighting the strong lines of his jaw and the soft curve of his lips. A smile plays at the corners of my mouth as I catch him watching me, and for a moment, the world seems to stand still.
Last night was... the best.
We made love again before finally falling into the most restful and comfortable sleep I’ve ever experienced. I slept with my ear over his heart, my hand planted in the middle of his chest, and my leg thrown over his. And I woke up in the same position.
“Ready to be guinea pigs?”His eyes twinkle with mischief.
“Lead the way, roommate.”I allow my gaze to linger on his as we head off, hand in hand, to test-run some of the guest activities for Shaun and Marika.
We follow the narrow path Shaun cleared from construction, the earthy bouquet of pine and the sweet scent of tropical flowers merging together to delight my senses. When we reach the clearing, our hosts greet us, their faces alight with enthusiasm.
“First up is archery.”Shaun announces, gesturing toward the targets set up against bales of hay. “Now, we need you guys to have fun and give us your honest opinion, okay.”
“Ever done this before?”Max asks, handing me a bow, and his grin suggests he knows full well I haven’t.
I take the contraption, and our fingers brush together, setting off a cascade of heat that blooms in my chest. “Only in video games.”This thing is larger than I anticipated and rather heavy, but I manage to lift it into position.
“Ah, then you’re practically a pro,”he teases, stepping behind me to adjust my stance. His hands on my shoulders remind me of his hands on my body last night, and the memories send a current zipping through me while I struggle to focus on the target ahead.
“Like this?”I hope my voice doesn’t betray the thundering of my heart.
“Perfect,”he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.
Ever since our first day together, every look, every slight graze of skin, it’s like there’s this bonfire sizzling between us, big and bright, and my insides dance to some sexy, sultry music playing only for the two of us.
Last night, after we finally dragged ourselves out of the cabin for food, we dined on delicious pasta primavera served with a beautifully light, refreshing sangria. Then, we took a stroll along one of the walking paths currently being landscaped before we returned to our cabin and back to bed. Over dinner, he teased me with innuendos and whispered promises. By the time we got to the bedroom, I couldn’t contain my feelings anymore, and we spent the next hour or more discovering all the sensitive spots on each other’s bodies.
The man kisses like a dream, his lips firm, his touch gentle, his approach exploratory before turning explosive. No man has ever kissed me like he does. My lips still tingle.
Pulling back on the string until my fist quivers slightly next to my jaw and Max’s hot breath is on my neck, I let go. The arrow soars through the air, missing the target entirely, but it hardly matters. The laughter that bubbles up between us is worth any missed shot.
We each take a few more tries. While not perfect, his attempts at hitting the target are more successful than mine.
Marika steps up. “Okay, you two, let’s try the next activity,”she says.
We moved on to pottery making.
“You any good?”I ask Max.
“Well, I have seen that movie, Ghost.”He has a lopsided grin and rolls up his sleeves, revealing lean and defined forearms.
I remember them well.
Rolling my eyes, I sit at the potter’s wheel while he sits beside me. Our knees bump, sending little sparks ricocheting through me.
“Let’s see what you’ve got, Emilee.”His blue eyes lock onto mine with devilish glee.
“Prepare to be amazed.”My hands work the clay into a lopsided creation that has no right being called pottery, but Max’s laughter is rich and genuine.
When he reaches out and tenderly wipes a smudge of clay from my cheek, his touch lingers, soft and tentative, as if he’s memorizing the feel of my skin. “Maybe we’ll stick to archery... or maybe we’re just better suited for other activities.”His voice is deep and sensual, causing a flutter low in my belly.
“Perhaps.”
We laugh off the clay that has somehow found its way onto our clothes, brushing off the last signs of our failed artistry, sharing a look of silent agreement that it’s time to move on to painting. We don’t fare much better, but Shaun and Marika join in. Between the four of us, we create pieces of art best suited for use as examples that anyone can slap paint on a canvas and call it a vase of flowers.
We spend the next couple of hours outside playing pickleball and a round of bocce ball before the sun becomes too much, and we call it a day. Over cold drinks, we give our hosts feedback. When Max casually slips his arm behind me to rest it on the back of my chair, I catch Marika’s curious look. I flush and glance away, but I’m pretty sure she’s the one who kicked me under the table.
Afterward, we leave behind the constant backdrop of electric saws and pounding hammers to stroll down to the dock. A soft breeze plays with the loose strands of my hair as we walk side by side, hand in hand. I feel so alive and relaxed, which wasmy goal when I contacted Marika about coming to Tranquil Bay.
Stepping onto the dock, we make our way to the edge, the wooden planks creaking under our weight. At the end, we sit with our legs dangling over the water, and I watch ripples spread across the water’s surface, each one a reminder of the chaos I’d left behind. With Max at my side, I haven’t once thought about my job or the accusations.
“Tell me about your dreams,”he says quietly, breaking our comfortable silence.
At first, I hesitate, the weight of what I had run away from pressing against my chest until I reach up to rub at the ache. But, looking into his earnest eyes, something compels me to share at least part of my story.
“I used to dream of stability, a successful career, and respect from my peers.”My voice is barely above a whisper. “Now, I just want to be true to myself, no matter what that looks like.”I don’t know if I’ll ever be trusted to work in my field again, and that hurts. And hiding away only feeds the rumors. But I needed this reprieve to regain my sense of purpose so I could face my accusersknowingI did nothing wrong.
He nods thoughtfully. “Sounds like a dream worth chasing.”
“Even if it leads me here, to an island testing guest experiences?”I’m only half-joking.
“Especially then.”His hand finds mine, and our fingers intertwine, a simple gesture that warms my heart and makes my toes curl.
“Max, there’s more to my story—”
“Hey, there’s no need to spoil the moment.”He clears his throat. We all have chapters we’re not ready to read aloud. Just know I’m here whenever you’re ready to share them.”
His understanding wraps around me like a cozy blanket, and I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. The fears and doubts haunting me begin to recede, replaced by a budding prospect that I might have found someone who can see the real me.
“Thank you.”The gratitude in my heart spills over, creating tears and a lump in my throat to swallow past.
“For what?”he asks, his voice is tender as he turns to look at me.
“For this,”I say simply, “for making me feel seen.”
He doesn’t answer with words. Instead, he places his finger under my chin, tips my head back, and his lips meet mine in a kiss that draws the air from my lungs in a soft gasp. It’s gentle, a contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me, yet it carries a distinct heat that lights a spark deep inside me.
As our tongues move together, the bond between us strengthens, weaving itself tighter with every passing second. The world around us falls away, leaving nothing but the sensation of his hand cupping my cheek, his lips against mine, affectionate yet insistent, as if he, too, is acknowledging the significance of what’s happening here.
In that moment, something inside me shifts. I’ve never been one to believe in love at first sight or soul mates or anything of the kind, but what’s happening with Max is more than just lust. I can feel it in my gut.There’sthis sense of freedom, of allowing myself to truly acknowledge the depth of my feelings for him. It’s beautiful and a bit daunting, standing on the edge of something unknown, yet it’s his presence, his kiss, his touch that makes it feel like it’s a leap worth taking. After everything I’ve been through in the last few months, it feels good to be wanted, trusted, andaccepted.
I pull back, my chest heaving, and meet his gaze. Is what I see in his eyes? A reflection of the intense emotions swirling inside me? God, I want to hope so.
As the sun dips low in the sky, closing another day of tranquility, birds call out their evening songs. The balmy air carries the scents of sea, coconuts, and hibiscus. The gentle rustling of palm fronds creates a soothing, swaying rhythm mingled with the buzzing of cicadas. I could stay here in paradise forever.
“Emilee, would you like to have dinner on the beach tonight, under the stars?”
I love that idea—the romantic setting fits perfectly with the fluttering in my chest. “That sounds incredible.”
The walk back to the cabin is relaxed and carefree. And while I take a short nap before I shower and dress, Max speaks with the chef to make all the arrangements.
Before I know it, we’re seated across from each other at a beautifully set table nestled in the sand beside a roaring bonfire and tiki torches. Out over the water, only the occasional blinking light of a faraway ship breaks through the darkness. Still, we can hear the waves lap gently against the shore. The rhythmic sound is soothing, a harmonious soundtrack to the evening. Candlelight flickers in the center of the table, sweeping light across Max’s features, softening the lines of his face, and reflecting in his deep blue eyes.
Looking around us, I can’t help but be impressed. “I wonder if this is something they’ll offer their guests, or if we’re special.”
Max takes my hand, his thumb softly stroking over my fingers. “Well, I happen to think you are exceptional, but yes, when Imade my request toShaun, he told me they planned to add this to the resort’s amenities for a nominal serving fee.”
Dinner is nothing short of magical; each dish is a discovery of the island’s flavors. We start with a bright and fresh salad, the kind of simple perfection that makes you appreciate the taste of every leaf and the sweet pop of local fruit. Grilled fish follows, so fresh it almost carries the essence of the sea with it. The outside is slightly charred, giving way to tender flesh that flakes apart at the touch of my fork. It’s accompanied by steamed rice and roasted vegetables cooked just right, their edges crisp and flavorful. I can’t help thinking this must be what it means to truly taste a place, to savor its natural bounty in the most delicious way possible.
“Oh my God, this so good.”Closing my eyes, I hum in appreciation.
As we eat, our little table on the beach feels like the center of the universe, our own private world where every shared thought, whisper, and glance brings us closer together. The food is exquisite, but the shared experience, the feeling of discovering something new, makes it truly unforgettable.
Dessert is a blended sorbet of mango and coconut. It’s cool and refreshing, a sweet end to a delicious meal that feels like a journey through the island’s culinary landscape. With each spoonful, I find myself falling a little more in love with Summer Island and a bit more with Max, too.
Leaning back in our chairs, full and content, I watch Max brush a grain of sand from the table. His movements are thoughtful and deliberate, revealing a man who pays attention to the smallest details.
“What brought you here, Max? Where are you from?”We’veavoided discussing our personal lives, but suddenly, I want to know more about this man I’ve come to care for so deeply and in a short amount of time. I feel like I’ve known him forever, and yet, other than his age, favorite flavor of ice cream, dream of sailing, and a few other tidbits, I don’t really know him at all.
He hesitates momentarily, and a blush creeps up my cheeks when I think I’ve crossed a boundary. After all, I have secrets, too. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that I’ve been enjoying our time here so much, I realized I haven’t thought much about my life back home. Um, I currently live in San Francisco.”
“Really? How did you meet Shaun?”
“He was recommended to me when I busted my arm and needed surgery.”
“Oh, wow, what did you do?”
“Fell of a horse. Hard.”
“Ouch. May I ask what you do for a living?”
He turns to look out into the inky blackness. “I’m in the high-tech industry.”
“You said you currently live in San Francisco. Is that not where you’re from?
He shakes his head. “Not too far away. My family has a place in Woodside, California. It’s about forty-five to sixty minutes away.”
“Do you see them often? Your family?”
“Not as often as I should.”He sips his water, his gaze catching mine over the rim of the glass. “And you? Where do you live?”
“Born and raised in Buffalo, New York.”I place my napkin on the table before he can ask me about my job. “I guess we should go so they can clean up before it gets dark?”