Chapter 29
“Is the band playing tonight?” I ask, as I devour the last forkful of my chocolate molten lava cake.
“I think so.”
“Want to go dancing again?”
“I do.” He stands, offering his hand to me. “Right now.”
“But there’s no music.”
His eyes shift from the sky, to the wide stretch of the ocean, and finally back to me. “Mother Nature disagrees. What do you say?”
I glance toward the water, captivated by the crash of the waves, each one seamlessly blending into the next—the sound of transcendent magic, of infinite possibilities. The salty breeze caresses my skin, carrying with it an occasional gentle, warm mist, and an aroma that speaks of pure, unspoiled romance.
He’s right. There’s a symphony in motion on this beach, a rhythmic gift from nature.
“Okay.” I slip off my shoes, entwine my fingers with his, and rise from the table. As we move away, his hand gracefully encircles my waist, drawing me closer. With my other hand resting on his shoulder, we sway together, embracing the harmonious melody of liquid song.
With each step we take, I sink deeper into the soft sand, its warmth spreading across my feet, and the tiny granules gently massaging my toes. Butterflies flutter freely in my stomach as I inhale deeply, savoring the faint scent of his cologne. With closed eyes, I relish the sensation of his body pressed against mine. We’ve danced together before, but this is different.
It’s quiet.
Sensual.
Emotional.
Intimate.
The soft moonlight bathes us in a gentle glow, and the rest of the world fades around us. It’s just him and me, lost in each other.
I’m completely overwhelmed. I never imagined that romance could be a possibility again. The sheer magnitude of my bitterness towards the world was like an impenetrable wall, blocking any chance of moving forward.
But with every willowy sway, with each innocent brush against his body—that bitterness sweetens and the once impenetrable shield dissolves.
This beguiling man’s arms wrapped around me, soothes my wounded soul. I realize my heart can be whole again. Maybe someday I could love again.
I’ll always be grateful to Daniel for giving that back to me.
He leans down, his breath tickling my ear, as he offers me a half-smile that instantly melts my heart.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers.
Closing my eyes, I soak in his words. My stomach flutters and goosebumps prickle up my arms. Though he’s said it before, it resonates with me as if I’m hearing it for the first time. I feel it to my core.
I want to tell him he’s beautiful, too.
Because he is.
He’s wonderful.
But the words are lodged in the lump in my throat.
His hand glides off my waist, twirling me in a slow and sensual motion, before eventually finding its way back around me. The air around us crackles with an electrical charge.
An overwhelming urge to touch him consumes me. Delicately, I graze my fingertips along his shirt, enjoying the smoothness of the fabric as it slides beneath my touch. I feel the warmth of his muscle beneath, the subtle rise and fall of his chest as his heart quickens. Drawing me nearer, he wraps his arms around me, causing my pulse to quicken. My grip tightens, yearning to be closer.
Closer.
We sway together, our bodies intertwined, the moonlight dancing upon our skin. The anticipation hangs heavy in the air, as he tilts his head and his eyes shimmer with desire. As he inches closer, a growing electric energy produces a tingling sensation on my skin, sending shivers everywhere. His touch, so delicate, so tantalizingly light, is pure torture.
Magnificent, exquisite, maddening torture.
I know what he’s doing. The sexy bastard is teasing me, his seductive game playing havoc with my senses. My body yearns for his kiss, aches for his touch. My mind, consumed by wanton thoughts, adores the torment he’s putting me through.
Kiss me. Kiss me.
“So beautiful,” he whispers against my mouth, his lips sweeping across mine again.
I crave his touch, yearning for every inch of him—his body, his mind, and tonight, his heart. His finger trails the curve of my jaw, creating a thrilling sensation that reverberates through me. He caresses my cheek, his touch as gentle as a feather, before grazing my bottom lip with the pad of his finger.
My body trembles, my knees threatening to give way. With a gentle touch, he cradles my face, his eyes locked onto mine in a silent understanding. Words aren’t sufficient anymore. Desire fills his gaze, mirroring my own.
Leaning in, he kisses me—a long and passionate kiss, claiming my mouth. His tongue strokes mine slowly, sensually, like velvet. I’m consumed by our kiss…lost in him…lost in us.
This kiss is like none before. I surrender freely to it, ignited by a simmering passion I never knew existed.
Tears prick in my eyes because I know I’ll never get another first kiss with Daniel. If I could take this moment, I’d bottle it, like a forever keepsake. But for now, I’ll think back affectionately at the memory of the best first kiss I’ll ever have and know that I’ll revisit this very moment for the rest of my life.
He breaks our kiss and nuzzles the nape of my neck, running a trail of featherlight kisses from my neck around the curve of my shoulder.
“Tess,” he whispers, his lips grazing against my earlobe.
“Hmm?” I hum, because words are hard when your body is concentrating on your sex organs rising from the dead.
“How do you feel?”
“A little nervous,” I admit. “But happy.”
“Me too,” he says, pressing a sweet kiss below my ear.
“Mmm,” I moan.
“You like that?” I feel his smile against my skin.
“Yes.”
“I like it too,” he says softly. “Are we done here?”
“Done?” I frown, my voice cracking. That’s it? He got his kiss, and now he’s blowing me off?
A wave of disappointment fills me and my heart sinks. I realize this moment may not hold the same significance for him as it does for me.
“With dinner,” he clarifies. The hint of a mischievous smile plays on his lips, bringing a sparkle to his eyes. “You and me are not done. Not by a long shot.”
Joy blossoms within me, warming my chest. It means something to him too.
“What do you want to do?” I ask, my voice filled with anticipation.
“I want to kiss you again.” His eyes dart towards the staff in the distance. “Without them watching.”
“Oh, really?” I ask coyly.
“HmmMmm,” he hums, his voice dripping with irresistible charm. “Then I’m going to really kiss you.”
“We need privacy for a kiss?”
His soft lips brush against mine again. “For where I’d like to kiss you,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Definitely.”
“Oh,” I breathe.
Hot.
Wet.
Tess.