Ten
HOLLIE
Lacie was right, a shower was needed. It’s as if the water washed away my worries and fear and replaced them with, well, I’m not exactly sure right now but I do know, I feel freer than I was earlier.
Thirty minutes later, I link arms with my bestie and we head off to meet Matt and Beau.
We arrive at the beach bar and I immediately spot Beau.
My eyes are drawn to him like a moth to a flame but I have a feeling, even in the dark of night and not an ounce of light, I’d find him.
I know it’s only been a few days, but I feel a connection with him that I’ve never felt with anyone else before.
I really, really like him and I wonder if I should broach the topic of us reconnecting once we return to the real world?
I’m hesitant to because, for all I know, he just wants a vacation fling.
Me being the chicken I am, and not wanting to embarrass myself, I decide to just let this play out. If it’s meant to be, it will be.
We make our way over to the guys and I smile when I notice they’ve snagged four sun loungers and on the table is a bucket of beers, a jug of what I hope is Bajan Rum Punnch.
Beside that is a Bajan fried snacks platter loaded with seasoned flying fish, savory cod fishcakes, crispy Bajan sweet potato and my new favorite, breadfruit fries.
Lacie squeals in delight when she sees the spread.
“You guys are the best,” she shouts as she bites into a fishcake and moans.
Her moan has Matt subtly adjusting himself and I smile because my bestie is also having a vacation fling.
She’s smiling brightly and gazing intently at Matt, Jarrod who? I think to myself.
Beau rises to his feet and walks toward me.
My eyes roam over his body and, like always, my nerve endings start thrumming.
He’s only wearing board shorts, every delicious ab is on display and I’m fighting the need to lick every crevice on his muscular abdomen.
I’m thankful for my sunglasses, as they’re hiding my blatant ogling of him, however, from the almost smug expression on his face, he knows exactly what I was just doing.
In my defense, he seems to have been doing the same thing to me, so fair’s fair.
I’m wearing an army green one-piece, with a super sexy plunging neckline, as well as my Daisy Duke denim shorts that make my legs look amazing.
It’s the most revealing swimsuit I’ve ever worn, but I feel like a million bucks in it.
Beau slides his arm around my waist, pulls me into him, and whispers, “Like what you see?” Words elude me, so I just bob my head up and down. He places a kiss on my temple and leans in to huskily murmur, “’Cause I sure as fuck like what I see.”
“Meh,” I playfully reply, earning myself a playful swat on the ass. Leaning up, I place a kiss on his cheek and whisper, “Personally, I’d rather see you in nothing.”
Pulling away from him, I sashay backward.
Lowering my sunglasses, I wink before I drop down into the lounger next to Lacie.
She hands me a drink and with my eyes locked on Beau’s, I bring the cocktail glass to my lips and take a sip.
My eyes droop closed, savoring the sweet and sour flavors of the spicy concoction.
A slight moan slips from my lips when flavors dance over my taste buds.
Beau leans down, his heated breath flutters over my skin. Goosebumps appear and I close my eyes at his nearness. He roughly murmurs, “I love hearing you moan like that, but I’d much rather hear you make that sound while you’re riding me.”
My eyes fly open at his words but I like where his mind is at because it seems, we’re both on the same page.
It’s time to start thinking about what we are going to do tonight when the sun hovers just above the horizon, painting the sky in vivid shades of orange, gold, and pink.
Wisps of cloud glow like embers in the fading light, while long shadows stretch across the ground.
A gentle breeze carries away the day's warmth as the world settles into a rare, peaceful stillness, suspended between the last moments of daylight and the arrival of night.
Beau’s hungry gaze is on me, offering him a smile, it widens when he asks, “Hol, babe, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
My head starts nodding before he’s even finished asking me the question. “I’d love to.”
My tummy fills with butterflies and my vagina buzzes like a swarm of angry bees at the prospect of an official date with Beau. Before I have time to think about it, Lacie is grabbing my arm and telling Beau I’ll be ready in an hour.
And true to her word, fifty-five minutes later I’m ready and waiting for Beau to arrive. Lace straightened my hair and lent me her LBD—which I’m totally keeping. I slip on my blingy sandals and apply some lip gloss.
Looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door, I smile at my new amazing tan—thank you, Lacie and Bondi Sands.
Stepping into the bedroom, I do a little spin and say, “What do you think?”
Lacie wolf whistles. “Dude, if I batted for the same team, I’d totally do you.”
“Thanks,” I say, “but I’m all about the sausage.”
“Me too girl, me too.”
Picking up my clutch, well, Lacie’s clutch, I put my lip gloss, phone, wallet, and room key in before zipping it up. “What are your plans for tonight?”
“Matt and I are getting a couple’s massage and then we’re gonna Netflix and chill.”
I’m about to ask her about Jarrod because I don’t want her to feel guilty about moving on, but a knock at the door stops me. Suddenly, I’m nervous.
Walking over to the door, I open it and my mouth drops open when I see Beau. He’s styled his hair in that sexy “I-crawled-out-of-bed-like-this” way. He’s wearing denim jeans and a black button-down shirt rolled to the elbows. Holy hotness, Batman.
“My God, Hol, you look fucking stunning.”
My cheeks heat at his compliment. “You scrub up pretty well yourself, Mr. Roberts.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Lacie singsongs from behind me, then adds, “Have fun.” She’s suggestively wriggling her eyebrows at me. With a wave, I shake my head and step outside. Beau links his arm with mine and, arm in arm, we walk down the stairs and head along the path toward the beach.
“So, where are we dining this evening?” I’m hoping it’s the seafood restaurant here, Lace and I shared the seafood tower here the other night and I’m still thinking about the melt in my mouth fish.
“It’s a surprise.” He winks and without another word, we continue toward the beach.
The moment my feet sink into the soft sand, I stop short.
My breath catches in my throat, before me sits the most beautiful surprise—a table for two nestled beneath the night sky.
Tiki-torch lanterns form a glowing circle around the table, their golden flames dancing in the evening breeze and casting a warm, intimate light across the beach.
My heart flutters as I take it all in.
He reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, and the simple touch sends a pleasant shiver through me. With a soft smile, he leads me toward the table, never taking his eyes off mine. The world seems to fade away until it's just the two of us and the sound of the waves in the background.
Ever the gentleman, he pulls out my chair. Leaning down, he presses a lingering kiss to my cheek, making my pulse race. Then he settles across from me and pours us each a glass of bubbly, his gaze holding mine over the flickering candlelight.
From across the table, I grin at him. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy or content. My grin widens when I hear Beau, “To a night we’ll never forget.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I click my champagne flute against his and take a sip.
Staring at Beau over the top of my drink, I notice his eyes shimmering in the moonlight, the flicker of the tiki-torch flame dancing in the orbs of his irises. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.
A waiter arrives with a Caribbean pasta dish that’s amazing. No sooner have our plates been cleared away and dessert is delivered—a platter of chocolate-dipped strawberries, which we take over to the blankets and cushions set up near a beach fire I hadn’t noticed until now.
We snuggle together on the blanket, feeding each other chocolate-dipped strawberries and kissing. There isn’t a moment of silence. Every second is filled with chatter of getting to know one another.
Finishing my drink, I place my glass down and turn to look at Beau.
He’s already staring intently at me. Reaching up, I cup his cheek and he leans into it.
Rising onto my knees, I lean forward and press my lips to his.
My eyes close and I give myself over to the kiss and Beau.
This is the sexiest kiss of my life and one I’ll remember forever.
Without breaking our connection, I straddle his thighs and wrap my arms around his neck, continuing to kiss him.
He holds me tighter and I begin to undulate my hips, grinding myself on him.
Beau lowers me to my back and covers my body with his, cocooning me beneath him. In the dark of the night, we make out on the beach and I know this is the moment, this is the moment two become one. “Beau,” I murmur against his lips, “make love to me.”