Nervously pacing around my apartment, I glance at the clock on the kitchen wall. Nick should be here any minute and I’m a wreck. Why did I say yes to this date?

I’ve been doing fine without him. Yes, I’ve missed seeing him, but I had convinced myself he wasn’t as nice as I’d remembered - or as handsome. Both of those things were proved false when I saw him last night.

Knuckles rapping on the solid door breaks the silence. Closing my eyes while I draw in two deep calming breaths. Settle down. It’s just Nick and he’s crazy about me. The last thought helps to settle the wild fluttering of nervous energy in my stomach. Running a hand down the short length of my blue sundress, I smooth out the loose, flowing material. Slipping my flip flops on my feet, I grab the pink and white striped canvas beach bag that holds my towel and sunscreen. I haven’t phased out all the pink yet, but I’m slowly working on it. Sliding my sunglasses on, I nudge them to the top of my head before reaching for the handle. Opening the door, I find Nick standing there with his hands pushed into the front pockets on his black board shorts. The crooked grin on his kissable lips instantly reassures me. I answer with a smile, my own glossy lips effortlessly responding. I’m happy to see him and I’m tired of trying to keep my feelings hidden or suppress them. Today is all about having a good time. Anything beyond that, I don’t want to contemplate.

“Hey,” he says, in that smooth, deep voice I’ve come to expect and appreciate. My eyes lock with his hazel ones then glide down to drink in the wide width of his muscular shoulders and bulky chest in his white t-shirt that says I didn’t text you. Vodka did. My knees quiver with yearning before I find my voice to answer him.

“Hi.” My voice is soft and breathy to my own ears and I cringe internally. It’s one thing for me to know how powerfully he affects me, but I’m not ready to divulge such a secret to him. He needs to earn that.

“Are you ready to have a great day?” he asks, caressing my arm with one of his calloused palms.

“I sure am.” I beam, meaning those words. If anyone deserves a break from life it’s me.

He slides his hand down, tugging the bag from the crook of my elbow. Once I’ve locked the door and dropped my keys in my bag, he catches my hand with his. Silently, we moved through the hallway, me giddy with anticipation of what our time together will bring and Nick being the cool customer he always appears to be.

The sun is shining full force as we exit the brick building and head down the sidewalk toward his jeep. Reaching up, I slide my sunglasses down to perch on the bridge of my nose and exhale with a sigh of relief, thankful the sun is no longer radiating my eyeballs.

Nick opens the passenger door and I scoot in, quickly tugging my dress down to mid-thigh. He notices and chuckles before placing the beach bag by my feet. Shutting my door, he makes his way around, climbing inside the vehicle agilely. “I was going to take the top off, but we have to drive on the highway.”

“I can handle a little wind.”

“That’s good to know since we’re going out on my boat today.”

“You have your own boat?”

“Yeah. It was a gift from my grandfather for my twenty-first birthday.”

“Spoiled much?” I ask, sarcasm more than evident.

“Yeah, I am. I’m not going to deny it, but I’m also a hard worker despite my privileged upbringing,” he answers honestly.

“Where do you dock it?” I ask to change the subject.

“It’s in Quincy at the marina. Have you been out on a boat before?”

“Joseph liked to sail. I went out with him a few times, but mostly he preferred to go alone.”

“Well, you’re welcome to come out on my boat anytime you want. In fact, I have a feeling this will be the first time of many.”

Once we’ve parked at the marina, Nick grabs a cooler from the back of the jeep. He leads us along the wooden walkway until we come to a long, sleek, red and white powerboat. The aerodynamic design screams of high speeds and my heart thuds in nervous anticipation. Holding his hand to help me balance, I step onto the boat. Widening my stance to stay upright as the floor rocks underneath me, a high-pitched squeak leaves my parted lips.

Nick places his hand on my arm, steadying me as I drop my bag down in front of one of the seats. “How are you doing there, Candy?”

“I’m all set. I’ve got my sea legs,” I answer cockily, tossing my ponytail over my shoulder.

Stepping onto the dock, he grabs the cooler, before setting it down on the floor behind his seat. Moving about untying ropes and whatever it is that experienced boatmen do, I don’t pay him any mind. Instead, I focus on backing up my boastful words I uttered to Nick a minute ago, adapting to the churning waves rolling from side to side. Allowing my gaze to roam, I check out all the beautiful boats surrounding us. The salty breeze tickles my nose in the best way as I deeply breath in the fresh air. Lowering my lids, I savor the sensation of the wind gently stirring up the small hairs on the nape of my neck and pleasantly kissing along my shoulders. My lips part with a large sigh of appreciation. Opening my eyes, I find Nick standing in front of me, his hazel depths intent on my face. Our gazes lock through the shaded lenses of my sunglasses.

Stepping forward, he carefully cups my cheeks with his warm palms sending an impulse of something deeper than desire through my chest. I’m not ready to dissect what this feeling is or what it means. Instead, I focus on the gold and green flecks in his hazel irises and how they shimmer like the sunlight reflecting on the sea. “You’re breathtakingly beautiful.” His face lowers and my stomach rolls, this time from the impending kiss and not the rough water. Brushing my mouth tenderly with his, the kiss is feather soft, a mere whisper against my lips, a subtle hint of what we both want to come. He draws back and flashes a blinding smile. “Pick a seat Candy and hang on tight.”

I do as he suggests, choosing the one to the left of him as he turns the key. The motor roars to life and I flash an anxious glance his way. Gripping both sides of the white vinyl beneath me, my nails dig for purchase while he fluidly reverses away from the dock. On pins and needles, I wait for the moment the boat will accelerate rapidly. He surprises me by slowing easing us out into the deeper water and once we’re clear of the other boats, we set off at an even, comfortable pace.

My fingers loosen their death grip on the seat as I begin to enjoy the wind in my face and the bouncing of the boat as we plow through the waves. Before I know it, giggles peal out of me as I jockey to remain seated.

Nick slips some aviators over his squinting eyes, his grin broad and white against his golden skin. There’s no mistaking or disguising the joy on his face as his strong hands firmly grip the wheel safely navigating us. I can tell he’s in his element.

We barrel through the turbulent water, my rear end boosting up and lowering down in my seat. The sea spray misting my face feels refreshingly cool and tastes salty on my lips.

Nick picks up the pace as we zoom around the blue water of the Atlantic Ocean for the next hour. “Are you getting hungry?” he shouts.

I nod and give him a thumbs up to let him know I’m on board with having lunch. He drives for a few more minutes before pulling over and shutting off the boat. The craft lurches wildly as the wake from a larger one makes its way to us. Holding on to the seat once again, my laughter is carefree as we seesaw side to side.

Nick lurches to his feet, reaches into the cooler, pulling out two bottles of water and Ziploc bagged sandwiches. Smiling up at him as he hands me one of each, I say, “you made me lunch?”

“I did. I hope you like buffalo chicken wraps.”

“I’ve never had one before.”

“Really?” He quirks an eyebrow. “It’s a favorite of mine.”

Unzipping the bag, I catch a whiff of spicy hot sauce and chicken. “It sure smells good.” Raising the wrap to my lips, I bite the end, moaning while I chew. “It’s delicious.”

He grins. “I’m glad you like it.” Taking a large bite, he chews as his eyes take in our surroundings. He washes it all down with a sip of water. I watch his Adam’s apple move up and down as he gulps the ice-cold liquid. Pushing the final bite of the sandwich between his lips, he places his water on the floor and removes his sunglasses. My breaths stall as I take in his rippling stomach muscles when he unexpectedly tugs his shirt over his head. He carelessly pitches the balled-up tee to the back seat then gulps down the remainder of his drink. He places the cap on the empty bottle, dropping it inside the cooler.

“I don’t think I’ve ever asked you if you have any siblings.”

“Are you asking me, now?”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I reply, “okay, smartass. Yes I am.”

“I have a twin, Tabitha. I always say she’s my younger sister because I was born five minutes before her. She hates it.”

“Wow. Do you guys look alike?”

“Yes and no. We have the same hair and eye color, but she favors my mom and I resemble my dad.”

“Are you guys close?”

“Yeah. I don’t talk to her every day, but we get along. She’s a bit of a spoiled princess. My parent’s think everything she does is great and give her whatever she wants.”

“They’re not like that with you?”

“My mom is, but my dad likes to push and pressure me. He’s not shy about telling me what he thinks I should do with my life.”

“Do you push back?”

“I do now. I used to ignore it and I thought he’d stop, but that plan backfired.”

“Yeah, my dad is a force of nature too. He’s never shy about saying what he thinks, but he’s been pretty good with me since I’ve been back in Boston.” I press the lip of the water bottle to my mouth and take a deep sip. The cool liquid quenches the burning sensation leftover from the buffalo chicken. “He never liked Joseph. I’ve been waiting for his big I told you so moment since we broke up.”

“Maybe he didn’t want to kick you when you were down.”

“Are we talking about the same guy? You know my dad.”

He grins. “Hell yeah, I know exactly what he’s like. He’s not one to beat around the bush or pull punches.”

“Nope, he’s not. And he can piss me off more than anyone.”

“Aren’t you daddy’s girl?”

“I’m closer with my mom. Reagan’s his favorite. She’s the most like him.” The sun’s rays are scorching on my shoulders and legs as we continue to sit here. I need to reapply my sunscreen or I’m going to look like a lobster later tonight. Rising to my feet, I grip the back of the seat to help me balance. Gripping the bottom of my sundress, I lift it over my head then fold it neatly.

“Jeeesus. Give a guy some warning next time.” His stare is so heated, slowly searing every inch of my body in the blue bikini I’m wearing; I break out in gooseflesh. I’ve never had someone view me with such blatant desire before. Fluttering stirs wildly in my stomach as he removes the dress from my grasp, dropping it carelessly over his shoulder to the floor. He grips my hips, fingertips digging into my fair skin as he pulls me closer until I’m standing between his muscular legs. His seated position places my chest directly in front of his face. I flush with a combination of longing and embarrassment. The longing wins out as my palms land on his sun warmed shoulders and then slide up to burrow in his thick, dark hair.

Nick growls, burying his face between my breasts. Peering down, I breathlessly observe as he places a string of soft, wet kisses along the deep valley of my cleavage. Eyes closed, his dark lashes fan out over the tops of his cheeks as he thoroughly covers every inch of exposed skin. My knees weaken, and I lean into him. Strong fingers urge me onto his lap, my knees fall to either side of his narrow hips on the seat. Smoothly gliding his lips up the length of my neck, one hand clutches my ponytail, tightly twisting the long strands around his fist. Our lips crash together hungrily. I’m not sure who initiated the kiss, but I know that I never want it to end. His tongue teases my bottom lip, his teeth biting from one side to the other. My hips reflexively rock against his obvious hard on and the pressure on my clit has me groaning into his mouth.

He tugs my ponytail in answer and runs his other hand down the back of my bikini bottoms to caress over the curves of my ass. “Fuck,” he growls. His mouth trickles down to press a kiss along the delicate skin below my ear. “We need to stop this before I can’t,” he says, resting his head on my shoulder, both of us breathing fast.

Raising my knee I start to crawl off his lap. “Hey, where are you going?” he questions, and I freeze in place. “I’m not ready to let you go yet.” His sweet words and his arms enfolding me melt a little more of the icy wall that surrounds my heart. Every time we’re together he bulldozes his way into my life a little further and it’s surprising how much that pleases me.