I wake to the sun rising over the ocean and a gentle breeze flowing through my bedroom window. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. Stacy and I took in what feels like all of Hawaii yesterday. We ended our night at a luau. It was amazing, as was the way those dancers moved.
Today is a new day. It’s also the day I agreed to see Michael again. I don’t even know what that means really. Are we going to hang out at his place, or ours? Are we just going to chill on the beach? I don’t know, but I’m excited to see what the day holds.
After we’ve both showered, Stacy and I sit on the deck and drink our coffee, just enjoying the beauty that is Hawaii. She and I both need at least two cups before we feel human. This is an addiction we both picked up in college.
Ready for my second cup, I reach for Stacy’s before heading inside to fill up both. I hear him before I see him. Michael’s deep voice filters through the open door as he talks to Stacy. I’m giddy at the thought of seeing him again. Squaring my shoulders and wiping the huge-ass grin off my face, I walk back out to the deck and set Stacy’s coffee in front of her.
“Michael, hi. Did you want a cup?” I raise my steaming cup of Joe in the air.
“No, actually, I was wondering what you ladies had on your agenda today?”
“We got nothing,” Stacy answers before I can.
“Good, how would you like to spend the day with me?” He then focuses his gaze on me, those blue eyes sparkling in the morning sun. “You said I could see you today, so I took the liberty of chartering a . . . boat. I thought the three of us could spend the day on the water.”
“Hell, yeah! That sounds awesome.” Stacy jumps out of her chair, still holding her coffee and not spilling a drop. How she managed to do that, I have no idea. “Let’s go, woman!” she yells over her shoulder. “Get your ass changed, adventure awaits.”
She disappears into the house. I stand to follow her when I feel his strong arm wrap around my waist. He lowers his lips to my ear. “I’ve been counting down the minutes until I saw you again. You’re beautiful in the morning sun.” He kisses my neck right below my ear, so soft and so quick that if my body was not humming for his, I might have missed it. He releases me and I continue forward into the house.
Turns out, the boat Michael chartered is actually a yacht. It’s spectacular and is an experience neither Stacy nor I would have gotten had we not run into him. Michael takes us on a tour of the yacht, and it’s eye opening to see how the other half lives. My parents are middle class; they both work hard for what we have. We’ve never wanted for anything, always having the comforts of home, clean clothes, new shoes, and food on the table, but this . . . this is not something that would ever have been within our means.
Brunch is prepared for us on the top deck. Michael waves his arm toward the stairs, allowing us to go first. Stacy shoots up the steps, eager to see more. I take a more leisurely approach. One, because I don’t want to fall on my face and embarrass myself, and two, I’m hoping to get another stolen moment with him. He doesn’t disappoint as he joins me on the stairs and rests his hand on the small of my back, leading me. The heat of his touch filters through my thin tank, which is saying a lot considering the temperature out here today.
Brunch is delicious and the company is even better. The three of us fall into easy conversation. Stacy drills Michael with questions about the yacht; she’s suddenly fascinated. This leads us to a visit with the captain of our vessel. He offers to let Stacy stand at the wheel, and she gleefully accepts. Michael and I retreat to the lower-level deck where there is more shade.
“He’s not really going to let her drive this thing, is he?” I ask Michael.
He throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, but it’s easy. All she has to do is steer. He won’t let us get off course.”
“If you say so,” I mutter. I mean, really, we’re in the middle of the freaking ocean. She should not be in control.
We sit in silence, just enjoying the day, eventually the lull of the waves and the gentle motion of the beast of a boat rock me to sleep.
I wake later to see the sun setting in the sky. Michael stands when he sees that I’m awake. “Hey, sleepyhead,” he whispers the words.
As I allow him to pull me to my feet, we hit a heavy wave, causing the boat to rock and me to lose my balance. Michael catches me with ease as I fall into his arms. Once I’ve regained my balance, he doesn’t let go. Instead, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him, my chest aligned with his. “What . . . what are we doing?”
“Well, I would like to say we’re dancing,” he replies.
“But there’s no music,” I counter.
He’s already shaking his head. “We don’t need it.”
“I can’t dance without music,” I try again. It’s my nerves talking. I should just shut up and enjoy having his arms wrapped around me.
“Damn it, woman. I just needed an excuse to have you in my arms, but if it’s music you want . . .” He begins to hum a tune I’m not familiar with, but it doesn’t dampen the moment. This is by far the most romantic thing that’s ever happened to me. During this trip, since I’ve met Michael, I’ve had more romance in my life than I have ever had before. How pathetic is that?
“Hey, you two, dinner’s ready!” Stacy yells over the railing of the upper deck.
Michael halts his humming and his movement. Leaning down, he places a soft kiss against my forehead. He says nothing more as he places his hand on the small of my back and once again leads me up the stairs.
“Michael, this was so much fun!” Stacy says for the third time. Who would have thought that being at the helm of a boat would make such an impression on her?
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. What about you?” He glances over at me, before turning his eyes back to the road.
“It was a great day. I was worried with Stacy driving, but we made it back to land safely,” I tease. She reaches to the front of his Jeep and smacks my arm.
“Hey, we were never in any danger,” she scoffs.
Looking back at her, I grin. This causes her to stick her tongue out at me.
Michael pulls into our driveway and turns off the engine. Stacy is out of the car and walking toward the house, leaving the two of us alone. Taking off his seat belt, he turns in his seat to face me. Self-conscious with his eyes on me, I reach up and try to smooth away my windblown hair. Reaching over, he grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. The other takes over the job of smoothing my hair, tucking a few pieces behind my ear. It’s much more intimate when he does it.
“I enjoyed spending the day with you,” he tells me, those blue eyes never leaving mine.
“I had a great time, thank you for inviting us.” I remember my manners.
“It was my pleasure, thank you for coming along. It would not have been the same without you there.”
“You’re eyes are . . . beautiful,” I blurt out. I cringe, knowing he’s going to hate being called beautiful. I can’t believe I let that slip. At least I spoke the truth.
Leaning his body toward me, he murmurs, “Beautiful, you say? Maybe you should get a closer look.” He leans in a little further. My body betrays me and leans forward as well.
We’re close, so close that I can feel his breath against my lips. “It’s dark. I can’t see,” I say stupidly. I know he knows that and is using it as an excuse to get closer. Gah! I’m such a dork. I don’t know how to act.
“Doesn’t matter, Paige. All that matters is that your lips connect with mine, sooner rather than later.”
“But I . . .”
“Can I kiss you, Paige?” He traces my bottom lip with his thumb. “Can I taste these soft lips? I need to know how they feel against mine.”
He doesn’t wait for me to answer before closing the distance and pressing his lips where his finger just traced. My heart jolts, and there’s a heavy rise and fall of my chest just from his touch. Michael growls and his tongue slips past my lips. His tongue dances with mine as our kiss grows more passionate.
I have to stop this before it goes any further. Placing my hands against his chest, I push lightly. He slows the kiss and eventually pulls away. “You taste so fucking sweet.”
WOW.
No one has ever talked to me like that before, never lost themselves in the passion of just being next to me, kissing me. “I was afraid if I didn’t stop you, I wouldn’t,” I confess.
“When you decide to let me inside you, I can guarantee it will not be in my fucking Jeep. You deserve better than that.”
“How do you know? What makes you think I deserve better?” Gah! I wish I could just keep my damn mouth shut.
Resting his forehead against mine, eyes wide open, he says, “Because I see you.” Pulling back, he softly places his lips on mine for a very brief final kiss before reaching for his door handle and climbing out of the car. I watch as he walks around the Jeep and opens my door, offering me his hand.