Chapter 21

The whole beach is dark, the stars are out, and there is a light breeze that reminds Jane of her summer nights in Utah, except for the sound of water in the background and the taste of salt air. The patio lanterns flicker and Brad and Jane laugh about silly things. They finish the bottle of wine and share a crème brulee. Life tastes so good right now.

“What’s your favorite color? What was your most embarrassing moment? Who was your first kiss?” Jane asks Brad.

At the last question, Brad clams up. He remembers Kelly and how it felt when they kissed for the first time. They were at the ice cream store and were sitting outside on a summer night, kind of like this night. She was eating chocolate mint ice cream, and he had pralines and cream.

She’d had a dab of ice cream on her chin and he leaned over to lick it off. Then he moved up to her lips. His heart jumped through his chest and he felt so excited and in love with her in that moment. He wanted to kiss her forever.

“You don’t have to tell me who your first kiss was, if you don’t want to,” says Jane.

“Oh, no, it was a really good memory, that’s all,” replies Brad.

“Aww… that’s so sweet. Not many guys I’ve met describe it that way.”

“Well, honestly, it was a special woman named Kelly. She was my first and only love. We were having ice cream together and she dribbled some on her chin.”

“And let me guess, you moved over and licked her chin and then kissed her,” anticipates Jane.

“Well yes, that’s exactly what happened,” Brad says with a glint in his eye, feeling like someone finally understands what’s in his heart.

“Wow Brad, you’ve never been in love since then?” Jane says, surprised. “I would have thought you’d have had the chance to meet any woman in the world.

Brad doesn’t say anything and Jane realizes how lonely he has been.

“Well, you know, I’ve never been in love before. You know what they say, it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all,” Jane says, trying to lighten up the conversation. “I can’t imagine how wonderful that must have been for you.”

Brad isn’t sure how to respond. He doesn’t want Jane to think he is still obsessed with Kelly, and wants to make sure she feels special in her own right, and not like a replacement. This had happened with a few of his dates in the past and had turned into a nightmare.

“It’s true, I did love her, and I am lucky I had a chance to love. Nothing else seems to satisfy me, so I know what I’m looking for now. True love,” Brad shares with sincerity.

“Wow, that’s amazing.” Jane is impressed, but doesn’t put the pieces together that this is what he’s hoping to have with her. She doesn’t want to pry any further.

“Hey, do you want go for a late-night swim?” Brad asks playfully, reaching out his hand to take hers. “We don’t want to waste that bikini.”

Jane reaches back and they head down to the beach, Brad holding Jane’s sandals as they walk barefoot together, hand-in-hand.

“Tag, you’re it,” Brad says, touching her on the back and running toward the sea. Jane chases after him, stripping off her dress, her white bikini shining in the middle of the night.

Brad splashes into the water first, then dunks his head under before coming back up. He sees Jane running toward him, kind of awkwardly with her spindly legs and straight waistline. She looks so innocent and beautiful. He could play with her body forever. How he’d love to go up to her and kiss that belly button, grab her by the hips, and lick her all over.

“Betcha can’t catch me,” Brad screams out. Jane runs toward him and falls right into the water. He swims over before she can catch a breath and lifts her up into his arms, then spins her around.

Jane waves her arms and legs, laughing, “Let me go! Let me go!”

“Not until you say the magic word,” says Brad.

“Please! Pretty please with a cherry on top!” screams Jane.

“Nope, that’s not the magic word!”

“Magic?”

“Nope.”

“Lobster?”

“Nope, that’s silly.”

“Ugh, I give up,” Jane resigns.

“Well then, I’ll have to hold you forever,” Brad replies.

“Well, that wouldn’t be so bad,” Jane says smiling. “But eventually you’ll get tired.”

“The word is kiss,” Brad says, holding her tighter to him.

“Ah… kiss is it?” she says, smiling.

“Can I?” Brad asks, taking his chance.

“Please,” Jane says, happy he finally asked.

Brad lets her down and pulls Jane toward him, holding her head in his hands and leaning in to kiss her. Jane stands on her tippy toes and melts into him, feeling his warm lips and his tongue playing with hers.

His strong arms make her feel the safest she has ever felt, knowing he won’t let her go. He lifts her up, wrapping her legs around his waist, holding her up while he kisses her more—on her cheeks, her neck, and back to her mouth, deeply thrusting his tongue into her, wanting more and more.

Jane holds on tight around his neck and waist. She loves his smell, the taste of his body and his breath. Brad lowers them down into the water, their legs crisscrossing on the sand, the water lapping over them.

“Wow, you are a great kisser,” says Brad, touching her lightly on the nose.

“Really?” asks Jane, surprised he would think so.

“Oh, yes, can’t you tell?” Brad says, pressing her against his hard cock.

Jane blushes, not sure how to respond but feeling excited herself. She feels his cock pulsing against her. He kisses her neck, getting her more aroused.

“Let’s stop there,” says Jane, nervous about taking it any further.

“You sure?” Brad asks, kissing her once more.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Jane replies, afraid he’s going to think she’s not interested. “I love how you make me feel, perhaps a little too much.”

“Of course,” Brad says, withdrawing and grabbing her hand to bring her onto the sand. They lay on the beach with the waves lapping against their toes, while Brad holds Jane in his arms. She rests on his chest and looks up at the stars, feeling the vastness of the sky all around them.