Thanks to the Google maps software on Kade’s phone, we reach the beach in less than half an hour.

A soft breeze rustles the leaves in the nearby trees. Even though it’s too dark to make out much, we choose a spot behind a large rock, shielded from the street and hidden from anyone who might walk past. Kade spreads out a blanket, which I’m pretty sure he’s helped himself to from the broom closet on our floor. I let myself fall on it and watch as he settles beside me. The rainclouds are gone, but the air’s still carrying the scent of salty moisture and clean earth. I breathe in and hold it for a long moment before I exhale the air, feeling lightheaded from both the abundance of oxygen and the man lying beside me.

The crescent moon above us catches in the water, making it shimmer like countless black diamonds. The display is stunning, but it’s not what amazes me. It’s the stars above, twinkling in the night sky. I’ve never seen so many in one place.

“I can’t believe we haven’t been here before.” My voice sounds haunted, surreal.

“I guess I never suggested it because I’m so used to it,” Kade says.

I shoot him a sideways glance and stifle the groan building at the back of my throat. “To sex on the beach?”

He lets out a laugh—deep and hoarse and sexy as hell. “No. To seeing water. I live in California. My house is situated on a private beach.”

This is the first time he’s shared something meaningful about his present life. Even though it’s barely anything, it feels special.

“You know—” I hesitate, wondering whether I’m making a mistake by communicating my thoughts so openly. “—you’ve barely told me anything about you while I’ve practically spilled everything about my life.”

He shrugs. “I’m a private person.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You know too much about me for that. So, start spilling. Relationships?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not a commitment type of guy.”

That part was to be assumed, wasn’t it? So why the sudden disappointment washing over me?

“Except for that one girl who broke your heart, right?”

He turns to face me. “You remember that but not the part where you stripped naked?”

I let out a laugh to hide the rush of embarrassment.

“Faintly,” I whisper. “But only because I’ve been wondering if it never gets lonely.”

He cocks his head, hesitating, probably considering his words carefully. “Having sex with someone is easy. It’s the holidays that are hard. I never get involved with anyone, which means no follow-up phone call or date. No feelings, no drama.” His eyes search my face, as though he’s trying to read my emotions. When I don’t give him anything, he continues, “But there are times when it would be nice to have someone.”

“Are you going to be alone…forever?” It’s not the most obvious question I could ask, but certainly the one that bothers me the most.

He shrugs. “Why would I have to be when I have a good friend like you?”

There’s something beneath his statement—a meaning I cannot grasp.

I suck my lower lip between my teeth, too afraid to ask. But if I don’t do it, I know I’ll always wonder.

“Are you implying you’ll still want to see me after this is over?” The words whoosh past my lips as quickly as a breath.

“I’m saying you have no choice.” He laughs, the sound grazing my skin. “The program booklet says that once rehab is over, we’ll still be required to check in with our roommate. There’s even the option of becoming a sponsor, which I intend to use.”

My lips twitch. Having Kade as one’s sponsor is probably as bad as stocking up an alcoholic’s minibar with vodka bottles. “You mean I’ll have to endure more of you?”

“I figured you’d ask that.” His fingertips graze the front of my chest, unbuttoning my jacket and spreading it.

My breathing is cut short. I turn to him, almost expecting him to pull himself on top of me and do what I’ve been wanting him to do ever since I laid eyes on him. His palm travels down my stomach and comes to rest just above my hip.

“Stop it. I’m ticklish.”

“I know that.” I let out a scream as his fingers squeeze a little. “I’m going to be tickling you until you ask me to be your sponsor. Call it blackmail tickling.”

“I think you’ve just invented an expression.” Laughing, I jump up and start running. I’m headed for the water even though I’ve no intention of jumping in fully dressed. I feel Kade’s arms around my waist a moment before he spins me around. I collide with his hard chest and let myself be pulled into the soft sand.

He lands on top of me. And, wow. I feel like the temperature has just increased a few degrees.

From up close, he looks even more delectable with those skilled lips and the strange look in his eyes. He reminds me of a god—the bad and naughty kind. I’m holding my breath, marveling at just how perfect he feels against me. I try to look away, but I can’t. His gaze has me captured, mesmerized. My heart is slamming against my chest. If he were to lean farther into me, I’m sure he’d hear it crashing louder than the waves against the store.

“Now, what was your reply again?” His voice is hoarse, and I swear it’s not from the cool breeze. “Who will you ask to be your sponsor?”

“You.” I can barely speak, let alone breathe. “You, of course.”

“Doesn’t sound convincing.”

“That’s because I’m not sure you can handle me and all of my addictions.” I think of my therapist and the many moments of disagreements we had over the past two weeks. “I can be a handful, and I’m sure you’ll give up on your first day.”

“I like you.”

“That’s a good thing, because you need to like me as my sponsor. Right?”

“No, I like you, Vicky.” His serious tone sends a tingle through my body. “I like like you.”

My already shaky breath breaks as I realize that our conversation has turned in a different direction.

“You like me?” I can barely speak out the words. My voice is a strangled whisper, far more emotional than it should be.

I shouldn’t care whether he likes me or not, and yet it matters.

Something changes inside me. Something takes hold of my chest, squeezing it tight.

“Yes, I do.”

It seems as though his eyes stay on me for a long time, and then he kisses me as if every beat of my heart belongs to him. As if he really means it.

If only I didn’t know any better.