My phone buzzed.

Hey, it’s Sasha from the Island Sun. Want to hang out at a beach party?

My prayers had been answered. The sweet girl from the hotel was asking me out.

Absolutely.

I texted back as quickly as my fingers could tap the letters on the screen. A party sounded amazing. It was my second night in South Padre. And after the lazy day at the pool and reading everything I had downloaded on my E-reader before the trip, I was ready for a real night out. I could only take so much solitude.

Meet me at 9 at the Dune Scape beach boardwalk.

Thanks. See you then.

At nine o’clock, I closed the heavy room door. The Dune Scape parking lot was empty and all the other room lights were dark except for the room directly across from mine. I walked toward the motel’s boardwalk. After my shower, I intended to take a walk on the beach, but I fell asleep. I gave in to the nap.

Sasha was waiting for me. Her auburn hair was pulled in a ponytail, and she looked relaxed out of her resort uniform.

“Hey. I’m so glad you could make it.” She smiled.

“Me too. It was a long day.”

“How’s it going at the Dunes?” She stopped at the end of the boardwalk to kick off her flip-flops and collect them in her hand.

“It’s ok.” I followed her lead.

Sasha giggled. “It’s no resort, that’s for sure.”

“No, definitely not, but I appreciate the recommendation. I was desperate last night. I would have stayed anywhere.” I debated whether or not to fill her in on the backstory with Cole.

She grinned. “Well, I hope you’re not disappointed. This is an island party, so no grads here, but I think you’ll have fun. It’s a good group, even if they do get a little crazy sometimes.”

Once we hit the beach, I could see a glowing blaze about fifty yards from where we stood. The Dune Scape was one of the last hotels along Gulf Boulevard before the state park began.

“You can have fires out here?”

“Not near the resorts. They are inside the city limits. As long as we’re out here near the north part of the island, it’s ok.” Sasha continued toward the party.

There was enough light from the fire for me to perform a quick head count. I added up thirty people. They were scattered in small clusters. Sasha led me over to a group of people standing near a collection of coolers.

“Everyone, this is Kaitlyn.”

Two of the guys in the small circle turned around. I didn’t recognize them from behind without their hats, but I would know those smiles anywhere.

“We know this girl. Hey, there, Carolina.” Lance loudly broadcast my new nickname. He and Cal each slung an arm around my shoulders and squeezed.

“Wait, how do you know these guys?” Sasha looked confused.

“I met them last night at Peabody’s. They volunteered as my pool coaches.” I shrugged my shoulders.

Sasha laughed. “I’m sure they did. Always so eager to help out.” She jabbed Cal in the ribs.

“Ouch, girl.” Releasing me from the hug, Cal grabbed Sasha by the waist, threw her over his shoulder, and made a circle around the fire.

“Calhoun McCoy, put me down!” Sasha shrieked.

Everyone had turned to watch Sasha and Cal circling the bonfire. I could hear some of the guys cheering Cal on. Someone suggested he take her down to the water and toss her in.

“Didn’t think I’d get to see you again so soon.” Lance’s hand slid from my shoulder.

“Crazy small world I guess.” I turned away from Cal and Sasha.

“Yeah, crazy.” He shifted in the sand. “So, how do you know Sasha?”

“It’s kind of funny. Remember how I told you the airlines lost my luggage?”

He nodded.

“Well, the other half of the nightmare story yesterday was that I lost my reservation at the Wave Oasis. That’s where I met Sasha. She was nice enough to recommend the Dune Scape and invite me tonight.”

“You’re staying at the Dune?” It sounded like Lance tripped on the words.

“I didn’t have much choice.”

Cal had finally placed Sasha on her feet, and she was half-teasing, half-threatening him through a series of kisses.

“You want a drink or something?” Lance asked, holding up his red plastic cup.

Watching another couple make out had cast an awkward cloud on our conversation, as if we had somehow been paired together. “Definitely. What’s in there?”

“All kinds of stuff.” He grinned. “Be right back.” I lost track of him as he disappeared into the crowd.

“I didn’t take you for the bonfire type.” The deep voice carried over my ear. I wasn’t prepared for the chills it sent down my back and arms.

I whipped around and tried to ground my senses. Cole stood inches from me. He was holding out a red cup for me.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I took the cup and a cautious sip. The drink tasted like a lime-flavored beer combination. It was refreshing.

“I don’t know. I thought you liked to dance.” He smirked as he held the cup to his lips.

I almost choked on my drink. “You went to one of my dance recitals. One.”

It might have been the flames from the bonfire, but his eyes flickered like he wanted to lure me into a confrontation.

I thought back to how he looked at me this afternoon in the room. How his eyes followed every curve of my chest until he was almost speechless. I stepped closer to him.

“Kaitlyn, here you go.” Lance walked up next to me with a drink. The second Cole appeared, I had forgotten about Lance and the drink.

I took a step back from Cole.

“Looks like Cole already got you a drink.” A frown formed on Lance’s thin lips. If he had any confidence before Cole showed up, I could tell it was quickly fading.

Sasha had already told me this was a party for locals, so I shouldn’t have been surprised the guys knew each other, but the encounter felt a little testosterone-charged.

“Are you two friends?” I asked Lance.

“We know each other.” Lance wasn’t volunteering much information and Cole didn’t respond.

“What, did you two date the same girl or something?” I giggled. That couldn’t be, but the longer the silence grew, the more I thought I had just stuck my foot in my mouth.

“Lance’s not too happy with me these days,” Cole volunteered.

“And why is that?” I looked at Lance, who was no longer his happy-go-lucky self.

“He dated my sister.” Lance’s words were flat.

“Oh.” I didn’t know what to say. I had more questions, but neither one was giving out answers.

“I’ll take the drink for her, man.” Cole reached for the cup.

Lance chuckled under his breath. “Why am I not surprised?” He shoved the drink in Cole’s hand and angled toward me. “I’ll catch up with you later, Carolina. Cal needs something.”

“What was that about?” I looked at Cole.

“For someone who’s only been here one day, you’ve sure made a lot of friends.” He sipped from his cup. “Lance and Cal like you, especially Lance.”

“Kaitlyn, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to leave you as soon as we got here. Cal gets a little carried away around me.” Sasha emerged from the crowd, looking flushed and trying to catch her breath.

“Yeah, I could tell.”

“What do you say we go for a walk?” Cole asked.

He stepped over the log and stood in front of me, so that my only view was him. “Walk with me.” It wasn’t a request.

Cole took off toward the crashing waves at a relaxed pace. I followed him to the water. My eyes adjusted to the darkness away from the fire, keeping his silhouette in my line of sight.

The waves lapped along the shoreline, and my toes sunk into the softness of the wet sand. We were far enough away from the bonfire that the others couldn’t hear us.

“So, how long have you been working at the Dune Scape?” I trailed behind slightly. “Ryan never mentioned it. And I had no idea you were back in Texas.”

“Two years.” He said it as if he had answered a question about how long he had been in prison.

“Ever since you left the Corps?” I clutched the cup between both my hands as I inhaled the rest of my drink.

“Yes.” He kicked along the tops of the waves, sending saltwater along my legs.

“Did you go back to school? Like a trade school or something?”

He laughed. “No, not really. It’s more on-the-job training.”

“You definitely could stay busy there for a long time. There’s a lot broken.” I wanted to kick myself. “I mean, it’s great—my room is great. You’re an excellent handyman, Cole.” I might as well dig a hole in the sand and bury myself in it right now. Nothing I said was right.

“It’s mine.”

I almost choked on my lime drink. “‘Mine’ as in you own the Dune Scape?”

“Believe me, I wish I didn’t. I inherited it from my grandfather. He recently passed away and left me the place, but no money to run it. Not the best inheritance.” His gaze was fixed on the horizon. He tipped the cup back.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. But Ryan did tell me you have a son. Is he here too?”

He nodded. “He’s the reason I kept the motel. I know the damn place is a money pit. It’s been closed for the past year, and trying to get it back to any kind of working condition is taking all the money I have and some I don’t. I should just give in and sell it. It’s not like my family’s around anymore to argue about it. But I want him know that it means something to work hard. That my grandfather didn’t leave family land to me just to sell it. I want him to have a legacy.”

“Does he have a name?” I smiled. “I don’t really know anything him. I don’t get to talk to Ryan enough.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. Grayson. Grayson Michael.”

I wondered if his little boy had pretty blue eyes like his daddy.

“And his mother?” I was afraid to ask. “You two are married now?”

He huffed. “No. Never were.”

“Oh.” I tried not to sound excited. “Ryan said—”

Cole cut me off. “Let’s agree that your brother sucks at information.”

I laughed. “Ok. I can agree to that.”

“Amber, that’s Grayson’s mom. We dated off and on. Honestly, it was more off. And when I found out she was pregnant I was sitting with my papers in front of me. I didn’t sign them. I knew I couldn’t deploy again. Then my grandfather got sick. So Amber moved to Padre with me and we’ve shared custody of Grayson since them. For the most part it works. But I don’t think it will ever be enough.”

“Oh Cole. I’m sorry. The last two years sound horrible.”

“I shouldn’t be dumping all of this on you. Damn it. Sorry. We’re supposed to be counting falling stars or something, right? I think I promised a sky show.”

He turned toward the ocean. There were a few boats dotting the horizon with blinking green lights.

I hadn’t intended to grab his arm, but I was afraid he would pull away, and I didn’t want that to happen. We were talking. We had somehow broken away from Ryan’s shadow. This was Cole and Kaitlyn.

“I want to know what’s been going on with you.” My hand rested on his forearm. I fought the urge to move it up the length of his bicep. It felt solid and taut.

“If you look right about there—” He pointed overhead. “—you’ll spot at least one shooting star tonight.”

“Maybe I can help you.” I wasn’t falling for his stargazing distraction. It seemed like he needed to open up to someone about the Dunes, and maybe I was that person.

“Really? And what do you think you can do to help me?” He turned to face me. His eyes were dark. I couldn’t read his mood.

I had no idea what I could do, but I had to do something. He was basically family.

“I-I don’t know. But I want to help.”

“You’re here on vacation. You should be having a good time, getting to know Texas, hanging out at the beach. I can handle the Dunes.” His eyes lingered on my lips.

I could feel the energy building in the air between us as the waves lapped our ankles.

His hand grazed the side of my cheek and I stood still like a statue, taking in the roughness of his skin. He stepped closer so that his waist was pressed against me. I liked how my body seemed to align with his just standing here—touching and breathing.

“Can’t you think of a way for me to help?” I tipped forward, wanting to draw an answer from him.

The tips of his fingers trailed from my chin, along the line of my neck, and rested along the edge of my tank top. “I know something you could do.” His voice was husky.

I felt the weight of his hand on my chest and the fire building under my skin where his fingers played with the fabric. Before I knew what in the hell I was doing, I abandoned my red cup in the ocean as his arms encircled my waist and pulled me close until our bodies collided.

My mouth parted for him, anxious to touch his lips and his tongue. He growled as I nipped his bottom lip. I tasted the beer on his tongue and I drank in each kiss, wanting to know more of him this way. My hands ran the length of his back and locked around the firmness of his neck. I stroked his warm skin and twisted my hands in his hair.

My body was on fire. I had never been kissed like that, and I was positive no one else could do what Cole had just done to me. I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself when all I really wanted was for Cole to kiss me again.

“Fuck. I’m sorry. I got a little carried away.” He hung his head. “I should get you back to the party. Sasha’s going to start looking for you, or Lance will.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to go back to the party.”

“Kaitlyn,” he growled into the side of my neck. “It was a mistake.”

I refused to let go of him. It was a kiss I had waited nearly ten years to taste.

“Can I walk you home if you don’t want to go back?” he offered.

I let Cole keep his hand clasped at my side. We walked in silence along the boardwalk to the edge of the motel. I was in unchartered territory.

We stopped in front of my room. The emptiness of the Dune Scape parking lot made me feel like Cole and I weren’t just the only people at the motel, but also the only people on the island. I held up the key.

“Thanks for walking me back. I had fun.” My eyes shot to his.

Cole leaned his arm against the frame of the door. I felt my heart racing and the heated feeling in my belly. “This is goodnight, darlin’.”

I pushed the door open and tugged his shirt. “No one has to know, Cole.”

His eyes narrowed and he followed me inside.