Lacee's body moves, and she slowly lifts her chin, looking at me with her puffy sleep eyes. “I thought you were going to hold me to my spot.”
“Isn’t that what I’m doing?”
“I think you’re holding me toyou.”
“Can you blame me?”
She smiles her bright smile, and it’s like a gut punch to the heart in the best way possible. I push her hair back from her face, keeping my fingers on her cheek. She tilts her head even more, and under any other circumstances, I would take that as a sign that she wanted me to kiss her. But I can’t. Not when she told me yesterday that things between us are over.
Everything was going so well. I was enjoying the holidays for the first time in my life with the most incredible woman who makes me feel alive and full of energy. But it’s like I woke up on Christmas morning and found a lump of coal in my stocking.
The magic’s over.
I’m getting nothing from Lacee because I’ve been nothing but bad.
At least in her eyes.
Except right now, Lacee’s eyes tell me she wants to kiss. I want that too, but it can’t come from me. I can’t be the one to make the move.
This is her Christmas party.
I just want to be invited to it.
She scoots her body up, inviting me in. Her lips graze over mine in a slow but sensual way. I react by wrapping her more fully in my arms. This kiss isn’t about heated passion or taking things to the next level. It’s more aboutfeelings. Feelings that have gotten stronger the more time we’ve spent together. Feelings that we’re not supposed to have. The kiss is soft and slow, with a longing behind each skim that’s palpable and heartbreaking, at least for me.
“We’re just about to land,” Justin yells back, breaking things up.
“Sorry.” Lacee dips her chin, pulling away. “I said we weren’t going to do that anymore. I just hate the thought of you never working up to a ten.”
“It would be a shame if I never reached my potential.”
Her blue eyes playfully peek at me. “I’m giving this last kiss an eight. Just so you know where you stand.”
“I’ll take it.”
And yes, I’m secretly disappointed that she saidthis last kiss.
The plane’s tires touch the ground, and everything jostles.
“I guess we made it to Exuma,” Lacee says, sitting up.
And just like that, the moment between us is over, leaving me craving more.
“Yep.” I stand. “Now we just need to find Sienna.”
THIRTY-TWO
PARK
Goingfrom a thirty-degree temperature in Leavenworth to eighty-five degrees in Exuma, Bahamas, is a big swing. No amount of day-old deodorant is going to be able to combat that. Luckily, the breeze from the water taxi helps cool things down. The boat is taking us to Stocking Island. I thought finding Sienna’s exact location would be difficult, but apparently, Stocking Island has a population of about twelve people, which narrows down the search. All it took was asking my water taxi driver if there was a single woman that owns one of the houses on Stocking Island. He knew exactly who I was talking about and said he’d take me to her house.
I glance over at Lacee. She lifts her chin in the air, letting the wind blow her red hair behind her. She’s wearing giant sunglasses that cover half her face. She picked them out in a local store while I arranged the water taxi. She also changed her snow boots out for sandals and her jacket and jeans for a blue tank top and white shorts. Now, she looks tropical and cute, and I love seeing this different side of her.
But don’t worry, she didn’t forget to buy something tropical for me. I look down at the netted neon shirt she picked out. I don’t actually think you can call it a shirt. It’s more like a see-through crop top, ending two inches above my belly button. The worst part is that the fishnet fabric acts like a cheese grater against my nipples. I need some Body Glide right about now to prevent chafing. I think Lacee was trying to get me back for the Frosty the Snowman pajamas I put her in. I could take the netted shirt off and just go shirtless, but I’d rather play this game with her. Besides, it’s not all bad. My see-through crop top shows a lot. I’ve been flexing my six-pack the entire boat ride, and although Lacee’s wearing sunglasses, I can tell by how she inclines her head that she’s stolen a few glances. At least the black swim trunks she bought me aren’t that bad. Although, there’s nowhere to hide my gun with this apparel, so it’s stowed in my duffle bag along with our winter clothes.
My eyes scan the shoreline ahead of us. It’s nothing but white sand, turquoise water, and green palm trees. One palm tree is decorated like a Christmas tree with ornaments. And next to the one restaurant, Chat ‘N Chill, stands a plastic Santa Claus in swim trunks and sunglasses. The boat breezes by that part of the island, taking us around to the tip. Up on a hill, nestled into the foliage is a small blue and yellow house about fifty yards from the water. I would’ve missed it completely if I hadn’t been looking for it. I get Lacee’s attention with my hand and point to the house, indicating that it must be Sienna’s.
The vibration of the motor lessons and the bow of the boat gently glides into the shore until it hits the soft sand and stops. I hop over the side, landing in the shallow water below. I reach for Lacee, helping her out of the boat.
