“Come inside,” I say, more of a statement than a question. Kai’s lips are connected to my neck, goosebumps dotting my skin as I feel what this is doing to him. Pressed against my ass, my body flush with his, want and need and desire pools between us, and as much as I’d love to give in, I can’t.
We both need time to grow into this. It’s so new and fresh and real—raw honesty and starting over, or in Kai’s case, starting from scratch.
“You sure?” he asks, both of us breathing heavily, and it might be a terrible idea, or it might end up being the best day of our lives. A day without sex, a day where we get to know each other, and I’m looking forward to that.
Especially after listening to Daisy talk about him at breakfast. I’ve gotten glimpses of that guy, and I appreciate how loyal he is, how honest and how kind. To think that he’s still single feels absolutely crazy.
But he’s admitted that relationships were never something he was interested in.
Until me.
Wow.
That feels like a lot, but I love the weight of it and the choice he’s made.
“How about we do something else?” Kai suggests. “Date number three?” His arms are wrapped around my waist, his nose buried in my neck. As he talks, each breath peppers my skin, warm and soothing. Inhaling deeply, like he’s taking in my scent—something I do to him every time he’s close.
There’s a comfort in the way he smells, the heat of his skin, the feel of our bodies touching. Everything about Kai feels natural, like I’ve known him far longer than just the few weeks I’ve been here. A part of me wonders if this was meant to be. That I was meant to meet him when I picked this lime green shack from a picture on the internet. Renting it without giving it a second thought and packing up my entire life, moving across the world.
“Is it really another date if we just had one this morning?” I ask, cheekily pinching his side, and he lets out a hearty laugh.
“We can have ten dates today for all I care, and besides, it wasn’t a date this morning. My family was there.”
“So this will be date number two, then?”
Placing his hands on my hips, he lifts me off him, and I stand, waiting. He’s looking up at me from the old chair on the deck, weathered by the sea air, but it fits the house so perfectly.
And with him sitting in it, it’s even more perfect. With his tousled brown hair, messy and wavy from the water and salt of his morning surf. He’s wearing a T-shirt from the Pipe Dream, the logo in faded red and yellow, along with his signature boardshorts.
Everything fits him like it was made for him, hugging the muscles of his biceps, his shorts slung low on his hips, and when he shifts to stand, his shirt lifts, exposing the tanned skin of his stomach.
“Sure, let’s call it date number two. Go put a bikini on that hot little ass of yours, and let’s go,” he says, swatting my butt as I walk toward the door to the house.
“Where are we going?”
“Surprise.”
“You say that every time I ask you. You’re going to run out of surprises soon, you know that, right?” I tease as he follows me inside.
“Never. I’ve got surprises for the rest of your life, and only the good kind,” he adds, winking at me as I disappear into the bedroom to change.
I grab one of the many bathing suits I’ve bought since moving here, but before I put it on, I call out, “What kind of suit do I need? Full coverage, less coverage, string?”
“Whatever you want,” Kai replies, and I smile. I love his simplicity. The choice is mine, something I’m not used to, but I’m growing to love it.
“I don’t want my boobs falling out while we’re doing whatever it is we’re doing,” I joke, giggling when he lets out a snicker.
“I do.”
“Kai,” I playfully warn.
“Okay, I’d say go with a little more coverage. Hipsters, no strings, a top that covers your gorgeous tits a little. We won’t be sunbathing, so there’s a little hint for you.”
I have no idea why, but his words make me blush, loving how open he is with me, and even more so that he’s constantly complimenting my body. It’s such a confidence boost. He has no idea how much I need it.
A few minutes later, I’m ready to go with my suit on and a dress thrown over it. I grab a towel and a bag, tossing my phone and house keys in along with a water bottle.
But just as we’re walking out the door, my phone chimes, a text coming through that I don’t bother to look at until we’re sitting in the car.
