Page 16 of Sun Kissed Moments

“Dane!” I gasped. The necklace, lying against black velvet, left me speechless. Wide-eyed, I beheld the necklace as if I’d never seen exquisite jewelry before. There was no need to ask what the letters D and J represented. It was evident.

“You like it?” he asked.

I swallowed the lump in my throat that prevented me from responding.

“It’s amazing,” I replied. “I don’t know what to say.”

He took the necklace from the case, rounded me, and brought it over my head. Once the necklace lay against my skin, my fingers toyed with the plethora of diamonds outfitting the initials. Dane clasped it closed, then came back around to stand in front of me.

“After lunch, I have some things to show you,” he informed me. “Say you’ll spend the day with me.”

Somewhere along the way, Dane coaxed me into losing the rest of my willpower. Like now. I bent so easily it was shameful.

“I’ll spend the day with you,” I conceded. My reward was another kiss.

“What are ya non-negotiables?”

Dane’s loaded question came after the waitress walked away from our table. We were at another secluded restaurant just minutes from Onyx Cove Resort. Again, the place was empty except for us. Outside on the deck, we sat, overlooking the waves under the sun. Our food was prepared perfectly, and I’d never had a better chicken club sandwich in my life.

“Lying, cheating, secretive behavior, the list goes on,” I said to Dane.

“Then continue,” he prompted.

Reluctantly, I continued. “Someone who isn’t affectionate. I love to feel my man. A man who has conflict with everyone in his life has no place in my life.”

“Do you want a man of faith?” he questioned.

“I do. There’s something about praying together that makes butterflies soar through my stomach.”

He smirked. “Butterflies, huh?”

“Yep. Are you a man of faith?” I questioned him hesitantly.

“My prayer life is no joke, baby.” He chuckled and motioned between us. “How do you think we ended up here?”

Intrigued, and a little impressed, I said, “Tell me.”

“I went into prayer about you, baby. It doesn’t get more serious than that.”

No, it didn’t.

“How long do you think it takes someone to fall in love?” he asked.

“Oh, I believe in love at first sight,” I answered without even thinking. The look on his face prompted me to add, “But I know that’s not the case for a lot of people.” My mama’s voice was in the back of my mind, chiding me for voicing such foolishness. She would smack me if she knew I was entertaining and feeling Dane.

“We’re talkin’ about me and you. Not other people,” he said. “Either you believe in love at first sight, or you don’t.”

“Well, in that case… I do believe in love at first sight. I do believe in all the fairytale shit a woman my age shouldn’t believe in. Not only because of my age but because of experiences I’ve had. I’ve never felt that type of love before.”

“I’m not surprised,” he replied. “Love like that is only meant for the person who was created for you. Every desire ya heart holds, he can match and even exceed.”

“You don’t think I’m crazy for having such…corny desires?”

“Corny? Ain’t nothin’ corny about wanting to be loved, baby. Am I corny for wanting to be loved by you?” he asked.

His question caused me to pause and reluctantly search his eyes. What scared me most was the unwavering truth there.

“Love, Dane? Where is all of this coming from?” I had to ask. Although the attraction was there, and although I’d waited what felt like an eternity to have this type of connection with a man, this was coming out of left field. Then again, for some odd reason, my foolish heart dabbled with taking a leap.