Page 89 of Sand in My Boots

“We should go on a proper date,” I blurt out of the blue.

Cameron feigns contempt. He waves his hand over the mostly empty takeout containers spread out over the borrowed coffee table. “Does this not do it for you, Juliana Langley?”

For a second, I think he’s serious. My breath catches in my throat, and nerves flutter. I’ve offended him.

“You should see your face.” Attention focused on him, I take in the way he’s chuckling. The breath I’d been holding swooshes out. “I was kidding. Of course, we should go on dates. Now that we’re dating. Probably more than one. Starting with tomorrow night, remember?”

I recall something earlier about freeing myself up for tomorrow. Defending my actions, I state with a little less bravado, “For the record, everything about this dinner does it for me. You do it for me, Cameron. Being next to you, in any capacity, does it for me.”

The lines around his eyes soften as his finger tips my chin up. “Is it wrong to say ditto?”

So cliché. But a smile creeps onto my lips. “Not if you truly mean it.”

His head nods excitedly. “I wasn’t lying when I told you not to leave. There are so many things I want to explore with you, so many nights I want to sleep next to you, and as many mornings waking up with you cuddled in my arms. A proper date is only the beginning.”

His words set my heart soaring. They won’t be words for long. He’ll make sure they happen.

Chapter 23

Cameron

Excluding Juli, it’s been a while since I’ve been on an actual date with someone. I can’t remember when time and energy went into planning something special for a woman.

This date isn’t about impressing her. I’ve got her right where I want her, and she’s on the same page as me. It feels great, like this is where I’m supposed to be in life. I finally have a job I love, one I’m good at and offers financial stability, one I’m “stuck” with for the long haul. It’s time other parts of my life fall into place.

With less than twenty-four hours to plan a date, my options were limited. Being on an island also limits what’s available. Though it wasn’t a “real” date, I don’t want another boat ride. I want something exciting. You’d think being the recreation director at the resort, I’d be full of ideas. I scrounged through all the suggestions we offer to guests, and finally came up with a good one and scored a last-minute reservation. Perks of the job.

Juli

Three things. Are you showering here? What time are we going? What should I wear?

Her text comes through as I finish paying for the reservation.

1. Yes. Join me 2. We need to leave by 5:30. 3. Shorts and a fancy top

I hit send before I overthink giving her specifics of what to wear. But she asked, right?

Follow-up question. What time will you be back here?

Four-ish. Need to finish up a few tasks. That give us enough time to shower?

Sure

I like how we’re usually on the same page, and she’s so easygoing. It makes planning activities much easier.

Okay. See you then

She doesn’t respond, so I get back to work, making sure I can finish up the day’s tasks and make it to her room by four. I’d say we have time for a quickie, but she made it clear last night that since we have much more time for extracurriculars, she’s not prepared to be sore all the time. I wanted to refute her statement, but then I remembered a few weeks ago. With “all the time in the world,” no need to do that to ourselves again. Of course, in the moment, when she’s naked and on display, it will be hard to ignore my body’s response to her. But I’ll deal with it. It’s a small price to pay for being in a relationship with her.

I make it back to Juli’s suite a little after four. She made sure I had a key so I could come and go as I please.

“Cutie, I’m home.” I toe out of my shoes at the door, depositing my laptop bag on the table. Silence shrouds the room, and I wonder where she could be.

I check the balcony first, but she’s not there. Next, I try “our” bedroom. The bed’s made, but it’s empty. A quick peek into the bathroom reveals it’s empty, too.

“Hey, where are you?”

“In the extra bedroom.”