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“Is that the ocean?” he asked, looking in the direction of the crashing waves and taking a deep breath of the salty ocean air.

“It is,” I answered. “I might have splurged a bit.”

“You didn’t have to do that. Thank you.”

Surprising myself, I took Ryan’s hand and led him inside. As we checked in, he shuffled next to me, and again in the elevator, but he seemed reluctant to let go of my hand. Was he nervous?

“You alright?” I finally asked.

“Mmhmm…” He nodded, squirming. “Long drive, that’s all.”

Oh… “Sure, sure,” I teased. “That potty dance means you don’t need anything at all.”

“Shut up!” A stunning pink bloomed over Ryan’s cheeks. “It was a long drive.”

“You could have said. I’d have stopped.”

“Sure,” he laughed. “I’ve really mastered asking for pee breaks in my sleep.”

Stepping out of the elevator, I offered Ryan the room key to go ahead of me. Both bags in hand, I walked in behind him and past the closed bathroom door. Entranced by the view, I dropped the bags on one of the two beds—Ryan’s insistence—and moved toward the picture window.

Waves crashed to the shore, glittering in the moonlight that reflected off the surface. At the sight, tension eased from my body. Maybe Ryan was onto something… Perhaps this trip was just what I needed.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding about the view.” Ryan stepped onto the balcony behind me. “How in the world did you afford this?”

I cocked my head, beckoning him closer. I needed him closer. He settled beside me, but that wasn’t good enough. Moving behind him, I wrapped my arms around him nuzzled into his neck. Much better.

“I sold the engagement ring I bought for Grace,” I admitted. Ryan tensed, but I tightened my arms around him. “I don’t want to talk about it. This trip is about us.”

When Ryan relaxed in my grip, I let out a sigh of relief. “You were right,” he said after clearing his throat. “I did miss the ocean. It’s no Miami, but thank you for bringing me back.”

The wind blew, kicking up a cloud of Ryan’s scent. The fresh smell of soap and the bite from his cologne tickled my nose–and had me moving in closer.

Don’t think… just do.

I didn’t want to be scared anymore. It wasn’t a feeling I was accustomed to, and I hated it.

“Turn around Ryan,” I whispered.

With an audible gulp, he did, resting his back against the railing. I curled my hands around his hips, leaning down to capture his mouth with mine. He broke it off quickly—too quickly for me. I wasn’t finished.

“More,” I pleaded, tugging him closer.

Ryan smiled against my mouth. “If you want more, take it.”

My arms tightened around his waist, and I sealed our mouths together. That time, when his tongue prodded my lips, I eagerly opened up for him. Tongues slid together, electricity sizzling across my skin. Ryan fisted my shirt in his hands, arching into me. A hard bulge pressed into my hip and I moaned, shocking myself so violently that I jerked back.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know where that noise came from.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Ryan laughed, shivering against a cool gust of wind. “It means it felt good. Why don’t we move inside?”

“Can we keep kissing like that for a while?” I asked sheepishly.

Ryan nodded, teasing my lips with his tongue. “We can do whatever you want.”

“A pride parade,” I said, bewildered at the crowd of moving colors in front of me.

Talking was almost impossible over the pulsing music. People danced in the streets, carefree. One person blurred into another until they formed a sea of colors.