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I dive in to my dessert. It is heavenly. We sit in silence, each enjoying our treat.
I notice that the music has stopped, and I can hear the soothing sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the beach. I stand up and look toward the beach. The sun has set, and there’s a huge full moon reflecting across the water. Maybe that’s why everyone is acting so crazy today, myself included. I turn back, and Chase is standing behind me with two glasses of champagne. He holds one out for me to take.
“I thought we could walk out onto the beach,” he suggests cautiously.
“I would like that.”
We climb down the steps and walk toward the water. I kick off my flip-flops, sinking my bare feet in the cool sand. It’s bright; the darkness lit by the full moon. I love this time of night just after sunset. Peaceful and serene with no one on the beach for what seems like miles. I sip my champagne, it’s delicious. Chase is close behind me but distant.
“I hope I didn’t make you angry,” I say, staring into the water.
“No.” He moves closer. “I want to give you your space, but at the same time, I’m very drawn to you.” He comes up behind me and places his arms around my waist. His head on my shoulder right next to my ear. “I have this need to be near you. I don’t want you to hurt, and I want to make everything alright.” Gently he nips my earlobe, sending shivers down my neck making the hair on my arms stand on end.
“You have no idea how hard this is for me,” I breathe.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he sighs. “I promise I will back off if you want me to.” He spins me around so I am looking straight at him. He looks so sad, and it tears at my heart knowing that I’m the one making him feel this way.
“I know Evan and I are over, but I just need some time to adjust. I don’t want to hurt you.” I feel tears starting.
“Don’t cry. Please, don’t cry. We can take things slow until you sort out your feelings. I like spending time with you,” he says, his eyes impassioned. He wipes away a stray tear that falls down my cheek.
“I like spending time with you too, really like it,” I whisper. “I think going slow is a fantastic idea if you’re okay with that.” A huge grin spreads across his face, and I can’t help but grin back through my tears.
“I am very okay with that.” He strokes my face, wiping away another tear. He pulls me into his arms and holds me tight. My cheek is pressed into his linen shirt. He smells amazing. I want to stay like this forever, here in his arms. He lets me go and gazes down at me. “Do you want to go back to the house?”
“No, let’s stay down here a little longer.”
“Whatever you want.”
I walk up the beach a few feet towards the house then sit down. I sip my champagne and motion for Chase to come sit next to me. I lay my head on his shoulder as his arm snakes around my back, his hand on my waist. We sit like this for what seems like hours. I haven’t felt this comfortable in a long time.
After we finish our champagne, we get up. Chase hands me my flip-flops. I put them on, and we head back to the house. “I had a wonderful evening. Dinner was amazing.” I walk up the steps to the deck, Chase following right behind me. “It’s late. I should go.” I know if I stay any longer, I won’t be able to control my emotions or anything else for that matter.
“Can I see you tomorrow?” he asks. His eyes search mine for a response, but I don’t give anything away.
“I’m not sure what Brenda has planned for tomorrow.” I think for a moment. “If you want, you can come for breakfast. Bren has all this health food stuff coming over from the mainland in the morning.”
“Breakfast sounds great. I work out in the morning. I’ll come by after I’ve showered, say nine?” he asks.
Oh, I would love to see him after a workout, all sweaty. I close my eyes and compose myself.
“Okay,” I say. “I really enjoyed tonight, thanks.” He caresses my cheek down to my chin. He tilts my head up, hovering there for a second, asking permission. I nod and move closer, and his lips find mine. They are so soft and sweet. I am breathless.
“Let me walk you home” he says as he kisses me again. I nod my head, thrilled he wants to walk with me. We head down the steps and back across the beach to my deck. “I will see you in the morning.” Giving me another swift kiss on the lips, he watches me as I climb up the steps of my deck.
As I enter the sliding glass door, I see Brenda lying on the couch watching TV. “So, how was dinner?” she inquires.
“Amazing. He made chicken francaise and crème brûlée. French wine, French champagne, just amazing,” I say still smiling from his kiss on the deck.
“How was he?” she asks with a devilish smile.
“He is amazing too.” Her grin gets bigger. “Nothing happened. I’m still all banged up from this afternoon’s run in with Evan.”
“That asshole, I hope he gets sun poisoning,” she growls. I choose to ignore her comment.
“Anyway, Chase is coming for breakfast around nine tomorrow. I hope that’s okay.”
“I’ll have enough food here to feed an army by tomorrow, no thanks to you,” she grumbles.
