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Let’s try this one more time. We’re on the beach. I hope you’ll join us.
I opened my door wide enough to toss in my bags, and then I shut it and ran back down the stairs and out the back toward the beach. The closer I got, the slower time seemed to go. When I got to the beach, the sand slowed me down even more. But even if it was quicksand, nothing would have kept me from getting to Will.
I saw him digging in the sand with Mollie, and my heart burst with such emotion for them. He turned his head as if he was checking to see if I was coming yet. He started to turn back to his digging when it must have dawned on him that I was there. The most glorious smile spread over his face. He said something to Mollie and then stood up.
“Ms. Webb!” Mollie rushed to me, apparently sand didn’t slow her down.
“Hi, honey. How was your afternoon?”
“Fun. Daddy and I played hooky.”
I laughed. “Yes, I know.”
He stepped in front of me. For a moment we just stared at each other. Then he put an arm around my waist, tugging me to him, and his lips came down on mine, so sweet, so tender, my heart bust open into full-fledged love.
In the background, Mollie giggled. “Daddy’s kissing you.”
When he pulled back, his eyes were soft, apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ellie.”
“For what? I’m the one that ended things.”
He took my hand and we walked to where he had a blanket set up. Mollie, apparently bored of us now, was back digging for shells.
“For not telling you sooner how I felt about you. For letting you think that all you were to me was physical pleasure.” He helped me sit on the blanket.
“I like physical pleasure.”
He grinned as he sat next to me. “I do too. But it’s more than that, Ellie. I wanted to tell you that the last time we tried this picnic.”
“You did?” The realization sent me reeling. I pressed my palm to his cheek. “Then I’m really sorry.”
He kissed my palm. “Why didn’t you tell me about your job?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t think it would matter. It wouldn’t change my situation.”
“But I could have done something.”
“Like you did today?” I grinned at him, the memory of him barging into my classroom making me giddy again.
“Yes. I hope I didn’t make it worse for you.”
I shook my head. “In fact, Mrs. Snyder said that she’ll overlook the rule in our case since it’s just two weeks and because of how we feel for each other.”
He cradled my face in his hands. “I feel like I love you, Ellie.”
My heart danced in my chest. “I feel like I love you too, Will.”
“And me?” Mollie continued to dig even as she asked her question.
“Absolutely, you too.” I laughed.
“What about your being her teacher. Rick said Mrs. Snyder tried to put her in a different class.”
“I can be her teacher. It’s only two weeks.”
“So, your job is okay?”
I nodded. “My job is fine, but what I’m most excited about is you.”
“Keep digging, Mollie, okay.”
“K. Why?”
“Because I’m going to kiss your teacher again.”
I heard her snicker, but then there was only Will, his lips against mine, so wonderfully firm and yet soft too.
He trailed kisses along my jaw toward my ear and then whispered. “Maybe later, we can have makeup sex.”
“I’ll be disappointed if we don’t. You still haven’t taught me that.”
He barked out a laugh. “Something tells me I have a few things to learn. Will you teach me, Ellie?”
“Whatever you want to know, Will.”
We spent the evening on the beach, having a dinner of fish-shaped macaroni and cheese, fish crackers, and fruit. It was the most perfect dinner I’d ever had. The three of us laughed, raced on the beach, and Will was even able to coax Mollie to put her feet in the water.
Later, exhausted, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Watching Will put her down, with such love and gentleness, made me love him even more. When he exited her room and closed the door, he had the monitor, but then he hung a bell on the knob.
“What’s that?” I whispered.
He took my hand and led me to his bedroom. “In case I’m too distracted to hear the monitor. I’m hoping the bell will alert me if she gets up. I don’t need Mollie walking in to see the things I plan to do to you tonight.”
An erotic spark flared through my body, settling in my center and making me wet. He closed his door and locked it.
Then we stood, simply staring at each other.
He smiled. “I never believed in you, Ellie, and yet here you are. You’ve stolen my heart.”
“I’ll cherish it, always.”
His eyes were filled with emotion and awe. It echoed the same emotions I was feeling. All that lovey stuff in romance novels was true.
