AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The engine roars as he takes off. He’s not trying to show off. The car does that on its own.
He merges onto the freeway and takes the exit for the Coronado bridge. “You come out to Coronado often?” he asks.
“No, but I’d love to. Parking is always a bitch.”
We turn left on Orange Avenue and make our way towards the water. He pulls into the famous Hotel Del Coronado and pulls up to the valet.
“I guess parking isn’t a bitch when you’re a billionaire.”
He laughs. “It has its perks.” The attendant greets us, then Luke holds his hand out for me, and I take it. We make our way around a corner and he helps me step out of my heels when we get to the sand. He takes off his shoes too and rolls up his pant legs.
We get to the wet sand where it’s easier to walk and start heading North. There are other couples out too. Goosebumps form on my flesh and I shiver, kicking myself for forgetting my jacket. He stops and takes off his blazer and drapes it over my shoulders, then holds my hand. “Sorry you have to freeze because I didn’t plan ahead,” I say.
He laughs. “I don’t know if you know this, but I’m a big tough Marine.”
“I definitely noticed.”
He grins as we continue in comfortable silence. The crowd thins, and it gets darker as we continue north up the beach. The moon is full and bright. There’s enough light to make out everything, including the dark rectangular silhouette of Point Loma in the distance.
Splashing catches my eye past the waves. “Oh, look! There’s a sea lion!” We drop our shoes on the sand above the waterline and get closer to the water to watch. I hold the edges of Luke’s jacket together with my other hand. I didn’t bother putting my arms in the sleeves for fear I would never find my them again. His subtle cologne fills the air, and I feel his warmth beside me.
“You sure that’s not a seal?” Luke scans the water as he puts his free hand in his pocket.
“It had earflaps. That means it’s a sea lion.”
“Seals don’t have earflaps?” He looks down at me, amusement in his eyes.
“Nope. Everybody gets it wrong though, so don’t feel bad.”
He chuckles. “And why are you so knowledgeable?” He looks back out over the water as the sea lion surfaces again.
“I had big plans as a kid to become a mermaid when I grew up. I was pretty pissed when I figured out it wasn’t possible. Didn’t stop me from loving the ocean though.”
“I bet you’ve always been one at heart.”
I smile at him. He looks so handsome in the moonlight. “I’d like to think so.”
“You look like a mermaid right now in the moonlight. Like a beautiful siren.”
“Are you the wayward sailor I’m going to seduce to death?” I can’t help but chuckle. Luke turns and we face each other. He takes his hand out of his pocket and places it on the side of my neck. His thumb slides over my pulse, sending electricity buzzing through my body.
“God, I hope so.” His voice drops an octave, and he gazes into my soul.
He looks down at my lips and back at my eyes, like he’s asking for permission, but he should know he has it. “Liv...” It’s a whisper, and I hear the restrained need behind it.
My heart hammers in my chest. His eyes seem to flash in the moonlight and he lets go of my hand to frame my face as his lips meet mine.
I forget about everything but his soft lips and his warm body pressed against me. Time slows, and my entire world shifts. This moment will forever live in my memory. There’s before this kiss, and after. Nothing else. My life has changed.
His hand slides to the nape of my neck and slips into my hair while his other moves down to grip my hip. I slide my hands to his back and we gravitate closer until every inch of my front presses against his hard body. His grip tightens and I flick my tongue across his lips. A half second later, his tongue swirls around mine and I moan as he shifts his angle to kiss me deeper. A rogue wave swirls around our ankles, but neither of us react. I’m lost to him.
I lose track of time, but eventually he pulls away. He rests his forehead against mine as we catch our breath.
“Wow.” He grins and lifts his head.
Wow is right. “What just happened?” I ask, feeling a little stunned.
He laughs. “I just had the best first kiss of my life.”
