AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Should I meet you there?”
“I can pick you up,” he offered. “If you would like, my friend can vouch for me.” He indicated to the lifeguard stand where another man scanned the ocean.
“I’m staying at the Dolphin Inn,” I told him, taking the leap. If I didn’t take some chances, I would never move out of my rut. Seemed like taking chances was a new normal for me over the past week, but this man made me want to jump into the fire.
“Meet me in the lobby at six?” he asked.
Was this really happening?
“Yes.”
I answered hastily before I could second guess myself and start wondering if it was a bad idea to agree to a date with a stranger. But hey, didn’t people on dating apps do that all the time? At least, I’d seen him in person, and I knew he wasn’t catfishing me.
He started to turn and head back to his post but then came right back to me. The scent of musky man and saltwater enveloped me as he grasped my upper arms and leaned in. His lips bussed my cheek quickly, but still left the impression burned in to that spot.
“You won’t regret me,habibi,” he whispered into my ear before spinning away and jogging back to the stand.
I stood frozen as I watched him cutting across the sand as if there were no resistance, his powerful body a thing of beauty. And then the way his muscles bulged as he climbed the tower. As soon as he planted himself onto the bench, he turned his gaze on me, giving me a smile that pierced straight through me to my core.
Wow.
Biting the side of my lip, I smiled back then lifted my hand to wave. Okay, maybe, that was lame, but he didn’t seem to mind.
Not wanting to stand there staring at him, I turned and cut up the beach toward the walkway that would lead up to the road. My legs were fatigued, my muscles whining, from trekking through the unfamiliar terrain of sand, and I wanted some solid pavement or wood planking beneath my feet.
It turned out to be the right move to make. On the way back to my hotel, I came upon a group of boutique shops and spied the perfect dress for tonight. On closer inspection, I discovered it wasn’t actually a dress, but a romper with flowy legs that imitated a skirt. The top was a halter, with built in support that would easily accommodate my medium-sized breasts.
Truly, I was fortunate. I’d been blessed with a curvy figure—a chest I couldn’t complain about, a thin waist and hips that gave me a shapely look without making clothes difficult to buy. I knew I was lucky, and I couldn’t help being anxious to see my family in person, so I could see who I’d inherited my genes from.
Studying pictures was one thing. Meeting people face-to-face was often another. With that in mind, I browsed the store and bought a couple more items for this week—not librarian wear. It was high time Sariah Smythe…no, McPherson…broke out of the shell she’d been in all her life.
And now I was thinking of myself in third person. Was that a sign? Maybe, I was ready to finally live.
Back in my room, I showered then wrapped myself in a robe before sitting down at the large mirror on the dresser, a YouTube tutorial playing, and carefully applied makeup as instructed. I’d played the tutorial, over and over, during the past week, determined to put my best face forward.
I wasn’t trying to be someone I wasn’t. I’d carefully chosen a natural look that wasn’t dramatic or theatrical. Thing was, my too-conservative, adoptive parents hadn’t allowed makeup or anything beyond drab dirt-colored clothing. After leaving home, I hadn’t bothered with cosmetics out of habit.
Now, I wanted to. For Tarek. For the family I was about to meet. For my own confidence, mostly.
At just before six, I stood at the full-length mirror beside my door and grinned, unable to hold in the satisfied glee. I lookedgood.
Grabbing my clutch, and making sure I had my room key, I slipped on my low-heeled sandals then headed down to the lobby to meet Tarek.
Who wasn’t there.
Chapter Five
~ Tarek ~
I nearly skidded into the Dolphin Inn as I burst through the door onto the blue and white tile.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” I exclaimed to Sariah who glanced up when she heard me entering, five minutes late. There was no missing her hurt expression. I raced to her and cupped her cheeks, looking into her luminous eyes. Who had hurt her so badly that me being a few minutes late put this look on her face? I wanted to kick their ass.
I wanted to kick my own. My tardiness had no excuse.
“I had trouble parking,” I explained. “I didn’t account for the crowd who came out to see the band at the pavilion or the fireworks. I’m sorry. I’m mortified I’m late to pick up such a radiant beauty who agreed to go out with a guy like me.”
Her lips curled upward, though her eyes didn’t quite follow suit with the mood. “A guy like you? Are you serious here? What girl would say no to you?”
