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I knew deep in my heart that our love was not fleeting or fragile. It was steadfast, unwavering — a force to be reckoned with. And together, Knox and I would weather any storm that came our way, forging an unbreakable bond that would only grow stronger with time.
Chapter 31
Summer
Thesunwashighin the afternoon sky, and its rays danced along the surface of the sea. It seemed like a thousand diamonds were scattered across its sparkling surface, each one reflecting little shards of light. The gentle breeze brought with it a salty scent of brine and carried with it the sound of lapping waves and the distant call of seagulls.
I lounged in the shade of a thatched tiki umbrella and took a sip of my fruity concoction, the Aruba Ariba. It was garnished with a cherry and an orange slice, and yes; they had added a miniature pink umbrella when I asked politely. The drink packed a punch, so I enjoyed it slowly as I watched Knox frolicking in the waves, kicking up spray and laughing as he attempted to boogie board.
I dug my toes into the warm, soft sand beneath my feet. The palm trees rustled in the breeze, swaying gently, while the tropical scents of hibiscus and plumeria scented the air.
Knox seemed to have given up his battle with the waves and began heading back to our lounge chairs. I flipped my sunglasses to the top of my head, so I could fully appreciate all the masculine goodness heading my way.
He had on a pair of perfectly fitted swim trunks, in a bright tropical print hinting at his adventurous spirit. His toned and suntanned body glistened with water droplets, and I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles flexed as he walked. His skin was tan and smooth, and his hair was rapidly acquiring sun-bleached highlights, giving him even more boyish charm.
As he approached me, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of desire course through my veins. His deep brown eyes met mine, and I had to force myself to look away, not wanting to reveal the heat that was building inside me.
“Hey,” he said, his voice low and rumbly. “How’s the book?”
I glanced at the paperback book that I hadn’t even cracked open. “I haven’t got far into it. It can’t really compete with paradise.”
He threw his board down onto the sand and leaned over me to take a sip of my drink, dripping a few drops of ocean water onto my hot skin.
“Did you hear from Lara yet?” He asked as he settled onto the chaise lounge next to mine.
My mother had finished her course of chemotherapy and had just gone in for a follow-up appointment.
My smile was huge. “She’s all clear. She doesn’t have to go back for six months. The doctors were very optimistic.”
“That’s great news, Summer. Maybe we can visit them over the holidays and celebrate?”
“You’d do that for me? My mother would be so thrilled if I brought you home for Christmas.” I chuckled, imagining her over-the-top reaction. “But wouldn’t that be kind of boring for you?”
He ran his fingers through his wet hair. “Nah, your parents are great. Last year, Ghost and I spent the day together playing video games. We didn’t even have a Christmas tree set up. It was kind of pathetic.”
“Ghost doesn’t have any family to spend the holidays with?” I didn’t know much about Ghost’s background, but he was a genuine and loyal friend to Knox and had graciously accepted me into his small circle. He was much different from what I’d initially expected based on his bad-boy rock star reputation.
“No,” he confirmed. “He’s not close to any family he has left.”
“We can invite him to come to Kentucky with us,” I offered.
He dug his sunglasses out of our beach bag. “I’m not sure he’d come, Sunshine, but it’s sweet that you’d want to ask.”
I was definitely going to ask. I wanted everyone I knew to be as happy as I was.
Later that evening, after we both showered, Knox had arranged a romantic, candlelit dinner for us on the sun terrace of our private beachside villa.
The table was decorated with white linen and adorned with a bouquet of exotic flowers in a vase. A bottle of sparkling champagne was chilling in an ice bucket nearby, and two glasses sat ready for us to enjoy.
The sky had turned a deep indigo blue, and the stars twinkled against the velvet backdrop. The waves lapped against the shore in a soothing, hypnotic rhythm, and the air was filled with the scent of exotic blooms.
Knox pulled out my chair for me, and I sat down, admiring his chivalrous gesture. He had changed into a casual linen shirt and linen trousers, and his hair was still damp from the shower. He looked so handsome and debonair that I couldn’t help but blush as he gazed at me with his deep brown eyes.
He had chosen a delicious meal of grilled shrimp and mango salsa, served with a side of roasted vegetables and quinoa. We enjoyed our meal while being serenaded by the endless churn of the ocean waves.
We hadn’t had much time to really talk since Knox got back from the tour. It had been a whirlwind of activity since he got home between attending all the festivities surrounding Sid and Kaylie’s wedding to the birth of Ryder and Talia’s daughter, Zoe.
We managed to talk on the phone every day while he was on tour and I’d been able to visit multiple times. I’d ended up seeing more of the behind-the-scenes part of being in a popular band, and it wasn’t nearly as glamorous as I’d assumed. The concerts were fabulous, but the non-stop grind of touring was taxing. We didn’t have a chance for a lot of in-depth conversations.
