He stands and offers his hand to me. I slip mine into his warm palm as he guides me to my feet, and we walk away from the table. Before we hit the sand, Xander stops to slip off his boots and socks, leaving them beneath the stage. I decide to kick off my sandals as well, then we make our way south, passing a few other couples. I welcome the feel of the cooling sand shifting beneath my feet. Staring out at the darkened waters, I’m hypnotized by the sound of the waves and the spotlight of the moon’s reflection bobbing along the surface.
“God, I love the ocean,” I say. “I don’t think I could live anywhere other than near a coast.”
“Same. I enjoyed visiting other places, experiencing the seasons and seeing snow, but I need to be near the ocean.”
I look up at him. “Do you surf or boat?”
He nods. “I surf, and Willie has a boat so we go out as often as we can to fish or just get out on the water. How ‘bout you? Ever surfed?”
I chuckle. “Tried. It wasn’t until I started yoga that I found my balance, but I haven’t tried surfing again in many years.”
“Maybe I’ll convince you to join me this summer.”
I stare up at him. “Wouldn’t take much convincing,” I say softly.
Xander stops and faces me, brushing my wind-blown hair away from my face. His finger trails down my cheek, and I lean into his touch. When he cups my chin and tips my face up, he leans down, bringing his mouth close to mine. He stops just short of contact, as if asking for permission to continue. I go up on my toes and meet him, pressing my lips to his. His warm mouth ghosts over mine then becomes more eager as he kisses me harder, causing me to moan. Releasing my hand, he cups my face, taking control of the kiss as his tongue sweeps across my lips. I grasp his shirt, my fingers digging in, and when I feel his heat through the garment, I want to slide my hands beneath the material to touch his skin. I must surprise him when my tongue streaks out to play with his because he inhales sharply before groaning. In truth, I surprise myself.
The kiss escalates until we’re feasting on one another, our bodies pressed tightly together, and suddenly I’m wishing we were naked. I feel the hard edge of his erection pressing into my belly, making me rub against him. I’m delighted when I hear his ragged moan.
His mouth leaves mine, and I release a strangled sound of disappointment. With his forehead pressed to mine, we’re both breathing heavily, holding onto each other.
“Why did you stop?” I whisper.
“Because I’m seconds away from stripping you naked and taking you right here on the beach.”
My breath catches as my heart races. Nerves? Anticipation? Excitement? “And that’s a problem, because…?” I say with boldness before my head can catch up to my mouth.
Xander chuckles and gives me a quick kiss before pulling away to look at me. “Because you deserve better.”
“Do I?”
“I want to give you better, let’s put it that way.” His thumb caresses my lower lip. “But I’m not opposed to more kissing if you’re okay with that.” His grin is oh-so-sexy, and I find I definitely want more of his kisses.
“I’m definitely okay with that,” I say, voicing my thoughts.
Our mouths meet again, slow and sensuous this time, a thorough exploring with lips and tongues and mingling breaths. It’s heady, potent, and I don’t want it to end. But when we part, smiling at one another, I know this won’t be the end.
I feel this is the beginning of something well worth pursuing.
Chapter Four
Michelle
“Do you have a vehicle here or can I offer you a ride home?” Xander asks.
“Oh, no, I don’t have a vehicle. Dani drove. I figured I’d just call a taxi, Uber, Lyft. Something.”
“No way,” Xander says as he shakes his head. “Not trusting those services when you’re all alone. I’m happy to take you home.”
“If you’re sure, I’d love that.”
He lifts my hand to kiss my knuckles. “Positive.”
We walk back toward the bar where we collect our shoes. After Xander introduces me to his sister, Dina, they chat briefly as she tells him the other band members have already taken off and said they would see him tomorrow. He then tells her he’s taking me home.
“It was a pleasure to meet ya,” she says, and I reciprocate. “Xander will take good care of you. Hope to see you back soon.”
“Oh, you will,” I say. “Especially if you get that fried circuit fixed so he and the band can perform tomorrow.”
