“Oh, you know I do. I’m just nosy.”
I wouldn’t call Miles nosy at all. He’s never once pushed for more information than I’m willing to give him.
“Just wait,” I tease.
He perks up when I pull into the entrance for Sunset Cliffs National Park. “Wait, really? You’re taking me to see the sunset?”
His enthusiasm is exactly the response I was hoping for. “You said you like romance.”
Miles grins at me. “You’re basically perfect, you know that?”
I roll my eyes. Far from it.
I show my Annual Park Pass at the gate, and we park as close to the stairs as possible. After splitting the load of blankets, a large water thermos, and the cooler, we head down. There are a few people walking the shoreline, but it doesn’t feel crowded.That smell of salt and something ancient always hits me in my gut. It centers me and pulls me out of my head.
Tonight, though, I’m already centered thanks to the gorgeous man beside me. His messy curls catch in the wind, making my pulse quicken. How did I win such a beautiful man?
“This way,” I say, tipping my head to the left. I lead him to my favorite flat shelf near the cliff’s edge. The sun is already nearing the horizon. “This’ll work.”
He is so lost in thought and captivated by the waves that he doesn’t hear me.
I take the blanket from him and spread it out. We sit down together.
From the cooler, I pull two wrapped sandwiches, the container of cut mango, a sleeve of cookies, and two wine goblets.
His brows lift when he sees the food. “All this looks strangely familiar,” he teases.
“Forgive me anyway?”
He bumps me, then his jaw drops. “Wait a minute, didn’t you work tonight?”
“Declan is covering for me.”
“Jordan! I didn’t expect you to take time off for me.”
I chuckle. “I didn’t.”
At his frown, I unlock my phone to show him the message from Declan. Miles is quiet when he hands it back to me. Too quiet.
“We don’t have to go tomorrow if you don’t want to.”
He lifts his gaze. “No, it’s fine. I think it sounds fun, actually.”
“You sure? Because you look sad.”
“Not sad.” He reaches for a slice of mango and chews. “The comment about making you happy.”
“What about it?”
“I just like hearing it. That’s all.”
Something passes between us, and I bump his shoulder, kissing him. “You make me really happy, Miles. I don’t mean just being here either. I mean all of it. Just knowing you.”
His cheeks turn red. “Me too.”
The food is good, but being here with him is even better. Miles watches me like he’s cataloging every part of me. In return, he hides nothing. I memorize every smile, every laugh. Every tiny flicker of desire… because there are many. Every time our hands brush or we share a kiss, Miles lingers, like he’s craving more. And I want to give it to him. I do. I just need my body to comply, and it’s not quite there.
I reach for the wine, but he stills my hand. “You might save that.”
