“What’s that?” Levi asks, peering over my shoulder.
“A seashell,” I say, holding it up. “Isn’t it pretty? I just found it here on the deck.”
“It is beautiful,” he agrees, examining it. “Where did it come from?”
“I don’t know,” I shrug. “It wasn’t here last night.”
“Maybe a seagull dropped it,” Levi suggests, looking up at the sky as if he’s going to spot the culprit. With a shrug, he looks back at me with a happy grin, “Ready to go?”
I’m lost in the way the shell’s pearl pink surface catches the light, turning it over in my hands to watch the colors shift.
“You must really like that shell,” Levi says, his voice soft.
I look up, feeling my cheeks warm at being caught daydreaming. “I do. It’s beautiful.”
I tuck the shell carefully into my bag, and we head to his truck. The drive to the beach is filled with comfortable silenceand stolen glances. As we arrive, the ocean stretches endlessly before us, leaving me spellbound. The beach is relatively empty, save for a few families scattered here and there.
We find a spot and spread out our towels and set the cooler. The sand beneath is already starting to warm, and as I settle onto my towel. I can feel the heat seeping through the fabric, warming me from beneath. The contrast with the cool sea breeze on my skin sends a pleasant shiver down my spine.
“Want some sunscreen?” Levi asks, holding up a bottle. “I can get your back if you’d like.”
My heart flutters in my chest at the offer. “Sure, thanks,” I manage to say, turning my back to him.
His touch is gentle but firm as he works the sunscreen into my shoulders and down my back. I close my eyes, savoring the sensation.
When he’s done, I face him, looking forward to returning the favor. But to my slight disappointment, Levi doesn’t take off his tank top. The garment clings to his muscular frame, hinting at the muscles that lie beneath. His arms are tanned and toned, and I find my eyes tracing the curve of his biceps as he applies sunscreen to his exposed skin.
The call of the water proves irresistible, and soon I’m racing toward the waves with Levi right behind me. The sand is hot and gritty under my feet until I reach the shoreline, where cool, damp grains squish between my toes, and gentle waves lap at my ankles.
The shockingly cold water steals my breath away as we wade in. It’s a stark contrast to the warm sun on our skin. Despite the chill, Levi and I can’t resist splashing and playing in the waves like children, our laughter punctuated by excited yelps as the frigid water hits us. There’s a moment when a large wave crashes over us, and Levi catches me, steadying me against his chest. The warmth of his body is a stark, welcome contrast tothe cold water. Our eyes lock, and for a heartbeat, the world narrows to just us two. Droplets of water cling to his eyelashes, and I’m struck by the intensity of his gaze. His skin is covered in goosebumps, mirroring my own, but neither of us seems to mind the cold anymore.
I lean in, drawn by an irresistible urge to close the distance between us. But just as I gather the courage to kiss him, another wave crashes into us, bigger than the last. I lose my footing, and my arms windmill wildly as I let out a surprised yelp that’s far from dignified. The powerful current threatens to sweep me off my feet, but thankfully, Levi wraps an arm around my waist. With his help, I regain my balance, coughing and spluttering.
Levi guides me to shallower water as I push my soaked hair from my face. I turn to thank him for his help, when movement in the distance catches my eye. A man is swimming out in the ocean at a distance that makes my heart race with concern – he’s dangerously far from shore. Yet he glides through the water with impressive speed and grace, showing no sign of the struggle any normal swimmer would face. He cuts through the water like a knife, barely leaving a ripple behind.
“Oh my god,” I gasp, grabbing Levi’s arm. “Look at that swimmer! He’s incredible!”
Levi follows my gaze, grinning. “Oh, that’s just Merrick. He’s a competitive swimmer.”
“He’s amazing. I’m surprised I haven’t seen him in the Olympics. He’s faster than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
“He prefers local competitions,” Levi says with a shrug. “Come on, we should head back to shore before another wave catches us off guard.”
He offers me his hand, and I take it gratefully, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach as our fingers intertwine. As we return to our towels, I cast one last glance over my shoulder, but Merrick has disappeared in the distance.
Later, we walk along the shoreline, our fingers intertwined. The wet sand yields beneath our feet, leaving a trail of footprints quickly erased by the tide. We pause to watch a family building an elaborate sandcastle, complete with a moat and seashell decorations.
As we continue our walk, I can’t help but admire Levi’s profile. The sea breeze has tousled his hair, giving him a rugged, carefree look that suits him perfectly. His skin has taken on a hint of a golden glow from the sun, and a few grains of sand cling to his damp legs. I wish I could capture him on canvas, just like this.
The day passes in a blur of sunshine, salty air, and shared laughter. We alternate between playing in the waves and lounging on our towels, letting the sun dry our skin. The heat of the sand seeps deep into my bones, making me feel languid and dreamy.
As the sun dips toward the horizon and evening’s chill creeps in, we gather our belongings and begin the journey back. A tantalizing aroma of grilled fish and lime drifts through the salt air, drawing our attention to a taco shack perched in the sand just off the boardwalk.
“Hey,” I say, tugging on Levi’s hand. “How about we grab some dinner?”
His eyes light up at the suggestion. “I’m starving. Good call.”
We approach the stand, joining the small queue of other beachgoers with the same idea. The menu, handwritten on a chalkboard, offers a variety of tacos, burritos, and, to my delight, margaritas.
