“Two fish burritos and two margaritas?” Levi suggests, glancing at me for confirmation.
I nod eagerly, my mouth already watering at the thought.
As we wait for our order, Levi wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. I lean into him, savoring his warmth and the way our bodies seem to fit together perfectly.
Our food arrives quickly: two foil-wrapped burritos and two plastic cups filled with icy margaritas, with salt crusting the rims. We find an empty picnic table and settle in to eat.
The first bite of my burrito is heavenly – tender fish, tangy sauce, and rice and beans. The margarita is strong and tart, the salt on the rim complementing the lime and tequila beautifully.
“Oh my god,” I mumble around a mouthful. “This is amazing.”
Levi grins, his cheeks bulging slightly. He swallows before speaking. “Definitely beats my cooking.”
We eat in companionable silence, occasionally exchanging glances and smiles. As I finish the last of my margarita, I feel a pleasant warmth spreading through me – a combination of good food, alcohol, and Levi’s company.
With our hunger sated, we continue our journey back to the houseboat. We’re both satisfyingly exhausted, our skin salt-kissed and sun-warmed. My shoulders feel the telltale tightness of too much sun, while stubborn grains of sand cling between my toes.
Back at the houseboat, we linger on the deck. Neither of us seems ready for this magical time to end. An electric tension hangs between us, the culmination of a day filled with stolen glances, lingering touches, and unspoken desires. It feels as though every moment has been building to this. Levi’s hand finds mine, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the sensitive skin of my inner wrist, sending shivers up my arm. The simple touch feels infinitely intimate and charged with promise.
“I had a wonderful time today,” I say softly, looking up at him.
“So did I.”
As the last rays of sunlight fade, Levi leans in, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that tastes of salt and a hint of lime from the margaritas. When we part, I’m breathless, my heart pounding a staccato rhythm against my ribs.
Before I can overthink it, I hear myself say, “Would you like to come in?”
Levi’s gaze turns molten, a current of raw desire flickering across his features as he steps closer. “I’d love to.”
I take his hand and lead him into the houseboat, hyperaware of his warmth behind me in the small space. His presence seems to charge every molecule of air, making it hard to breathe. Each brush of his body against mine as we head inside sends sparks of electricity down my spine. My skin feels too tight and sensitive, and my pulse is already a riot in my veins.
We sink onto the loveseat, our bodies angling toward each other, drawn together like magnets. The weight of his gaze makes heat flood through me – his eyes are dark with want, mirroring the desire coiling low in my stomach. Then, in unison, we lean in, closing that last breath of space between us. This kiss ignites like wildfire – deeper and hungrier than ever before. Levi’s hand slides up to cup my face, his thumb tracing my cheekbone as our lips tangle, and I can’t help but arch closer, craving more of his touch.
As we kiss, my world narrows to the feeling of Levi’s lips and hands on my skin. When we finally part, I feel like I can’t get enough air, it’s been sucked out of the room. Levi rests his forehead against mine, his eyes closed.
“Rose,” he whispers, my name sounding like a prayer.
I run my fingers through his hair. “Stay,” I whisper back. “Stay with me tonight.”
Levi’s eyes search mine, the tenderness in his gaze making my chest feel tight. “Are you sure? I’dloveto, but I promised tohelp on the fishing boats tomorrow morning. I have to get up very early.”
“I don’t mind,” I assure him softly. “I just want you here with me.”
Taking his hand in mine, I stand and lead him toward my bedroom. My body hums with desire and fluttering anticipation, every nerve ending suddenly alive and hyper-aware. The world around us fades, leaving only the warmth of Levi’s hand in mine and the promise of what’s to come.
Once in my room, we pause, the air thick with anticipation. Moonlight streams through the window, casting a silvery glow over Levi’s features. He looks almost ethereal, and I’m struck again by how handsome he is.
Slowly, we move towards the bed. As we sit on the edge, Levi cups my face in his hands, his touch impossibly gentle. “Rose,” he murmurs, my name a caress on his lips.
I close the distance between us before he can ask again if I’m sure. I’m sure – even if I’m a little nervous. Levi’s arms encircle me, pulling me closer, and I melt into his embrace.
We fall back onto the bed, the soft cotton sheets cool against my skin. Levi hovers above me, his weight on one forearm while his other hand traces down my side. Our legs tangle naturally, my thigh sliding between his as he settles closer.
When Levi’s lips find that sensitive spot just below my ear, my back arches instinctively. He whispers my name against my skin, his voice rough with desire, and the sound sends shivers cascading down my spine. His hand maps the curve of my waist, fingertips skimming reverently along my ribs, leaving trails of goosebumps in their wake. I thread my fingers through his hair, still carrying a hint of dampness, and guide him back to my lips, needing to taste him again. His thumb traces idle patterns on my hip as he deepens the kiss, and I can feel his heart racing in time with mine where our chests meet.
Every touch, every kiss feels charged with an electric current, sparking waves of pleasure that ripple through my body. Levi’s lips trace a path along my neck, each press igniting a new point of warmth that spreads outward. The gentle scrape of his stubble against my skin provides a thrilling contrast to the plush softness of his lips.
As he explores, I inhale deeply, drinking in his scent. The sharp, mineral smell of the ocean clings to his skin, mingling with the coconut notes of sunscreen and a deeper, muskier scent that’s uniquely Levi. It’s intoxicating, and I crave more. My fingers trail down his back, mapping the contours of his muscles, feeling them flex and shift beneath my touch. I start to tug off his shirt, but his hands capture mine, pressing them into the mattress by my ears. A breathless groan escapes me, my body arching instinctively as a thrill of desire shoots through me. I love being held down. Did he realize it? Or was this just a happy accident? Before I can ask, he shifts, laying his hips over mine, pinning me beneath him with delicious weight, and lowers his mouth to mine, giving me drugging kisses that make my head spin.
