I step inside to a large, open room with light wood floors, white window treatments, and pale blue decor. Beachy chic describes it perfectly.
“C’mon. I was just about to light the fire.”
“Fire?” Following him through the house, I take in the gorgeous sunset lighting up the sky, pouring through every room in the house.Wow. Chase leads me out to the deck and down the stairs, where we walk straight onto the beach.
“Where’s Shane?” I ask as we stride side by side to a stone fire pit set up on the deserted stretch of sand.
Chase nods at the ocean, and when I look out, I notice a dark figure on a surfboard riding the small waves.
“Don’t know why he bothers?” Chase drops the bag of marshmallows on a blanket next to an array of Tupperware neatly set out. The food causes my curiosity to pique. “The Jersey surf is nothing like the California waves he’s used to.” He rests his hands on his hips and takes a survey of what’s on the blanket.
“Is that where you’re both from? California?” I pry.
He looks over at me with his vigilant brown eyes. So dark and mysterious. “Shane is. I’m from here. Grew up in a small suburban town right outside New York City. You’ll learn all about us tonight.”
“I will?”
“You will. We plan on doing a lot of talking.” He kneels down to light the fire.
“That’s why you two invited me over? To talk?” The disbelief is evident in my voice.
“Yes,” he answers simply. “Isn’t that what you do on a date? Talk? Get to know the other person?” He strikes a long match.
“Yes, but—”
“You thought we just wanted to fuck? There’s more to us than that, pixie.” Chase steals a glance at me as the logs catch fire.
“I didn’t mean . . . What the two of you said in the parking lot . . . I guess I don’t know what to expect. This is all new territory for me,” I self-consciously admit.
“That’s okay. We’ll help you navigate the waters.” Chase stands and extends his hand to me with an inviting smile. After a beat, I take it, and he pulls me close to him. The fire warms my face as he holds me in his arms. “Is a hello kiss asking too much too soon?”
“No.” I lean into him, and our mouths connect with a burst of energy.Holy fuck.Our tongues rub and wrestle as Chase tightens his hold and deepens the embrace. It’s a short, pulse-racing torrent that leaves me dizzy once we break apart.
“Mmm . . .” He drops his forehead to mine, still encasing me in his arms. “I can’t wait until it’s me you’re riding, and I get to kiss those lips the entire time.”
“I thought you wanted more than just sex,” I tease.
“Oh, I do. We do. So much more, but that doesn’t mean I can’t anticipate.” He runs his thumb along my lower lip. “Or fantasize about that pretty mouth and all it can do.”
I want to tell him it can do a lot, but I keep the thought to myself. He has me way too curious as to what “more” is and where this night is headed.
With my full attention on Chase, I don’t notice Shane sneak up behind me until the back of my bare neck is pelted with ice-cold droplets. I squeal, jumping in Chase’s arms as Shane shakes his wet, shaggy head right next to us.
“Not cool.” I laugh as I climb Chase’s body in a vain attempt to get away.
“I couldn’t help it.” He grabs my chin, tilts my face, and delivers his own coma-inducing hello kiss. Shane’s lips are cold and taste like salt, but that doesn’t stop me from licking the inside of his mouth like chocolate batter off a spoon.
“Hi,” he purrs.
“Hi.” I melt.
“That’s all you’re getting tonight. Hope you enjoyed it.”
“Excuse me?” I crease my eyebrows at both of them.
“I told you. Date night.” Chase sets me down in a beach chair.
“What does that have to do with anything?” I question as Shane peels off his wetsuit, and Chase sits beside me.
