I quietly come downstairs and find the coffee already brewed with a note and a travel mug conveniently placed next to the machine. This man knows me so well.
Good morning, Angel Face. Come to the beach when you’re up.
I gather my things and make my way downstairs, still in the robe. Since it’s early and the beach is private, I decide there’s no need to change, confident nobody will notice.
I grab two towels from the shelf by the door and tuck them under my arm, then walk barefoot onto the sand. I can see Adam paddle out through sunlit mist and breaking waves. When he looks back, I wave, and his face beams with a huge smile. We blow each other a kiss before he continues farther and sits, bobbing on his board to the ocean’s rhythm.
I find a dry spot, sit on a towel, and sip my coffee. My toes wiggle in the grainy sand. Minutes pass. And then my heart catches in my throat watching Adam launch. His strong arms paddle hard to match the ocean’s waves. The moment he catches one, he defies gravity, transitioning fluidly from paddling to standing. He speeds across the churning water in a controlled descent, effortless amid the white cap’s force.
I step closer to the frothy surf, ocean water frigid against my toes. In utter awe, I watch Adam connect with the sea. Over and over, as the sun rises, each ride is a breathtaking sight for this landlocked Southern girl. When he finally starts toward the shore, I grab the spare towel and wait for him to come out of the water.
“What a rush,” he shouts, planting his board in the sand. He shakes his hair, spraying water on me. I squeal and hide behind the towel. He’s breathless, energized, and joyful from the ocean.
“What did you think?” he asks, coming right up to me.
Before I have time to answer, he grabs the lapels of my robe and jerks me flush against the slick material of his wet suit and kisses me on the lips. He tastes salty and slightly briny, the ends of his hair scattering droplets across my face.
“Good morning,” he grins.
“Good morning.” I wipe his face with the edge of the towel.
“Thanks.” He takes it from me and rubs it aggressively against his hair.
“You were magnificent out there. It was like watching a skier on an avalanche while the mountain was moving.”
He chuckles and positions the towel around his neck. “Good analogy.”
“How did you feel out there?” I offer him the rest of my coffee, and he eagerly takes a swig.
“I felt… great, like riding a bike. It’s a natural high I can’t explain. It’s also a full-body workout. I hope I don’t end up too sore after the fact.”
“Drink lots of water,” I encourage.
“I will.” He eyes me playfully and grabs the lapels of my robe again. “Are you wearing anything underneath this?”
I smirk and playfully arch an eyebrow. “There’s only one way to find out.” I wiggle out of his grasp and take off running toward the house, sending a spray of sand in his wake. It takes him no time to catch up to me, my infectious goose honk causing him to laugh out loud.
I love this side of Adam—the happy, easygoing man. I wish I could bottle this moment of ocean waves, sand, and water on his face, keeping this version of him in my memory always.
He cages me with his arms against the wall under the deck next to an outdoor shower and licks his bottom lip. My eyes trace the curve of his sturdy jaw and his tangled, dripping hair. He runs his fingertips down my neck to my cleavage. I inhale deeply with a watchful stare.
“Adam?”
“Hmm?” He seems mesmerized by my bare skin underneath the robe, teasing me with each pass of his fingers. One hand is on the tie around my waist, and I know with one pull, he’ll be pleased to see me standing completely naked in front of him.
“I just want you to know that I love you.”
He stops his teasing and looks right at me.
“You’re the first person I’ve ever said those words to.” I inhale a staggered breath. “I love you, Adam. I love everything about you. I even love the parts you think are too sad to love. To be honest, those are the parts that are the most beautiful. But I think all of you is perfect. I love all of you.”
His eyes are dark orbs staring back at me. He releases a breath, low and trembling. “Say it again, Angel Face.”
I swallow hard. “I love you.”
He finally smiles, one hand slipping down to the tie around my waist. “I love you too, Keri. Every single part of you.”
And with one pull, the robe slips from my body and pools around our bare feet.
