“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to stand on my board,” she jokes, laughing quietly as she adjusts her swimsuit top.
“I don’t think I’ve ever needed to rinse off before getting in the ocean,” I joke, out of breath as I step into my shorts again.
“Well, I hope this isn’t the last time you have to.” Kaitlyn presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“It probably won’t be. You’re too damn irresistible,” I say, loving the flush that climbs up her cheeks.
“Let’s hope we didn’t miss the sunrise,” she says, grabbing her board from where she set it earlier, and all I can wonder is how soon is too soon to tell Kaitlyn I’m in love with her?
“It’s okay if we did, there’s always tomorrow.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Kaitlyn
NOW
I feellike everything is finally going the way it’s supposed to be.
I can feel Bailey staring, and it might help him stay on his board better if he could focus on the waves he’s trying to ride instead of watching me. My heart is racing, and I’m trying not to stare back at him, but the truth is, he shines so damn bright, you can’t help but look at him.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to look away.
Tilting my head, I try not to laugh. “Why are you staring at me? Do I have seaweed in my hair or something?” I’ll give B the benefit of the doubt at least.
Bailey grins, his light eyes lifting to meet mine. “I’m staring at you because I like looking at you,” he answers, and I notice his cheeks are starting to burn. “In case I haven’t told you, I think you’re beautiful.”
I feel my face heat, and I don’t know what to say. “Gross.” I roll my eyes, reaching into the warm water.
“Gross? Me calling you beautiful is gross?” He tips his head back, laughter spilling from him. I love the way he looks smiling under the sun.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what the appropriate response is. Saying thank you seems self-centered, so yeah, I said gross.”
I don’t know how to take a compliment. I’m working on it, but Bailey has a way of making me get tongue tied.
The more time I spend with him, the clearer it becomes that Hunter and I did love each other, but it was never in this all-consuming way where I can’t breathe if I’m not in the same room as him.
I think we were two hurt people finding safety and comfort with someone we loved. I’m grateful for the time we were together, but it doesn’t mean we were right for each other.
“Best part about me is you can say whatever you want without having to worry about me thinking you’re self-centered. You have the biggest heart I know, so it’s the last thing I’d say about you,” he says, flashing me as smile he paddles closer to me.
“You’re sweet, but I also think you’re stalling because you’re afraid to wipe out on another wave,” I tease, and Bailey splashes me.
“I’m not afraid.”
I pull my braid over my shoulder, loving how his eyes drift to it for a second. He really does have a thing for my braids. “Prove it.”
“I have better things to prove.” Bailey leans to pull my board next to his. I meet him halfway, smiling against his lips after he kisses me
“Like what?”
“This.”He slides his hand to cup the back of my neck, holding me in place as he moves his mouth against mine.
The water underneath our boards forces him to let me go, and I splash some water at him, but I really should splash it on myself. Even just a simple kiss has me wanting to drag him back to the shed for a repeat of the other morning.
“You’re getting red. We should probably go inside so you can get some studying done, or we could also see if Javi wants to go for ice cream?” I suggest, reminding myself that it’s not a good idea while everyone’s home and awake.
“Race you inside?” he proposes, and an evil thought pops into my head.
