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I want to touch her all over.
The party closes down just before midnight as Callie announces bedtime for all. “You need to be ready to do this again tomorrow!”
“This has been such a fun night.” Cady clasps her hands together.
She looks younger. Happiness pulls the years from her, the tension from her shoulders. She’s no longer the billionaire businesswoman, but a woman having fun with her friends.
It makes me smile. She makes me smile.
“It doesn’t have to end.” I grab her hand and tug her toward the beach. “Let’s go play in the waves again.”
“Not in the dark,” she says, sounding like the old Cady. “Who knows what will bite me this time?”
I could give her a few suggestions, but I keep those thoughts to myself for now. “No water, just a walk. I’ll keep you safe.”
She looks at me strangely. “Who’s going to keep you safe from me?”
“I’m not frightened. How could I be? It’s you—Cady, the dancing queen. I saw you on the dance floor. You were having fun.”
She nibbles at her bottom lip and glances sheepishly at me. “I was.”
“And that doesn’t happen too often, so let’s go have more fun.”
As she lets herself be led onto the sand, Dexter and Nick take the hint that company will not be appreciated, and with a wave, head up to the condo. Alone, which is surprising for them.
Nick anyway. For weeks, all he would talk about was hooking up with one of Callie’s friends.
And look at me, so close to doing just that.
Not that I’m expecting anything to happen. This is Cady’s call to make.
I could take her back to the condo, and sleep beside her in the bed, but I can tell right now, nothing would happen. She might have woken up this morning draped over me, but she’s not going to fall asleep like that.
Not yet. Cady is close to trusting me, but she’s not there yet. And with her, for us to move forward, there will have to be trust. She’ll have to let herself be vulnerable with me.
I’m not pushing, but I’m also taking every opportunity I can find to get closer to her.
The waves roll over the shore, splashing over our bare feet. We hold our shoes. I hold her hand.
The moon is out, shining down through the wispy clouds.
If this isn’t a damn good time to make my move, I don’t know what is.
But still—I told Cady I’d let her make the first move. She kissed me first. True, I did kiss her back, but what choice did I have?
“You know all those movie scenes where they’re kissing and the waves roll over them?” Cady muses.
She instantly has my attention, even though I’ve never seen any movies with folks rolling in the surf. “Sure.”
“Don’t you think that would be uncomfortable? Water in your face and sand everywhere.”
Note to self: do not attempt to kiss her lying in the sand anywhere near the water. “Definitely.” I pause for a moment. “Who are you thinking about kissing?”
“I… you?”
I stop walking because if that’s not an invitation, I don’t know what is. “Where are you thinking of me kissing you?” I ask in a low voice.
“Maybe…here.”
