All this pings through my head as our kiss grows more intense. I drop my shoes to the sand so I can link my hands behind his neck and press in closer to him. My shawl slips off, letting the cool night air coil around my shoulders, but I don’t care. Just this moment with Nick is all that matters.
To my regret, he breaks the kiss, leaning his forehead against mine. “I don’t know how to thank you, Hannah. For all that you’ve done for me. None of this would be possible without you.”
My inner alarms go off. Maybe he’s mistaking his gratitude for love for me, after all. “Nick, that’s not true. You did the work. And it was hard, but you did it. This is happening because of you and your determination.”
“Possibly. But I’m pretty sure I’d probably be waiting until next summer to recertify if it wasn’t for you. And what about my parents? I honestly didn’t think we’d ever find common ground, but now, thanks to you, it’s even more than I could have hoped for.” He brushes his lips over mine, tempting me to restart our passionate kiss.
“I just helped get the ball rolling. You would have figured it out, one way or another.” I feel the tears welling up in my eyes and drop my gaze. More than anything, I want what this isbetween us to be real. “They just needed a little help to see what an amazing son they have.”
Nick lifts my chin with his knuckle, forcing me to look at him. “Hannah, I thought I had my life figured out. And then this accident happened, and all I could think about was getting that life back. But now I realize I don’t want it anymore?—”
I start to argue, but he puts a finger over my lips.
“Not if it doesn’t include you.”
The way he’s looking at me…there’s no fear. No more questions. And the things he’s saying…it’s everything I wanted to hear. My doubts fizzle away like the sun burning off the morning dew. And what’s left is this overwhelming love for him that has no words.
I pull his head down and kiss him with all the emotion that I can’t adequately express.
Nick takes his mouth on an exploration of my neck. “I can’t stop kissing you.”
I’m holding onto his shoulders not just to keep him near me but also because my legs feel like jellyfish. All wobbly and jiggly. “Then don’t.”
He lets out a soft chuckle against the nape of my neck, sending a fresh wave of shivers over me. “Bossy much.”
I tip my head back, giving him more access. “Just sayin’.”
He returns to my lips and teases them with his. “We should probably return to the party.”
I sigh, not ready to return to a restaurant full of people. “You know, it’s a good thing we figured this out because I wasn’t going to give up Bandit.”
He lifts his head. “He’s living with me. That makes him my dog.”
“He can spend weekends with you.”
“Wait. I thought you said your landlord won’t let you have pets.”
I tug my lip between my teeth, trying not to smile and failing miserably.
“Hannaaah.” He draws my name out like he’s scolding me, but it’s the mischievous gleam in his eye that lets me know I’m in trouble. I squeal and make a beeline toward the restaurant.
But I’m no match for a man who spends most of his days maneuvering beach and water. Nick catches my waist, and we do this spin together that sends us sprawling in the sand.
Nick groans and clutches his right shoulder.
Perched on my knees, I kneel in the sand next to him. “Nick, are you all right?”
“I’m not sure. Something doesn’t feel right.” His face is pinched with pain, and he’s still holding his right shoulder.
I lean over and knead the muscles near his neck and over his shoulder. “I don’t feel any spasms, but it could be from yesterday. We need to get some ice and heat on it.”
In one swift motion, he lifts his torso and pulls me against him, then explores my lips with his until I’m dizzy. Then I realize he’s holding me with both arms.
I pull away and push him back down in the sand. “Did you just prank me?”
One side of his mouth slides up. “Maybe.”
I try to tickle him, but he grabs my wrists. And then he says my name in that sexy voice that does me in.
