Flirting and a little romance was one thing. Giving all of one’s self was on an entirely different level. I puffed through my lips and relaxed my shoulders, inhaled deeply and turned for the door.

     Jason did a double-take when I appeared. “Wow.”

     I posed with one hand against the jamb and the other on my hip. “Is it that good?” I asked in my most provocative voice.

     He craned slowly from the edge of the bed, bestowing upon me full view of his bare torso. The cuts of his toned arms, ridges and valleys along his midsection, all passages my fingers longed to travel.

     I closed my mouth and raised my gaze. “Nice shorts.”

     He smiled coolly. “Ready?” He picked a blanket up from a chair, and we left for the bridge.

# #

     Our blanket lay flat on the beach. Stars blinked above land giants darkened in the distance. Jason splashed around in the shallow end. The farther out he marched, he insisted the water was warm ten-thirty at night. Whether or not I believed him, I charged ahead through the lagoon. He was telling the truth.

     I was at arm’s length when a bold wave surfaced and crashed into me. I gulped a breath, certain I was going to plummet backwards. Jason latched on and propelled me toward his chest, snatching me from a watery grave. I hung on with my hands locked behind his neck. Our bodies pressed closely together, it was only logical we’d resume kissing.

     My legs began buckling again. The rolling waves couldn’t be entirely ruled out as the cause. Caught in a rocking motion, I couldn’t determine if I were being drawn or pushed ashore. Jason’s knee bumped my thigh in our aquatic tango, and I realized it was the latter. He was leading.

     Moments later, sand dusted our feet and legs as we lay wet and entangled under the moonlight. Stilted on his elbows, our hips parallel, he lowered his mouth onto mine.

     I closed my eyes.