I place our sandwiches on a plate, and finish cutting the honeydew into a bowl. There is an article spread out on the kitchen table that I had printed out earlier for work, so instead of organizing and moving it out of the way, I opt to pull myself up to sit on the counter next to the sink. I pop a honeydew piece in my mouth, trying to ignore the fact that John is in my bathroom, taking a shower, most likely without any clothes on. No, definitely without any clothes on. I pick up my phone to text Paige. I am in desperate need of a distraction.
Mia: How’s it going?
Luckily it doesn’t take her too long to answer.
Paige: Oh, you know, just living the dream, trying not to freeze to death. How are things there? How’s John?
Mia: John’s good. He tried to teach me how to surf today.
Paige: Omg I would have loved to witness that… break any bones?
Mia: No, I did excellent, thank you very much. I’m a natural.
Details, details.
Paige: Yeah, right… I can’t believe you’re staying even longer, I need my best friend back!
Mia: I’ll be home before you know it. We can freeze together.
Paige: Did you see Kelly’s Instagram post? She’s pregnant! Due in August.
I’m thrilled, but Kelly and her new baby are gonna have to wait, because the door to the bathroom opens, and John comes out. He’s wearing a pair of shorts we grabbed on our way back. Apparently, he keeps a couple extra shorts and shirts in his outdoor closet by the pool just in case he needs them. He must have something against shirts, though, because he’s not wearing one.
So much for trying to be distracted—my focus zeroes right back in on John, specifically on how mesmerizing he is without a shirt on. Miles of tanned, smooth skin. I set my phone down on the counter and watch him. His brown hair is a ruffled mess on top of his head, still wet from the shower. His skin is golden brown, with a hint of red from the sun today. He crosses the room and stands next to me, grabbing a sandwich.
“Thanks for making these. I’m starving. Surfing really works up an appetite, doesn’t it?”
“Sure does. Especially when you suck at it.” I offer him a smile and a piece of honeydew.
“No papaya tonight?”
“Just trying to have a little variety.”
He pops it in his mouth and grabs us a couple beers from the fridge. He opens both then, handing one to me, and taking a sip of the other.
“Thanks again for today. You were a very patient teacher,” I tell him.
“No problem.” He shoots me a warm smile, which I focus on, and all of a sudden, I’m not hungry anymore. His smile does something to me, especially because I know he doesn’t give it out to just anyone.
“You know… if you keep kissing me like that, on the beach… I might never go home,” I tell him. Something shifts in his eyes, and his mouth lifts up into a smirk.
“Oh yeah? That’s all it would take, huh?” He moves closer, until he’s standing right in between my legs. When I’m sitting on the counter like this, we’re the same height, so my eyes stare directly into his, which are growing darker by the second. I smile at him and bring my hands to rest on his shoulders, mentally willing him to come closer. He must be telepathic because he brings his face forward to kiss me. My legs brush against the sides of his hips, and I run my hands back to rest around his neck. He brings his hands to my waist and pushes himself against me, causing me to let out a small gasp.
Oh boy, I’m in trouble.
He breaks away to place a kiss right below my ear, slowly moving down my neck.
“Do you do this with all your tenants?” I tease.
His chuckle vibrates against my neck. “No, you’re just special.”
Good answer.
I grab his face with my hands and pull him up to look into my eyes. “How special?” He must pick up on the challenge in my voice, because the next thing I know, his hands slide under my butt, and he lifts me up. I squeal and wrap my legs around his waist. We make our way down the hall, lips pressed together, until we reach my bedroom—where he proves to me just how special he thinks I am.