“It is,” Gretchen agreed. “And I know we don't get more tourists over to this area because it's a little bit of a drive from the hotels and everything else. But honestly, I think these beaches are nicer than some of the other beaches in the area. I love them, but I'm sure it's partly also that there's just so many good memories tied to these beaches.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “I didn't go to luaus for most of the year, and when I finally came back, it's like coming back to family. I know everyone, and they know me, and they just all wanted to know how I was doing and everything.”
“It's a good vibe,” I agreed, glancing back as well.
“Sorry they were a bit rude to you to start with,” Gretchen said, grimacing a little. “They're not usually like that. I think it's just partly jealousy and partly, I don't know. But they warmed up to you after a bit.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “I wasn't too worried either way.”
“Hey, Gretchen,” someone said, walking up to us.
I could see the way that Gretchen stiffened and then forced herself to relax. “Hey Lino,” she said, frowning up at him. “How are you?”
“Good. You?”
“I'm fine,” Gretchen said, her tone a bit cool.
“It's good to see you out at another luau,” the guy said. “Did Mina drag you out, the little rascal?”
Gretchen laughed at that. “No,” she said, her voice warming a little as she spoke about her friend. “No, I decided I wanted to come here on my own. I'm trying to show Christian a little of the local culture and everything while he's here.”
“That's good,” Lino said.
Gretchen yawned. “Anyway. We were just going to take a little stroll down the beach and then call it a night,” she said, pushing herself up to her feet and then reaching around to give me a hand up. “But it was nice seeing you. I'm sure I'll see you for the New Year's luau too.”
“Oh, definitely,” Lino agreed, pulling her into a quick hug and kissing her cheek. I felt my hackles rise, but I wasn't about to act like the jealous boyfriend, not when I didn't know where Gretchen and I stood at the moment and not when I didn't even know who this guy was or what he was to her.
Still, it was good to drop an arm around her shoulders and steer her away from the crowds and down the beach.
“Sorry about that,” Gretchen said, grimacing.
“No problem,” I said easily. “Who is this Lino, though?”
“He's just an ex,” she said, shrugging a little. “We broke up a while ago, don't worry. I don't know why you would worry either way, but whatever Lino and I once had, it's done now.”
“Oh,” I said. I frowned. “To tell you the truth, I've never really dated anyone,” I confessed.
Gretchen laughed. “Never?” she asked. “It's just been one-night stand after one-night stand?”
“Something like that,” I admitted.
“You do a pretty good job of taking a girl out on a date,” Gretchen told me warmly.
I laughed and shook my head. “I'm still smarting from that first date,” I told her. “I did not do a very good job with that one.”
“Okay, maybe not,” Gretchen said. “But it's cute watching you flounder a little.”
I laughed, wondering if I should feel defensive. But she hadn't said it meanly, so I supposed I'd let it slide.
We continued to stroll down the beach, moving further and further away from the crowd that was still left at the luau. “God, it's so peaceful out here,” I said, shaking my head a little. “Seriously. It almost feels like we have the whole world to ourselves.”
“It does,” Gretchen agreed, sliding a little closer to my side.
“I'm really happy that I've met you,” I told her, suddenly drawing us to a halt, looking seriously down into her warm eyes. “You've made my time here in Hawaii into something special.”
“I'm glad I could help,” Gretchen said, smiling shyly.
I bent down to kiss her, sliding my lips softly against hers. I could turn this into something filthy, but I found myself wanting to take my time, to get her riled up. I went slow, carefully increasing the pressure and finally sliding my tongue alongside hers. She moaned into the kiss as I altered the angle slightly, and I pulled her closer into my arms, holding her body close to mine.
“Fuck,” I said, long and low as we pulled apart. I didn't release my hold of her waist, and I kept my forehead pressed against hers.