Saltwater Kisses (The Kisses 1)

“Just one. A younger brother.”

“Are you close?” I took another sip before setting the drink carefully in the sand.

“Not really. He's almost seven years younger than me, and the expectations my parents have for him are very different than the ones they have for me.” Jack shifted in the sand, a sadness in the subtle motion.

“They don't expect much of him, but they expect everything of you.”

Jack looked at me surprised. “That's it exactly! How did you figure that out?”

“Easy. That's how it is in my world too. Only, I'm the younger sibling.” I shrugged and Jack nodded.

“What does your sister do that makes them not expect much of you?” Jack asked.

“She works in the ER as a physician assistant. My dad is a dentist and I think he kind of assumed that his kids would both go into some sort of medicine. I'm not exactly following that trend.”

“You're going into animal medicine, doesn't that count?” He leaned back on his elbows, the shirt barely disguising a perfect six pack. I looked out to the ocean so I wouldn't stare.

“Apparently not enough. It's not a big deal though.” I suddenly realized that this was a more serious topic than I had intended and I quickly added, "I didn't mean to put my problems on you. I just meant to say that I understand the family dynamic.”

“You're fine. It is actually nice to hear it from the other side. My brother and I don't get the chance to talk much. I've always felt a little guilty about it. I think he has a hard time with it sometimes. More drink?” He held up the nearly empty glass and I nodded, clicking the little button for another.

It felt so peaceful sitting on the beach with Jack. It was like we had known each other forever, like we had always been friends. He had an easygoing charm that made it easy to talk to him, and his laugh made my insides melt. We passed the drink back and forth, ordered another, and then another, talking and laughing.

We talked about everything and nothing at the same time. Our conversation drifted easily from topic to topic, from the weather to our childhoods to what we wanted from the future. It was like catching up with an old friend who really did want to know how life was going. I learned that Jack came from a wealthy family and he was expected to take over his father’s company in the next year. It sounded like this was going to be his last vacation for a long while. He was very careful never to say what his company was, and I didn’t pry. He grew up with privilege and was fascinated by my stories of growing up “normal.”

“I can’t imagine your life,” he said lying back on the sand. He closed his eyes and obviously tried to imagine it. “Used cars, paying rent, ramen noodles, no one hounding you for money all the time... it sounds great.”

“No, we get hounded for money all the time, but we actually owe people the money, and don’t have it,” I said. He laughed and opened his eyes to look at me as I spoke. “I can’t imagine your life — no worries about what bill to pay first, expensive clothes, vacations like this,” I gestured to the beach. “Want to switch for a little while?”

Jack rolled onto his side, propped his head on his elbow, and smiled at me. The sun was beginning to set, and the soft reds and golds highlighted his features and glinted off his hair. I felt

my breath go short. I had never met a man with a smile like that; I would have followed him around like a puppy for that smile. I felt my cheeks go red and I dropped my eyes, pretending the sand was fascinating.

“Would you be interested in joining me for dinner tonight?” Jack asked, his eyes still trained on my face. I couldn’t help it, but my cheeks went redder. I was interested in doing anything with him.

“Won’t your secretary mind?”

“I think she is going to be finishing her vacation without me. I think I will be eating here at the resort — I am enjoying your company,” he said. I glanced up and saw his eyes were almost golden in the setting sun, and completely serious.

“Sure,” I said slowly. Normal me would have found a reason to back out. Normal me would have been afraid. Vacation me wanted the adventure. Vacation me wasn’t about to let an opportunity to have dinner with a gorgeous man pass by because I was scared. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? “I’ll have to let the resort know.”

“I’ll call the resort and set it up. It shouldn’t be a problem. By the way, you should put some sunscreen on tomorrow. I think your cheeks might be burning,” he said as he sat up. Small flecks of sand stuck to his skin and shirt as he stood up. They sparkled in the setting sun, and glistened like falling jewels as he brushed them off. He pulled a phone out of his pocket and searched through a contacts list before putting it to his ear. I was right outside my cabana house, so I stood up and grabbed the towel and clicker. I quickly went to my porch and ducked inside to change for dinner. Everything was going so well. I was taking a handsome man to dinner, and who knew where the night could end up.

Chapter 3

I ran a brush through my long dark hair and grimaced in the mirror at the sand creature looking back. I looked like I had spent the day on the beach, but I didn’t have time to clean up. Besides, I told myself, he’s been looking at you all day. He doesn’t care that you look like a beach-bum. I grabbed a sundress hanging in my closet and a pair of flip-flop sandals before heading back out. Jack was waiting patiently by the porch step, staring out at the ocean and the setting sun.

Jack turned at the sound of the door and smiled his brilliant smile as I walked towards him. My knees felt weak; a girl could get hurt by that smile.

“You look great,” he said honestly. I bit my lip and blushed again.

“Thanks,” I said as he offered his elbow to me. I wrapped my arm around his, feeling like a princess in a story book. I liked the way he felt, his arm strong and solid under mine as we walked out of the sand and into the resort.

Twilight was slowly taking over the resort, the sun’s rays quickly fading in streams of red and gold that played across the sand and reflected off the water. The pool gleamed like a bright ruby as a couple splashed in its jeweled depths. Small lights twinkled in the palm trees lining the paths to the various areas on the resort. The entire world seemed to glow with excitement and romance. Everywhere I looked, I could see dark romantic corners for lovers to hide, and laughing couples stealing kisses in the fading light. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t envious of the lovers.

Jack kept me laughing as we walked easily towards the restaurant. The wind blew warm across my face and ruffled my skirt, the smell of food drifted out to compel hungry vacationers to eat. He seemed to know where he was going so I let him lead. He guided me carefully past other guests, his hand on the small of my back, directing me where to go as if we were dancing. He walked with confidence and people seemed to step out of his way without realizing it. He didn’t seem to notice anyone but me as we headed into the restaurant bearing the island flag.

We were quickly led to a cozy table in the corner. As we settled into the wooden chairs and opened our menus, our conversation paused easily as we decided what to eat. I hoped Jack couldn’t hear my stomach growling. I hadn’t had much to eat after breakfast other than the piña coladas on the beach and I didn’t think that counted as a true meal. I picked a Caribbean jerk chicken with some sort of sweet potato side, and peeked over my menu at Jack. He was deep in thought as he perused the menu, his brows furrowing gently as he made his decision, but his body looked relaxed in the chair. His eyes were dark in the dim light of the restaurant, but something about them drew me into them like a moth to a flame. He looked up and caught me staring and I felt my face go hot again.