Freshwater Kisses (The Kisses 3)

The waitress got a confused expression on her face. The notorious Robbie Saunders who liked to drink would have been on his third or fourth bottle by now. "Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes. I think this one was more than enough. Thank you. I think we're actually finished," he replied politely, handing her his credit card. She left and he looked at me, his smile telling me he was rather proud of himself. "Do you know the last time I only had one drink at a restaurant? I think you might be a good influence on me, Sam."

"I always was," I managed to answer with a straight face. Robbie laughed.

"That's not how I remember it. If I recall, you were the one who convinced me we could parachute off the roof. It's a good thing I wanted to do a test flight before we actually did it!"

I laughed, remembering his serious little face at how we had to have a pre-flight checklist and a test run. It was a good thing we practiced on the trampoline before jumping off the roof. Mr. Saunders caught us jumping on the trampoline with our ridiculous backpacks stuffed with bed sheets and made sure Robbie and I didn't break all the bones in our bodies. It was a good memory.

The waitress returned with Robbie's card, and touched his shoulder before leaving. A surge of jealousy rippled through me, but he didn't even smile at her as he signed the receipt and pocketed his card.

"You ready? I know Grace wanted you home before midnight." His smile was only for me. He stood and offered me his hand. I took it gladly.

"I don't think she'll mind if we're a little late. I've never been in the city before, and I'd love to walk around a little if that's okay?" I smiled as he wrapped his jacket around my shoulders. His hand pressed into the small of my back as he guided me to the elevator.

"Whatever my lady wants," he replied with a grin as the elevator door opened and we stepped inside. I leaned against him in the empty elevator, feeling his warm body hard against mine, his arm wrapped around me with his hand still on my back. The doors glided shut, and I couldn't help myself. I stood up on my toes and kissed his cheek. I had wanted to kiss him again all night.

His face was warm and smooth, shaved clean for our date. I caught the corner of his mouth with my lips, feeling it curl up into a smile.

"If you’re going to kiss me, I'm going to need more than that," he murmured, placing his hand on my neck and pulling me into him. His lips were hot and urgent against mine, his tongue sweet and insistent. I drank him in thirstily, like he was water in the desert.

The door chimed as the elevator came to a stop. Robbie pulled back, breathless and flushed. His green eyes burned like fire and he flashed me a fantastic grin. I couldn't wait to kiss him again. The doors opened, and we strolled out into the lobby of the hotel as if nothing had happened, but there was an extra pep to my step, knowing that I had just kissed the most handsome man in the world.

Chapter 10

Outside the night air was almost cold, but in the warmth of Robbie's jacket, it felt wonderful. We stepped out onto the street, the lights making the night seem like day. The neon billboards and TV advertisements made me feel as if I were trapped in a cross-wired, over-lit Christmas tree. Everything seemed to glow or sparkle, and I was amazed at the sheer number of people still out and about at close to midnight.

Robbie wrapped his arm protectively around my waist. I was glad to have him with me. The city was so big, and there were so many people that if he weren't there to guide me, I knew I would have been lost in a moment. It also let me look around, taking in the sights without looking like a complete tourist. I knew with Robbie with me, I could gawk and no one would hassle me.

We walked along the brightly lit street. I knew my eyes were as big as saucers trying to take it all in. Robbie laughed at my childlike interest, pointing out things that he knew I would enjoy. There were signs for Broadway plays, flashing billboards, and beautiful people walking along the street. It was noisy and busy, but I loved taking it all in.

"Where should we go? Do you want to go get a drink somewhere?" I asked, glancing around for a bar or restaurant.

"No, I don't want to drink anything. I'm having a wonderful time just being with you. I'd rather not go into a noisy bar and fight for drinks. I'm much happier just walking with you," Robbie said. He looked almost surprised at his words, but I knew they were true. The arm around my waist tightened as he gave me

a loving squeeze and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm having a wonderful time. Thank you for bringing me out." I snuggled up closer to him.

"You are most welcome," he replied. We stopped in front of a window, peering in at the sparkling jewelry inside. "I'd like to buy you something," Robbie whispered.

"You don't have to do that! You already bought me a boat," I told him.

"But you deserve to have more. Would you like that diamond necklace?" He pointed to a beautiful piece of jeweled artwork in the window. It sparkled under the lights and probably cost more than my house.

"It would look good with my racing gear..." I mused. Then I punched his arm. "No. I'd never wear it, and it's too pretty to just sit in my jewelry box. Thank you, but no."

"Okay, then. I'd still like to buy you something, though." His eyes were soft as he smiled. We continued to walk down the street.

"But I don't want anything. You've got me into the Invitational. What more could I possibly ask of you?" I asked. "Except to maybe go in that toy store with me..."

Wide open doors of a store beckoned customers into a shop full of childhood wonder. I could see thousands of toys inside. I was always on the lookout for something to spoil Avery with, and since the money from the accident was in my bank account, I felt like I could actually afford to get her something.

Robbie laughed an, "Of course!" and together we walked into the gleaming toy store.

The store was amazing. Toys, books, games, costumes, and beautiful colors filled the shop. There was a golden castle big enough for Robbie and me to walk through, and a replica of the Empire State Building with working lights. Glowing plastic trees and whimsical designs accentuated the feeling of being in a magical world made especially for children.

Robbie let go of me and picked up a hardcover children's book. His eyes misted over as he flipped through the pages, suddenly lost in his own world. He turned a page, tracing a finger along the drawing of a cartoon stuffed bear.