Sandcastle Kisses (The Kisses 5)

“I thought you would like it,” I said with a grin, pulling my own mask up onto my forehead. “Did you see the eel?”

“Yes!” Noah frowned slightly. “You are not getting me to touch it, though.”

I laughed. “Good, because I don't think he wants to be touched.”

“Unlike some other eels...” Noah gave me a naughty wink. I couldn't stop the blush as I laughed at his dirty joke. He swam closer, his powerful arms easily cutting through the water until he was close enough that we could kiss. “Thank you for showing me this today.”

“My pleasure,” I said softly as he pulled me into a kiss. The tang of saltwater filled my mouth, his body warm against the cool of the ocean. A heat began to fill my core, surprising me with just how ready I was to have him again.

“I have something I need to tell you,” Noah said, pulling away from me. He licked his lips, his blue eyes darkening like deep water. His brows came together, serious and strong. I swallowed hard. He was going to tell me what he did for a living because he was leaving.

“What?” I asked. My heart clenched, not wanting this encounter to be over. I wished I could just stop breathing for a moment and let the ocean swallow me up before he said he had to go. I was far more attached to him than I had planned on becoming. Being attached sucked.

“I'm staying longer on the island.”

Hope blossomed, letting my heart beat again. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” He smiled, knowing that he had panicked me for a moment. His eyes lightened, and I felt the sun shine again. “It does mean that my assistant is coming out to join me, though. I do have to get some work done.”

“Okay,” I replied, happiness lifting my voice. He was staying. “For how long?”

“Indefinitely. My job is pretty mobile,” he answered with a nonchalant shrug, behaving as if moving to a remote Caribbean island was something people did all the time. “Owen has given me run of the villa for as long as I want.”

I squeaked with joy and he laughed. I kissed him and then frowned slightly. “You have an assistant?”

“Yes.” He smiled again. “And I wanted to tell you about her beforehand. She's rather attractive.”

I raised my eyebrows. “And you're telling me this because...”

“Because I didn't want you to get the wrong idea when you see her. We aren't a couple,” he explained.

“Okay...” I wasn't quite sure what was going on. I was glad he was telling me, but at the same time, the idea of a sexy assistant was rather intimidating. Someone who knew him and would be with him all the time. The boss leaving with the secretary was a popular trope for a reason. “So you have no interest in your attractive assistant?”

“No. And really, I should be more worried about her stealing you away. Not her stealing me away from you.” He bobbed gently in the water as I digested his words.

At first, I was more excited about the fact that he had just said I was his. Then the implication of his sentence hit me. His assistant would be interested in me.

“Ohhhh,” I said as I realized. Noah laughed.

“She's honestly the best assistant I've ever had, so no stealing her away. I won't have it,” he said, trying to keep his face serious but failing. I kissed him on the cheek.

“I'll do my best,” I promised. He kissed me again, filling my heart with light. I was his and he was mine. Noah was staying.

“Can I buy you dinner tonight?” He asked once we were back on the boat. I looked up at the sky, seeing that the sun was much lower than I expected. “I'm afraid it won't be much. I have to catch up on some work, but ...”

I looked back at him as he ran a hand through his hair, sending a spray through the air.

“I like having you around,” he said simply, a smile on his lips. “You make me happy.”

A giddy rush went through me. “You make me pretty happy too.”

“So, dinner?” He held his hands open in question.

“I can't,” I said reluctantly, shaking my head. “It's my job to cook tonight. You can come if you want. But know that you will be put through the ringer. The boys should be getting back from the mainland and they're itching for all the dirt.”

Noah gave me a thoughtful look. “Do you want me to come?”

“I would like you to meet them, but tonight's probably not going to be the best night,” I answered honestly. I was surprised that I really did want the boys to meet him. I wanted them to know how wonderful he was and I knew they would approve. However, tonight would be full of discussions about their trip and dissertations, which would leave Noah out of the conversation.