He’s on the couch, his long legs over one end and his head propped up on a pillow at the other. He’s got one arm over his eyes and a Golden throw blanket covering his lower half.

My mouth waters at his bare chest, and I press my fingertips to my lips. They’re tender from his bruising kisses and scruffy face, but I’m ready to do it again.

I make coffee and pour myself a cup and him some Gatorade into a mug with the intent of taking them into the living room and maybe snuggling in next to him on the couch, but his gruff voice comes just as I pick up the mugs to take them to the other room.

“Morning.”

I hand him one of the mugs. He glances down at the orange liquid and laughs. “Morning.”

I watch him over my mug as I take a sip. He does the same.

“What’s the plan for today?”

“I thought, if you were game, we could go surfing.”

“Hell yeah.” He nods. His eyes widen, and his smile is ridiculously adorable. “Can we go now?”

I laugh. “Yeah, just let me change.”

We get ready for another day at the beach, and Camila wakes up and decides to come too. I’d left my boards here when I moved so we take my hybrid and longboard. Nathan is a natural, and the waves are pretty calm out this morning so I’m able to coach him up onto the board for a couple rides.

Camila stops us as we’re coming in. “I’m gonna head back. I told Jill I’d meet her for lunch. You guys want to come?”

I look to Nathan, and he shakes his head.

“I think we’re gonna stay here. Meet you back at the apartment later?”

She smiles. “Sounds good.”

We take our boards to Camila’s SUV and then head back down to the beach. We drop onto the sand, wet shoulders and knees touching.

“You wanna stay out on the beach or…” I let the sentence trail off with my mind going to all sorts of places.

“I wanna take you out on a date.” He’s sitting with his arms hugging his knees so he has to lean over his arm to kiss me.

“A date?” I ask when he pulls away.

“Mhmm. Thought we could check out the cheesy, touristy stuff you mentioned. Up for it?”

The wind blows my hair into my face, and the wet strands stick to my lips. Nathan brushes them away and tucks the hair behind my ear. I lean into his touch and nod. “Definitely.”

I throw on a dress over my suit, and Nathan pulls on his gray t-shirt.

“Ready?”