Page 53 of All Your Firsts Without Me

She giggles and settles her butt back down beside me, handing me a napkin. We eat in silence as the sun drops low in the sky.

“I’ve had a hard time watching the sun set since he passed,” her voice catches. She puts the lid on her bowl, setting it back in the basket. “He died here on the beach as it was setting.” Her eyes glaze over. “I’ve only watched it once since then.” When she blinks, tears fall off her long lashes. I reach over and brush them away with my thumbs. Her hands wrap around my wrists as I cradle her face. “Would you watch it set with me?”

“Of course,” I tell her.

“I thought this would be better than drinking the night away at the White Glass,” she sniffles.

“Much better,” I agree, pulling her close. We don’t talk as the sun creeps lower and lower.

I feel her tense as the sun dips its toes into the water. “I think I’m ready for that thing I needed help with,” she says, her eyes sparkling in the final rays of light.

“Anything,” I whisper, my breath sending stray hairs fluttering around her face.

“Kiss me.” She leans in close, her scent overwhelming me.

God, I’ve waited so long for this.

Our eyes are locked, the breeze blows gently, the waves lap lazily at the beach as my heart swells with love for this beautiful, strong woman. I cup her cheeks, removing the last few inches between us. Her eyes fall closed as our mouths connect. A groan escapes me as she parts her lips, inviting my tongue to slide into her mouth.

Her hands come up and she pushes them into my hair, pulling me closer. Our kiss is like a match, it sparks an ember between us, and it grows and grows. Before I know it, she has crawled on my lap, meeting me lash for lash. Our tongues get to know each other, while our bodies wake from a deep slumber.

She pulls away, panting, her hands locked behind my neck. Her eyes bounce over my face. Then she presses her lips to mine again, hungry for more. We kiss and kiss and kiss until the cool night air pulls us out of the trance we’ve been in.

She giggles when she finally pulls away from me. “I suppose we should start the fire.” Her eyes twinkle with mischief.

“Oh, I think I’m warm enough,” I joke, trying to catch my breath.

“We’re pretty good at this kissing thing,” she says, laying her head on my shoulder.

I wrap my arms around her, and she melds into me.

Do you know that feeling you get when you slide the last piece of the puzzle into place? Well, that is exactly how this feels. Only so much better.

She reluctantly pulls away. “How about we have that wine now,” she suggests, sliding off my lap. I grab the wine I brought as she digs in the basket for the glasses. She hands them to me before pulling out a bowl of chocolate covered strawberries. Then she sets to work, lighting the fire.

I pop the cork and pour us each a glass. We take a few sips and munch on the strawberries before I pull my guitar onto my lap and start strumming a little tune for her. Her smile is radiant. “Maybe you can teach me,” she suggests shyly.

I lift the guitar up and pat the spot between my legs. She settles in front of me, and I wrap my arms around her, resting the guitar on her lap. I take her hands, placing mine over hers, entwining our fingers. “Like this,” I whisper into her ear. She shivers against me as we drag our fingers over the strings.

We play her favorite song. We don’t sing the words we just play the melody.

Life is good. Sweet.

Definitely worth living.

There was a time I didn’t believe it was.

But the girl in the basement gave me hope.

Now she’s giving me so much more.

Hope. Laughter. Companionship. Love.

She pushes the guitar off her lap gently, turning to give me another kiss. Her lips are so soft. So perfect.

“Would you stay with me tonight?” she asks, startling me out of my head.

“Um…”

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