A warm breeze plays with my stray strands as we step out of the house. Under the bright sunshine, I marvel at the rose bushes and vines that fill the front lawn.
“Does your grandma like roses?” I ask.
He chuckles and nods, stopping for a second to breathe in the scent of an orange blossom. “Grams loves them,” he says with an indulgent grin. “Her partner planted them for her. I guess they remind her of him. We even have a gardener who comes in a few times a week to look after the roses.”
“Wow,” I breathe as we walk through a metal gate and onto the road leading to the beach.
“Grams is a total romantic,” Liam says with a sigh. “You’ve got to come for a visit when she’s around.”
“If she doesn’t mind me, I’d love to meet her.”
He clasps my hand in his and squeezes. “She’d love to meet you.”
Warmth shoots through me at those words. It’s almost incredible to feel welcomed when I never felt wanted in my own home.
Giving myself a mental shake, I look at the sea in the distance. Sunlight ripples and dances on the waves, creating hypnotic patterns.
My legs are kind of sore but it feels good to walk on the sand.
Soon, Liam and I walk hand-in-hand down the beach. There are people around us but no one pays us any mind.
As time passes by, I start feeling lighter. Happier.
I like that no one knows me as Hayden Bastian here, the star center of the Thunder Knights team. It allows me to enjoy this moment fully and be with Liam.
I glance toward Liam.
A smile plays on his lips as the wind tousles his blond curls. Sunlight falls on him, catching his incredibly blue eyes.
Liam is so damn beautiful, it sends an ache through me.
I stop in my tracks and tighten my hold on his wrist. Before he can react, I’ve pulled him against me and captured his lush lips.
Liam’s body stiffens for a moment but then, relaxes as he melts into the kiss. His mouth tastes incredibly sweet, making me feel drunk.
I take my time, kissing him thoroughly.
Liam’s cheeks are bright pink when we finally break away.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” he whispers, looking around us.
I shrug. “No one’s around right now, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Also, I wanted to kiss you.”
Liam’s cheeks turn pinker. He playfully punches my shoulder and starts walking again.
I jog forward, keeping pace with him.
We just keep walking, kissing from time to time, savoring the moment together.
Suddenly, Liam takes off running.
“Hey, get back!”
Liam turns back, laughing his head off, and promptly starts sprinting again.
“Oh, you little—” I chase after him, the sand under my feet slowing me down.
Even though Liam has a head start, I catch up with him easily. Grabbing him around the waist, I lift him off his feet.