Page 22 of Knot Your Sunshine
And technically, another orgasm would qualify as a need, right?
I actually snort-laugh at myself. Sure, Mia. Page the sweet assistant for a booty call. That's exactly the professional impression you want to make before your big business pitch. 'Hi, yes, I'm here to discuss distribution deals and also maybe could you come help me with this totally urgent situation in my jacuzzi?'
I shake my head at my own ridiculousness and let myself sink back into the water until just my nose stays above the surface. The jets knead my now-liquid muscles, and I should probably grab my phone, finally write pitch notes—
But something catches my eye in the dark water below.
Blue lights.
Tiny sparks of electric blue dance in the waves, like stars have fallen into the sea. The water glows wherever it moves, creating ribbons of light that pulse and fade with each wave, then pulse again, brighter.
What is that?
I sit up so fast water sloshes over the edge. The lights multiply as I watch, spreading along the shoreline until the entire beach glimmers like liquid starlight. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
I grab my phone and text Elena:You HAVE to see this! The ocean is GLOWING!
I set the phone down and watch, mesmerized. The lights seem to respond to the waves, growing brighter with each crash against the shore, then fading to embers before flaring again.
Five minutes pass. Then ten. The phenomenon shows no sign of stopping.
I glance at my phone. No response from Elena. Maybe she's passed out on piña colada or something…
The lights continue their ethereal dance, and something in me stirs… that same reckless impulse that made me accept a stranger's flight offer.
My feet are already moving, pulling me up from the water. I need to see this up close. Touch it.
* * *
My bare feet sink into cool sand, the resort lights fading behind me as I follow the shoreline, drawn by those mysterious blue lights.
A wave pulls back with a gentle swoosh, and there, threads of electric blue streak through the receding water like liquid lightning. I wade in up to my ankles, gasping as the next wave rushes in, bringing the light with it. The glow swirls around my legs in ribbons that pulse and fade with my movement.
I cup my hands and scoop up seawater. The blue light clings to my palms, tiny stars pulsing between my fingers. When I pour it back, each droplet creates its own small constellation before rejoining the sea.
Pure magic.
And that's when I hear it, music floating on the night breeze, a melody that seems to reach inside my chest and tug.
The beach curves around a gentle bend lined with palm trees. On the other side, orange firelight flickers against the darkness. An alpha sits on a piece of driftwood, cradling a ukulele. His fingers dance across the strings, creating cascades of notes that rise and fall like the ocean's breath.
I stop just beyond the firelight's reach, transfixed.
The flames paint him in gold and shadow: broad shoulders curved protectively over the small instrument, dark hair falling slightly forward as he plays. His face is turned toward the ocean, eyes closed, completely lost in the music. Every note seems pulled from somewhere deep inside him, raw and honest.
The blue lights in the water pulse in rhythm with his playing, as if the ocean itself has stopped to listen.
The final chord vibrates in the air for a heartbeat, then two, before fading into the sound of waves.
He turns toward me slowly, no surprise on his face. Eyes the color of midnight ocean meet mine.
"Aloha."
The word rumbles from his chest, warm as the fire between us.
"Hi." My voice comes out breathless. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I saw the lights in the water, and then I heard your music—"
"You're not intruding." A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he pats the space beside him on the log. "The fire's for sharing."
