Page 7 of One Night With My Grumpy Professor Daddy

“Don’t you think it’s beautiful?” She says, glancing at the ocean, then back to me.

I look into her eyes and reply, “Yes, it’s very beautiful.” She blinks, blushes, and looks away. I’m sure she realizes I wasn’t just talking about the ocean.

We sit and watch the rippling waves in silence for a minute. She pulls her legs to her chest, and our shoulders brush against each other; her hair tickles my skin. She turns to look at me, and the second our eyes meet, time stands still. Glancing at her under the evening sky, I’m trying desperately to place exactly what it is about this woman that has both my heads’ attention. Somehow, she’s managed to disrupt my calm in the most unexpected ways, not once but twice in one week. And instead of being annoyed, she has me intrigued.

“So, you’re just sitting here in the dark?”

I’m surprised she beat me to it because I was just thinking the same about her. My gaze falls to her pink pout as she yammers on while my mind fantasizes about what else it can do. “Why so grim? There’s a party over there —looks like you could use one.”

“No thanks,” I reply flatly, not letting on to my interests. I can’t remember the last time I went to a party. I snort.

The thought of me dancing wildly is comical.

“What’s funny? You hate parties?”

“I haven’t partied year.”

Frankly, I’m getting tired of this small talk. The downside? I’m holed up at the hotel right behind here, so even though I’d rather not be anywhere near all this shit, there’s no escaping it. I scoff, annoyed.

“Fine, suit yourself, your loss.” She says, turning toward the ocean. There’s part of me that feels bad for shutting her down and, in a way, misses some of her enthusiastic attention.

“I’m just not a good dancer,” at least that’s half a truth, anyway. She turns back to me with a teasing, warm smile on her face.

“Really?”

I’m lost in her beauty, and the shape and outline of those full hips nestled in my blanket cause dark urges to grow below. She’s gorgeous, the kind of pretty you don’t see every day. The way her curves fill in that dress is absolute perfection. This girl is something, that’s for sure. Her strappy diamond anklets catch the moon perfectly, shooting glints of light along her thighs.

“Looks like you’re missing something,” I tease. “Where are the soles?” She looks down, realizing what I’m talking about. “Oh, I like them this way. There’s nothing like feeling the sand between my toes… it’s grounding, you know?”

“I guess.”

“C’mon…try it, set your piggies free.” Though I don’t see why I should, my interest is peaked, so I go along anyway. Slipping off my shoes and socks, I dig in. The sand is cool and firm with just enough give. She’s right; it really does feel good.

“I’m glad I convinced you.” She smiles, and I’m instantly reminded of yesterday’s encounter. The thought makes me smirk. Her eyes widen, shining bright, “Are you laughing at me?”

I shake my head.

“But you’re smiling.” I didn’t even realize I was. She’s bright like sunshine, a breath of fresh air. I mean, who prances around with their head in the clouds, drinks in the middle of the day and walks alone barefoot at night? I tear my gaze and look at the ocean. But I can only look away for a moment before my traitorous eyes stray back to her. Yesterday, her auburn hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore a loosely fitted colorful dress. Today, her hair falls softly down her back, and the little black number she’s wearing does nothing to hide her body beneath.

“You’re staring,” she says, slowly turning to look at me. The second she does, she lets out a small gasp, and her hand goes over her mouth as though she just realized something.

“You know what you remind me of?” I raise a brow at her question, and she answers herself.

“The ocean…in a way. I mean, your face may be plain and give off nothing— don’t get me wrong, you are cute, but it’s those eyes. Your eyes are so stormy, I can’t tell what you’re thinking. But, you look like you think a lot.”

“Well, it’s nice to know you think I’m cute.” My eyes dart away from her again. The way she looks at me makes me uncomfortable, not in a bad way, because she’s warm and welcoming, but it’s like she sees through my soul…and that’s not allowed. Breaking into a huge grin, she blurts, “That’ll be five ninety-nine for the free consultation.” A chuckle slips out of me. “You’re a bad shrink.”

“Well, after the way we met yesterday, I figured I needed to reintroduce myself for a better first impression.”

“And this is what you’re going for?” I shrug, “I think I kind of liked knowing you as the woman who fell for me.” My lips clamp shut as soon as I say that.

Where did that cheesy line come from?

She laughs, shoots to her feet, dusts the sand off her hands, and stretches one out to me, “Nice to meet you,” she smiles. You can now know me as the woman who charmed you with her dancing— Or the woman who brought the party to you, whichever.” “Hahaha!”

“What?”

“A dance, come on, take my hand,” she repeats like we’re having a normal conversation or like it’s normal to offer a stranger on the beach to dance.

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