Chapter 28 Without any warning, she grabbed my face and kissed me hard
Ryan
The next thing I knew, Saraphina’s arms were wrapped around my waist as the bike roared through the sleeping town. It was late, and the stars were out in force. The summer night air was cool, rushing past us and making everything feel more alive.
“Ry, slow down. You will wake up the whole neighborhood,” she called over the wind.
If we wake the whole neighborhood, we might as well burn the whole town down for all I care. I did not care.
I ignored her and went faster, making her gasp and hold onto me even tighter. I liked that. So I kept doing it.
After riding for a while, we reached a hidden beach at the very edge of the island. The people who live here call it Virgin Beach. I call it My Beach.
I took her hand and led her down the narrow, rocky path to the sand. The way was rough, and she had to watch her step.
“Why do you call it your beach?” she asked, choosing each step with care.
“Because it feels like mine. Most people do not bother coming here. It is too much work. You have to climb down steep rocks and a long, narrow stairway for twenty minutes before you even reach the sand.”
“And you do not think that is too much work?” she said, struggling to find her footing.
“No. I like the effort. I have always thought the harder the path, the better the reward at the end.”
“Wow. That is actually pretty deep,” she said with a little laugh.
“And you said my personality had no depth,” I reminded her.
“That was before I knew who you are.”
“And who am I?”
“You are my Ry,” she answered simply.
Ah, shit. Fuck me.
Her words made my legs feel weak, which was a problem since I was holding most of her weight. Slowly, carefully, we finally made it down. Just as I expected, the beach was huge and completely empty.
No one here talks about this place. We do not want visitors to find it and crowd it. We like Virgin Beach to stay pure, if you catch my meaning. It is the island’s most closely guarded secret.
When our feet finally sank into the sand, I looked at Saraphina. Her eyes were full of wild excitement.
“The sand is so soft! And oh my god, the water!” she cried out.
“Yes. And it is all ours tonight,” I said, spreading my arms wide.
She let out a happy shout and ran toward the ocean. I could not help but laugh. It was honestly adorable. Like watching a little kid see something magical for the very first time.
Saraphina pulled out her phone, about to take a picture, but I snatched it from her hand.
“No, no pictures. Sorry. We cannot have you sharing this place with the whole world,” I said, holding the phone behind my back. She danced around me, trying to grab it.
“Give it back! I promise I will not post anything!” she squealed, but I kept moving away from her.
“Ry, give it!” she said, pushing against my chest in frustration. I let her push me, and this time I let myself fall back onto the soft sand, pulling her down on top of me.
We lay there for a moment until she blushed and tried to squirm away. I held her arms, keeping her in place.
“Wait. Look up,” I said as she struggled.
She turned her head and saw what I saw, the entire night sky above us, filled with more stars than I could count.
“I have never seen so many stars,” she breathed.
She rolled off me and lay down at my side, her head near my shoulder, her mouth open in wonder. I turned toward her, breathing in her scent. Then I placed my hand under her chin and tilted her face to look at me.
“I have never brought anyone else here. You are the first. So do not tell anyone about this place, all right?” I said.
“Wow. That is really cheesy,” she laughed. “Do you actually expect me to believe that?”
I rolled my eyes. If only she knew.
“You do not have to believe me. But the only girl I have ever brought here is not some random conquest,” I said, teasing her with her own words from before.
She looked at me, her eyes wide. I swear they were shining.
I had told her I would show her how much I wanted her. It was time to keep that promise.
Without waiting any longer, I brought my mouth down on hers as the waves crashed nearby. She kissed me back, and her soft sounds drove me out of my mind. Her fingers pushed into my hair, and I groaned. I moved to her neck, kissing and sucking gently at her skin, leaving marks I knew would be hard to explain.
Saraphina knew what I was doing would leave bruises, so she pushed me back. I listened, returning to her mouth instead, biting and tugging at her lower lip. Then, suddenly, she slipped her tongue into my mouth. This girl was full of surprises. She never stopped amazing me.
Our tongues met, and I let mine move deeper, harder. She moaned again, and the sound went straight through me. I could feel myself growing hard, the pressure becoming almost too much. Needing some kind of relief, I pressed myself against the inside of her thigh, moving slowly.
God, how I wanted her. I did not say it out loud, but she must have known. Her eyes flew open in surprise.
“Ry,” she said softly, starting to pull away.
I know. I know. That was my signal to stop.
I took a deep breath and moved back. We were both breathing hard, and I groaned in frustration.
“I am sorry,” she said.
“Do not be,” I answered, and I could hear the edge in my own voice.
“Are you angry?”
“No. Yes. But only at myself. For having such shitty self-control whenever I am with you.”
She turned on her side to face me and put her hand on my cheek. I covered her hand with mine. But then she pulled away and sat up. I saw the worry in her eyes.
“What are you thinking about?” I asked, sitting up beside her.
“Ry… what are we doing? Is this not a terrible idea?” she said, and that scared look was back.
I put my hand against her cheek and brought her face close to mine. “Hey, listen to me… stop worrying. You worry too damn much. Just forget about the whole world right now and… stay here with me,” I said, resting my forehead against hers.
I did not expect what happened next. I thought she would argue more. But she just smiled. A real, true smile. I held that picture in my mind, because in fifty years, when I am old, this is the moment I want to remember.
Slowly, I lay back down, pulling her with me. For a long time, we just lay there, looking at each other in a silent understanding. The sound of the waves and a sky full of stars were our only witnesses.
“I wish I had done everything on earth with you,” I said, quoting Fitzgerald. I knew he was her favorite author. Luckily, he was mine, too.
As soon as she heard the words, she looked at me with those shining eyes. A wild smile broke across her face. Without any warning, she grabbed my face and kissed me hard. It was the first time she had ever made the first move. I hoped to god it was the start of many more.