Page 73 of Vapor

Together, we unpack the tent, coolers, lounge chairs, hibachi grill, wood for a campfire, charcoal, and drinking water.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I say softly, my eyes meeting Vapor’s.“This is more amazing than I ever could have imagined.”

“We needed to get away for a bit.” His voice is low and tender.“I promised I’d show you everything you’ve been missing, and I intend to keep that promise.”

“Thank you.” I stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his lips.

A warm breeze caresses my skin as I lay out the blanket on the beach, the sand soft and inviting beneath my feet. The sun is beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the waves that lap gently at the shore. I change into a bikini with a sarong, feeling both vulnerable and liberated as I peel off my riding clothes.

“Damn, babe,” Vapor growls, unabashedly admiring me.“You look amazing.”

He moves in for another kiss, wrapping his arms around me. I laugh and push him away playfully.“Not yet, handsome. We need to set up camp before it gets dark.”

“All right,” he concedes, smirking.“But I’m definitely going to hold you to that kiss later.”

As Vapor busies himself with the hibachi grill, I sit down on the blanket, watching him work. The charcoal crackles and pops, filling the air with an earthy scent. He opens the ice chests and pulls out plastic containers of marinated meat. Soon enough, the aroma of teriyaki chicken skewers and garlic butter shrimp wafts over. My stomach growls in anticipation.

“Here you go.” He hands me a skewer.

Steam rises from the perfectly grilled meat to tickle my senses. I can already taste it, but when I pop the first piece into my mouth, it’s even better than I expected. I moan as the juices melt in my mouth.

“You’re even sexy when you eat,” he says, eyeing me like a starving man. He’s hungry, all right, but not for chicken.

“Later,” I say, grinning.

“Promises, promises.” He follows the skewers up with corn on the cob and pineapple slices which he seared to perfection.“Enjoy.”

“This is the best dinner I’ve ever had.” I open the drink cooler to retrieve two bottles of beer. I hand one to him. Raising mine, I propose a toast.“To spending time away from the chaos and to getting to know each other better.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here with you,” he says, clinking our bottles together.

As we eat, I can’t help but feel grateful for the moment, for this escape from the complicated world we left behind. I already feel more relaxed than I have since I fled my father’s house. Things will get better. I have to believe that because I can’t imagine the alternative. Now that I have Vapor in my life, I don’t want to lose him.

When dinner is finished, we clean up, making sure to collect all our trash so we can take it with us when we leave.

With the sun now a fiery orb sinking toward the horizon, we hold hands as we watch the stunning sunset. The sky is painted in shades of orange, pink, and purple, reflecting off the waves like a watercolor masterpiece.

Before the last sliver of light disappears, he gets up to make a campfire, taking care to ensure it’s not too close to the water.

“Want some s’mores?” he calls over his shoulder.

I pat my stomach.“I’m stuffed, but thank you. If I keep eating this way, my clothes will get even tighter than they already are.”

He grins, looking me up and down appreciatively.“You’re gorgeous, Blue. And if you need more clothes when we get back, I’ll send Babet and you on a shopping spree.”

“I can’t believe how lucky I am to have met you,” I say softly, touched by his kindness.“The first time I saw you, I almost forgot the song I was singing. You were so damn dark and sexy, and you had this aura of power and danger. I got so damn wet.”

“Really?” His grin widens.

“I couldn’t even breathe properly when I looked at you.” I blush.“I was afraid everyone, including Broussard, would notice.”

He chuckles, his eyes filled with warmth.“You know, after you stepped on stage, I couldn’t even speak. I knew you were special the moment I saw you.”

Our gazes lock, and I know that despite all the obstacles we’ve faced and those still to come, I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything in the world.

“Kiss me,” I whisper.

He does, pulling me close before sealing his lips to mine. We kiss until the sun finally disappears behind the horizon. Sitting on the blanket with our legs intertwined, we hold each other tightly. This is a fantasy come true.

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