Page 20 of Conflict
“You’re right. We don’t have a lot of time, so let’s just enjoy the time we do. Yeah?”
“Speaking of time, we have a boat to catch.”
I laugh as we exit the Jeep and Shane pulls me across the parking lot and down a flight of stairs. I’m breathless when we reach a giant, white speedboat. A man with the quintessential surfer look takes tickets from Shane and greets us.
“Welcome to the Sunset Dolphin Cruise. I’m Jeff, and I’ll be your captain today. You can take a seat anywhere on the boat, but I’d recommend heading up front.”
Shane gives him a salute and we climb aboard.
Another man saunters over to us with a stack of plastic cups. “Hey, y’all. I’m Austin, and I’m in charge of keeping you hydrated. Drinks are included with the ticket, and they’re unlimited, so let’s have a good time.” He hands us each a cup. “Beer or wine?”
We each take wine and then settle into the second row of seats. Shane allows me to get in first. He slides in beside me, so close that our thighs are touching. One arm goes behind me, around my shoulders.
It’s chillier on the water than it was on land, and when I shiver, Shane scoots in and holds me closer. As soon as we take off, Jeff narrates the ride. He takes us through Destin Bay, showing off homes owned by various celebrities. After that, we take off into the Gulf of Mexico, where the sun is already setting. When a group of dolphins appears off in the distance, he drives the boat in their direction.
It’s the best time I’ve had in a really, really long time. Something about being out on the water at sunset, with Shane, is incredibly romantic. I haven’t felt this giddy in…well, ever.
After snapping a ton of pictures, we settle back into our seats for the remainder of the cruise.
“This is incredible, Shane. You definitely brought your woo game tonight,” I tell him, taking my eyes off the amazing scenery to look at him and place a kiss on his cheek.
“And to think, before you, I’ve never even tried to woo a girl before.”
I lean back, my brow furrowing. “Oh, really. I’m supposed to believe you’ve never done this before?”
Shane grins. “Absolutely.”
“Really?”
He takes my hand, gives it a kiss, then stares directly into my eyes. “I can never claim to be a choirboy, Alyssa. But the truth is, this? I’ve never done it.”
“Taken a girl on a sunset cruise?”
“Taken a girl anywhere.”
“You’re telling me that you’re, what? Twenty-eight? Twenty-nine? And you’venevertaken a girl on a date.”
The smile he tosses in my direction is enormous. “Never,” he whispers conspiratorially. “And close. I’m thirty. I just look young for my age.”
He’s teasing, but I completely ignore it. “You are thirty years old and you’ve never been on a date before.”
“Now, you’re starting to sound like a broken record, sunshine,” he says, grinning at my apparent skepticism.
“You’re just…like, blowing my mind.”
“Hey, I didn’t give you this much shit for being a twenty-five-year-old virgin.”
My cheeks flush with heat. Or embarrassment. Or, really, both. “But I’d done everything else!”
Shane leans in to kiss the surprise off my face. When he pulls away, his smile has faded. “Look. I’m just going to be blunt. Like you, I was too busy with school and work to even begin thinking about a relationship. I knew I wouldn’t commit or settle down until I met that one person who made me want to. I hadn’t met that person. What was the point of trying to date if I didn’t plan on committing?”
I lock in on his tense, noting it’s in the past. Does this mean he thinks hehasmet someone who could make him want to commit? The thought has my heart beating erratically.
“That…that makes sense,” I whisper.
“I know this is crazy, and maybe too fast or too soon. But when I left your room this morning? All I could think about was when I’d see you again. All I could think about waswantingto see you again, wanting to take you on a date. You deserve that, and I wanted to be the one to do it.”
“Shane. Just because we slept together doesn’t mean you owe me a date.”
