Page 17 of Seized by Love at Seaside
“Just something I picked up in school. Who knew that architecture skills carried over to art?”
They painted together, teasing each other and laughing, while talking about families and friends and life on the Cape. Lizzie set her paintbrush down to watch Blue paint. His dark brows knitted together and his jaw clenched. He was usually so relaxed that seeing him so intent on the painting was almost like seeing a whole different person. She imagined it was what he must be like when he worked without anyone else around.
She stifled a yawn, her long day catching up to her.
“I kept you up too late last night.” Blue set down his paintbrush and pulled her in close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She loved the intensity of their wild kisses as much as the tenderness of his softer ones, and even though she knew they could only share this one date, she wanted to enjoy every second of it, of him.
“No. I’m okay.” She looked at the painting and realized he’d painted two string gardens beside the vase. They were drawn in perfect perspective and looked strikingly similar to two of her favorites.
“Are those mine?” she asked softly.
“Yes. You told me they were your favorites the day I came in to buy the aloe vera plant.”
“But that was months ago. You remembered?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, inhaling a deep breath before finally answering. “Lizzie.” He met her gaze with an intensity of heat and honesty that made her whole body warm up. “I don’t think there’s a thing you’ve told me that I haven’t remembered.”
Her heart ached with desire and longing. Blue was, without question, the most honest man alive, and no part of her wanted to put distance between them again. But she knew she had to. She reached for his hand, wanting to enjoy their closeness for the rest of the evening. Even if she couldn’t have him forever, she’d take one night. One night of tender kisses that made her head spin, and the most perfect date she’d ever been on. And then she’d go back to the way it was.
BLUE KNEW HE was in too deep the moment he’d first pressed his lips to Lizzie’s, and he had no desire to swim to the surface. When they left the restaurant, Lizzie climbed into the truck and moved beside him without his urging. Everything felt natural and right, just as he’d known it would. He felt closer to her than he’d ever felt to a woman, and as they drove away from the Paintery with their painting propped against the seat, he didn’t want the night to end.
“I had a great time tonight,” Lizzie said. “It’s been so long since I’ve been on a date. I had forgotten how much fun it can be to connect with someone.”
“Me too, and I knew we’d hit it off. No matter how many times you refused to go out with me, I always knew we’d end up together. I think that’s why I never told Sky that I’d asked you out and that you’d turned me down.”
“Oh gosh.” Lizzie gasped. “You didn’t tell her either?”
He laughed and shook his head. “You didn’t tell her? I thought girls talked about everything.”
“Usually we do, but I never told her that you asked me out. I didn’t want to feel pressured into accepting.”
“And I didn’t want her to pressure you.” He hugged her against him and kissed her again. He hadn’t worn his heart on his sleeve for years, but with Lizzie, there was simply no other way to wear it.
“See how alike we are?” he said. “I know it’s late, and you’re probably too tired, but I have something else planned if you’re—”
“Blue, I don’t want our date to end either, so whatever you had planned is great with me. Tomorrow’s Sunday, and I usually take the day off, so I can rest then.”
“Don’t you want to hear what I had planned?” he asked as he turned off the road toward his house.
“It doesn’t matter.” She rested her head on his shoulder like they’d been dating forever. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to be perfect.”
Blue lived about as simply as a person could while still having creature comforts to enjoy. His modest cabin was set down a narrow and winding road, deep in the woods of Wellfleet on the way to Cahoon Hollow Beach. He parked in front of the one-story, cedar-sided cabin and helped Lizzie from the truck, holding her close and soaking in the feel of her as he set her on her feet. She surprised him again by snaking her arm around his waist as they walked up to the front door. Again he had to wonder how he’d gotten so lucky to finally break down her defenses.
“I guess I should have warned you. My place is pretty small.”
He unlocked the front door and flicked on the lights, illuminating the cozy cabin. He watched her eyes roll to the right, past the kitchen and up to the vaulted ceiling, then travel to the loft above his bedroom. There were no interior walls in the cabin, other than the ones separating the bedroom and bathroom. Blue loved the open floor plan. As he watched Lizzie running her fingers along the marble bar that separated the living room from the kitchen, he wondered what she was thinking.
She smiled as she took it all in. “This feels very much like you. It’s rugged and gorgeously built, of course.” Her voice held a flicker of flirtation. “And it feels safe. Like you. You feel safe.”
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. “Just what a guy wants to be called.Safe.”
She craned her neck to the side, giving him better access to nibble her soft skin. He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue and felt her shiver against him.
“Okay, safe just went out the window,” she said, turning toward him. “You promised me just kisses, remember?”
“That was like a kiss.” He took a step back and made a sweeping gesture with his hand as he bowed. “Your wish is my command.”
She laughed. “My wish is definitelynotto only kiss, but thisisour first date…”
