Page 31 of Sweet Love at Bayside
Confusion rose in her eyes, and he drew her against him, hoping to put that conversation aside for a while. As they danced in the moonlight, he thought of all Desiree had revealed to him, admiring her ability to keep such a positive outlook when her life had been turned upside down by the very woman who should have been watching out for her.
Just like last night, Rick lost track of time and space and anything but the woman in his arms. He didn’t know when his sister and her family had left, or how long ago Drake and Dean had stopped playing their guitars. All he knew was that as they broke away from a particularly hot kiss, heneededto be alone with Desiree.
“What do you say we get out of here?”
She glanced at the bonfire. “Sure, but we should say goodbye.”
He didn’t want to share her any more than he already had, but he respected her too much to deny her the chance for a proper goodbye. They headed back to the group and said they were taking off. As Serena hugged Desiree, promising to come by the shop soon, Rick picked up Drake’s guitar.
“Mind if I borrow this?” he asked his brother.
“No. Go ahead,” Drake said. “You okay?”
Drake knew him so well. He only played when he thought of his father, and right then, thoughts of his father were following him like a shadow.
“Do you play?” Desiree asked.
“A little.” He draped his arm over her shoulder.
“Oh, please,” Serena said. “These three were in a band together as teenagers. He’s really good.”
“Okay, we’re out of here.” Rick dragged her away before anyone could share stories of him disappearing into music after he’d lost his father.
“Why didn’t you play with the guys tonight?”
“And miss holding you? No, thank you.” He kissed Desiree’s cheek as they headed down the beach toward her place. “I’ll bring your sandals by tomorrow.”
“Good. That means I’ll see you again.”
He smiled down at her. “Did you have any doubt?”
“Well, you did call me your girlfriend, so I guess I shouldn’t, but…”
“But nothing, sweetheart. A daily occurrence, remember?” He stopped walking and dropped to one knee, resting the guitar over his other and holding tightly to her hand. “Desiree, will you go out with me tomorrow, and the next day, and every day thereafter, until you either get sick of me or leave the Cape?”
She covered her mouth, but nothing could hide her radiant smile. “Yes, you silly man.”
“‘Silly’ doesn’t sound very manly,” he said as he rose to his feet.
She cuddled against him as they walked along the shore. “On the right man, ‘silly’ is as hot as ‘strong.’”
“Really? Huh. I’ll have to amp up my silliness.”
Desiree laughed. “You’re wonderful just as you are. Full of surprises. Oh, shoot. Tomorrow night I’m going out with Violet. I’m sorry. I totally forgot.”
“Ditching me already?”
“Hardly, but I think our sheets are from the Colonial days. We really need to get new ones.”
“Have fun. I’ll hang out with Dean and Drake, and we’ll get together Friday night. That is, if you’re free.”
“I’m definitely free,” she said, lacing her fingers with his.
When they reached Desiree’s house, they sat in the sand and Rick played his guitar, singing songs that made Desiree smile. He wanted to play all night long, just to see the joy in her eyes.
Deep into the night, when Desiree looked a little sleepy, he played “I Wanna Be That Song,” by Brett Eldredge, and sang it to her. And there, with the moon glistening off the water and his girl sighing dreamily beside him, he knew he was falling hard. He wanted tobethe song that got her high and made her dance and made her fall. He wanted tobethe melody that made time stand still for her, filled her up, and kept her young. He wanted her to believe she was right where she should be. Byhisside.
She sighed, and those penetrating green eyes of hers washed over him with so much emotion, he felt like she saw right through him.
