Page 43 of Sweet Love at Bayside
He picked her up and spun her around. “You’re going to love this. I promise.”
“Well, I lovethispart of it! I’m going to have to agree to do things more often.”
His mind went straight to the gutter, and his expression must have given him away, because she flushed so hard he had to kiss her again.
Ten minutes later, with the backpack stowed in the storage compartment, life vests securely in place, and having given Desiree a quick lesson in Jet Ski safety, they were ready to ride. Drake and Serena shared a Jet Ski, and Drake gave Rick a thumbs-up.
“No wild stunts!” Desiree said.
“Only in the bedroom, sweetheart.”
Rick started out slow, with Drake and Serena trailing them. He had to hand it to Drake. He hadn’t given Rick a hard time about storming out last night, or pushed him any further about not going sailing with them later tonight. Drake was also doing him a huge favor by driving Rick’s Jet Ski back to the resort later. He definitely owed his brother big-time.
“Faster!” Desiree yelled.
That’s my girl.He kicked up the speed. The wind stung his cheeks, and Desiree clung to him as they flew through the water.
When they arrived at the private stretch of beach owned by Dean’s brother, Jett, where the rest of Desiree’s surprise waited, shewhooped! She’d loved the ride, and hopefully she’d like the rest of the surprise just as much. Tonight they had the property all to themselves.
Drake and Serena pulled up beside them and cut the engine.
“Hey, man, I appreciate your help tonight,” Rick said as he and Drake stepped off the Jet Skis.
“That’s what family’s for.” He pulled Rick into a quick embrace and said, for his ears only, “I’m here for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it.”
“That was amazing!” Desiree said as Rick helped her to her feet. “Sofun! I can’t believe I ever called youreckless!”
“She knows you already.” Drake laughed, and Serena smacked his arm.
“Hey!” Drake hoisted Serena over his shoulder and carried her into deeper water.
“Don’t you dare!” Serena hollered. “I’ll kick your butt, Drake Savage!”
Rick helped Desiree remove her life vest, rid himself of his, and tossed the backpack on the beach. “When did my girl call me reckless?”
Her cheeks flushed, and she blinked up at him with big, innocent eyes.
He’d had her wrapped around him for the last forty-five minutes, listening to her melodic laugh and wishing he had a GoPro so he could have seen her elation unfold. And now she was looking at him with that sexy, vulnerable look? The one that drove him out of his mind?
That devastatingly delicious lip sprang free, and she said, “The first time I saw you racing around on the Jet Ski.”
As Drake and Serena sped away, Rick hauled Desiree against him.Alone at last.He gazed into her honest eyes, his heart tumbling. “Babe, the only thing reckless about me is how fast I’m falling for you.”
DESIREE AND RICK held hands as they strolled along the beach, and as the sun began setting, they made their way up a sandy path toward the top of the dunes. Lush bushes with vibrant purple and white flowers appeared between patches of dune grass, as if seeds had rained down from above and taken hold haphazardly. When they reached the crest of the dunes, it was like walking into a dream. In a sandy clearing by the edge of the dunes was a thick orange blanket, several big, colorful throw pillows, and an enormous picnic basket. Rick lit two torches that sat a few inches off the sand, bringing the whole romantic setup into clearer view. Rose petals were spread along the blanket, trailing from where they stood. And at their feet, Rick had drawn two hearts intersecting in the sand, with their initials in them. Her heart felt like it might beat right out of her chest.
“Rick…”
He was watching her with so much emotion in his eyes, she felt her knees weaken. He took her hand and guided her around the message in the sand and away from their little love nest, to where he’d tied pretty blankets up between two low trees, creating a barrier. “Dean’s brother owns this property and the beach below, so we have it all to ourselves.”
He crouched by them, lighting another lantern, and dropped the backpack behind the blankets.
“Even though we’re alone and there’s no chance of anyone seeing us, I assumed you might want a dressing room,” he said as he came to her side and pointed beyond the hanging blankets. “And just over the ridge, by my truck, is a bathroom. I’m sorry I can’t take you sailing to drift beneath the moonlight.”At least not yet.“And taking you out on a powerboat wouldn’t even come close to giving you the romantic night you dream of.”
She stepped closer, her chest full. “Sailing is off my list. I know how hard that would be for you, and I don’t want you to feel pressure because of my silly childhood dream.”
“Your dreams aren’t silly at any age.”
“Rick, all dreams don’t have to be realized. Especially not at the cost of making you uncomfortable.” This incredible man was making her heart work overtime. “This is so much more than I could ever hope for. On top of everything else, you made me adressing room. And I love it even more because it came from here.” She touched the left side of his chest.
