Page 8 of Cheesecake
Corey smiles. “Shockingly, as a thirty-five-year-old man, I don’t actually have to ask my mother’s permission for anything. It’s the upside of growing up and having a thousand responsibilities. I get tochoosewho I spend my time with. And I also think that if we do this, I want you to get along with my kid.”
A pleasant heat blooms within my chest. “I get it. What time should I be ready?”
“Can you be here at ten?”
“Definitely. I’ll see you tomorrow at ten—after we surf.” I step back, my whole body tingling with excitement as I turn to go and sit with Tina and Rob, but Corey’s voice stops me.
“Penny.”
“Yes?” I whirl around to find him smiling and pushing the tray of cheesecakes toward me. “Your order.”
“Oh gosh!” My eyes go wide and I fumble for my purse.
He lifts his hand. “Keep your money. Your cheesecake is on the house, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart.I love that he just called me that.
“Thank you,” I practically whisper as I take the tray and float my way through the rest of the evening, counting down the seconds until I get to be alone with him again.
Corey
“It isn’t often that the water’s like this,” Penny says when I find her on the beach the next morning, ready for the surf, but the waves just aren’t there. The water is practically still.
“Maybe we should have checked the surf report? You could have slept in.” I grin and touch her lightly with my elbow. She smiles and turns her pretty brown eyes to mine, shaking her head.
“When the choice is sleeping in or seeing you, I’d rather see you.”
Sliding my hand into the back of her hair, I bring my mouth to hers, kissing her sweet lips with long and slow movements. We have the beach to ourselves, and without the roar of the ocean, the entire island feels silent in the darkness of the early morning. It’s like we’re the only two people on this planet.
“I’d choose you too,” I whisper when I release her, feeling like a kid with no responsibility again. I think that’s a lot of what I like about being around Penny. She reminds me of simpler times, and she makes me feel like anything is possible, like I have a future.
“Number two,” she says, rubbing her lips together as her gaze lifts to mine.
“Number two what?”
“Kisses.” She grins like maybe she’s embarrassed, but she’s adorable. “Yesterday was my first. Today is my second.”
“First? You mean first with me?”Is she saying what I think she’s saying?
“No.” She shakes her head. “First with anyone.”
I actually take a stumbled step back, the news hitting me in the chest. “How is that possible?”
“I’ve never had a boyfriend before,” she says in a rush, her expression shifting to one of worry. “Not that I’m saying it’s what you are. I’m just letting you know that…that I haven’t done any of this before. You’re my…my first.”
“Your first.”Holy fuck.I run my hand through my hair and almost drop my board.
“Oh shit. I’m freaking you out, aren’t I?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m not freaked out. I’m just…surprised. I never expected you’d be a…uh…”
“A virgin?”
“Yeah.” I meet her eyes, and a tiny chuckle slides its way out of my throat. “You’re so beautiful and funny. I thought for sure…”
“I hope it doesn’t change anything.”
“No.” I reach my free hand out and rest it on her waist, pulling her closer to me. “It makes everything better. I’mhonoredto be your first, Penny. And if you’ll let me, I’d like to be your last too.”
