He pulled away and she opened her eyes to stare dazedly up at him.
“I won’t be able to stop this time. Be very sure, Miranda.”
She nodded, then licked her lips and his groin tightened painfully, longing to feel that tongue on his skin. “I’m sure.”
He continued to study her, looking for signs of intoxication, but her eyes were clear blue, direct and honest. “It’s not the vodka speaking, right?”
She wound her hands around his neck and kissed him. “Not even close. This is all me, Lucas.”
He stepped back abruptly and she stumbled. He steadied her then dropped his hands, not trusting himself to not lay her down in the sand and take her right there. “Not here. Not for our first time. Want to head back?”
She nodded, but took one last look around the moonlight ocean, at the stars reflected in the water, then she followed him the sandy beach. A towel had been left on top of their shoes. The lights went out in the kitchen, his mother bowing out gracefully, not making an awkward scene for them.
He grinned. “I guess Mom’s going to bed. Want to sneak away?”