The Big One (Second Chance Romantic Comedy)

by Katherine Hastings

  Plunging beneath the water after her, I popped up just in front of her to find her sputtering and splashing after emerging from the water.

  “I can’t believe you did that!” She laughed, pushing the wet hair from her face.

  “It’s not the first time I’ve done it, and it won’t be the last.” My own laughter deepened while I stood in the waist-deep water and pushed the water from my hair. I loved the noises she made when I surprised her; they sounded just like the ones she made that night we’d made love on the sailboat.

  A spray of water rose from the ocean when she slid her hand along the surface. It slapped me in the face and left me choking on a mouthful of salty water.

  “You’re gonna get it!” I responded, laughing as I jumped toward her. Squealing, she dodged my grasp and ran through the water, struggling against the weight of it. I dove under, popping up just out of reach. Our laughter carried across the waves while I chased her, pushing my legs through the churning water until finally I caught her around the waist. She screeched in false protest when I pulled her back into my arms, both of us puffing as we tried to catch our breaths.

  The sight of her in that sheer dress clinging to every curve sucked the laughter from my lungs. I watched her smile fall, and even in the dim moonlight, I could see the passion ignite in her eyes. Grabbing her face, I pushed my lips down onto hers. Her body responded instantly, and she folded into me until no space remained between us. Desperation exploded from our bodies as we clung to each other, mouths devouring the other, and the years we spent apart just fell away. Each swirl of her tongue erased every painful night I’d spent in her absence, wondering what she was doing. The fingers clawing at my back scratched away the ache that had burned every day spent without her. I kissed her so hard I tried to erase every agonizing second we’d been apart.

  Her hands slid down the wet shirt clinging to my back and moved to my stomach. My breath hitched when her fingers slid beneath the fabric and moved along my skin, fingers spread wide while she explored my abs and chest. My lips drifted from hers and I kissed the salt from her skin, hearing her moan in my ear while I worked my way down her neck. Her head fell back, the creamy skin of her throat wet and begging for my lips. Tracing my tongue along the lines of her neck, even the salt water couldn’t erase the sweetness of her skin.

  My hands moved down her body and slid along her waist until I let them wander back up to the mounds my fingers begged to touch. The weight of her breasts fell in my hands when I cupped them, and she moaned, pressing them deeper into my grip. The peaks of her nipples pressed through the thin fabric and I slid a thumb across one. Hearing her sweet sounds at my touch drove me on and I lowered my mouth to the ruffles that lined her cleavage.

  Inch by inch I slid her dress down past her shoulders, coaxing her breasts out until the soft pink of her nipples crept out from beneath the fabric. They lifted and heaved with her ragged breaths and I couldn’t wait another second to taste them again. Pressing them up to my mouth, I traced my tongue along the peak, sucking it into my mouth and flicking it with my tongue. Her body shuddered, and she pressed her hands into my shoulders, grabbing fistfuls of my shirt. The soft moans continued while I moved between them, taking my time with each of them and remembering how much she awakened beneath my touch.

  “Liam,” she breathed, and I closed my eyes and let the sound of my name on her breath play once again in my ears like the most beautiful song in the world.

  I kissed my way back up her body, until I rose above her. Droplets of water dripped down her skin, and she looked like an angel aglow in the soft moonlight. Sliding a hand behind her head, I lowered my lips back down to hers, softly this time. Our breaths mingled in the moments before they touched, and I felt her warmth ghosting my lips before I reclaimed hers as my own.

  “Poliziotti!” A deep voice boomed across the water and she jumped into my arms.

  The beam of the flashlight blinded me, and I wrapped a protective arm around her while she dipped behind me, covering her breasts with her hands.

  “We’re okay!” I called back and felt her peering out behind me. “We’re just out for a swim!”

  “Come out, now!” he demanded, mirroring my English.

  “Fuck,” I whispered, but the frustrated laughter churned in my chest.

  “Are we in trouble?” I could feel her behind me, pulling up her dress, and it was all I could do not to storm out of the water and knock that cop out for interrupting us.

  “No, we’re not in trouble. He’ll just throw us out. We didn’t do a very good job hiding, however. Our screaming and splashing weren’t exactly stealthy of us.” I laughed.

  Together we plodded through the water, Ellie keeping just behind me. The flashlight continued its assault on my eyes while we made our way onto the shore.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, and I lifted my hand, shielding my eyes from the light.

  “Swimming,” I answered abruptly.

  “You shouldn’t be out here. The beach is closed. Are you trying to get yourselves killed?”

  “Sorry, Sir. We’ll just be on our way. Come on,” I said, grabbing her hand. The flashlight followed us while I stopped to scoop up our things and I could hear her giggle starting while we trotted toward the exit. When we snuck back through the alley and popped onto the street she exploded with laughter.

  “Oh my God! I haven’t been busted by the cops since I was eighteen! We got busted, Liam! Like a couple of rebellious teenagers.” Her laughter echoed through the streets and it was so contagious I joined her with my own.

  “A couple of hooligans we still are. Nothing like starting your vacation in jail.”

  “Busted, Liam!”

  She looked adorable soaking wet in her little floral dress standing in her bare feet. A cool breeze blew down the street and she wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed the exposed skin.

  “Are you cold?”

  “A little.” She shivered. I shook the sand from my suit coat and stepped behind her, sliding it over her shoulders.

  “Won’t it get ruined if it gets wet?”

  “I’d rather it ruined than you cold.”

  “My knight in shining armor.” She giggled.

  A cab came down the road and I looked at my watch. Almost midnight. “I think it’s time we get you back to your hotel before you turn into a pumpkin. Or freeze to death.”

  “Okay,” she said, dancing to keep warm.

  Waving my hand, I flagged down the cab. After holding the door so she could get in, I climbed in beside her and we pressed our soaked bodies together and huddled for warmth.

  “Tonight was amazing, Liam,” she said when we wound down the streets toward her hotel. “I mean, really amazing.”

  “It was for me, too.”

  “Can you believe we found each other?” Those innocent eyes looked up and met mine.

  I pushed the wet strand of hair from her face. “I’m still not convinced I’m not asleep or dead.”

  She pinched me and I jumped back. “Ouch!”

  “Not asleep, and not dead.” She smiled.

  The cab rolled to a stop in front of her hotel and I hopped out and opened her door. After helping her out onto the street, I asked the cab driver to wait. The disappointment that flashed on her face sent a pang through my gut as my groin screamed in protest.

  “I need to get home to my mother. I didn’t have time to get anyone to stay with her tonight. Is that all right?” I asked, taking her hands in mine.

  “Of course,” she answered and squeezed my hands back. “I wasn’t planning on sleeping with you tonight, anyway.”

  “Oh no?” I asked when I saw the lie flash through her eyes.

  “Well, I wasn’t planning on it.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips against my cheek before whispering in my ear. “That doesn’t mean I didn’t think about it.”

  The warm breath brushing my ear with the sensual words sent a long gulp sliding down my throat. When she stepped back and smiled
up at me, I nearly dropped to my knees and begged her to come home with me.

  “Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked, glancing down at her bare feet.

  “I’ll be here at nine.”

  Her grin grew, and she breathed a happy sigh. “Here.” She started taking off my suit coat, but I stopped her with a raised hand.

  “Keep it. I’ll get it tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I nodded. “Here, you should take these, though.” I handed her the shoes I’d been dragging with us all night.

  “Thank you, Liam. For everything tonight.”

  “Thank you for finding me.” I stepped forward into her space. Leaning down, I pressed a soft kiss onto her lips and inhaled her one last time before dragging myself away to the waiting cab. She watched me climb in and held up her hand to say goodbye while I drove away. My eyes stayed on her until the cab turned a corner and I lost sight of her. Nine hours away from her would be agony, but I had an idea for tomorrow that would hopefully put a smile on that face I adored so much.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Ellie

  “So, boobs? You touched his big hard man boobs, and he touched your lady boobs?” Louie called out across the room from the iPad I’d propped on the bed while I got ready for Liam to pick me up. Nita was at work, so she’d only received the rundown of last night’s magical moments in an email. Louie was off until the night shift, so he was getting the rundown as close to in person as we could get.

  “Big hard man boobs?” I shouted back and snickered, peeking back at the screen while I pulled a skirt over the bathing suit Liam’s morning message told me to wear.

  “Yeah, man boobs. You know, those big, hard pecs you said he used to have. He still has them, right?”

  “Yep. He’s got some serious big, hard man boobs!”

  “Good! Because when I picture him that’s what I see. What about the abs? Four-pack, six-pack...” He gasped. “Or is it the elusive eight-pack?”

  “I didn’t count, Louie... but there were ample packs. Really ample packs.” I tugged down the tank top and glanced at the clock on the iPad. He’d be here in fifteen minutes.

  “What about the other pack... did you touch it?”

  “Louie!” I laughed. “No, I didn’t touch it.”

  “He was in suit pants in the water. You must have seen it. Did you see it? Is it still big?”

  Flashes went through my mind of him standing in front of my hotel in a soaking-wet see-through shirt and pants that clung to his groin and amplified the package I remembered so well.

  “God, Louie! What is wrong with you?” I laughed, but then peeked back at the iPad. “But yeah, I saw it. It’s still huge.”

  “Yes!” He shouted triumphantly. “Lovin’ me some Liam and his big dick! Well, you’re gonna be lovin’ you some Liam and his big dick!”

  A knock on the door whipped my head around and I ran to look out the peep hole. Liam’s face looked distorted through the glass, but even with an oversized forehead and nose he was still handsome. Excitement and panic rippled through me when I pulled the door open. He leaned on the doorframe, the formal suit was gone, and he wore board shorts and a tank top, just how I remembered him. The sight of him in the familiar attire flooded my mind with memories and the smile on his face woke up the butterflies.

  “Hi,” I said, and my own smile grew.

  “Hi,” he responded and stepped up, planting a soft kiss on my lips.

  “You’re early.” I moved aside, letting him in the room.

  “I was excited to see you. Can you blame me?” He glanced around the room and smiled when his eyes made it to my bed. “And you must be Louie?”

  Louie! I gasped and turned to see Louie’s face still sitting on my iPad.

  “Hi Liam,” he crooned and gave a coy wave at the screen.

  “Oh my God,” I said, now realizing he’d likely heard at least part of our conversation. Racking my brain, I tried to remember the last things we said. His dick. We were talking about his dick. I cringed and raced over to my iPad.

  “I’ve heard great things about you, Louie,” Liam said into the screen before I flung myself on the bed and grabbed the little device.

  “Bye Louie!” I fumbled for the end button.

  “By Ellie! By Liam! You kids have fun! And use protection!” he shouted just before I clicked off the screen.

  “Sunscreen. He meant sunscreen,” I lied poorly, the blush heating my cheeks while I rolled off the bed and clamored to my feet.

  “I’m sure.” A smirk lifted one side of his lips and those knowing eyes sparkled with mirth.

  Fumbling with my hair, I shifted in front of him. “How much of that did you hear?” My voice jumped a few octaves.

  “Enough,” he said, and the mocking smile grew. “I like him already.”

  “Let’s go before I die of embarrassment.” I gave up my fight to smooth over the awkwardness and grabbed him by the hand.

  “Are you sure? We can call him up again and talk about my big hard man boobs some more.”

  “Oh my God!” I dropped his hand, grabbing my purse and covering my face with it. “Please, don’t ever say man boobs again. Or bring this up again, for that matter.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  I ran out of the room and his laughter followed me, echoing down the hall. When I reached the elevator, I repeatedly pressed the button until I heard my room door close and his footsteps come behind me. Embarrassment kept me from turning back around and I stared at the numbers counting the floors while the elevator made its way.

  His footsteps stopped, and I felt his body press up against mine. I closed my eyes and leaned backward until I felt his arms close around my waist.

  “Ellie,” he whispered, “I have something really important to tell you.”

  The sullen tone of his voice shook away my shame, and I turned to face him. The grave look on his face made my heart speed up, and I braced for the news that was coming. Was it over? Was he leaving me? Did his mom die?

  “What is it?” I asked, and the elevator door dinged, opening behind me. I held my breath and waited.

  “It’s an eight-pack.” The moment the last word came out of his mouth, his dimples deepened, and a smile played across his lips.

  “Oh my God!” I shouted in exasperation and embarrassment, turning and bolting into the elevator, leaning my head in the corner and letting his laughter echo in the small chamber when he climbed inside. I didn’t turn around until we hit the ground floor, but his laughter continued the entire way. When the door opened, I lifted my chin and tried to summon as much dignity as I could when I stepped past him while he leaned on the door, arms crossed and waiting for me to make it out.

  “Careful, don’t bump my big hard man boobs on your way through.”

  “Oh my God, Liam!” I turned around and saw his grin. Giving up my fight, I burst into laughter and buried my face in my hands. His arms wrapped around me and I pressed my head into his chest while we stood in the lobby, our conjoined laughter echoing against the walls and causing the other guests to turn and stare.

  “I’m never going to live this down, am I?” I asked between laughs, and then peeked up at him with a faux pout.

  He pursed his lips and shook his head. “Nope. Never.”

  “That’s what I thought.” I let out a defeated sigh and punctuated it with a final laugh.

  “Well, what do you and your man boobs have in store for us today?”

  “We have a very special surprise for you. Do you have protection?” he asked.

  “What? No,” I stumbled over the words. “I didn’t really have anything planned. I haven’t been to a store or anything and didn’t know if we’d be doing that yet. I mean, I’m on birth control but if we do, you know, that, we should probably still...” My voice trailed off when I saw the color of his cheeks filling with red as he choked down the laughter.

  “Sunscreen, Ellie. We’ll be in the sun. Isn’t that what you said he meant by prote
ction?”

  “I’m going to kill you.” I slapped him on the shoulder and turned away, walking out on the street with his laughter following behind me.

  His chuckles finally quieted when we got to the cab parked on the curb, but I knew he was having a hard time containing himself.

  “Is this ours?” I asked, hoping the last of the torment was over.

  “Yep.” He stepped to my side and opened the door, and I slipped inside. After he climbed in, he slid an arm around my shoulder, and I reached up and grabbed his hand.

  He spoke in Italian and the driver started away.

  “What did you say? Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” He winked, and I felt his hand tighten around mine.

  We wound through the city and he pointed out all his favorite places when we passed by. When the cab pulled to a stop, he handed the driver some money and we stepped out into the parking lot. The amplified smell of the saltwater permeated my nose and I knew we were back at the ocean.

  “Beach day? And this time without the cops?” I asked.

  “Better. Come on.”

  He grabbed my hand and tugged me around the building to the stairs that led down to a long dock. White boats tethered to the docks stretched out in every direction, each bobbing on the soft waves.

  Stopping, he turned to face me. “So, you remember my Dutch swear words, but do you still remember what I taught you about sailing?”

  “We’re going sailing?” My heart raced at the thought. The last time I’d been sailing, it had been with him. Although, the last time I was on a sailboat we weren’t sailing... we were docked at the Ephraim marina and I was losing my virginity.

  “Unless you have any objections?”

  The smile stretching across my face was the only answer he needed.

  “Good.” He pulled me forward, and I beamed while I followed him down the dock. When we arrived at the sailboat, I felt the nerves crackling in my stomach.