Then There Was You

by Candace Shaw

  “It is breathtaking. The best way to view it. Oh, there’s the lighthouse.”

  “And look, is that Brogens?”

  They enjoyed the next few minutes pointing out other landmarks around the island and taking a few selfies.

  “I could stay up here all day,” Brooklyn said with a sigh. “I hate our time is almost up.”

  “Me too.” He nodded in agreement as they were being lowered back to the boat. “This was the fastest twenty minutes. I guess time does fly when you’re having fun.”

  “But our day isn’t over yet,” she stated in a sing-song tone. “I have one more water adventure planned.”

  He noted her mischievous expression. “I’m almost scared to ask what’s next.”

  “You’ll see momentarily,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes in an innocent manner and patting his knee.

  And he did. They headed over to the cycle boat dock, and he was relieved it wasn’t skydiving. Afterwards, they picked up a late lunch/early dinner at Brogens and decided hang out on Coast Guard Beach. It was full with tourists and locals, but they were able to find a spot away from the crowds to set up the camp chairs and an umbrella.

  “I can get used to driving around in a golf cart,” Chase commented, standing to fix the umbrella they’d buried in the sand. The wind had picked up a bit since they’d arrived. “Think I could drive a cart in downtown Memphis?”

  “Probably not,” Brooklyn replied, crinkling her nose. “One of the things I’ll miss if I ever leave the island.”

  “Still deciding?” Chase sat back down and took a bite of his turkey burger. Her faraway, wistful expression had him regretting the question. He didn’t want to ruin the day with her thinking about her present career issue. He’d been there before when he considered leaving his last position.

  Sighing, she dipped a sweet potato fry into the honey mustard. “Yeah … I’m looking forward to going home tomorrow and working with Kam on her book project. I’m still in limbo about leaving Precious Moments, and I haven’t told Reagan and Zaria yet of my dilemma. But I can’t worry about it at the moment. I’m glad you enjoyed parasailing and the cycle boating.”

  He was relieved she changed the subject. “The cycle boating was a great cool down from the adrenaline high of parasailing.”

  “And I got a nice leg work out, too” she said, rubbing her thighs and tucking her legs underneath her in the chair. “Now I don’t have to feel bad about missing the gym today.”

  Chase was disappointed when she removed her long, tanned legs from his view. He’d been admiring their softness and had to restrain himself from reaching over to caress them.

  “You know there’s skydiving over in Jacksonville,” he teased. “Could be our next hang out when you return.”

  “Now that’s something I wouldn’t do and apparently not you either. I saw you at your cousin Preston’s skydiving wedding. You were on the ground with the rest of the bystanders who didn’t want to jump with the bride and groom. I was relieved one of the skydivers accompanying them took the pictures.”

  “Oh, so you were checking me out at their wedding?” He rubbed his hand over on his chin and peered down at her over his shades. “I’m flattered.”

  She glanced away from him. “No, not what I said.”

  “Honestly, I thought about it, but I’m not a dare devil like Preston. He and Addi are the family’s adrenaline junkies … well, we aren’t actually blood-related to the Chase family, but we say we’re cousins since we share the other set of Arringtons.”

  “Oh, I see. I guess I never realized that. I only know Bria and Shelbi. So how did you get the name Chase?” Brooklyn wrapped her hair in a bun at the top of her head as the wind picked up a bit more.

  “My Aunt Darla’s maiden name is Chase. My mom thought it would be a cool first name. She didn’t want rhyming or similar names for Hunter and I.”

  “Must be cool to have a twin.”

  “It is. He’s my best friend and we love being big brothers to Addi and Zoe.”

  “You all seem so close. I love the dynamics of a big family. It was just me and Rasheed growing up, but along with the Richardsons and the Martins, we’re all one big circle of friends. Our parents were all best friends growing up as well, and hopefully my children will be friends with their children.”

  “Ah … so you want kids one day.” It was more of a statement than a question. Usually discussing children would have him sprinting away, but with Brooklyn he was completely at ease.

  “I do, and apparently with you since we’re gonna be hitched and all,” she teased, pinching him on the arm.

  “Yep.” Leaning over, he kissed her tenderly on the side of her neck. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Letting out an aroused moan, she swiped her water bottle from the cup holder in the chair and took a long swig. “You play too much.” Pausing, Brooklyn stood and pointed out to the sea. Grabbing her camera from her tote bag, she moved closer to the water. “It’s a family of dolphins.”

  “Nice. Real nice,” he complimented, hoping she wouldn’t turn around and realize he wasn’t commenting on the dolphins but instead her shapely body in the bikini. She had to be the same measurements as in the song “Brick House” by the Commodores. She had the most bouncy breasts he’d ever seen, and the bikini top enhanced their jiggle even more. Her tiny waist, which he’d enjoyed wrapping his arms around, offset her clutchable hips and plump butt was all natural from eating southern soul food and squats. He was somewhat jealous of her bikini bottom for having the lucky chance to be directly attached to her.

  Pivoting on her heel, Brooklyn snapped a picture of him. “You sure are wearing a sexy smize, mister.”

  “Oh, really?” He shifted in his seat and tried to relax his face.

  “Yeah. What naughty thoughts are going on in that brain of yours?”

  Dang, was it obvious? “Nothing.” He shrugged, taking a sip of his cool water. “I’m admiring the exquisite view.” There. It wasn’t a lie

  “The dolphins?” she asked, snapping another picture of him and sitting back down.

  Chase took the last bite of his burger and chewed slow as she eyed him with pressed lips.

  “Oh … um … sure. The dolphins.”

  *****

  Brooklyn began to giggle at his lie and tossed a French fry at him. She knew he was checking her out the entire time, especially when she’d slipped off her sarong before parasailing. Chase’s breath had sucked in and the same sexy smize from a moment ago was plastered on his face as if he’d hit the jackpot. She could always sense his intense stare on her. It heated her body like a blow torch firing upon crème brûlée. However, he wasn’t the only one as she found herself stealing glances at him through her dark shades. His bare chest glistened from the sun screen and a film of sweat settled on his chocolate-kissed skin. Chocolate had always been her weakness, and fighting off the urge to straddle his lap to kiss him couldn’t shake out of her thoughts. Brooklyn felt somewhat bad for her naughty way of thinking considering she was the one pushing the “stay friends” narrative. However, they’d already had their first kiss along with a few stolen kisses which basically had her wanting to scream, “Take me now.”

  “I’m thinking about taking a swim in thirty minutes after my food digests. You wanna join me?” Chase asked after he returned from throwing their trash in the garbage.

  “I’d love to.”

  Thirty minutes later, they rode the waves together, got knocked over a few times, had a water splash fight all while laughing their asses off and stealing kisses in-between.

  “Okay, time-out,” Brooklyn said, exhaling and making a T-sign with her hands. “I need to catch my breath.” Winking, she splashed water on him as he proceeded to grab her to his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and was about to kiss him when a sharp pain on the bottom of her leg had her shrieking in pain.

  “Ouch! What was that?” Eyeballing her leg, she spotted a jellyfish attached to it and started to kick her leg unt
il Chase grabbed the pest and flung it back into the ocean.

  “Are you okay, babe?” he asked, scooping her up in his embrace, carrying her ashore and laying her down on the blanket spread out in front of their camp chairs. “I’ll pour some ice water on the sting.” He reached over to the mini ice chest, grabbed a bottled water, and poured it over the bite. Placing cubes in a clean napkin from their meal, Chase set it on the area and held it.

  “I’m fine. It happens. I have some meat tenderizer in my beach bag.”

  His forehead indented into an awkward, puzzled position. “Meat tenderizer? You plan on catching it and frying it? Is it some kind of island ritual?”

  Chuckling at the seriousness of his question, she rummaged around in her tote and pulled out the container and opened it. “No, silly. You sprinkle it on the sting. It takes the pain away, but the ice is helping as well.” She handed it to him and he shook the seasoning over the sting.

  She was impressed by Chase’s caring nature and appreciated his attentiveness as he stroked her wet hair with an expression of concern plastered on his face. It reminded Brooklyn of her father who always showed concern especially when her mother grew weak in the end, and he did his best to make sure she was comfortable until her last breath.

  “Well, relax,” he said softly. “I’m here.”

  “Okay.” Closing her eyes, she let her focus go to the comfort of his touch and not the burning sensation of the sting. Luckily, there wasn’t a tentacle left on her leg to remove. She’d experienced that before and the pain was unbelievable.

  “Looks like people are getting out of the water because of the jellyfish,” Chase said moments later. “A few other people got stung as well and are leaving.”

  She opened her eyes to his empathetic gaze on her. “There’s never only one of them. We should probably head out as well. The tide will be on the shore soon.”

  “I’ll take everything to the golf cart. You lie here and rest.”

  Sitting up, she shook her head. “I can help. I’m fine.”

  Standing, he began to fold up the camp chairs and place them back in their covers. “Nope.” He bent down and kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “I got this, Brook.”

  Ten minutes later, Chase placed her tote bag on his shoulder and lifted Brooklyn into his arms.

  “I can walk, you know,” she stated as he made the trek on the sand to the parking lot.

  “Nonsense.”

  “All right now. I can get used to being treated like a queen.”

  “That’s the whole idea.”

  Chapter Eight

  “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you,” Chase called out from the kitchen, placing ice cubes into a ziplock bag to make an ice pack. Brooklyn had taken a shower and was resting on the chaise lounge in the sitting area of her house. Walking through the hallway to the kitchen, he noticed the black and white photographs framed in red frames on both sides of the wall of flowers, glass art, and other photographic art from around the island. He didn’t know anything about photography but the angles and lighting of the photos were creative and engaging. They belonged in an art gallery for patrons to admire and buy.

  “I’m fine. I rubbed some ointment on it. It wasn’t a bad sting. You threw him off before he could do any real damage. I’ve been stung before, and trust me, it was much worst.”

  He sat on the edge of the chaise next to her leg which was propped up on a pillow and set the ice pack on the sting. “Is there anything I can do? Do you need help packing?”

  “No. I packed this morning, but you can keep me company for a bit.”

  “Tell you what,” he said, standing and glancing at his watch. “You rest here, and I’m going to run home and take a quick shower. Be back in twenty minutes.”

  “You do smell like the ocean,” she teased, wrinkling her nose. “I’ll rest a bit.”

  “Don’t go anywhere until I return. While you were in the shower, I read online there are allergic reactions including hives, nausea, vomiting, or stiffness from jellyfish stings.”

  “All of which would’ve happened by now,” she reassured, rubbing his hand and placing a kiss on his cheek. “I’m fine.”

  “Gotcha. I’ll be back.”

  Stretching her arms over her head, she rested against the chaise. “I’ll be here.”

  Chase headed through the kitchen and to the path to Addison’s house. He found her on the couch reading a book on RV van living and sipping a huge mug which had the word “TEA” monogrammed on it in all caps. A bouquet of orange lilies were on the kitchen island, but he decided not to say anything for he knew who they were from.

  Closing it, she set the book on the couch. “Hey, lover boy. Back so soon? She realized you have no swag?” she joked.

  “Ha, ha. No. I’m taking a quick shower and heading back.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Waving her hand in front of her nose, Addison sniffed and pinched her nose with two fingers. “You do smell kinda fishy. You know there’s an outdoor shower attached on the other side of my house.”

  “You got jokes. But seriously, Brooklyn was stung by a jellyfish so I want to make sure she doesn’t break out in hives or something.”

  “If she hasn’t broken out yet she won’t,” Addison reassured, tilting her head and swishing her lips to the right side. “Ah ha. You aren’t ready to say goodnight. I know how you men operate.”

  Chase noted a slight annoyance with Addison’s last comment, and her eyes briefly darted to the flowers.

  “Now take your shower and go hang out with my friend, but don’t stay too late. We’re waking up early in the morning to go deep sea fishing with Zaria and Garrett. I believe Reagan and Blake are tagging along as well.”

  “Cool. That sounds like fun.”

  “And I have a surprise for you afterwards,” Addison called out as he headed toward the bathroom.

  Twenty minutes later—after a refreshing shower—he dashed back to Brooklyn’s. Locking the patio door, he called out to her as he strolled to the sitting area. Chase found her sleeping peacefully in the same spot cuddled in a ball. The ice pack was on the floor and the swelling had gone down. Her black T-shirt dress rested above her thighs, causing a groan to stir from him as he spotted matching boyshorts hugging where he longed to caress. Stooping next to her, he tousled her hair that had dried into a curly, lion’s mane, making her golden highlights more pronounced.

  “Mmm,” Brooklyn moaned softly and opened her eyes. “Hi,” she said, with a lazy smile. “You’re back.”

  “Hey, Sleeping Beauty.”

  “I wasn’t asleep,” she answered with a light yawn. “Just dozing.”

  “We’ve had a long day,” he said, continuing to stroke her hair. “But I had a wonderful time today. I didn’t want it to end.”

  The cinnamon flakes in her eyes darkened and her voice lowered to a seductive whisper. “Who said it has?”

  A surprised smile smoothed across his face at the obvious turn of events. Seizing her to him, Chase brushed his lips against hers like a paint brush on a fine canvas, which caused a sensual purr to escape her throat. He submerged deeper when her hands encircled his neck and Brooklyn met his erotic kisses match for match. The passion which exuded from her articulated without words, and like him, a case of pent-up desire which had lingered since their first kiss. Her hands roamed from his neck, down to his chest, and dove under his shirt to caress his abs before gliding sensually around his waist to settle on his back. Brooklyn groaned in frustration, gripping her hands on his skin.

  “I could take it off,” he suggested. “Or you can …” His voice trailed off with widening eyes at her sudden movement to do so.

  Pulling up the shirt, snatching it over his head, and tossing it on the floor was her response. Yanking him to her, she wrapped her legs around his waist and continued the exquisite bliss on his lips. Her dress rose above her hips, and he could feel the warmth of her nestled against him. Brooklyn’s in-control habits were a turn-on since their first kiss. Never had a wom
an made him feel such emotion and vigor this early in a relationship, but he’d always sensed a kindred attraction to her since the first moment their eyes connected years ago. It had never dwindled, and now had exploded into a powerful existence between them that was displayed in the way they kissed, touched, and occasionally opened their eyes to glance at the other followed by a knowing smile.

  Chase’s lips left hers, trailing an ardent path along the side of her neck and down to where her dress met the top of her cleavage. However, instead of continuing, he slid his tongue up to the other side of her neck, as the sweetest whisper of his name peeked from her lips. It was a symphony to his ears, which encouraged him to nibble, lick, and gently bite her neck while clenching her butt with his hands. The sensual rotation of her hips and her fingertips digging in his back, which was sure to leave a few marks, knocked him over the edge into a state of an amorous oblivion. If Brooklyn was this passionate with casual foreplay, he couldn’t even imagine if they were naked and intertwined together making love. A growl flowed from him at the thought, and her sliding her hand over his head to catch his lips with hers informed him she was all on board. They were in total oneness with each other, and the more they kissed, the more he wanted and needed all of her.

  *****

  Once again Brooklyn was on an adrenaline high that day; however, this one soared higher than their parasailing adventure. The overzealous state she was currently swept into, had filled her with unfamiliar emotions she desired to explore more of. Chase’s ardent kisses and moans caused her to erase the willpower she strived to have around him. She couldn’t help it. His presence always caused her to let down her guard no matter how hard she tried to maintain it. She’d tossed and turned at night dreaming about the man who kissed her as if she had always belonged solely to him. He’d erased all the other men from her past and the thought of any other man in the future constricted her heart into an uncanny pain. Brooklyn couldn’t imagine anyone but Chase holding her, gazing at her, taking care of her, or kissing her the way he did.