The Professor - Kelli Callahan Page 0,2

The total opposite of me. “A one-man party on the beach at night,” I note, then backtrack. “I’m sorry, two-man party. Who are you trying to get away from, Bryce?”

He grins and sits beside me. “You’re perceptive.”

I make a mental note to go easy on the gin and tonic when I chug half of it down as soon as Lou hands the glass to me. I’ve never consumed alcohol before my vacation, but Jessica from Vegas is a sophisticated party girl, she has to have something in her glass. “So, you are here to escape something or someone.”

Stroking his chin, watching me intently, he says, “Since you’re a stranger and I probably won’t ever see you again, I feel comfortable sharing.”

I grin. “Score!” I fist the air.

He chuckles. “I came here to get away from everything. Work, family obligations...my father.”

“Oh, troublesome fathers. I feel you on that one.” My mouth clamps shut, and I mentally facepalm myself. I’d better be careful about giving away too much. “Sounds like you were itching to be alone. I should go and let you and Lou party the night away.”

I get up from the chair and his fingers wrap around my wrist to stop me. My pause, my feet sinking in the sand as I look at him.

“No. Don’t go. You’re right. I did want to be alone until you came along.”

My eyes collide with his. Okay, he is totally flirting. “Oh.” I almost grimace. Oh? How lame. Jessica’s responses should never be lame.

There’s blatant interest in his eyes as he gives me a once over. “Please, stay.”

After a few more drinks between Bryce and me, we’re both relaxed. We’ve been chatting like old friends for the last thirty minutes. I’ve been lying my ass off about who I am, of course. That aside, we’re both comfortable. It’s easy to let loose with a stranger you won’t see again. There’s no judgement.

My phone buzzes in my shorts pocket, interrupting us. “Let me check this message really quick. I’m sure it’s my sister making sure I haven’t been kidnapped on the beach or something.”

Bryce laughs while I tap out a response to Lucy. She is checking up on me, and apparently, she’s having a good time with Cannonball Guy. She sent a picture of them making goofy faces and holding drinks. I chuckle and slip the phone back into my pocket.

“Vacationing with your sister. That sounds nice.”

“It is. It’s Christmas, we always celebrate it together.”

Bryce glances back at the hotel where music is filtering from. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the party?”

“I’m sure. I’m enjoying present company.” Is it me or do I sound a little breathless?

Bryce’s eyes, which I’ve realized are a mesmerizing sapphire blue, flicker with interest. He’s been checking me out the entire time, but he’s been a total gentleman, never blatantly making a pass at me. I’ve been dying for him to. I’m not going to sleep with him or anything. I’m not that kind of girl. I’d just like a kiss. A kiss on the beach from a handsome stranger, under the stars at Christmas. A sweet memory to take home.

“In that case, do you want to take a dip with me?” He angles his chin to the water.

My face heats up again. “I can’t swim.”

“Good thing, I’m an excellent swimmer.”

Of course he is. He looks like he’s excellent at everything, including kissing. I wonder if it’s going to happen. “Okay.” Jessica would never pass up the offer at taking a dip in the ocean with a hot guy.

I feel his eyes on me as I slide my shorts off. All of a sudden, I feel self-conscious in my skimpy two piece. I think it’s because his stare is so intense. It’s like he can see through me.

“Wow,” I hear him say under his breath. There’s an adorable shade of pink in his cheeks. “I mean, let’s go.”

Smiling like a fool over a his appreciation, I take off toward the water. It feels incredible. Not too cold. Just right. “The water feels so good.”

“It does, doesn’t it?”

I watch Bryce immerse himself under water to come up a second later. His dark brown hair glistens with the moisture under the moonlight and so does his bronze skin. I almost wipe my mouth to check for drool.

“I love the water. Swimming, snorkeling, all of that.”

He certainly has the body of a swimmer. I can’t respond because I’m tongue-tied, entranced by the sight of him.

“I heard that one