Sandy - Melanie Moreland Page 0,28
pretty out here.”
“It is. I love being on the water.” He dropped his mouth to my ear. “I love being out here with you, my darling.”
My heart clenched at his endearment. I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. He lowered his, kissing me, his lips moving with mine.
Jordan Hayes could kiss. If it were an art form, he would be a master. Every time our mouths met, I never wanted it to end.
He lifted his head and smiled, drawing his fingers down my cheek. “That will have to hold me until we clear the marina. I don’t want to run into another boat.”
“Oh.”
He kept one hand on the wheel, wrapping his other arm around my waist. “But you stay right where you are. I like you here.”
I snuggled closer, feeling the way his arm tightened. I had to admit, I liked it right there as well.
The sun burst from behind the cloud, its rays skittering across the waves, reflecting on the boat. I lifted my face to its warmth, enjoying the feel of it and the breeze that blew around us. The sail snapped and filled, stretched tight as the boat raced through the water, smooth and steady. Jordan leaned back, looking satisfied. “We’ll be there in about an hour. I thought we’d tie up at the marina, rent a couple of bikes, hit those wineries we got the names of. Both of them are only about a ten-minute ride from the marina. We can go look anywhere else you want to, then we can head back to the boat, find a cove, and throw down the anchor. Have lunch and enjoy the sun before we head back.”
I was touched by his planning. “Sounds lovely.”
Soon, we docked in the marina, and once again, I marveled at the ease he had handling his boat. He moored us to the dock, then jumped onto the wooden planks, extending his hand and pulling me up with him. He tucked me into his side.
“Let’s go find an adventure, my darling.”
I reached up and cupped his face, kissing him. He was smiling when I pulled back.
“What?”
“That’s the first time you’ve kissed me.”
“Maybe I was just getting warmed up.”
His green eyes glowed, and he kissed the end of my nose. He tugged his sunglasses down, then did the same to mine. “Good to know.”
I hugged his arm. “Let’s go.”
We wandered to the bike shop, setting out using the directions they gave us. In the end, we visited three wineries, filling the large baskets on the bikes with several bottles. We’d had a few samples, argued playfully over our favorites, then bought them all. We stopped at a small roadside shop selling local honey and preserves and added a few jars to the basket as well.
We detoured back to the boat, unloading the wine, then we headed back to drop off the bikes. We discovered an outdoor market and spent some time meandering among the booths. I bought a few local crafts that caught my eye, and Jordan picked up a new windbreaker one shop was selling. He slipped it on, pulling up the zipper, and waited for my approval. I pursed my lips, then shook my head. “The navy one. The white makes you look washed out.”
“Your lady knows you well,” the shopkeeper stated. “She’s right.”
Jordan tried on the navy jacket, and I gave my approval. “Perfect.”
He flipped through the rack and held up a matching jacket in a smaller size. “Try this on.”
Frowning, I slid my arms in and let him tug up the zipper. He stood back and nodded. “Yes.”
He turned to the owner. “I’ll take both.”
“I don’t need a windbreaker, Jordan. Where on earth will I wear it?”
He smiled and leaned down to brush his mouth against mine. “On the boat, with me.”
“Oh.”
Holding hands, we strolled the busy streets, stopping to look in windows. Jordan pointed out the Christmas store, and we went inside, marveling at all the Christmas items and displays.
“Makes me want to start decorating,” I mused.
Jordan chuckled. “A bit early.”
“I suppose.”
He kissed the end of my nose playfully. “I’ll bring you back in the fall, and you can pick a bunch of things.”
“Promise?”
He wound his arm around my waist, pulling me close. He dropped a kiss to my mouth. “Promise,” he breathed against my lips, then pulled back, smiling.
I was going to ask why he was smiling so hard, then realized the reason myself. He expected us to still be together in the fall.
I had to admit, the thought of