Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,232

I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. Stacy and I took in what feels like all of Hawaii yesterday. We ended our night at a luau. It was amazing, as was the way those dancers moved.

Today is a new day. It’s also the day I agreed to see Michael again. I don’t even know what that means really. Are we going to hang out at his place, or ours? Are we just going to chill on the beach? I don’t know, but I’m excited to see what the day holds.

After we’ve both showered, Stacy and I sit on the deck and drink our coffee, just enjoying the beauty that is Hawaii. She and I both need at least two cups before we feel human. This is an addiction we both picked up in college.

Ready for my second cup, I reach for Stacy’s before heading inside to fill up both. I hear him before I see him. Michael’s deep voice filters through the open door as he talks to Stacy. I’m giddy at the thought of seeing him again. Squaring my shoulders and wiping the huge-ass grin off my face, I walk back out to the deck and set Stacy’s coffee in front of her.

“Michael, hi. Did you want a cup?” I raise my steaming cup of Joe in the air.

“No, actually, I was wondering what you ladies had on your agenda today?”

“We got nothing,” Stacy answers before I can.

“Good, how would you like to spend the day with me?” He then focuses his gaze on me, those blue eyes sparkling in the morning sun. “You said I could see you today, so I took the liberty of chartering a . . . boat. I thought the three of us could spend the day on the water.”

“Hell, yeah! That sounds awesome.” Stacy jumps out of her chair, still holding her coffee and not spilling a drop. How she managed to do that, I have no idea. “Let’s go, woman!” she yells over her shoulder. “Get your ass changed, adventure awaits.”

She disappears into the house. I stand to follow her when I feel his strong arm wrap around my waist. He lowers his lips to my ear. “I’ve been counting down the minutes until I saw you again. You’re beautiful in the morning sun.” He kisses my neck right below my ear, so soft and so quick that if my body was not humming for his, I might have missed it. He releases me and I continue forward into the house.

Turns out, the boat Michael chartered is actually a yacht. It’s spectacular and is an experience neither Stacy nor I would have gotten had we not run into him. Michael takes us on a tour of the yacht, and it’s eye opening to see how the other half lives. My parents are middle class; they both work hard for what we have. We’ve never wanted for anything, always having the comforts of home, clean clothes, new shoes, and food on the table, but this . . . this is not something that would ever have been within our means.

Brunch is prepared for us on the top deck. Michael waves his arm toward the stairs, allowing us to go first. Stacy shoots up the steps, eager to see more. I take a more leisurely approach. One, because I don’t want to fall on my face and embarrass myself, and two, I’m hoping to get another stolen moment with him. He doesn’t disappoint as he joins me on the stairs and rests his hand on the small of my back, leading me. The heat of his touch filters through my thin tank, which is saying a lot considering the temperature out here today.

Brunch is delicious and the company is even better. The three of us fall into easy conversation. Stacy drills Michael with questions about the yacht; she’s suddenly fascinated. This leads us to a visit with the captain of our vessel. He offers to let Stacy stand at the wheel, and she gleefully accepts. Michael and I retreat to the lower-level deck where there is more shade.

“He’s not really going to let her drive this thing, is he?” I ask Michael.

He throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, but it’s easy. All she has to do is steer. He won’t let us get off course.”

“If you say so,” I mutter. I mean, really, we’re in the middle of the freaking ocean. She should not be in control.

We