I was back in record time, wearing nothing but a red string bikini and one of his white silk shirts unbuttoned overtop.
Desire clouded his eyes as they swept over me from head to toe. Carter had the type of heated stare that felt like foreplay, and under the thin fabric of my top, my nipples began to pucker.
After making me quite aroused with just his perusal, he blinked, somehow tucking away the need I knew he felt, and reached out his hand.
I stared, not sure how long it took for my heartbeat to calm enough to understand he wanted me to take his hand. When I did, he chuckled low as if he knew exactly how affected I was, closed his fingers around mine, and led me to the stairs.
“When did you do all of this?” I asked, staring once more at the illuminated palms.
“When we went to Miami, I had a crew out to string lights.”
Without the bright rays of the tropical sun, the sand underfoot was cool. A few steps in, I shivered lightly as it squished between my toes and covered my heels.
“Cold?”
“Just a little.”
Releasing my hand, Carter pulled me into his side, anchoring me into his warmth. Up ahead, the glimmering path grew closer.
“They’re candles!” I exclaimed, leaving his arms to rush forward.
Tons of white candles flickered in two rows, creating a route stretching down to the beach and curving around a few palm trees out of sight.
“Where does it lead?”
“Let’s see,” Carter baited, offering his hand.
“How do they stay lit in the wind?” I wondered, feeling the way the ends of my silk shirt blew away from my hips.
“They’re electric.”
Right. Duh.
The palm tree where the candles curved around grew sort of out instead of up, arcing over the sand like an archway. It was wrapped with lights too, glowing warmly against the beach.
Excitement curled inside me, barely contained. Carter laughed under his breath and gave me a little nudge so I could go first.
I passed under the palm and stepped around the bend.
Breath whooshed out of me.
Unable to speak, I reached out, finding him to squeeze his hand.
“I know it’s not really traditional for Christmas… but I mean, we are on an island.”
“How did you do this in such a short time?” I murmured, still staring.
“I’ll do anything for you. Anything to give you the best holiday I can.”
Tears welled up, gathering at the corners of my eyes. I tried to blink them away, but it made them fall, streaking down my cheeks and causing the glowing beach to blur.
A hot tub was literally perched in the sand, which was so white it looked like snow. It was positioned so close to the waves I wondered if the rushing water would reach it. Potted palms wrapped in white lights surrounded the tub, and close by, there was a tiki bar (also twinkling with lights) with a bartender dressed like Santa standing behind it.
Christmas music played through speakers I couldn’t see, filling the ocean air with spirit.
“I can’t believe you did all this,” I whispered, overcome with emotion.
His lips brushed my cheek. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
Melting into his arms, I hugged him as tight as I could.
With our fingers laced tightly, we went to the bar and were greeted by Santa.
“Ho, ho, ho,” he rang out. “What can I get you?”
“What do you have?” I asked, giggling at his white beard, hat, and full-on red suit.
A gigantic plate of iced gingerbread men appeared along with a bowl of candy canes.
“Oooh.” I hummed happily, snatching a cookie off the top and taking a bite. Warm spice and the distinct flavor of molasses hit my tongue, infusing my entire mouth with Christmas.
“Good?” Carter mused.
Holding it up to his lips, I watched him take a bite.
“Very good,” I said, and he agreed.
“The drink menu consists of jungle juice, a sleigh Bellini, or spiked eggnog.”
“I’ll have a sleigh Bellini please.” I mean, this was the kind of night that called for champagne, right?
He handed over my drink and then passed over Carter’s order of eggnog.
“Hot tub,” Carter said, putting his palm on the small of my back.
Snatching a few more gingerbread men, I went along with him, sipping at the champagne cocktail.
The water steamed gently, bubbling invitingly and glowing from within with a soft red light.
The ocean stretched out beyond us, glittering like black diamonds, the waves crashing close by but not quite reaching.
The water was hot but not uncomfortable, the bubbles rushing around my legs and hips promising relaxation. I sank down until my shoulders were covered, letting out a long sigh as the underwater jets pressed into muscles I hadn’t even realized were tight.
I had no idea where this hot tub came from. We had a built-in hot tub up by the pool and it was amazing, but this… Having it in the white sand, having it literally on the beach, this was something else entirely.
“This is amazing,” I said, gazing across the beach and up at the limitless sky.
Handing me my champagne, Carter sank beside me. “I’m glad you like it.”
Setting aside my glass, I crawled into his lap, looping my arms around his neck. “I love it.”
“You’ve been working so hard to give me and Knox a holiday to remember. I wanted to give you something to remember too.”
My heart swelled with love. “I’ll definitely never forget this.”
“Just wait, good girl. I’m not done yet,” he teased, lifting his finger to point across the sand.
Chapter Four
Carter
I watched her expression as a giant movie screen literally rose from the sand little by little as it filled with air.
First, there was confusion, then awe. When her eyes sought mine for confirmation, I nodded. They went back to the screen, and happy surprise lit her face.
Nora didn’t realize how animated she was, how incredibly whipped I was for the expressions, sounds, and reactions she always gave. The fact that she didn’t do any of it intentionally made it all the more fascinating to me.
She was my favorite song, favorite movie, and favorite emoji all wrapped up in a single woman. I could watch her forever and never get bored.
“You got a movie screen?” She all but gasped, her arms tightening around my neck, her eyes still on the growing screen.
I smiled. “I promised you a movie.”
Her kissable mouth fell open into that charming O. I took advantage and kissed her deep. Her surprise melted into welcome, her entire body turning to putty in my lap.
Sucking her upper lip between mine, I tugged and lavished attention there until it was swollen and sensitive. Her body moved against mine, a small, needy whine vibrating the back of her throat.
“Later.” I promised, gently pulling back.
“Why not now?” Her pout was adorable.
“Movie.” I reminded her, and her eyes went back to the now completely expanded screen.
A smile curved her lips, which were still shiny from my kisses. “You’re really going to watch The Grinch with me?”
“I promised.”
“Can we watch from the hot tub?”
“Duh,” I said, pecking the tip of her nose with a kiss.