Sophie and Ashton both looked at each other before they laughed. “I had one a few years back that was the best thing I had ever tasted and since then I can’t get enough.”
A crooked smile pulled at Ashton’s lips before he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, pulling gently on her bottom lip. “I know what you mean.”
When all three of them had their fill and were sipping on their tea, Mel announced anxiously that she had some news. “I just want to say that last night was my last night as a stripper and today is my first day—well, technically unemployed, because I haven’t actually gotten a new job yet—but it’s a start, right?”
Sophie smiled. “Cheers.” They all toasted Mel’s announcement with their tea. “We should celebrate.”
“Let’s go to the beach!” Mel suggested excitedly.
Sophie looked at Ashton. “Do you want to go to the beach with us today?”
“I can’t think of a better way to spend the day.” Ashton said, putting his arm around Sophie’s shoulder. A smile spread across her face that she couldn’t undo. She was ridiculously happy and Ashton was the cause of it.
Chapter
Twenty-One
The sun was gloriously hot as its rays spilled heat down upon them. Not a cloud was brave enough to occupy the same sky on the bright beautiful day. The beach was full of bodies soaking up the heat and cooling themselves off in the waves that splashed upon the shoreline. The beach was massive and stretched as far as Sophie could see. She couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed the ocean and the beautiful sand of its shores.
Ashton stuck his surfboard into the sand near the water before pulling his shirt off over his head. Sophie couldn’t help but stare at his sinful body. She noticed she wasn’t the only one enjoying the view. Mel gave her a nudge. “Good god.”
“Yeah, I know.” Sophie said.
Dustin joined them for their adventure to the beach. He dropped Mel’s bag on the sand. He noticed the girls watching Ashton and decided to pull off his own shirt. Mel and Sophie smiled at each other. “Dustin, you are definitely the hottest guy on this beach.” Mel patted him on his muscled arm. Dustin was fit and obviously no stranger to the gym.
It was the first time Sophie had actually seen Mel and Dustin together for any amount of time. She could see the romantic relationship developing between them despite the fact that Mel claimed them still to be only friends. They had known each other for a long time and it showed in the way they trusted each other. He grabbed Mel into a hug, picking her off the ground. “I love this girl.” He squeezed her playfully. Mel screamed in delight before settling in a fit of giggles.
Ashton looked over at Sophie from under his blonde waves of hair and dark lashes. He looked mischievous and sexy when a smile formed on his lips. “Come here.” Sophie pulled off her sun dress and laid it on her bag, revealing her mismatched bikini. The top was a pink and white floral halter style and the bottoms were pink with mint green stripes. It was her favorite bathing suit and she hoped Ashton would like it. It wasn’t as sexy as Mel’s deep red barely there bikini, but she loved the way it played her curves. He stared at her as she approached, making her feel a little self-conscious. His eyes followed her every move.
“You look delicious.” Ashton said when she stopped in front of him. He reached down and scooped Sophie up in his arms before she could respond, heading for the water. She screamed as he splashed through the waves. Sophie clung to Ashton’s neck as he walked in deeper.
“You wouldn’t throw me in,” she said with wide eyes. The waves splashed, sending water to spray over them.
“Wouldn’t I?” Ashton laughed.
Sophie tightened her grip around his neck, holding herself tight to his body as they playfully struggled. “That’s it.” Ashton dropped down in the water, submersing them both completely into its cool embrace. They both came up laughing. Sophie brushed her hair out of her face as Ashton held her close. He looked down at her with eyes the same color as the water that surrounded them. His tanned skin begged for her touch as she ran her fingers over his chest. “Can I do that to you?” He smiled. Sophie giggled before Ashton leaned down and kissed her slowly at first, testing her reaction of the display of affection in public. He deepened the kiss when she responded to him. He tasted of salt and his own enchanting flavor.
Their moment of sweet indulgence was broken when they both turned toward the shore where Dustin was chasing Mel into the water. They both crashed into the waves and went under the water only to resurface, splashing water on each other.
All of them enjoyed the water until the girls decided to lie in the sun for a while. Dustin asked Ashton to show him how to surf and the girls were entertained watching Dustin struggling to stand on the board. Ashton’s movements were so controlled on the board. Sophie found herself mesmerized by him. Since she had met him she wanted to know what it would be like to be his object of affection and now, since last night when they finally told each other how they felt, he looked at her like she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Every time their eyes met he grinned like an excited kid and it made exhilaration course through her, making her feel weightless, like she could float away in the slightest breeze.
“You got it bad,” Mel said as she sat up to flip over.
“Look who’s talking. I see you flirting with Dustin every chance you get.” Sophie sipped her water bottle while watching Ashton.
“I flirt with everyone, remember? But with you…you look at him like he’s everything you have ever wanted wrapped up into a very attractive package,” Mel said dreamily. “It’s magical.”
Sophie turned around to see Mel’s face. Her large sunglasses covered most of her face. “Magical? Okay where did my Mel go?”
“Come on. You fell in love with the guy when you first met him without even knowing it and then you find out that he felt the same way all this time. What’s more magical than someone who was supposed to be the enemy to be the one to prove love exists for the girl who never believed?”
“Quiet, and he didn’t say he loved me, by the way. He just told me he didn’t hate me.” Sophie gave her a warning look.
Mel rolled her eyes. “Oh Ashton, you have shown me the light,” Mel said in mock dramatization, her hand against her heart. “I love you soooooo much.”
“Stop before he hears you.” Sophie tackled Mel to try and silence her. Sophie tried to cover Mel’s mouth but she was too evasive. They both ended up in a fit of giggles, tangled on the towels.
“As much as I hate to break up this incredibly hot display, your ice creams are melting,” Ashton said from the edge of the towel. “And I think you’re drawing a crowd.”
“Yum!” Mel lit up as Dustin passed her a cone and sat down next to her.
“Thank you,” Sophie said, taking the cone.
“So I saw you watching us out there, do you want me to give you a lesson?” Ashton sat down beside Sophie and leaned back on his elbows. He looked sexy with his large muscular form stretched out beside her. It made her picture him back in her bed and the wonderful evening they had shared together. Sophie looked over when Mel screamed because Dustin had made her smear her ice cream on her face.
“I think I’m better on the beach. It looks like it could be potentially dangerous for me.” Sophie laughed.
“I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” Ashton nudged her with his shoulder.
“Oh yeah? Well, I have a confession to make. There is a reason that I practice the arts and not physically demanding activities. I’m not the most coordinated person,” Sophie admitted. “It looks like it takes more skill than I am capable of.”
“I have a confession to make as well.” He moved closer to her so their shoulders touched and it sent a tingling heat through her. “I am jealous of your ice cream.”