es, bougainvillea climbing latticework walls in brilliant magenta and coral. The air smelled of salt

ver crashing waves. Marissa leaned on the railing, wind teasing the edg

armth. He pointed to a pod of dolphins arcing through t

to respond, instead she lo

e enjoyed looking at her and he could tell he h

eepy village. Markets offered seafood plates, woven baskets, spices in gla

to find herself taking his lead, agreeing with him, laughing at all his jokes and smiling at his side

had insisted on them having it. Lazar watched Marissa's first bite, the w

w is

e said and hande

d. "Spic

st r

g wooden piers, lanterns overhead promising nighttime mag

trail into a hidden cove-white sand bordered by

nd. Lazar squatted beside her and turned his gaze t

solitude, the sun, the soft

d a lot and said too much. His lashes that rested on his cheeks as he

ld ask herself, though she made

gave herself a mental shake and trie

oconut palms to a beachside café. Colorful umbrellas scatte

When they approached, she noticed how everyone greeted and smiled at him

afé stand to place their order and

is man by

hen he returned, sitting across from her, remembering

s a small place. If you stay here a while the locals w

while thinking to herself that she

ed the best thing you've ever tasted." Then his gaze dropped to her lips a

she had shifted in her seat, the

was not a simple man and he definitely didn't belong in a p

ike sh

" Lazar asked, piercing

but was grateful w

looked great and seemed delici

fillings. "Then, we have here the highlight of the menu. I call this The Bevin

at the jar. It was a red colored juice. Or

having? The Bevin Regular?" she asked him, a lame

nd awakened something that

the rolls first

lly with both hands. Holding his gaze, she leane

ly, better than the lobster celery rolls she usually had in Bustro

lightly and arched

ing every bite as she chewed. Or was she

lly good." She told him and watched

e said and turned his

omething. In fact, she

ble to read

him as he took bi

han twenty-four hours and h

t a b

test pink when he raised his eyes

ng that came to mind while dippi

" Lazar repeated, a smile pul

d. She chewed slowly and

ply, he dropped his gaze

she swallowed, she stopped short to look at the jar. She could taste beetr

't a sweet drink, but it had a taste that would

n't like it?" he ask

, her brows deepening. "A really distinct taste I can't make out, but I know it's in it." She saw as his eyes flas

voice was slurred. "be cloves?" L

as definite

! It is a nice blend and this drink is t

narrowed. Leaning back into his chair, he crossed his

re you u

r own gaze on him, the flush on her cheeks deepened. Her mind was reeling. Reeling the way her body was. Her senses

on his finger, but wh

rimmed sugar and mint; his, a dark espresso, for her sweet treat, he had chosen

gers brushing the rim, the cool sugar melting on her skin. A slow,

ence and chewing, she wh

a cool glance. "This plac

allowed. "

rk elsewhere but warm n

letting his hand brush hers, just fingertips touching. Not enough to

e afternoon sun cutting slanted shadows across the paths. Their pace matched unconsciously. There was

ort. Lazar leaned close, his hand nearly ghosting her shoulde

ed. "You smell

something like longing. She said

r villa wing, he wal

omorrow," he said softly. "

aught. "You'

ze steady. "I

between them. He reached out, but stopped an i

ht," she

Then they both turned; she went inside,