Chapter Three

Willa

I can hardly believe last night even happened. It’s all still swirling in my mind —the lights on the water, the smell of hot chocolate, the way Leo looked at me like I was the only person in that whole crowd. And then there was that kiss. Soft and warm and everything a first kiss should be.

I stare at my reflection, trying to keep my nerves under control as I swipe on a little mascara. There’s something different about Leo. He feels steady and real in a way I’ve never experienced before. And tonight, I’m seeing him again, just the two of us.

I finish the last touches on my makeup and head into the living room to grab my coat, trying to keep my expression casual as I pass Luke and Natalie, who are cozied up on the couch watching some holiday movie. I know I can’t leave without saying something. If I try, Luke will just drag the information out of me later.

“You look nice, Willa,” Natalie says, glancing up from the couch with a curious smile. “What are your plans for tonight?”

I hesitate, glancing at Luke, who’s already giving me a suspicious look. “Just meeting someone for dinner.”

Luke raises his eyebrows. “Who are you meeting?”

His tone is light, but I can see that familiar older brother protectiveness in his eyes like he’s trying to decide if he needs to give someone a talking-to before I’m out the door.

“His name is Leo,” I say, trying not to smile too much. We met last night at the festival. He’s nice.”

Natalie gives me an approving smile, but Luke’s expression turns serious. “Nice? Who is he, though? What does he do?”

I roll my eyes. I’m trying to stay calm but it’s hard with all the butterflies in my stomach. “He’s in town on vacation. A businessman. He just wanted a break from work, a little change of scenery.”

Luke doesn’t look entirely convinced, but Natalie nudges him with a grin. “You don’t have to be so intense. Willa is allowed to meet someone.”

Luke sighs, but a small smile tugs at his lips. “Alright. Just be careful, okay?”

I nod, touched by his concern but not wanting to dwell on it. “I will. It’s just dinner.”

With that, I slip away to my room, pulling out my phone to text my best friend, Cricket, before I start second-guessing my outfit. She’s been asking for updates since I texted her I met someone last night.

ME : Guess who I’m seeing tonight?

CRICKET : OMG! Tell me everything! I need details, right now.

ME : His name is Leo. He’s the guy I met at the Christmas festival. He’s amazing, Cricket. Thoughtful, funny, mysterious in this sweet way.

CRICKET : Mysterious?? How mysterious?

ME : Just, you know, kind of…private. Like he’s carrying a lot on his shoulders but doesn’t want to share it with anyone.

CRICKET : Ooooooooh. I love it. Brooding and hot?

ME : Yes, he’s hot. Very, very hot.

CRICKET : Okay, now I need a picture. Who does he look like? Give me something.

ME: I can’t think of a celebrity he looks like. Maybe a little bit like Chris Pine, but like younger. Just trust me, okay? He’s hot.

CRICKET : Fine, I’ll trust you. Have fun tonight and send me an entire debrief tomorrow! Promise.

ME: Promise. Love you!

I toss my phone on the bed and pull out my dress for tonight. It’s a cozy red sweater dress I bought just for this trip. It’s a little nicer than my usual clothes, but still warm enough for the chilly temperatures. I slip it on, adding some tall boots. A final glance in the mirror shows a girl who looks excited, a little nervous, and —if I’m honest with myself— a little hopeful.

The doorbell rings and my heart skips a beat. I’m practically floating as I walk back toward the living area. Luke peeks over from the couch throwing me a look. I ignore him, feeling a thrill of anticipation as I open the door and see Leo standing there, hands tucked into his coat pockets, looking just as ruggedly handsome as I remember.

He smiles when he sees me, that warm, genuine smile that drew me to him last night. “Hi,” he says, his voice soft.

“Hi,” I smile back, feeling that now-familiar rush of warmth.

Luke clears his throat pointedly from the couch, and I turn, giving him a little wave. “I’ll be back later. Don’t wait up!”

With that, Leo and I head out into the brisk evening air, and I can’t help but feel like tonight might be the beginning of something special.

The drive to the restaurant is short, but we park a couple of blocks away so we can walk through the small shopping area. Compared to the night before, everything is so calm and quiet.

We reach a small, cozy restaurant that I hadn’t noticed before. Fairy lights are strung inside and out with the scent of cinnamon floating through the air. This restaurant is tucked away and it feels like we’ve stepped into our own little Christmas hideaway.

Leo holds the door for me and the warmth inside wraps around us. The atmosphere is perfect with a quiet hum of holiday music. We settle at a small table near the window, where we can see outside.

As we sit down, Leo leans forward, his eyes on me. “So,” he says, smiling. “You said you are visiting family. Where do you live?”

“I live in a small town in Oklahoma, but I’m ready for a change. I’m just not sure what that’s going to look like yet. My brother, Luke, moved to Love Beach full-time this past summer, so I came for an extended holiday.”

“I’m sure it’s great to spend time with your family.”

“It’s just my brother and his fiancé. Her dad will be here closer to Christmas Day. We are a small group. It is great, but…”

“But…” Leo looks intrigued.

“Well, it gets a little lonely sometimes, watching Luke and Natalie. They’re so in love. Gosh, I sound jealous.”

Leo chuckles a warm sound that fills the space between us. “Not at all. I know the feeling.”

I look at him, curious. “Do you?”

He hesitates, his gaze drifting out the window for a second before he looks back at me, his smile softening. “Yeah. Sometimes, it feels like I’m surrounded by people who are in the middle of their own stories and I’m just watching from the sidelines.”

“That’s exactly it,” I say, surprised at how perfectly he’s put it into words. “Like life is happening all around you, but you’re not really part of it.”

We fall into a comfortable silence as the waiter brings over our menus. As I glance down at mine, I sneak another look at Leo.

“So, what about you?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me. “What brings you to Love Beach?”

He smiles, but it’s a little guarded. “I needed a break. From work, from obligations. Just some time to be ordinary, I guess.”

“Ordinary?” I tilt my head, smiling a little. “Are you normally not?”

He laughs, but there’s something else like he’s weighing his answer carefully. “You could say that my life isn’t always my own. I have responsibilities. A lot of people count on me. Coming to Love Beach was my way of finding a little freedom.”

There’s a flicker of something in his eyes, something deep and maybe even a little sad. I want to ask more, but I also don’t want to push, so I just nod, letting his words settle between us.

The waiter returns, and we both order comfort food. Leo gets a hearty stew, and I opt for baked cheesy pasta. As we eat, the conversation flows easily, skipping from topic to topic. We talk about our favorite Christmas traditions, places we want to travel, and the things we love about the holidays. I do start to notice that he changes the topic back to me most of the time without revealing very much about himself. It’s strange, but maybe he’s just shy.

I’m captivated when Leo tells me about a Christmas market he visited once in Prague, his voice lighting up as he describes the spiced cider and the handmade ornaments. “It was magical,” he says, his eyes far away. “The whole city was aglow with lights and you could hear carolers on every street corner.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to Prague,” I say, picturing it in my mind. “It sounds beautiful.”

“It is,” he says, looking at me with a warmth that makes my heart skip a beat. “Maybe one day, you’ll see it for yourself.”

By the time we finish our meal, the restaurant is almost empty. Leo pays the check after a brief, good-natured argument where I try to insist we split it and we step back outside into the fresh air.

We hold hands as Leo drives me home.

At my door, we stop, and I feel my heart racing, anticipation buzzing in the air between us. His gaze locks on mine, warm and steady, but there’s something more now —an intensity that makes my breath catch.

“I had a really nice time tonight,” I say, barely able to keep my voice steady.

“Me too,” he replies, his voice low, soft. “Even better than I’d hoped.”

Before I can respond, he leans in, brushing his lips against mine in a kiss that’s somehow gentle and electric. His hand slides to the small of my back, pulling me closer and I feel myself melting into him, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

The kiss deepens, our movements slowing as we take our time, savoring the feel of each other. His lips are warm and firm against mine, and when he draws back for just a second to catch his breath, he looks at me with a spark in his eyes that sends a shiver through me.

Then he leans in again, and we’re kissing once more, a little more intense, a little less controlled. I feel his fingers trace a path down my arm, leaving a trail of warmth, and I lose myself in the moment, forgetting everything but him.

His hands trail down my body to the hem of my skirt. His hand on my thigh sends shivers up my body. I know that my brother’s porch is not the place to let this man touch me, but I don’t care. I want to feel his hands on my body.

“Leo…” I murmur his name. “I want.”

“Tell me what you want, darling,” he whispers in my ear, his hand moving slowly up my thigh.

“Touch me.”

“Are you sure?”

His fingers are almost to the lace edge of my panties, which are soaked with desire, and when he finally touches me, I almost come immediately.

“You’re so wet,” he says. “You have to stay quiet. If your brother comes out here and I have my hand up your dress, he might kill me.”

I nod, but then he slides his fingers under my panties, and his finger circles around my clit. I moan loudly and Leo kisses me to shut me up. I push against his hand and he slides his finger deep inside.

“Leo…” I say against his lips. “I want you.”

“I know, darling.” His fingers move faster, in and out, and I get closer and closer to orgasm. “Soon, but first you need to show me how beautiful you look when you lose control.”

The heel of his hand bumps my clit as he rapidly fingers my pussy and I quickly reach the point of no return. As I explode, Leo’s lips come down on mine again. The kisses are fast and hard and then slow and gentle. I lay my head on his shoulder as he pulls me closer by my hips. I feel him, rock hard, against me.

“What about you?” I ask, willing to do whatever I can to make him feel as good as he made me feel.

“I’m fine. Watching you find pleasure was all I need,” he says smiling. “Plus, I think we’ve tried our luck tonight.”

Once again, our lips find each other, and I get lost in the feel of him. We finally pull back, I’m breathless, my cheeks warm despite the cold. He smiles at me, looking as dazed as I feel, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheek.

“Goodnight, Willa,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Goodnight,” I reply, my voice soft, my mind still spinning.

He kisses me one last time, softly, lingering just a little before he pulls back, his hand squeezing mine before he lets go. I softly shut the front door and lean up against the wood. My mind is buzzing with thoughts of Leo and how I want to see him again, as soon as possible.