The First Summer of Forever

Chapter 9 - Like a Beer on a Beach

Conrad

I fired up the grill while Belly was in the kitchen putting together the shrimp skewers. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden light over the inlet. The tall grasses swayed gently in the breeze, and everything felt so peaceful, so perfect. It was the kind of evening that made me think about how lucky I was to be starting this new chapter of life with Belly.

Even though everything felt right between us, my thoughts kept drifting to Jeremiah. I wondered how he was doing, whether he was really okay. He had been so angry for so long, and even though it seemed like he was coming around, I knew things were still unresolved between us. Jeremiah had walked away on what was supposed to be his wedding day, and while I knew he had loved Belly in his own way, deep down, he must have always known that she and I were meant to be together. He was my little brother, and I'd always love him and look out for him. But I wasn't sure if things would ever be the same between us. The truth is, they hadn't been since that last summer we all spent together in Cousins.

As if on cue, Belly appeared at the back door, carrying a tray of shrimp skewers and two Coronas with lime wedges tucked into the bottles. She set the tray down beside the grill, handed me a beer, and pulled up two patio chairs, sitting in one and propping her feet up on the other.

"I love watching you grill; it turns me on," she said, grinning from ear to ear.

I laughed, knowing she was only half-serious. "I should've known the quickest way to your heart was food," I teased, taking a sip of my beer. I leaned over to kiss her, the lime from the Corona lingering on my lips, mingling with the scent of her coconut-scented skin. She tasted and smelled like summer, like the beach, like everything I loved about this place.

After I put the skewers on the grill, I picked up Belly's feet and sat in the chair opposite her, resting her legs on my lap. I ran my hands over her feet and calves, savoring the moment. Everything felt so perfect. I hoped it would always be like this. I couldn't help but wonder if my mom and dad had felt this way when they were newlyweds.

"What's wrong, Conrad?" Belly asked, her voice gentle but knowing.

I looked at her, slightly surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Conrad, I can tell when something's on your mind. You were lost in thought before you noticed me coming outside. What's bothering you?"

I sighed, looking down at her feet on my lap. "It's just Jere. I worry about him. I wonder if he'll ever forgive us, if things will ever go back to the way they were."

Belly was quiet for a moment, then said, "The last time I visited your mom, she told me that eventually, we'd all find our way back to each other. I have to believe she knew what she was talking about. Your mom was always so wise, so profound."

I nodded, hoping Mom was right. I hoped we could find our way back to each other in a way that felt right for all of us.

When the shrimp was done, we took everything inside to get ready for dinner. Belly had the table set, and she'd prepared a salad to go with the skewers. She ate like it was the best thing she'd ever tasted, devouring the food with a hunger that made me chuckle. I'd seen Belly eat like this plenty of times, unselfconscious and unapologetic.

"What?" she asked, noticing my amusement. "I'm so hungry! We never ate dinner last night, and I barely had breakfast or lunch yesterday. It's finally catching up to me."

"You're good, Belly, eat." I said with a smile. "I'm just laughing because you're kinda cute when you're this hungry."

"Mmm... this is really good, Conrad," she said between bites. "I love it when you grill. You've perfected your craft, Connie Baby."

"Thanks," I replied, glad she was enjoying it.

After dinner, I started clearing the table, taking the dishes over to where Belly was at the sink, loading the dishwasher. I set the dishes on the counter beside her, freeing up my hands. She looked so good standing there, barefoot in her cutoffs and my old Cousins shirt, her dark hair spilling down her back.

I moved behind her, my hands finding her hips as I swept her hair to one side, exposing her neck. I kissed the soft skin there, making her scrunch up her shoulders and squeal. But I didn't stop—I kept kissing her, losing myself in the simple, intoxicating pleasure of it.

A small moan escaped from her throat and that was all it took for me. I pressed my whole body against her, wrapping my arms around her, exposing my need for her.She turned her head to the side, giggling as she whispered, "Do you want to go upstairs?"

Without waiting for my answer, she squealed, "Race ya!" and took off toward the stairs. I immediately chased after her, grabbing at her shirt to pull her back, my competitive side kicking in. Once we were upstairs, I caught her and pinned her against the wall just outside the bedroom door, kissing her like my life depended on it. "It's a tie," I said breathlessly between kisses.

We tugged at each other's clothes until every piece lay scattered along the hallway floor. I lifted her up, her long legs wrapping around my hips, her feet locking behind me as her arms clung tightly around my neck. We kissed like we needed each other to breathe, barely pausing to take in any air ourselves.

We didn't even make it into the bedroom. I still had Belly pressed against the wall, my hands holding her up, supporting her weight from her upper thighs. I kissed down the length of her neck, open mouthed. I could feel her skin burning hot, but prickled with desire. I planted a firm kiss on her neck, sucking so softly for just a split second, and a loud giggle escaped her lips.

As I kissed her, I savored the feel of her bare skin pressed against mine—silky, soft, and warm, like velvet. The heat from her legs wrapped around me, drawing me in. Her scent was hypnotic—a clean, oceany blend of ivory soap and coconut shampoo, with just a hint of lemon verbena and vanilla. As I nuzzled closer, I inhaled deeply, losing myself in the intoxicating aroma. It drove me crazy. I wanted to breathe it in, to capture that smell and never let it go.

When I couldn't wait any longer, I sunk into her. She threw her head back and I heard a loud thump against the sheetrock. I have to admit, I didn't know clumsiness could be so irresistible.

She surrounded me in every way imaginable, wrapping me in her warmth like the sunlit waves of the sea after a day under the sun. Our hips drew together like two magnets finding their match. God, this felt amazing. "Belly, you're so—" I breathed out, my face buried in her neck, so swept up in the feeling I was unable to speak.

I couldn't help but crash into her- like a strong wave crashes onto the shore, forcing her into the wall with every movement. Each time, Belly let out a soft whimper, but in the best way. Our bodies met like the inevitability of a storm and the sea. "Con—" She sighed louder.

I could feel her tightening around me like the warm embrace of the ocean on a hot summer day. I floated on the waves, and then, I caught that gnarly wave—the one I was riding back to shore. The adrenaline surged through me, amplifying every moment of the ride.I felt both of us let go, and we collapsed onto the floor and into each other's arms.

Damn. I don't even know how to describe what I just felt. Pure ecstasy, except it's even more than that, because it's with Belly. No one else has ever, or could ever make me feel this way. I can't believe I'm this lucky. I get to do this, with the girl I love, forever.