The summer sun warmed your skin as Nicholas pulled the car onto the highway. The windows were down, music blasted through the speakers, and your hair whipped around in the wind. It was your first road trip together, and the excitement bubbling in your chest was hard to contain.
"Next stop, the beach!" Nicholas grinned, his hand resting on the console between you. His fingers brushed yours, and you smiled, lacing your fingers through his.
"You're way too excited for someone who hates sand," you teased, leaning your head against the headrest.
"I hate sand, but I love you," he shot back with a wink, earning an affectionate laugh from you.
The drive was filled with laughter, spontaneous dance breaks to your favorite songs, and deep conversations that made you fall even more in love with him. As the hours passed, the salty scent of the ocean filled the car, and the sight of waves crashing against the shore in the distance made your heart race.
You arrived at the condo just as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting everything in a golden glow. The place was perfect—light and airy, with a balcony overlooking the beach. Nicholas carried your bags inside, setting them down in the cozy bedroom you'd share for the weekend.
"Ready to hit the water?" he asked, kicking off his sneakers and pulling off his shirt. His tan skin glistened in the soft light, and you felt your cheeks heat up despite the cool breeze wafting through the open window.
"Give me five minutes!" you called over your shoulder as you darted into the bathroom to change into your bikini.
When you emerged, Nicholas let out a low whistle, making you roll your eyes. "What?" you asked, pretending to be annoyed.
"You're stunning," he said, his voice soft and genuine. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you against him.
You spent the rest of the afternoon swimming in the ocean, the waves crashing around you as Nicholas tried to show off his diving skills. His contagious laughter filled the air as he playfully dunked you underwater, and you retaliated by splashing him until you were both breathless and smiling.
After a while, you spread a towel out on the sand and laid down to soak up the sun. Nicholas stretched out beside you, one hand resting on your thigh as you flipped through the pages of your book. Occasionally, he'd lean over to steal a kiss or whisper something sweet that made your heart flutter.
By the time the sun began to set, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink, you both reluctantly headed back to the condo to shower and get ready for dinner. The warm water washed away the salt and sand from your skin, and you couldn't help but laugh as Nicholas knocked on the bathroom door.
"Babe, hurry up! I'm starving!"
"Patience is a virtue!" you called back, wrapping yourself in a fluffy towel.
When you stepped out, you found him waiting, freshly showered and looking effortlessly handsome in a crisp shirt and khakis. He kissed your forehead before leading you to the mirror, helping you put on a delicate necklace that complemented your outfit perfectly.
Dinner was at a quaint seaside restaurant with twinkling fairy lights and the sound of waves in the background. Nicholas insisted on pulling your chair out for you, his gentlemanly charm making you swoon. Over delicious seafood and glasses of wine, you talked about everything and nothing, sharing dreams and memories under the stars.
After dinner, you strolled hand-in-hand along the beach, the cool sand beneath your feet and the moonlight reflecting off the water. Nicholas stopped suddenly, turning to face you.
"You know," he began, brushing a strand of hair from your face, "I've been waiting for the perfect moment to do this."
Your breath caught as he leaned in, his lips capturing yours in a kiss that was soft yet full of passion. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you under the vast night sky.
The walk back to the condo was filled with laughter and the occasional stop for ice cream. Nicholas insisted on trying every flavor before finally settling on chocolate, which he claimed was the superior choice. You ended up sharing a cone, his arms wrapped around you as you sat on a bench overlooking the ocean.
Back at the condo, you kicked off your sandals and headed to the bathroom to get unready. Nicholas followed, taking his time brushing his teeth while sneaking playful glances at you in the mirror. Once your skincare routine was done, you joined him in the bedroom, slipping into a comfortable set of pajamas.
"Movie night?" he asked, holding up a bag of popcorn he'd picked up earlier.
"Absolutely," you said, climbing into bed and cuddling up against him.
He found a romantic comedy you both loved, and as the movie played, you felt yourself drifting off in his arms. The sound of his steady breathing and the warmth of his embrace made you feel safe, loved, and utterly content.
Just as your eyes fluttered closed, you heard him whisper, "I love you."
"I love you, too," you murmured, your voice soft with sleep.
The last thing you felt before drifting off was his lips pressing a tender kiss to your forehead, sealing the perfect end to a perfect summer day.
