Chapter 144
**Sara**
We thanked the others for the game and returned to our beach spot. The sun started to dip lower in the sky, casting everything in a warm, golden glow.
"You know what we need after all that exertion?" Tom said, rummaging through our beach bag. "Ice cream."
My eyes lit up. "Now you're speaking my language."
He pulled out his wallet. "I did promise you earlier. What's your poison?"
"Surprise me," I grinned.
He jogged over to a nearby ice cream cart and returned a few minutes later with a massive waffle cone piled high with scoops of various flavors.
"Couldn't decide?" I laughed as he handed it to me.
"Hey, variety is the spice of life," he shrugged, sitting beside me. "Besides, I figured we could share."
I took a big lick, savoring the creamy sweetness. "Mm, that was a good call. What flavors did you get?"
"Let's see... we've got chocolate chip cookie dough, strawberry cheesecake, and... oh, salted caramel, I think."
I held the cone out to him. "Your turn."
He leaned in, his tongue darting out to catch a drip that was about to fall. My breath caught in my throat as I watched him, suddenly aware of how close we were sitting.
"Delicious," he murmured, his eyes meeting mine.
We passed the cone back and forth, our fingers brushing with each exchange. As the ice cream began to melt faster in the warm air, it became a race against time to catch the drips.
"Oh!" I exclaimed as a glob of strawberry cheesecake landed on my chin. Before I could wipe it away, Tom's hand cupped my face, his thumb gently swiping across my skin.
"Got it," he said softly, his eyes locked on mine. Then, to my shock, he brought his thumb to his mouth and licked it clean.
My heart pounded in my chest.
I took another lick of the ice cream, purposely letting a bit smear on my upper lip. "Oops," I said innocently. "Clumsy me."
"Here, let me help you with that."
He leaned in slowly, giving me plenty of time to pull away if I wanted to. But I didn't move an inch. His lips brushed against mine, soft and cool from the ice cream. I felt his tongue dart out, licking away the sweetness.
What started as a playful gesture quickly turned heated. I dropped the forgotten ice cream cone in the sand as Tom's hand tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. I melted into him, my arms wrapping around his neck.
He tasted like a salt and sugar mix, and I couldn't get enough. Our tongues danced as the kiss deepened, the world around us fading away until there was nothing but the sound of the waves and the feel of Tom's body against mine.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing heavily. Tom rested his forehead against mine, a goofy grin on his face.
"Wow," he breathed.
"Yeah," I agreed, feeling a little dazed. "Wow."
We sat there, just grinning at each other like idiots. Then Tom glanced down at the sad remains of our ice cream, now mostly melted into the sand.
"You know," he said, his voice husky, "I think I might need another taste. Just to be sure."
I laughed, pulling him in for another kiss. "Well, we wouldn't want you to be uncertain, would we?"
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks, Tom and I lost ourselves in each other, the taste of ice cream still sweet on our lips.
His hand cupped my face, thumb tracing my cheekbone as he deepened the kiss. I melted into him, fingers tangling in his hair.
"Sara," he murmured against my lips, sending shivers down my spine.
"Mm?" I hummed, not wanting to break away.
"We should probably stop before we get arrested for public indecency."
I pulled back slightly. "Way to kill the mood."
"Just looking out for your academic future. 'Arrested for beach makeout' doesn't look great on college applications."
"Good thing I'm already in, then," I quipped, leaning in for another quick peck.
Just as our lips met again, a volleyball came sailing out of nowhere, smacking Tom right in the back of the head.
"Ow! What the-" he yelped, rubbing his skull.
I burst out laughing as Kyle jogged over, looking sheepish. "Sorry, dude! Wild serve. You guys up for another game?"
Tom glared at him, but I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes. "Rain check, man. We were just about to leave."
Kyle shrugged, scooping up the ball. "Your loss."
As he jogged away, Tom turned back to me with a dramatic pout. "I think I need you to kiss it better."
I rolled my eyes but obliged, pressing a soft kiss to the back of his head. "There. All better?"
"Hmm, not quite. I think it hurts here, too," he said, pointing to his lips.
"You're impossible," I laughed but kissed him anyway.
This kiss was softer, slower. His hands skimmed down my sides, leaving goosebumps in their wake. I sighed into his mouth, savoring the mix of salt on his skin and sweetness on his tongue.
When we finally came up for air, the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky a dusky purple.
I could feel the electricity crackling between us as Tom's intense gaze held mine. My heart raced, and I found myself biting my lip, torn between wanting to dive back in for another kiss and the growing awareness that we were still very much in public.
Tom seemed to read my mind. He leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered, "What do you say we get out of here?"
I pulled back slightly, quirking an eyebrow. "Oh? And where did you have in mind?"
"My place isn't far. Unless you'd prefer to continue this show for our new volleyball friends?"
I glanced at Kyle and his group, who were now pretending hard not to watch us. "Tempting," I teased, "but I think I've had enough sand in uncomfortable places for one day."
Tom laughed, stood up, and offered me his hand. "Then allow me to provide a more comfortable venue."
I took his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. "Lead the way."
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