But every time he tried to get close to her, she would still herself away. He’d try to hold her in the water and she’d kick away from him. He’d hold out his hand to help her up the ladder and she wouldn't take the help. He’d try to help her reposition her gear and she’d swat him and tell him that she had it.
Nothing was panning out the way Ash had hoped.
Ash changed into some dry clothes and began working on their light dinner. Kallie was up on the deck, staring out at the sunset as it dropped below the horizon. He popped open a bottle of wine and poured himself and Kallie a glass, then he lined up the cold cuts and cheese on a platter. He had some grapes and some chunks of coconut. Some java plums and some mangosteen. He carried everything upstairs to her and sat down beside her, watching as the sun cut itself in half with the mirror of the ocean.
“Hungry?” Ash asked.
“Mmm, starving,” Kallie said.
The two of them sat silently, sipping on their wine and picking at the snacks Ash had prepared specifically for the moment.
A moment he deemed perfect enough to talk to her.
And the best part was that there was no risk of interruptions this time.
“I really appreciate all of your help, Kallie.”
“It’s not a problem. I’m glad I could help. How did all of the kitchen stuff work down there?” she asked.
“Not a hiccup to be seen,” Ash said. “So far, the boat works wonderfully.”
“And there is a lot of space. I personally love the thing. What do you think?”
Ash watched Kallie’s eyes pan over to him. She had provided him the perfect opening, so he was going to take it. He didn’t have the ring with him. He wasn’t sure he needed it. All he needed was Kallie. And the moment was perfect to ask for her.
“I think the boat is still missing something,” Ash said.
“Oh? What’s it missing?” Kallie asked.
“Not the boat, really. But Bali, in general.”
“You bring this up now? When all of the paperwork is ready for you to sign?”
“It’s not a paperwork issue,” Ash said.
“Then what is it? What’s this place still missing?”
“That one thing that’ll make it perfect,” he said.
“Then let’s talk about it. Maybe I can help. I’m still here to help, you know.”
He gazed into her eyes as he cocked his body toward her. He placed his empty glass of wine into the cup holder before he rose his palm to her cheek. He touched her skin. Kissed by the heat of the sun and flushing underneath his touch. He caressed his thumb over her cheek, feeling how soft her skin was.
How soft her skin had always been to him.
“Ash?” Kallie asked.
“Yes?”
“What is it you want?”
He guided her face close to his. He could feel her breath pulsing against his lips. She didn’t pull away. She didn’t bat him away. None of the moves she had in her arsenal that day were apparent as the sun finally died beyond the mirrored surface of the ocean. Darkness blanketed them, and stars rose in Kallie’s eyes. The twinkling night sky above them filled her eyes with a hint of lust he knew he’d never be able to stand against.
“You,” Ash said. “What I want, Kallie, is you.”
Chapter 22
Kallie