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Chapter Twelve
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2022-06-02 04:51:28Related chapters
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Thirteen
The turquoise waters were calm under bright blue skies as we skimmed along the shoreline in the small boat toward my favorite snorkel spot in the world. To our right, the Grove extended out into the ocean like a finger beckoning a lover. The mangroves turned the water a lighter color as their strong roots dug into the sandy bottom, but they protected the island from the waves of the deep ocean.Nestled in the shielded curl of the Grove was a small coral reef. It was perfect for much of my marine research, as well as some of the best snorkeling in the entire Caribbean. Only locals knew about this spot, and the pristine conditions of the reef only proved the lack of human interaction. It was untouched by people and absolutely the best place to dive into an underwater world. I couldn't wait to show it to Noah.I turned off the motor, lowering the anchor onto the sand near the reef and securing the boat so we could swim without worry. Noah stared out at the water's surface, his eyes danci
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Fourteen
I shut the screen door to the kitchen, leaning on the frame and closing my eyes. I couldn't have imagined a better day if I’d tried. Noah was amazing. My entire being felt light as air and filled with sunshine.“Have fun?”I opened my eyes to see Devon standing at the kitchen counter smirking. He was half way through making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I had completely missed him when I walked in; my mind had been elsewhere with Noah.“You're home!” I yelled with a grin, running over to give him a hug. He had taken it upon himself to be my older brother, and I missed him like family when he was away. Devon set down his knife full of peanut butter and wrapped his arms around me. He smelled like sunscreen.“Hey, kid,” he said with a laugh. He was tall and lean with a swimmer's body. The man loved to swim and usually did several miles out in the open ocean every morning. The only downside to his love of being out in the water was that he was of pure Irish descent: pale skin, freck
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Fifteen
I woke up with the dawn, for once welcoming the warm sunshine instead of hiding beneath my covers and trying for five more minutes of sleep. It was a new day; one that I got to spend with Noah. I climbed out of bed and threw on a bikini that would make Brooke proud and a cute little orange print sundress. Without waking Brooke, who was snoring peacefully with her hair tangled around her head like a halo, I snuck out into the morning sunshine.I walked along the beach path toward the mansion, humming slightly. I hadn't felt this happy in a long time. I didn't know it was possible to feel this happy. Not only was I off to see the man of my dreams, but he was still on the island. We had a chance.The sky was a beautiful blue with the only clouds being dark gray, but far on the horizon. The world was made of blue, green, and sand. It was almost too gorgeous of a day to be real. I came to the entrance of the Grove and sent some good vibes toward it. Hopefully that would turn out all right
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Sixteen
Instead of setting me down, he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me to the bedroom like a fair maiden. He held me gently as if I were a delicate flower, his strong shoulders and biceps not even struggling with my weight. His knees bumped against the big bed, but he didn't set me down. He just kissed me more, holding me close to him.I wiggled for escape, and he reluctantly released his hold on me with one arm so I was kneeling on the bed, our heads at the same height. He nipped at my lower lip, growling with want. The sound sent an electrical current through me. That noise had the unique ability to send me into a shudder just a millimeter below orgasm.Not taking my eyes off him, I reached for the hem of my dress, lifting it smoothly overhead. Just before the fabric cleared my eyes, he captured my arms in his. I struggled to free myself, but his grasp was too strong. I couldn't see through the blindfold of my dress, my arms stuck in its straps.All my senses seemed to heighten with
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Seventeen
My cheek stuck to Noah's chest, the combination of sticky skin and close contact making it so I couldn't leave. I didn't want to. Our bodies were tangled together and wrapped in what was once an orderly bed. I could hear his heartbeat, strong and hard, in my ear as we cuddled and relaxed. I was breathless and completely satisfied. The afterglow was almost as good as the sex.Noah's fingers traced slow, lazy designs on the bare skin of my back. The ocean shushed at us through the open window after what I knew had been a rather loud session. I didn't care if the mainland had heard us. I was with Noah. He loved me. I loved him. Everything was how it was supposed to be.For a moment, I let myself dream of the future. Noah loved me, and he wasn't a tourist anymore. He was staying. I hoped it was for a good long time. Or, if he had to return to his work, that he could make the island his home base. I couldn't leave because of my research. My life was on the island. Even if- I mentally knock
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Eighteen
Thunder boomed. The air was heavy with the promise of rain as Brooke and I brought the boat into the dock and secured it. Lightning flashed out at the horizon, striking the water with a blinding brilliance. I double-checked to make sure the knots were secure on the boat; I didn't want it floating out to sea with the storm.“Thanks for the help today, Izzy,” Brooke said, heaving her gear onto the dock. We’d had an amazingly successful run. “This data is going to be amazing. If the Grove thing doesn't work out for you, I'll take you on my project in a heartbeat.”“You are most welcome, but I have a good feeling about the Grove. That's where my future is,” I told her, securing another rope on the boat. Another peal of thunder made the air shudder around us.“Yeah, you do mesh better with baby sharks than the big scary ones,” she teased. I had done more than all right with “the big scary ones” today, but she was right. I enjoyed the nursery of the Grove far more than the wild of the open
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Nineteen
I ran hard all the way to Noah's door. His window was open despite the storm, and I could hear his rich laugh from inside followed by the higher birdsong of Beth's. The rain had eased up slightly, but the world was still painted in shades of gray. Night was coming. With ragged breaths, I pounded my fist on the door and waited.He opened the door, a smile on his face. His suit jacket was off, and his white dress shirt was open at the throat, the tie undone and resting on his shoulders.“Shit, Izzy,” he exclaimed, concern quickly replacing the smile. “Are you okay? What's happened? What's wrong?”He stepped out of the doorway and into the rain, his hands going to my shoulders. They were almost hot against my skin after the cool of the rain. Raindrops fell on his white shirt, plastering it to his skin and making the fabric translucent. His eyes were blue oceans of caring, taking me in and letting me lose myself.“They sold it...” I sobbed, the words coming out in a jumble of syllables an
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Twenty
Noah's dark hair caught the edge of the morning sun and gleamed. I stared at it, watching as the light slowly illuminated his sleeping face like he was an angel. He was snoring gently, and his face was soft and peaceful. I couldn't get over how handsome he was. Or that I was in his bed. I had a gorgeous, charming, and amazing man who wanted to give me gifts and would hold me and let me cry. Not only was he attractive, but he was kind and sweet too. I was the luckiest girl in the world.Except for the fact that the Grove was going to be destroyed. I sighed and relaxed my head back into the pillow. I kept watching Noah's serene sleep. He had been so generous and kind the night before. It was only because of him that I had slept. The ache in my heart at the loss of the Grove was still fresh, but at least the immediacy of the shock had worn off. In the light of day, I could deal with it. I still had a future. I still had Noah. Things would work out. I was stronger than this little setback
Last Updated : 2022-06-02
Latest chapter
Sandcastle Kisses Epilogue
I take a deep breath and let it out as slowly as I can. All that does is make me feel lightheaded as the butterflies in my stomach continue to dance around. I smooth my wedding dress one last time and try to be patient. I feel like I've waited forever for this day, even though it's only been barely a year.“You ready?” Brooke asks, poking her head inside the door of the bridal villa. Her hair is done up in an elaborate bun. “It's show time!”I nod and she grins, closing the door behind her. I try the breathing thing one more time, but I'm still nervous. My dad takes my hands in his before I can smooth the satin of my dress again.“You look beautiful,” he says. Memories fill his eyes as he looks at me like he did when I was a little girl playing dress-up. “I'm so proud of you, Izzy.”He hugs me, careful not to mess up my hair. It crunches slightly from all the hairspray, but the curls remain intact. Dad puts his hands on my shoulders and looks me up and down. His eyes are brimming with
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Twenty-Four
Nine hours, four scrub brushes, one broken broom, three garbage bags of leaves, and one and a half bottles of cleaning solution later, the entire research facility was clean. We kept it pretty clean anyway, but now, it practically sparkled. I had cleaned every tank, organized and swept the storage area, dusted, vacuumed, and cleaned everything I could get my hands on.I sat on the couch, watching the reflection of light in one of the now pristine fish tanks. I was exhausted physically, but somehow my mind hadn't gotten that memo. My hands ached from scrubbing, but I knew if I went and lay down for bed, I would just think of him. His kiss. How his hands felt on my skin...“The house looks awesome, Izzy.” I startled as Brooke broke into my thoughts. She glanced around appreciatively. Lucas was right behind her as they emerged from the kitchen. I could smell something delicious baking in the oven. It was Lucas's night to cook, but I was sure Brooke had helped him out. The man usually mad
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Twenty-Three
I kicked at the covers until I freed my feet from their tortuous grip. My bed was a disaster area; I had tossed and turned all night with nightmares. Dreams of the destruction of the Grove. Dreams of Noah. Dreams of what could have been. The early morning sun was starting to peek through the blinds, and I was relieved to see morning and be free of my subconscious mind's twisted wanderings.Brooke mumbled something into her pillow. She was spread eagle across her bed and still fast asleep. I gave serious thought to just staying in bed all day and moping, but the longer I lay in bed, the more I needed to get up and stop thinking. And at this point in time, thinking was bad. Thinking reminded me that not only had I lost the Grove, I had lost Noah as well. Just thinking his name made my chest tighten and the tears start to well up in my eyes. I still couldn't believe he was willing to give me up that easily.I sat on the edge of my bed and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to figure
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Twenty-Two
“Izzy doesn't want to see you.” Brooke's voice drifted through the open window and interrupted my nightmares. I was in the Grove running from a giant backhoe that was ripping it up. Noah sat in the driver's seat and laughed as he chased me. I was glad to wake up and find I was safe in my bed and not running and tripping on mangrove roots.I sat up in the dim gray of twilight with a blanket tucked neatly around me. My face was crusty with tears, and my ribs ached from sobbing. My laptop was still open on Noah's Wikipedia page but set neatly on the desk. I must have fallen asleep crying, and Brooke had tucked me in and saved my computer from falling off the bed. I stood up and tiptoed through the living room to stand at the entrance of the kitchen.Devon and Lucas were sitting stiffly on the couch pretending to read. They were doing a lousy job at it, though. Their ears were practically falling off their heads with how much they were straining to listen. I couldn't blame them. Devon fl
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Twenty-One
I handed the paper back to Adele, my hands shaking. I didn't want to read any more. I actually couldn't because of the tears I was struggling to keep inside. Adele held the paper up and frowned at it.“Isn't this the man you came in with the other day?” she asked. My stomach clenched.“Yeah. It was.” I felt like my life was on repeat. Yet another tourist was breaking my heart and making a fool of me in front of the community. Only this time it was way worse.“And he didn't tell you he was buying the land?” Adele pressed.“No, it didn't come up,” I said sharply and instantly felt bad. This wasn't Adele's fault. I didn't need to take this out on her. I needed to go home. I needed to think. “You know what, Adele? I'm actually not hungry. I'm just gonna go home.”Adele nodded and wrapped her arms around me again. She smelled like cinnamon. “I understand, dear.”No, you don't, I wanted to tell her, but I just smiled meekly and quickly broke away. I couldn't get out of the restaurant fast e
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Twenty
Noah's dark hair caught the edge of the morning sun and gleamed. I stared at it, watching as the light slowly illuminated his sleeping face like he was an angel. He was snoring gently, and his face was soft and peaceful. I couldn't get over how handsome he was. Or that I was in his bed. I had a gorgeous, charming, and amazing man who wanted to give me gifts and would hold me and let me cry. Not only was he attractive, but he was kind and sweet too. I was the luckiest girl in the world.Except for the fact that the Grove was going to be destroyed. I sighed and relaxed my head back into the pillow. I kept watching Noah's serene sleep. He had been so generous and kind the night before. It was only because of him that I had slept. The ache in my heart at the loss of the Grove was still fresh, but at least the immediacy of the shock had worn off. In the light of day, I could deal with it. I still had a future. I still had Noah. Things would work out. I was stronger than this little setback
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Nineteen
I ran hard all the way to Noah's door. His window was open despite the storm, and I could hear his rich laugh from inside followed by the higher birdsong of Beth's. The rain had eased up slightly, but the world was still painted in shades of gray. Night was coming. With ragged breaths, I pounded my fist on the door and waited.He opened the door, a smile on his face. His suit jacket was off, and his white dress shirt was open at the throat, the tie undone and resting on his shoulders.“Shit, Izzy,” he exclaimed, concern quickly replacing the smile. “Are you okay? What's happened? What's wrong?”He stepped out of the doorway and into the rain, his hands going to my shoulders. They were almost hot against my skin after the cool of the rain. Raindrops fell on his white shirt, plastering it to his skin and making the fabric translucent. His eyes were blue oceans of caring, taking me in and letting me lose myself.“They sold it...” I sobbed, the words coming out in a jumble of syllables an
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Eighteen
Thunder boomed. The air was heavy with the promise of rain as Brooke and I brought the boat into the dock and secured it. Lightning flashed out at the horizon, striking the water with a blinding brilliance. I double-checked to make sure the knots were secure on the boat; I didn't want it floating out to sea with the storm.“Thanks for the help today, Izzy,” Brooke said, heaving her gear onto the dock. We’d had an amazingly successful run. “This data is going to be amazing. If the Grove thing doesn't work out for you, I'll take you on my project in a heartbeat.”“You are most welcome, but I have a good feeling about the Grove. That's where my future is,” I told her, securing another rope on the boat. Another peal of thunder made the air shudder around us.“Yeah, you do mesh better with baby sharks than the big scary ones,” she teased. I had done more than all right with “the big scary ones” today, but she was right. I enjoyed the nursery of the Grove far more than the wild of the open
Sandcastle Kisses Chapter Seventeen
My cheek stuck to Noah's chest, the combination of sticky skin and close contact making it so I couldn't leave. I didn't want to. Our bodies were tangled together and wrapped in what was once an orderly bed. I could hear his heartbeat, strong and hard, in my ear as we cuddled and relaxed. I was breathless and completely satisfied. The afterglow was almost as good as the sex.Noah's fingers traced slow, lazy designs on the bare skin of my back. The ocean shushed at us through the open window after what I knew had been a rather loud session. I didn't care if the mainland had heard us. I was with Noah. He loved me. I loved him. Everything was how it was supposed to be.For a moment, I let myself dream of the future. Noah loved me, and he wasn't a tourist anymore. He was staying. I hoped it was for a good long time. Or, if he had to return to his work, that he could make the island his home base. I couldn't leave because of my research. My life was on the island. Even if- I mentally knock
