Since 1998

The Kiss

Devin and Allison were alone on the open shore as the two slowly escaped and hid.

Sweat prickled on Devin's neck despite the cool ocean breeze. Slowly, he reached out and removed the blindfold for her. His hands trembled.

"Hi!" was all he managed to say.

"We got pranked," Allison laughed, breaking the silence. But the struggle was real. She couldn't even look him in the eyes.

"Yeah," Devin replied, his voice a bit strained. "I don't know what they were thinking."

They both look toward the beach house, laughing at the mischief. "Come on out, Sam!"

Sam and Anna emerged.

"They wasted the whole setup," Anna muttered, leaning against Sam.

"Same old Devin. They're playing a long game," Sam agreed, looking at Anna.

"The ultimate game of hide and seek with their feelings."

They sat a few meters behind Allison and Devin. Anna leans her head on Sam’s shoulder. She lets out a deep sigh.

"Damn, Sam, these muscles of yours are quite reliable, not to mention you're even a hottie," she teases.

Sam doesn't answer with words; he just looks at her intensely.

"You're driving me crazy."

Anna smiled but looked away. "Stop staring, Sam. I'll be honest with you, I can't decide yet."

"Does it bother you? But hey, I'll make sure you will..."

"No, Sam. It makes me want to kill you."

Sam leaned in.

"No way, Sam...Do it now," Anna whispered against his lips until Sam couldn't hold on any longer. He devoured her and bit her lips.

"Oh, God, your lips are so sweet, baby." Anna chuckled, but Sam caught her lip, pulling her into a desperate, passionate kiss.

The sudden silence made Allison turn around.

"Anna! What are you doing?!" she laughed, her eyes widening.

Devin snapped, instinctively reaching up to shield Allison’s eyes with his palm.

"So what, Ali?" Anna laughed, breaking away from Sam. "It’s America!"

"You're ridiculous," Allison said, swatting Devin's hand away with a blush.

"The 'It's America' line actually works," Devin said, laughing as the tension broke. But as the laughter died down, he looked at Allison’s smiling face and realized she was growing up right in front of him.

Sam stayed close to Anna, keeping a firm grip on her hand.

"So," Anna said mischievously, "when do we see you two do that?"

Sam laughed. "What? Kiss? He just tried to give her parental guidance!"

Devin and Allison went quiet, hiding behind wide grins.

"What if we dare you?" Anna pushed. "Right now."

"No way, what are you doing?" Allison said quickly.

"Hard pass." Devin froze, realizing the words had slipped out before he could stop them.

The "hard pass" felt like a rejection for Allison. She kept her smile in place, though it felt forced. "Enough, guys. I'm heading out," she said, standing up and walking toward the car.

The playful mood vanished. Sam signaled for Devin to follow her. Devin followed right away.

"Devin, kiss her! That's the only way," Sam signaled.

"Are you insane?"

Devin then disappeared from their sight.

"Allison... are you okay?"

Allison gave him a sweet smile and answered, "Of course I am. That was awkward, Devin. I had to exit, you know."

Devin pulled her into a hug. "I don't know what to say. Let me drive you home."

"Okay. Thanks, Devin."

Anna watched them leave. "Seems like I'm going home alone," she murmured a playful pout touching her lips.

She didn't even make it to the car. Sam caught her from behind, his arms wrapping tightly around her ribs and lifting her slightly off her feet until she was pinned against him. Anna let out a soft, helpless sound as his teeth grazed the sensitive skin right below her ear. All her teasing vanished; she arched her neck back, letting her fingers tangle into his hair as his chest rose and fell heavily against her spine.

"I love you," Sam whispered.

Anna didn't give in any further. Instead, she took control, her fingers gripping his jaw as she pulled him down into one final, breathless kiss that tasted like salt and heat. When she finally broke away, her lips were flushed, and her voice came out low and slightly strained.

"Sorry, Sam. Not too soon. Drive me home, not drive me crazy, okay?"

Sam gave her a playful smirk. "Let's go before the air gets too tense.”