Sunset Kisses

The beach wasn’t like those noisy tourist beaches that plagued the vacation city of Caloundra but instead it was the private beach for residents that lived on the canals that were tucked safely behind the dunes. The sand stretched for miles in both directions from the mouth of a canal inlet to a rocky point far off in the distance.

Couples with dogs strolled along the beach, children played in the sand whilst their mothers engrossed themselves in magazines or romance novels and a group of wind surfers rode the off shore waves. Further out on the horizon where the purples and pinks of sunset met the sea the lights of an ocean liner could be seen steaming out.

Holly released her chocolate colored locks from the confines of an elastic and let it tumble carelessly down her back, allowing the ocean breeze to gently chase it around in the air. She kneaded the sand with her toes and observed the life of the beach. To one side of her a couple with two black poodles and one white one strolled slowly up the beach and to her left wedding photos were being taken on a crop of mossy rocks, the newlyweds gazing lovingly at each other. Holly closed her eyes and tilted her head to the wind, reminiscing on an old memory.

~*♥*~

The first time Holly had ever been to this beach was when she and her friends Danny, Jessica and Lily had come up for summer vacation just before the start of their senior year. They’d all wanted to go someplace that was relaxing and away from everyone else, so they opted to stay at Holly’s grandparents house. They had had fun, swimming in both pool and sea, boating, shopping, clubbing and just hanging out. The four of them were practically inseparable and were able to find fun wherever they went.

Holly and Danny walked along the beach side by side watching Lily and Jessica in amusement as they raced each other to a mossy crop of rocks off in the distance.

“Those girls are so competitive,” Danny said with a laugh.

“Oh, yeah. And not only in sports but with guys too,” Holly watched as Lily started zigzagging in front of Jessica. “I kinda envy them”

“How come?” he asked, flicking his blonde hair out of his eyes.

“Because of who they are. They have guys falling at their feet wherever they are while I have guys tousling my hair like I’m their sister”

Danny smiled mischievously and tousled her hair. “Like that?” he asked.

“Im being serious, Danny,” she said, but smiling all the same. “It’s just a little disheartening,”

Danny kicked a shell, which scuttled away once it had stopped rolling along the sand. “Believe me Holl, love isn’t all its cracked up to be. Most of the time you just end up getting hurt”

Holly sighed and looked out at the pink and purple horizon. “I understand that but I would like to be able to experience it for myself. I want to know what it’s like to love, I want to experience the comfort you get when your lover holds you and the buzz of a first kiss…” Holly cut herself off, embarrassed that she had just admitted she’d never been kissed. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

“Hey, don’t cry,” Danny enveloped her up and held her in his warm embrace.

Holly sighed and leant into him, enjoying the feeling of comfort. “I’m afraid I’m going to end up an old spinster with twenty cats”

“Holly, look at me,” he said, holding her a little less tightly to give her room. “You are not going to end up alone, ok?” he tenderly stroked her arm.

“How do you know?” she asked, searching his caring blue eyes for an answer.

“Because I’m not going to let that happen”

“Do you promise?”

He lent down so that their lips were only millimetres apart. “I promise”.

Holly felt his lips touch hers in a kiss as tender and light as a summer breeze, sending shivers down her body and leaving her with a burning desire, an aching need, for another kiss. Burying her face in his neck, she breathed a kiss there. And then she cried tears of joy.

~*♥*~

Holly sighed a content sigh. Even now she could still remember the warmth and intimacy of his kiss and the feeling of his arms holding her tight. The cold wet nose of a golden retriever brought Holly out of her reverie, causing a smile to spread over her features. “Hey, girl!” she said and rubbed the dogs fur vigorously.

“Don’t I get a hello, too?” a voice asked, holding his hand out to her.

Holly clasped onto it and felt herself being pulled up from her sitting position. “Yes, Danny. Of course you do,” She raised herself to meet his kiss, parting her lips and gently covering his mouth. “Hi,” she breathed as she pulled away.

“Hi”

Holly slipped her hand into his as they followed their dog up the beach. They passed the couple with the poodles and Holly smiled and raised her hand in greeting. The setting sun glinted off her wedding ring.