Looking out over the sea, she couldn’t help how her mind kept wandering to the past and had to stop herself from conjuring up images that should stay there. Maybe it was because she was faced with him again for the first time just a few days ago, and her willpower was already crumbling.
Being on a beach, enjoying the sunset alone, brought her back to how many times she walked hand in hand with him in this manner, stealing time together between her studies and his busy schedule. It felt like a lifetime ago and another world. Blurring her vision with sorrowful fat tears, she could almost hear him in the crashing waves, teasing her.
-(Six years prior)
“Not unless you beg.” Kai swung her up, anchored to his body by wrapping her upper torso in his arms, sending her legs skywards. Grinning like an idiot, pretending he would plop her in the water as it hit his feet and legs, soaking his rolled jeans. Infected by the happiness she brought out in him.
“Is that a threat?…. I’ll take any punishment you can dish out. I’m into that.” Kai finally relented, spinning away from the water’s edge to deposit her on her feet, and tugged her to face him as soon as he let her loose. Leaning in and stealing a peck on the lips before she could start scolding him again.
“Kissing me won’t stop me from doing this.” Meilei slapped his shoulder in fake outrage, shoving his abs through his thin t-shirt and trying for a scowl to translate she was huffing.
“You’re cute when you’re mad.” Kai winked, ducking in for a second stolen kiss before she swung a slap for his head, but he dodged it swiftly and caught her hand to twirl her around. Sometimes, Kai was a child who loved to make her crazy.
“You’re so annoying.” She fell over her feet, tripping sideways and landing in the sand on all fours before he could catch her. The outrage that crossed her face as she threw him back a murderous glare had him breaking into a genuine laugh.
“Did you just fall for me all over again?” He joked, moving forward and flopping down on the sand beside her even if it wasn’t a wise move, and Meilei shoved him away in a sulky manner.
“If I can’t bully my girlfriend, where’s the fun in dating her?” he laughed and got a jab in his left dimple for the cheekiness. He could be maddening, even if it was sometimes infectious, when in a playful mood. This was frequent behavior between them because they were still caught in the throes of honeymoon love even though they had long past that timeline.
“You know I can’t swim.” Meilei sulked some more, feigned hurt on her face, unwilling to go easy on him, and Kai caved. He was a sucker for his girl, and even when just teasing her, he could never take it far.
“Jerk.”
Kai snort laughed, breaking into a grin at her serious insult.
“Where?” Meilei asked, dropping her pretend sulk and instantly curious because Kai was a gold badge type of boyfriend regarding surprises and cute dates. He never failed.
“Oh, now she loves me!” He smirked, moving away when Meilei touched his face with gentle fingers. “Now she thinks I won’t spoil her and come good with promises of romance and dates.” He teased.
He leaned in and tapped her on the nose. A finger bop right to the tip. His method of affection when he wasn’t seducing her outright.
“Maybe give me a meaningful kiss, and I’ll believe you.” He edged a little closer, knowing she wouldn’t refuse, but he wasn’t going to cave completely. She had to work a little.
Meilei had to wriggle to get her elbows in the sand and push herself up to meet his mouth. Lip to lip, soft and perfectly matched, she kissed him with a meaningful and lingering peck to the lips. Her lips were slightly parted, a perfect fit for his. Breaking free to ask her question again, she didn’t get a chance as he caught her by the nape of her neck and tugged her back to kiss her with more passion.
Kai sank her back into the sand, following her with lips locked on. Moving to cover her body with his and teased her mouth open to kiss her properly. Meilei responded like she always did. Snaking her arms around his neck and tugging his muscular body to hers to deepen their make-out session.
Kai made love to her mouth for five long minutes, his tongue gliding against hers and tasting her lips until he had his fill. Rubbing noses, breathing like they had just run a marathon before he broke away slightly and gazed down into her eyes in the ever-darkening light. Locked together with intense intimacy this way, a pulsing of heavy emotion between them like no one else existed except them.
“When are you going to move in with me?” he nudged her gently, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb and holding back the crazy urge to lean in and suck it between his teeth again. She had no idea what she did to him.
“I miss you too, but it’s my senior year, and it’ll soon be done. I can apply for an internship in the city, and we can talk about it then.” Meilei traced his face’s strong, straight lines with her fingertips and then cupped his jaw to tug him down to her once more. Kissing him lightly to soften the hurt look sparking across his face.
“Are you two going to stay making out in the sand all night?” Yuelin’s cute little giggling voice dragged them away from the focus of one another, and Meilei tipped her head to the side to see her best friend hopping toward them. Her boyfriend was trailing behind her, looking decidedly soggy from the sea, and the rest of their group was still far in the distance.
“If they sent me away, then they wouldn’t have any kids they actually liked. They need at least one achiever to be proud of.” Yuelin sassed him and turned on her heel, throwing her hair back with attitude. “Meilei, if we don’t leave soon, we will never get home before curfew.” Yuelin hooked her boyfriend’s arm and headed up the beach toward the sand ramp to return to the street. She knew Meilei would follow as she was a reliable and sensible type who took her studies seriously, unlike her flashy brother, who was only interested in sleepovers and make-out sessions.
“Why are you friends with her? She has zero redeeming qualities.” Kai frowned, not meaning a word about his baby sister, and Meilei shoved him in the pecks. She knew they adored one another.