The night air was cool against my bare skin, a stark contrast to the warmth still lingering between Carmen and me.
The waves lapped at the shore, a rhythmic, soothing sound, but my heart was still racing, my body still thrumming from the way Carmen had just touched me—loved me.
I lay there, my back against the soft sand, tangled in the afterglow of what had just happened.
The lanterns cast a soft golden glow over us, making Carmen's skin look even more sun-kissed, her muscles flexing slightly as she moved. She was still catching her breath, and that made me smile.
I turned my head, watching as she ran a hand through her tousled dark hair. Her other hand rested lazily over my stomach, fingers tracing invisible patterns on my skin.
She was staring up at the sky, looking almost lost in thought, but then she turned her head and met my gaze.
The way she looked at me… It did something to me.