RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 49: FRIDA -

The beach was breathtakingly beautiful, with the endless waves kissing the shore, glistening under the warm sun.

Frida inhaled deeply, the salty tang of the sea air filling her lungs. Who knew Vegas could be this stunning?

Families gathered all around, relaxing in their colorful swimwear, laughter and chatter blending harmoniously with the soothing sound of the ocean.

Laurel sprinted happily across the sand with Evelyn, her voice carrying over the breeze.

"We claim the sands of this beach!" Laurel declared, triumphantly staking out the perfect spot, not too close to the water, but not too far either.

Evelyn immediately started arranging a spread with blankets on the soft, golden sand.

The boys helped, setting out an assortment of delights that could only be described as a feast.

Platters overflowed with fresh fruits, succulent watermelon slices, plump grapes, juicy pineapple chunks, and ripe strawberries.

A variety of sweets and biscuits were artfully arranged alongside a selection of fine cheeses and crackers.

There were bottles of wine and sparkling drinks chilling in a cooler, alongside colorful smoothies, dainty cupcakes, and a tray of indulgent chocolate truffles.

The blankets themselves were adorned with vibrant patterns, creating an inviting and picturesque beach picnic.

The breeze kissed Frida’s skin as she settled on the blanket, the warmth of the sun relaxing her entirely.

"Let’s play Uno!" Laurel exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

John winced. "You always win."

Leon, Leo, and Mike exchanged unenthusiastic glances, but Laurel was already shuffling the cards with the finesse of a professional.

The game quickly turned intense. Evelyn played with ruthless strategy, Ted wasn’t far behind, and Danny was an emotional wreck.

"Ugh, Leo, your mom is bullying me! God, I’m freaking losing!" Danny groaned, clutching his cards like they were his lifeline.

Leo pinched his cheek playfully. "Don’t worry, babe, I’ll fight for us."

Frida rolled her eyes. "So sappy," she muttered under her breath.

Out of nowhere, a smoothie appeared in front of her. She blinked in surprise, recognizing the flavor the moment she caught its scent.

It was the very one she’d tasted that summer in Hawaii, a flavor so memorable she’d once told Laz she’d go back to Hawaii just to have it again.

"I made it for you," came Laz’s deep voice, smooth and rumbling.

She eagerly took a sip of the smoothie, her lips wrapping around the straw as the sweet, tropical flavors burst on her tongue.

A soft moan escaped her before she could stop it. "Mmm, oh wow. It’s even better than I remember."

Laz’s smile in response was soft, so disarmingly gentle that even the sun seemed to dim beside it.

The warmth in his expression left her momentarily breathless. "I’m glad you like it," he murmured, his voice like velvet.

Her cheeks heated, the blush spreading down her neck as she fumbled with her words. "I’m surprised you’d remember something so fleeting."

His gaze didn’t waver, holding hers like an anchor, steady and sure. "Nothing about you is fleeting," he said, his voice low but firm, like he was stating an unshakable truth.

Her stomach flipped at his words, a rush of emotions she couldn’t contain making her heart race.

The intensity of his attention was too much, and she dropped her gaze, focusing instead on the endless waves crashing against the shore.

But Laz didn’t look away. He didn’t falter, his eyes burning into her like he was memorizing every detail of her.

The longer he stared, the more acutely aware she became of him, of his presence, his closeness, his very existence.

"Look at me, Frida," he said, his voice dropping just enough to send shivers down her spine.

If butterflies could bloom into an entire garden, her stomach would have been overflowing.

Slowly, hesitantly, she lifted her lashes to meet his gaze, and the world seemed to pause, leaving only the two of them suspended in the moment.

He was stunning.

He was wearing a pair of loose sky-blue swim trunks that hung low on his hips, paired with a white linen shirt left unbuttoned, revealing the sculpted planes of his chest.

The sunlight danced off his tanned skin, and his grey eyes were a storm she couldn’t escape.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the drink, brushing against his. Sparks erupted at the contact, leaving her fumbling to compose herself.

She tucked her hair behind her ear, forcing her gaze to the sea as if it could calm her.

They were far enough from the others, who were too engrossed in the heated Uno game to notice the tension thickening around her and Laz.

Then, she felt it, a cool sensation on her back, followed by Laz’s low voice. "May I? I don’t want you to burn."

His breath was so close to her ear, she thought she might combust. "Oh..." she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "Sure, thank you."

His hands were magic, gliding over her skin with practiced ease as he smoothed the sunscreen into her back.

Every touch seemed to linger, as if teasing her nerves into submission.

His fingers traced the curve of her neck, skimmed dangerously close to her sides, and slid along the line of her back, stopping just short of places she didn’t dare think about.

Her entire body was humming, responding to him in ways she couldn’t control.

When his hands moved lower, massaging her thighs and calves, her breath hitched again, and she was certain she might moan.

She held herself together, barely, but when she thought he might press a kiss to the small of her back, her heart skipped.

"Now that’s definitely something more than sappy," Leo’s voice cut through the moment like ice water, jolting her back to reality.

Frida flushed as Laz’s hands left her skin, a tingling sensation remaining where he had touched. She couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze, least of all his, knowing full well what had almost happened.

"We need to talk," she finally managed, her voice trembling but determined.

Laz’s eyes met hers, dark and intense, a storm brewing beneath their surface. His drawl was devastatingly smooth as he said, "Well, it’s about damn time, princess."