~~~~~~~~~~~
Finishing up their tour of the city, they end up close to Coney Island. The sounds of laughter, screams from the coaster rides, and the smell of pizza and popcorn fills their noses. Walking towards the entrance, Lisa looks up at Alex, noticing his nose looking slightly pink. “Alex, I think you may have gotten a little sunburned today." She lightly touches her nose and he touches his own, feeling the heat on his skin.
"Oh, well, it'll heal in time." He grins, then turns back towards the entrance and pulls out his wallet, paying for admission. They look around, considering where to start. Alex turns to Lisa and raises his brows. “So, anywhere you’d like to start?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “I doubt we could make it through here in one day. Would you like to start with one of the coasters, or maybe take in the aquarium?”
“Hmm, I think the aquarium would be a good place to start.” He grins and takes her hand.
“Okay, then.” Holding onto his hand, she smiles to herself. “Who knows, maybe you’ll get to high five one of the seals.”
“They let you do that?” he asks with a smile.
Lisa looks at Alex and holds in a giggle. His excitement reminds her of a child coming to the park for the first time. “I’m sure they’ll take volunteers.”
Alex chuckles. "Alright, I’m down but, if I volunteer, you must go with me."
Laughing, Lisa squeezes his hand. "You bet! Come on, silly." They begin walking down the sidewalk towards the New York Aquarium.
~~~~~~~~~~~
After spending the afternoon roaming around Manhattan, enjoying the food and aquarium, Alex takes Lisa on a boat tour of the Statue of Liberty. The wind blows gently, the boat bobbing on the waves of the Upper New York Bay. Taking Lisa’s hand, Alex pulls her to the upper deck. Leaning against the railing, she looks out over the water as the waves hit against the boat. Looking towards the Statue of Liberty, she tries to recall the last time she was out here.
Alex leans on the railing next to her, resting on his forearms. He closes his eyes as the wind blows gently against his face, his hair blowing loosely. She finds herself smiling, watching him. Turning to rest her back against the railing, she nudges him gently. “Is this your first tour of the island?”
Nodding, he opens his eyes and looks at her. “Yes, my very first time.” She becomes almost lost as his eyes look into hers. She feels her knees weaken. Clearing her throat, she turns back towards the railing and looks the other direction. As the heat rises in her cheeks, she tries to catch her breath.
Alex gently brushes her hair back. “Lisa, is everything alright?”
She nods and turns back to face him. She pulls her hair behind her ears, but a few strands remain over her face. Alex reaches up and brushes the hair away, smiling gently at her. Her breath catches for a moment, their eyes remaining locked on one another. Alex’s fingers trail down Lisa’s cheek, then move underneath her chin. Leaning in, he presses a kiss on the outer part of her lips. Her heart skips a beat. Alex pulls back, then looks down at her. “I hope that was alright.”
She finds herself speechless, nodding again. She wants him to kiss her again, but a full kiss this time. She wants to feel his arms around her, wants to feel his hands on her body. Alex grins, cupping her face. Tilting her head up, he kisses her fully. She gasps at the jolt of electricity as their lips touch. It’s the most remarkable feeling she’s ever experienced. Her hands move up and rest against Alex’s chest, the muscles underneath his shirt moving against her palms.
Alex inhales sharply. With a groan, he pulls away. “Are you okay?” Lisa asks, alarmed. She looks at his face, and her hands grip his biceps.
Alex grips the railing as he nods, panting slightly. “I’ll be okay. Just…a sudden chest pain, but I’ll be fine. I promise.” He looks at her and offers her a soft smile. Her hands move away from his arms as he rights himself again. “That was remarkable, by the way.” He grins at her, the pain in his chest receding.
“What was remarkable? The Statue of Liberty? Yeah, she’s amazing. She’s more beautiful every time...”
Alex cuts her off. “No, you. The kiss was remarkable.”