Land in Miami
The air was hot from summer rain
Sweat dripping off me
Before I even knew her name, la la la
It felt like ooh la la la, Yeah, no
Sapphire moonlight
We danced for hours in the sand
Tequila sunrise
Her body fit right in my hands, la la la
It felt like ooh la la la, yeah

It all began about six months prior. Carly and Freddie headed to the east coast for some influencer convention to meet with fans and potential sponsors. Initially, Millicent was supposed to go on the trip with them. As she had been interested in building her brand, it was right up her alley. But once she had learned about how much attention Carly was supposed to get and all the excursions her dad had planned, she quickly declined.

With Millicent backing out, Freddie didn't see much reason to go either; Carly could handle this on her own. Besides, he was the behind-the-scenes guy, her cameraman and producer, he figured that no one cared to meet him.

Carly tried to put on a brave face for him, but deep down she was terrified. Ever since that Webicon where they needed the security escort and Freddie nearly got ripped to pieces by teenage girls, and, of course, both of the nightmare experiences they'd had with Nora, she was nervous meeting fans. She loved her fans and meeting them, but she had to acknowledge the potential danger, and as such she was much more cautious these days.

In the end, Freddie invited himself back on the trip. He'd told her that he didn't want her to be lonely since Harper already had plans, and he really could use a vacation after the past year he'd had. He decided not to tell her he'd be too worried about her being on the opposite coast all by herself.

During the flight, Freddie had gone over the plans he'd made, nothing concrete, but just a few spots he'd like to visit while they were there. The convention was Friday through Sunday, but Carly was only planning to attend Saturday and Sunday. They'd padded a few days onto each end so they wouldn't feel rushed and to make an actual vacation of the trip. Once they'd checked in to the hotel, they ended up with adjoining rooms, which was perfect for them.

The first night they just popped out for a quick dinner as it was already evening when they'd arrived at the hotel. Once they got back, neither was tired enough to sleep so they sprawled out on Freddie's bed and tried to watch some chick flick before both nodding off.

The next morning, they opted for the hotel's complimentary breakfast then headed to the beach before it got too hot later in the day. All was well until Carly removed her tank top and jean shorts, revealing her tiny black bikini and Freddie's eyes nearly popped out of his head. His mouth watered at how the small bits of fabric hugged her curves, the bottoms riding low on her hips and the dark color perfectly complimenting her tanned skin. He forced himself to look away, so he pulled his phone out of his pocket, opting to catch up on some new tech he'd been hearing about and might see at the convention over the weekend.

Carly stretched out on the lounger beside him. She'd get in the water later, but she wanted to get a little sun first. She pulled her hair into a messy bun and reached for the small Bluetooth speaker she'd brought. There weren't many people out on the beach yet and she wouldn't have it loud, so she knew Freddie wouldn't mind. She put on her Zumba playlist; the Latin beats perfect for the bright late morning heat.

Once she was comfortable, she looked over to Freddie who was just settling in. He'd worn a light short-sleeve button up with his dark blue swim trunks and he was now unbuttoning and removing the shirt and tossing it in her canvas bag to keep it from blowing away in the slight breeze. She gulped hard as she gazed at his chest. Where had that come from? Naturally, she'd noticed his arms over the years, attributing it to the weight of the large camera he'd used to film iCarly back in the day and later to carrying around Millicent until recently. But how had she failed to notice his pecks and those well-defined abs? She mentally shook herself and forced herself to focus on the waves in front of her and the soft relaxing roar of the surf.

After about a half hour of companionable silence Carly rolled over and pulled Freddie from his reading. "Can you get my back? It's the only spot I couldn't reach in the room." He looked over and she was untying the lower strings to her top. He swallowed hard and tried to keep his voice even when he answered. "Sure thing." He grabbed the sunscreen from her bag and squirted a small amount in the middle of her back, amused by how she trembled at the cool sensation. He spread it around, making sure to cover every inch of exposed skin. He debated whether to protect her sides as well, but as he noticed how the cups of her top had fallen from her as her arms were folded under her chin, he decided to go for it.

He massaged the lotion along the sides of her ribcage and gently grazed the soft skin on the sides of her breasts. He tried to remain calm and act like it was no big deal, but his heart was nearly pounding through his chest. "We definitely wouldn't want you to burn here, now, would we?!" He'd said softly and Carly only answered with a sound in the negative, agreeing with him. After a lingering moment against her skin Freddie cleared his throat and excused himself to go enjoy the water.

Carly enjoyed the warm sun on her skin but she kept replaying the feeling of his touch. She'd held her breath when he'd touched her, his fingers soft against her breast. She suddenly felt over heated. She tried to bask in the sunshine for a little longer, but the thoughts running through her mind were making it hard to lie still. She re-tied her bikini top into place before locking their phones in the case Freddie had given her, it locked to the lounger to protect their phones and wallets from being stolen. She smiled at the memory; he was always trying to protect her.

She joined him in the water and her nervous energy faded away… This was her Freddie. Before she knew it, they were splashing each other and he was taking her into his arms and flipping her into the water. They spent the next hour alternating between playing in the waves and sitting on their knees in the shallows enjoying the cool water against their heated skin.

They decided to go in and dry off, but first wanted to enjoy a few more waves and waded out into deeper water one last time. A particularly large wave knocked Carly off her feet, but before she could get swept under, she felt strong arms pulling her back to the surface. "Don't worry, I've got ya…" Freddie gently reassured her. Her arms easily wrapped around his neck, allowing her to catch her breath. After a moment their eyes locked and time stood still, the delicious feeling of their bodies pressed against each other making them completely oblivious to the world around them.

Another large wave dragged them out of their own little world, laughing as it splashed against them, trying to pull Carly's feet out from under her again. "I think that's our sign to head in." Carly laughed as she reluctantly removed her arms from around Freddie's neck; both instantly missing the warmth from the other. She turned towards the shore and her hand was quickly enveloped in Freddie's larger one. She didn't object and let him lead her back to the safety of dry land.

Once back at their loungers, they wrapped themselves in towels to dry off. Freddie unlocked their phones and pulled his out to take a picture. "Wanna get one for the 'Gram? You'll need some to post from the trip." he suggested. She happily nodded and sidled next him, catching him off guard as he was expecting to take pictures of just her. "Don't you want it to be just you?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Maybe in a few, but I want some of us… to commemorate our trip... Our first vacation in who knows how long!" She giggled. He smiled and happily obliged.

In the midst of few goofy shots a teenaged girl asked them if they wanted her to take their picture. With their limited reach, a few selfies were all they'd been able to get. They happily agreed and Freddie handed her his phone. The girl gave them a few directions and took a few different poses of them on their loungers – some just smiling side by side with a couple of them hugging and one with Carly's head on his chest and his cheek resting against her hair. There was even a shot she snuck of them shyly looking into each other's eyes as they reluctantly pulled apart after the previous pose.

Freddie thanked the girl as she handed him his phone with a shy smile. "It was my pleasure. I look forward to seeing you both at the 'Con this weekend." Busted… They'd been recognized. They purposefully booked their rooms at a hotel further down the beach from the one the one the convention was being hosted at to avoid potentially crazed fans, so they could enjoy their trip in peace. At their wide eyes the girl quickly continued. "Don't worry, I won't leak your location. Enjoy the rest of your trip. I'm Trina, by the way." Relieved their info was safe, they offered to take a few pics with Trina as a thank you. Freddie got her IG handle and promised to tag her when they posted the pics and he'd send her the ones of the three of them.

After taking the pictures of just Carly and drying off, they decided to find some lunch. The could've eaten at one of the many restaurants at their hotel, but wanted to try some local fare instead. They walked a few blocks down the boardwalk until they decided upon an open-air café. Carly was wearing her denim shorts, but left her tank top in her bag and Freddie had opted not to button up his shirt, enjoy the sea breeze on his skin. All during lunch they enjoyed the safety their sunglasses provided, freely allowing their eyes to roam the other.

Over lunch they discussed their plans for the rest of the evening… Deciding to check out some of the local nightlife. The owner of the café recommended a spot to check out after Carly gushed over the food and promised to mention them on her IG page. His name was Carlino, and they'd all had quite the chuckle- Carly and Carlino.

They didn't rush back to the hotel after lunch, instead taking their time and just enjoying being together. They stopped at a few stores and did a little shopping. They avoided the typical touristy shops with the normal cheap junk and discovered a couple of cool boutiques that Carly drug Freddie into. She'd intentionally brought an extra suitcase knowing she'd be bringing back a fair amount more than she came with.

Carly tried on a few dresses while Freddie found a few items for Millicent and his mother. They met back at the register, Carly not letting him seeing her purchases while she praised his choices, knowing that Marissa would love the colorful flowy top he chose for her.

Once back at the hotel, they decided to relax for a few hours before getting ready for dinner. They camped out in Carly's room while Freddie edited the pictures from the beach and restaurant. Most of the pictures of the two of them looked too much like a couple, too private for the outside world, so he selected two of their joint pictures to post along with one with Trina and the rest were shots of Carly. He couldn't help but admire how her skin glowed in the sunlight.

Carly leaned over his shoulder to preview the post and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him from behind while she gushed over the photos. "You really are the perfect 'Instagram boyfriend'. You somehow always manage to make me look amazing!" He turned to face her once she released him. "It's not hard… You know you're very photogenic." He smiled bashfully and then cleared his throat, trying to turn serious. "Besides, it's not just your job for you to look good, it's mine too. We're partners in this, 50/50, right?" She smiled and nodded. "Most definitely. iCarly is as much yours as it is mine. There wouldn't even be an iCarly if not for you."

While they and Sam always knew it was a team effort, Carly never let them forget that if not for Freddie recording and posting that video of Carly and Sam goofing off at the talent show auditions all those years ago, giving them their first taste of fame, there never would have been an iCarly to begin with. She'd made a point to remind Freddie of that over the years when he would have moments of self-doubt, feeling that he contributed less as Sam and Carly were more creative and inevitably the faces of the show. She would point out all of the cool techy stuff he'd created that helped make the show what it was… He'd designed and managed the website on his own, and at such a young age, and he'd created all of the graphics and special effects they'd used.

Yes, he was definitely an equal partner in this and that's why she'd insisted that all of the platforms remain in the name of iCarly, not her name, and that they'd incorporate iCarly with them both being equal members in the resulting LLC they'd created. They shared equally in the creation and all of the behind-the-scenes work, so it was only fair they shared equally in the profits. That was why she couldn't understand why he would back out of the trip – iCarly was invited to the expo, not just her. He was a well-known part of it and had received a fair amount of recognition on his own for it over the years.

After he finally posted the photos and made sure their location on IG was vague, they stretched out to watch some tv. It was mid-afternoon, so of course Law & Order: SVU was on somewhere. They settled into some mindless Benson and Stabler drama they'd both seen a hundred times, his head on her pillow while she was on her stomach closer to the tv. Halfway through the second episode Freddie caught himself nodding off. Refusing to risk their evening by oversleeping, he excused himself to take a shower and get ready for their night out, closing their shared doors behind him. Carly had been so comfortable that she'd completely forgotten about their plans. Now alone in the room, she pulled out her purchases from earlier in the day, knowing exactly which dress she wanted to wear that evening.

An hour and a half later Freddie knocked on the door between their rooms and she was quick to answer. She opened the door and went right back to her place at the dresser without acknowledging him, where she finished drying her hair with her Hot Tools One Step, softly curling her hair as it dried it. He simply leaned in the doorway and watched her as she worked, fascinated as she made it look so effortless. He wouldn't know where to begin with half the things spread across the top of the dresser. The thought briefly crossed his mind that he might need to soon learn as Millicent was quickly becoming a teenager.

Carly finished and twirled to face him, her flowy skirt rising as she spun. "Tada!" she grinned. He stepped forward, taking her in. "Muy bonita!" he grinned right back, reveling in the soft blush that was now creeping up her chest and neck, flushing her cheeks a deeper pink. The white spaghetti strap knee length dress was a perfect contrast to her tanned skin. "Is that one of those super-secret items I wasn't allowed to see earlier?" She simply nodded in reply. "You have wonderful taste. You look… amazing." he told her honestly.

Trying to hide her nerves, she approached and appeared to adjust the collar of shirt that didn't really need it. She just wanted some excuse to touch him. "You don't look half bad yourself." She giggled. She made a face like she was thinking hard and made a motion for him to turn around. He laughed and happily complied. She'd just wanted a chance to really get a look at him without him seeing the needy look she assumed must be in her eyes. He was wearing a black tank top under a white short-sleeve shirt that he left unbuttoned, paired perfectly with dark jeans. When he stopped, she smiled and gave him a thumbs up. "Yep, all good."

Freddie simply shook his head at her and laughed. "Are you ready to go?" "Almost!" she exclaimed and sat down on the bed, strapping on her sandals. "There… Now I'm ready." She grabbed her purse and they left for the club that Carlino recommended.

When they arrived, they were happy to see a burly doorman, just in case any crazies recognized them. As he checked their ID's Freddie remembered what he'd been told. "Carlino told us to mention his name?" The bouncer smiled at them and called over to one of the waitresses. "These two are guests of Carlino, take them up to VIP." She nodded and showed them the way.

Once seated they looked around, it wasn't very large, but it wasn't tiny either. They were on a higher level and from their table they could see how most of the lower floor was set aside for the dance floor with tables scattered around. It was kind of quiet, but it was still early. They'd been warned that the party didn't really get started until about 10pm. They'd come in early to have the chance eat and be able to leave quickly if the place got too rowdy.

The food was everything they'd been promised and more. The owner stopped by to greet them at one point and they've discovered that he was Carlino's nephew, Miguel. They talked for a few minutes and he promised they would enjoy themselves if they stayed for the music. They'd quickly agreed and Miguel advised them to let him know if they had any problems or needed anything and then he was off to greet more patrons.

As promised, once the music began the whole atmosphere changed. The club quickly filled up and the dance floor was crowded with bodies moving to the uniquely Latin beats. They got a few drinks at the bar in the VIP area before Carly drug Freddie to the dance floor below, leaving her purse locked up behind the bar as Miguel had suggested earlier – he made sure his club was safe, but things beyond his control could still happen.

They danced a few up-tempo songs before needing something to drink. While they waited for their drinks at the bar, Freddie quickly excused himself to the restroom. The drinks arrived while he was gone, so Carly sat at the bar sipping hers while she waited for him to return. As she watched the couples dance, it reminded her of the beginning of that old Patrick Swayze movie – the grinding, the coordination and some girls being flipped. It was a lot different than the dancing she'd seen in the clubs in Seattle with Harper. She was softly swaying to the rhythm when she was approached by a man speaking thick Spanish that she couldn't understand. She shook her head and said "No habla Espanol" hoping he would take the hint. He pointed to the dance floor and her eyes grew wide when he reached for her.

Before she knew it, a strong hand grabbed the man's wrist and forced it away from her. "Mi señorita" Freddie growled dangerously at the stranger. The man raised his hands in surrender as he began backing away and quickly disappeared into the crowd. Her eyes were still huge as she looked up at Freddie. She'd never heard him sound so… savage before. He took a deep breath before he looked down at her. "You okay?" She simply nodded up at him, still at a loss for words. He reached for his drink and quickly downed it then pulled her from her seat. "Come on."

She had no choice but to follow him back to the dance floor. In an instant she was in his arms. The tempo had slowed and a smooth steady beat began. He pulled her closer to him and her arms instinctively found their way to his neck. They swayed to the music; their eyes locked on one another. She could feel it as his heartrate slowed closer to normal. She finally felt it safe to speak. "Thank you" she softly spoke. He didn't answer, just pulled her in tighter against him.

"Will you…" she paused a moment, suddenly unsure. At his look of uncertainty, she pushed forward. She didn't want him to think he'd scared her. "Will you… say it again?" She sounded shy, but she didn't avert her gaze from his. It took a moment before she saw recognition in his eyes. "Really?" She was afraid he'd think she was crazy, but he just sounded amazed. She slowly nodded and his eyes darkened. "Mi señorita" he growled again. It wasn't threatening this time, but his voice was low and husky. She involuntarily squeezed her thighs together.

She was unsure of her own voice, so she pulled him closer to ensure he could hear her. "I love it when you speak Spanish, even if I can't understand it half the time." Her words were breathy, followed by a soft giggle. Again, he didn't speak, but he couldn't hold back a rough moan at her words. He could feel the effect she was having on him so he spun and dipped her, giving his body a brief reprieve from having hers against him. As the song came to a close, he pulled her back to the bar. He wasn't sure if the electricity he currently felt between them was due to the alcohol, but on the rare chance it was, he needed another drink to make sure it didn't go away.

This time he didn't dare leave her while at the bar. He kept a protective arm around her, holding her close against him, effectively shouting "MINE" to the rest of the bar. He'd never felt so protective of anyone else in his life. But this woman beside him, he'd go to the ends of the Earth to keep her safe. Hell, he'd already risked his life to save hers when he'd ran out and pushed her out of the way of that taco truck, nearly killing himself in the process.

He'd been honest when he'd said he didn't feel like a hero. Heroes risk their lives for strangers, for the public. He'd simply done what anyone would for the woman they loved. He shook his head, not allowing his thoughts to head in that direction, not now when they were having such a good time together. He couldn't risk ruining it.

They finished their drinks and headed back to the dance floor. He spun her to the cumbia rhythm currently filling the room. His heart skipped a beat as laughter erupted from her, her face was of pure joy. As the music faded out another slower beat began. It wasn't as slow as the one earlier, but it had a steady beat and he was able to follow the couples around them. It seemed like a slower version of the mambo he'd learned as a kid when his mother forced him to take dance lessons.

They got lost in the seductive rhythm of the music. She followed his lead perfectly. The thought briefly crossed his mind that those Zumba classes must really be helping with her lack of coordination.

He spun her again and this time she returned with her back against his chest. They were still perfectly in sync, but now her bottom was pressed against him. She had to know what she was doing to him as she grinded into him. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck behind her as she kept herself pressed against him. She slid down his body before rising back up and repeatedly rolling her body against him in time to the music, much like the waves earlier that day. He wasn't sure how much more he could take, so her turned her back to face him. Thankfully she looked as affected as he felt, it was comforting to know he wasn't alone in this, the myriad of emotions of swirling through him.

He dipped her again, but she folded herself lower… Damn, this girl was flexible. When she rose, he held her higher on her back and leaned her back again. Her left leg briefly wrapped around his thigh before she lowered it back to the floor. Freddie couldn't help it, as she started to rise, he leaned forward and ran his lips up the expanse of neck she'd bared to him, inviting his touch. She didn't pull away, she just offered him more of her neck which he gladly accepted.

They somehow kept in time to music even though her eyes were tightly shut, lost in his touch and his mouth was attached to her neck, just below her ear. Her arms were back around his neck, her hands on the back of his head holding him against her. His hands had remained on her back, but as she held him close, he let them explore. His hands gripped her ass through her dress and he felt her shudder against him. That somewhat brought him back to reality, at least realizing where they were. He gently spun her again, needing a small amount of distance between them.

She returned with her back against him again. While he needed space, she apparently disagreed. She snaked one arm around his neck while her other held his arm wrapped around her waist, so he couldn't twirl her away again. She tilted her neck again, offering it up to him. For a quick moment he debated whether not he should, but she won out… she always would. He licked and tasted her as she moved against him. While she held one of his arms, he kept his other hand planted firmly on her hip, determined to keep some semblance of control.

She kept grinding into him, he knew she had to feel the erection he'd been fighting pressed into her. When she started swirling her hips into him, he knew she was teasing him, if not trying to torture him. He turned her in his arms, two could play this game.

He wrapped her arms around his neck again and one of his hands went back to her butt, holding her against him. The other lifted her leg, angling her so he could easily rub his leg against her core. He wiggled and gently tossed them side to side, now teasing her. He could feel her hold on him tighten and he knew it was working. After a few moments he dropped her leg and pulled her closer again, swaying to the music.

Carly pulled back to gaze to him. He could see she was as dazed as he was, lost in the moment unfolding around them. She looked to his lips and back to his eyes. He knew what she was asking, but the ball was in her court this time. He licked his lips, hoping she took the hint. She briefly bit her lip, appearing to be mentally debating which course to take, when finally, one won out. He was hoping it was coming, but was still caught off guard when her mouth met his.

They'd kissed many times over the years, but never like this. He'd felt her attraction for him before, he'd even felt how much she'd cared for him, but this was downright lust. He been married twice before, but he'd never felt anything as strong as this. She pulled away momentarily, searching for something on his face, in his eyes… She must have found it because she took his lips again with such force that he almost worried she would try to climb down his throat.

The music changed again and another couple bumped into them, bringing them back to Earth. Freddie looked around and made a decision. He pulled her back up to the VIP area to pay their tab and to get her purse. Once he paid and left a generous tip, he was pulling her back down the stairs. They waived a quick goodbye to Miguel just before they exited the club and hopped into the first taxi they saw.