“You don’t have to be afraid of anything with me. I will never hurt you,” he said gently. “I’ll give you everything you need. Everything you want. If you’ll just be mine.”

I stopped at the door but only half turned. “I just need some time to think.”

He looked gutted. “Will you be back?”

I nodded but couldn’t meet his eyes as I turned and walked out.

Needing to feel the sea breeze in my hair and the tang of salt on my skin, I headed to the Pier. My head was filled with fog and I needed to clear it before it drove me crazy. I hadn’t expected to meet anyone. And I certainly hadn’t expected to meet Heath. But I had and he had become my best friend and now I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

What if I pursued something with him and went too far to turn back? But hadn’t I already gone too far?

As the street beneath my feet turned into the Pier, I felt the gentle tingle of light rain on my face. The smell and sound of the ocean was an immediate comfort and I drew in a deep hearty breath of salty sea air.

It was late afternoon and the sun was bleeding into a horizon heavy with grey clouds. Foggy coach lights along the Pier created a welcome glow. The rain and approaching storm had driven visitors from the Pier, leaving behind only a few die-hard fishermen. Waves rushed beneath us and thunder rumbled in the distance.

Midway along the Pier I sat down on a bench and raised my face to the sky. I closed my eyes against the light rain on my face.

Yes, I was afraid of starting something with Heath, because I was only staying for such a short time and didn’t want the heartache of ending something when I left. But in reality, hadn’t we already had started something?

Yes, I was afraid of falling for him and having to end it. But hadn’t I already fallen for him?

Yes, I was afraid of having to turn my life upside down so I could be with him. But hadn’t he already turned my life upside down by making me love him?

Most of all, I was afraid of giving him my heart and having him break it. But he had already taken it from me.

It seemed clear then. Sitting there, feeling the gentle rain on my skin and the ocean air in my lungs. All my fears were pointless. Because they were too late. I was already one hundred percent, head over heels in love with him.

In that one crazy beautiful moment I felt a bright burst of hope. My eyes opened. It was time to give up fighting something so powerful. I would be okay. It would work out.

I stood up, suddenly filled with so much damn love for Heath I could feel it tingling throughout my body.

“What am I doing?” I asked myself incredulously, wondering why I was so hesitant, when it all seemed so clear now.

I had to get back to him.

I had to tell him I loved him and to hell with everything else.

Not hesitating a moment longer, I made my way back down the darkening Pier as the clouds opened and released a heavy downpour. I quickened my step.

Up ahead in dim glow of the Pier lamps I saw the effigy of a man walking towards me through the rain. I slowed as it neared and when it paused, I paused. Then my heart gave an almighty thump and I took off as fast as I could towards it.

I crashed against Heath and mashed my mouth to his. My arms encircled his waist and pulled him to me. Strong hands cupped my face to his and we kissed as the rain poured over us.

“Did you mean it when you said we could make it work?” I yelled over the rain.

He grinned and even in the dim light I could see the brilliant blue of his eyes and the deep crease of his dimples. His lashes were wet. Raindrops fell from his lips. “I will do whatever I have to do to stay by your side,” he said, still holding my face between his hands. “Just say you’ll be my girl and I promise you we will work it out.”

Now that the wall had crumbled, I was flooded with an overwhelming love for him.

“I think I’ve been your girl since the moment you asked me my name.”

He grinned broadly and kissed me again. I closed my eyes and was lost in the slow rhythm of his mouth against mine.

Yes, I was his girl.

Every single morsel of me. And I was done fighting it. I would give myself completely to him.

* * * * *

HEATH

It was all I could have wanted, and more. Harlow telling me she loved me. Telling me we had a chance. It was magical and I couldn’t stop smiling like a lovesick fool. The walk home took a ridiculously long time because despite the rain, and despite being soaked through, we couldn’t stop kissing each other. We walked through the rain soaked streets, our hands entangled, laughing and stopping to kiss, letting the rain pour over us without a care. I’d never known a feeling like it. I was so crazy for this girl; I didn’t know what to do with myself.

As we climbed the steps to the porch I stopped her and took her face in my hands.

“Tell me this is real,” I said, suddenly serious. “That you’re mine.”

She smiled up at me. Her lips were wet with raindrops and her long dark hair fell in wet strands around her perfect face. “I’m all yours.”

I sighed and inhaled deeply, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. She grabbed my wet shirt and pulled me closer towards her. “Now take me inside.”

So preoccupied by the idea of this amazing girl being mine, I hadn’t even thought of making love to her. And now that I could, my body responded with an immediate need to be doing exactly that.

She led me to the bathroom where she turned on the shower and then turned to me. Her expression was determined, yet shy, her big, beautiful eyes not leaving my face as she slowly peeled the wet clothes from her body.

All. Of. Them.

My mouth dropped and I was unable to move, spellbound by the sight of her clothes disappearing from her body and dropping to the floor. She was glorious naked. Perfect. Flawless. Every curve. Every bare inch of her. From the rise of her breasts to the firm and taut plane of her flat stomach.

“Oh Harlow,” I murmured and stepped closer to her, looking into her eyes as she removed my t-shirt and undid my jeans. She pulled them down and then did the same with my boxers, her eyes wide when she saw me completely naked. She looked up at me and I shivered when she touched me.

We kissed and I pressed myself to her, pleasure flooding every pore and cell of my body. We kissed slowly, our fingers exploring the slick surface of our skin. She felt so good to touch. Warm and smooth. Her skin was flawless and sun kissed. But it was her gentle moans as she touched me that almost made me come undone.

She pulled away but took me with her as she stepped into the shower. The water was warm, a welcome contrast to the cold rain. I was desperate to be inside her but it was our first time and I wanted to make it last.

Now wasn’t the time to rush. Now was a time for making it last until we couldn’t stand it any longer. I had thought about making love to her a lot and now that it was actually happening, I was damned determined to make it better than any fantasy I’d had. I pulled her against me and kissed her again.

“I’ve wanted to do this for such a long time,” I murmured, my hands finding the soft curves of her throat and her jaw. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you.”

“I want you Heath,” she whispered, her lips brushing against mine in response. “I want you so bad I can hardly stand it.”

Her hands slid over my hips and across my pelvis, her fingers wandering lower, sliding around my cock and gently squeezing. I exhaled deeply. Jesus, it was going to be hard to hold back.

“That feels so good.” I breathed hard.

“And this?” She took my hand and placed it between her legs. “Does that feel good? Feeling how wet you make me?”

She touched my fingers to her and dear god, she was so wet I had to fight off the urge to bend her over and slam deep into her.