Beautiful Burn(9)

Even in the muted light of sunset, I could see the crimson coloring the apples of her cheeks, the fire in her eyes. She remembered, and she wanted this as badly as me “Are we still talking about the lighthouse?” she finally breathed.

“That's your inspiration.” I couldn't keep the flirty grin from my face.

“That was certainly something.” She quipped and turned back to the lighthouse. Auburn's eyes swept the weather-worn fencing that enclosed the old structure, where only a small sandy path allowed entrance. “I can't believe you just kissed me.” Her fingertips were trailing across her tender lips, as if reliving the feeling of our kiss.

A small smile was turning the corners of her lips when I reached out, my hand seeking hers again. “Life is short.” I replied with astounding sincerity. Her head turned to meet mine, and she finally allowed the stubborn smile she'd been trying to hide break into a full grin.

“My point in all of this was...” I interlaced our fingers as I spoke, “story isn’t about place. It’s not about the climax or the resolution; it’s about the emotion that connects all of us.”

“Hmm…” She cocked her head and pursed her lips. “I like that,” she said softly. “Maybe I'll go with that.” The excitement rose in her voice. She tapped her lips in a way that she knew was silly before she laughed and pushed me in the shoulder, throwing me off balance as she darted around me, hair flying and laugh floating on the wind. She looked the part of a beautiful, composed young woman, but her unique and endearing, playful sense of humor reminded me that life wasn't all bad. There were still beautiful, lighthearted moments to be had, if I chose to grasp them.

“Is that how you repay the man that inspired you?!” I scoffed when I’d finally caught her. I held her lightly in my arms, enough to keep her steady, enough for her to feel the raging hard on settled in my cargo shorts.

“You give yourself too much credit.” Her laugh shot straight to my soul and lit my nerve-endings like firecrackers.

I smiled when I realized she could shit on me for the rest of my life and I’d be the happiest man alive.

“Is that so?” I caught my breath as I looked down at her. She glanced up at me with amusement surrounded by a veil of wild, dark hair. The way the setting sun caressed the muted angles of her face impressed me like a work of art might impress another. High cheekbones accentuated her round, slightly-too-large eyes and dark eyebrows and the full cupid's bow of her lips.

“Yup.” She grinned and crossed her arms, teasing. Suddenly I was more aware of my hands at her waist, settled on her hips. I pulled away and grasped for my good sense, which was always escaping me at the most dire of times. I wanted to kiss her again, but I also wanted to keep my job, letting this go any further than it already had would spell trouble for both of us.

I ran a hand through my dirty-blond hair. “We should head back.”

“Okay.” She retreated, giving me the space she must have sensed I needed. We headed back the way we'd come and a few minutes later we were back in the boat and rowing towards the little stretch of coastline we called home.

“Told you Michigan had a lot to offer,” I finally interrupted the silence.

“I feel enlightened.” She grinned, teasing. “I don't remember you being so active a few years ago.”

“I grew up doing a lot of this stuff, but when when I got married I had less and less time. When things started to get bad a few years ago,” I paused, working at the persistent ache in my shoulder. “I found it was a good escape. When Mel gets on a subject, she likes to beat it to death. Out here on the water was about the only place I could find peace.” I ended.

“I'm sorry.” She placed a hand on my forearm, her dark eyes connecting with mine. I appreciated the chance to slow my rowing and enjoy these moments with her. “My parents used to fight all the time when I was a kid, even after the divorce they were always in and out of court arguing about custody. It was awful. I remember watching Peter Pan on repeat as a kid and wishing a magical world existed where kids never grew up and didn't have parents screaming and hating each other.” The emotion in her voice left my heart bleeding for the young girl she'd been.

“I knew your parents were divorced, but I never knew it was that bad...” I set the oar across my lap and twined my fingers with hers.

“It's so much better now. Don't get me wrong, they're still tough as nails, but at least they're not fighting over me anymore.” Her voice cracked and tears pooled in her eyes.

“If I would have known...”

“You would have rescued me?” A bittersweet smile lifted her cheeks.