Love & Fear | Book Two

Seven

The bell rang as Michael and I entered the shop. Lines of clothing, seaside nick nacks, and surfing gear filled the inside of the shop. A woman, who I had never seen before, greeted us from the counter. Smiling at her, I made my way towards the back of the store, trying to find the section of swimwear. Running my hand through the line of swimsuits, I found my size and began fumbling through my options. After a few minutes of searching, I finally pulled out a Navy and blue polka dot bikini and hoped it would fit. There was no changing room in sight so I would need to eye it.

"Did you find one?" Michael asked from across the store.

"Yeah." I called, walking towards the surfing gear where Michael was standing.

"Can you surf?" I asked, eyeing a seven foot Longboard that was leaning up against the wall. "I mean, you can't, can't you because of your, um, abilities?"

"No, but I have always wanted to learn," He paused, "And I can change whenever I want."

"Huh, interesting."

"Welp, I know that there are some places around here where you can take classes. Unless it's changed since the last time I've been here. I'm going to go check out. Also, if you want to learn how to surf you'll want to start with a longboard." I smiled at him before leaving him to look at the gear.

"Did you find everything you needed?" The cashier asked, her smile genuine.

"Yes, I did, thank you."

"Where are you guys coming from?" She asked after I paid and she handed me my swimsuits after I insisted I really didn't need a plastic bag. There was too much trash in the ocean, not just because she would charge me extra for using a plastic sack.

"Well, I'm actually originally from here but I moved to North Carolina about six years ago."

"Oh, well, I'm Elizabeth It's great to meet you and welcome back!" She grinned, watching Michael come towards me with a wetsuit in hand and no surfboard in sight.

"Hi," Michael greeted us, "I'd like to purchase this."

"Alright." Elizabeth said, grabbing the suit from his outstretched hand and ringing him up.

After he paid, we made our way outside and further into town.

"Everyone should be coming back from the beach by now, "I commented, keeping in pace with Michael as we made our way across the street, "And I kind of don't feel like dealing with all of my family right now. I love them, but it's just too much."

"Well, I have to drop this off at my hotel. If you want we can stop there and we can start your swimming lessons in the pool that they have over there." He offered, "Only if you want to of course.

"Okay." I said, kind of excited to work on overcoming my fear of the ocean and even more excited to spend more time with Michael.

As we made our way into the hotel, the gentleman greeted us as we walked towards the elevator. Once we made it into his hotel room, Michael set his wetsuit on the queen sized bed and motioned towards the other door.

"The bathroom's just through there if you want to get changed. I'll get changed in here so we don't have to wait long." He said.

"Okay," I paused, stopping at the doorway before smiling teasingly at him, "I'll make sure to knock before I leave."

I watched as he smiled and then laughed, a sight and sound I knew I wanted to see for the rest of my life. "Okay."

Closing the bathroom door behind me, I unhooked the hanger and the tags off of the swimsuit before stripping from my sandy clothes. Sliding the suit over my body, I pulled my hair out of its ponytail, letting my hair fall freely over my shoulder. The red of my auburn locks glowing against my skin and the blue swimsuit.

I must admit, I felt more like myself than I have since moving away. Maybe it was because I was finally beginning to heal or maybe it was because I was being honest with those I love and those I had yet to love. And I knew this was a great start to a new chapter in my life and I couldn't wait to see what kind of woman I would become.

A knock on the bathroom door pulled me out of my thoughts as I grabbed my clothes up off the floor. Flinging the door open, I greeted Michael who was waiting in the doorway, wearing a pair of orange and blue swim shorts and no shirt. My eyes found there way along his body before I shot them up to look him in the eyes. Gosh, get it together Loretta.

"Hey." I smiled, but his expression was one of shock, mixed with admiration and might I add a little bit of lust as I caught his eyes looking over my figure. The thought of him made my heart skip a beat as I felt my cheeks go red when he finally looked me in the eyes.

"Wow, you look amazing." He finally said, breathless and I couldn't help but continue to look at him, my eyes wanderings and my feet carrying me towards him.

What are you doing!

Before I could close anymore distance between us, I turned towards the bed and sat down, facing him as he turned around towards me. "Thank you, are you ready to go?" I asked, strumming my hands on my legs to distract myself.

But then I looked up, my eyes found his lips before I could comprehend what was happening, Michael was walking towards me. Everything in me wanted him and I knew that nothing I was feeling was normal. Was this what it felt like to meet your soulmate? An uncontrollable feeling of wanting them near you. Wanting to ease their pain and learn everything about them.

I wanted to be near him. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

I felt my heart quicken as his hand cupped my cheek, his eyes searching mine before I kissed him, unable to control my desire and longer as I felt our bond grow stronger. A series of images flowed throughout my vision. I felt my fingers entangle in his hair as the memories flooded my mind: Michael's memories.

Reluctantly, I pulled away, knowing that if I didn't stop now, I wouldn't be able to. "Michael, I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't control it and I-" I paused, "Why could I see your memories? Why did that happen?" His eyes searched mine, my desire still coursing through my body.

"Our mate bond has been completed." He stated firmly, "It only happens when both people are equally into each other and are ready emotionally and physically for the relationship to continue and grow." He reached for my hand, clasping it in his own as he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand.

I pulled away, desperate to stop the desire rushing through my veins. God, why was this so intense?

"Sorry, I-" I paused, regretting pulling away, "It's not you, I just can't. What will happen if I act on my desires? Will you use me and leave? What if I hurt you? If we get into a relationship will it work out?" I knew as soon as I said it I was wrong. I saw who he was through his memories. I knew who he was. It was as if I have known him all my life.

"I would never hurt you Loretta. I'm sure you know that from my memories just as I know you could never intentionally hurt me from yours. You should know that I will continue to win your trust and I hope that with time, you will learn to love me just as I am beginning to love you.

Looking into his eyes, I knew that maybe I was already starting to fall in love with him. And without another thought, I inched my way closer to him, knowing everything about him as if we had been best friends for years.

My lips found his instantly as he pulled my close, his hand resting on my waist as we collapsed on to the bed. Our thoughts no longer fixated on swimming or our last conversation but entirely on each other and the chemistry and desire between us as we stripped from our swimwear and dived into each other's embrace filled with love, kisses, and intense, overwhelming desire.