*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter. And thank-you for all of those that favorited and followed the story. It is greatly appreciated. Thank-you so much!*
Tayla and Isabelle arrived at Lucas' beach party a little later than they planned. They had to fight with Tayla's mom to get out of the house. Tayla looked around and everything already looked wild. The sun was starting to set over the ocean and there was a small chill in the air. There were groups of people drinking out of red solo cups, playing drinking games, a game of volleyball was going on and the bond fire had been burning. There were tons of guys running around without their shirts on and girls wearing their bikini tops with shorts. "I think I may not be dressed right," said Tayla talking about her white halter dress she was wearing. She never thought to put on her bikini.
"You're fine," said Isabelle, "if you need a suit I have one for you in the car. I mean if you plan to get in the water."
"I don't," said Tayla. "How do you know this Lucas guy anyway?" she asked as they walked on the sand to join the others. The sand was getting into Tayla's flip flops.
"I don't know. I just met him at the club," said Isabelle. "We have gone out a few times but nothing more."
"So you just met this guy in some club?" asked Tayla.
"Yeah. Not a big deal. He's cool," said Isabelle as Lucas walked over to them. "Hey, Baby," she said with a smile.
"Hey, Izzy," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Thanks for inviting me," said Isabelle. "I brought a friend. I hope you don't mind."
"No that's cool," he said, "the more the merrier. I'm Lucas," he said extending his hand out to Tayla.
"I'm Tayla," she said with a smile as she shook his hand.
"Tayla?" he asked with a smile. "That's different."
"Thanks; I think," she said.
"Well, you two go get comfortable get yourself a drink, play some games, get some food, have fun," said Lucas. "And I'll catch up to you later," he said to Isabelle before he kissed her cheek before he walked away to talk to the other guests.
"Isn't he awesome?" asked Isabelle.
"If you're into players," said Tayla with a smile.
"Whatever," said Isabelle, "Let's go," she said pulling Tayla with her to get a drink. Tayla walked with her as she pulled her by the arm. They walked over to get their red solo cup of beer and then walked around. They were talking to some guys, well, Isabelle was talking to guys Tayla had no interest. None of the guys there were her type. They all seemed to be the type of guy that only wanted to get laid that night and never call you again. She wasn't into that.
Tayla got bored watching Isabelle flirt with what seemed like 30 different guys and just wanted to go do something else. "I'm going to go see if I can play volleyball," said Tayla. "I'll catch up with you later."
"Okay," said Isabelle. "Be careful."
"Okay," said Tayla as she walked away. She walked over to the volleyball game that was going on. She loved volleyball it was the only sport that she played in high school or the only sport her mom would let her play. She definitely had the long legs to play it. "Can I join in?" she asked the crowd.
"Sure," said a guy with chin length brown hair. "You can be on our team. What's your name?"
"Tayla," she said.
"Okay, Tayla," he said, "I'm Steve. Jump right on in."
"Thanks," said Tayla as she jumped into the rotation and played the game. Steve was impressed with the way she played. She helped them win the game but only because she was one of the best volleyball players Pensacola had ever seen.
"So do you want anything to drink?" asked Steve as the game had finished and him and Tayla were walking away.
"Sure," she said as they walked to get a drink. "Thanks," she said.
"No problem," he said as he grabbed her another cup of beer and handed it to her. "You're really good at volleyball."
"Thanks," she said as they walked away.
"You're welcome. Do you play regularly?" he asked.
"I played in high school. I would like to play in college too but I don't think I can. I'll be too busy working toward medical school."
"Oh you're going to be a doctor," he said, "so you're smart too as well as beautiful."
"Thanks," she said as she blushed.
"So I have some Blaze out in my car. Do you want to go party there? This party kind of sucks," he asked.
"Yeah not really into drugs," said Tayla. "I'm fine partying right here."
"Are you sure? We could get to know each other a little better if you want."
"I'm all right," said Tayla. "Have a good evening," she said before she walked away. She was not into any of that stuff. If she was going to be with a guy it was going to be with a guy that she loved and would hopefully one day marry. She wasn't the type of girl to just hook up with a random stranger or do drugs with a random stranger or do drugs period.
Tayla walked off to find Isabelle but she had to go through a huge crowd of people that were standing by the bond fire or playing a game of beer pong. She was walking when someone bumped into her causing her to spill her beer on her dress. "Shit," she said knowing that if she went home smelling of alcohol she would never be allowed out of the house until she left for college.
"I am so sorry," said a familiar voice to her. He turned around and it was Roman. "You," he said.
"It's you again," said Tayla.
"I have got to stop running into you like this. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she said wiping off her dress. "I just spilled my beer. My mom is going to kill me."
"I'm sorry," he said. "Do you want another drink?"
"No," she said, "I'm good."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah," she said. "So what are you doing here?"
"It is my friend Lucas' party. It kind of sucked till I ran into you," he said, "I am sorry about yesterday."
"No big deal," she said.
"What are you doing here? Are you one of Lucas' 'friends'?" he asked.
"No my friend Isabelle brought me. She thought I needed to get out of the house and meet someone but this is not my type of party. I don't know anyone and she's too busy off flirting with every guy she sees."
"Not my type of party either," he said as they walked off together. "But you know me so it's cool now."
"No I just know your name is Roman. I don't know you."
"You can get to know me," he said. "If you want to."
"If you're trying to get laid it isn't going to happen. I'm not like that," she said.
Roman laughed and said, "good to know. A girl with morals, that's highly unusual these days. Most of the girls here are here to hook up with some guy or to get high. That's pretty much how all of Lucas' parties are. I just come to support him."
"I know some guy just asked me if I wanted to get high with him. I respectfully declined."
"Good choice," he said with a smile as they walked. It was silent for a couple minutes before Roman said, "I have an extra shirt and a pair of shorts in my car if you want to put those on so you don't smell like beer."
"I couldn't wear your clothes," she said.
"I don't mind," he said. "If you want to wear them you can."
"Sure," she said.
"All right," he said, "follow me." Tayla and Roman walked up the beach and walked to his car. Tayla stood by Roman's car as he got into the trunk of his car and pulled out t-shirt and a pair of his shorts for her. "They may be a little big but it should do," he said as he handed them to her.
"Thanks," she said looking around for a place to change into them. She couldn't locate a spot so she shrugged her shoulders and slipped his grey football t-shirt on over her dress and slipped her dress off. She stepped into his black basketball shorts before she handed him her dress. She didn't know what else to do with it. "I'll come back for it."
"Okay," he said as he threw it in his trunk. "So do you want to go talk by the ocean or something? We could go get something to eat somewhere if you want to."
"I probably shouldn't leave," said Tayla. "We can go talk by the ocean if you want to." Her heart was racing as she talked to him and her stomach was filled with butterflies. Either he was really into her or he was putting on a show either way Tayla didn't care at that point. The party became more fun when she ran into him.
"Okay," he said with a smile as they walked back to the beach. They walked past the party and sat down on the sand in front of the ocean. The sun had set and the moon was in the sky as small waves crashed down. The air had become cooler than when Tayla first arrived. "I love the ocean," said Roman.
"Me too," she said. "It's so beautiful."
"It is," he said as they sat there together. He was feeling something inside that he had never felt before. He wanted to know Tayla. He wanted to know everything about her. "So this party isn't really your cup of tea is it?"
"No," she said, "the only thing I really enjoyed was playing volleyball."
"You like volleyball?"
"I love it. I played in high school," she said.
"That's cool."
"What about you? Do you play any sports?"
"Football," he said, "you know how it is here in Pensacola football is everything. I'm going to Georgia Tech on a scholarship to play football."
"That's cool," she said.
"What about you? Are you in college or high school what?"
"I just graduated from high school a few weeks ago. I'm going to Penn State in the fall on an academic scholarship."
"That's awesome," he said. "What are you going to major in?"
"Premedical," she answered.
"So you're going to be a doctor?"
"Yes but I want to focus on pediatrics."
"You like kids?" he asked.
"I love kids," she said. "Kids are awesome. I thought about being a teacher but I like the idea of being a doctor more."
"Kids are pretty cool. One day I'm going to have kids but not till after I finish school and get married to the right woman but that's not for a while."
"That's my plan too," she said with a smile. She had never heard a guy Roman's age talking about having kids or marriage. He was so much different than any guy she had met. He was special.
"If you don't mind me asking what is your nationality? You are really beautiful and I just can't figure out what you are?" he asked her.
"Half Puerto Rican and half Hawaiian," she said, "what about you?"
"Samoan," he said.
"That's pretty cool," she said with a smile as she shivered.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
"Just a little," she said.
"I'm sorry," he said as he wrapped his arm around her pulling her closer to him to keep her warm. Tayla felt her heart begin to race as she felt his strong hand on her shoulder and his muscular arm around her. "You don't mind do you?"
"No," she said. "So do you always come to these wild parties?"
"Yeah," he said, "they are wild and over the top. Lucas probably has a party three times a month and he gets these losers to come here. I guarantee the cops will show up before it's over. There is always someone that does something stupid. I don't know why I waste my time coming anymore. Although tonight has been one of the best because I'm actually having fun."
"You're having fun just sitting here?"
"Sitting here with you," he said as a group of people ran, screamed and jumped into the ocean. "Idiots," he said, "let's go jump in an ocean while we're drunk. People don't think."
"I know," she said as her stomach was filled with flutters. "It's funny," she said.
"What?"
"Isabelle told me to call you to invite you to this party," she said, "and then I ran into you."
"Want to hear something even funnier?"
"Yeah."
"Lucas told me to call you and invite you and once again I ran into you. Talk about the strangest fate in the world but it is a good fate."
"I know right," she said with a smile as she moved closer to Roman. "I kind of liked the way it worked out."
"Me too," he said with a smile as he looked at her in her dark brown eyes. She looked into his blue green eyes and before she knew it his lips were on hers.
They shared a passionate kiss that felt like it lasted for hours. Her stomach fluttered as she kissed him passionately. Roman ran one hand through her curly brown hair as he held her shoulder with the other. Tayla ran her hands over his bare back as they continued to kiss. The world around them had disappeared. The cool air blowing on them, the sounds of the waves crashing down around them but the sounds of the party had disappeared along with the world. It felt like it was just the two of them on that beach together. Their kiss was cut short by the words; "Police! No body move!"
"Shit," said Roman as they broke their kiss. "Let's go," he said as he stood up while the police were starting to arrest people at the party. Tayla took his hand and stood up.
They started to walk off when a police officer yelled to them, "you two stop!"
"Run!" said Roman as he held her hand as they ran along the ocean before running up the beach. The police officer followed after them but stopped once they got off the beach. Tayla and Roman stopped to catch their breath and then laughed with one another. "I'm going to take you home. This party is pretty much over," he said.
"Okay," she said not worrying about Isabelle. Isabelle was smart she would find a way to get out of getting in trouble.
Roman walked Tayla to his car and helped her into the passenger's seat before he walked around to the driver's side. He put on his seatbelt and started the car. He drove off with Tayla. He reached over and took her hand as he drove. "So where am I going?" he asked.
"Ashwood Drive," she answered.
"Really?" he asked. "I live 3 blocks from there."
"Well, I'm going to Isabelle's house," she said, "I really live on Canby Street."
"Oh that's even closer," he said with a smile as he drove her to Isabelle's house not removing his hand from hers. "I didn't want you to get in trouble."
"Thanks," she said as they pulled up in front of Isabelle's house. "I think my parents would kill me if I got arrested."
"Mine too," he said. "I had fun tonight."
"Me too," she said with a smile as she looked at him. He was absolutely gorgeous.
"Want to do it again? Like go out on a date; a real date?" he asked.
"Sure," she said as she saw Isabelle pull up behind them. "I would like that a lot."
"Me too," he said, "I'll call you. I have your number and we'll set something up."
"Okay," she said with a smile. "Good night."
"Good night," he said with a smile before he leaned in and kissed her lips softly. Their kiss was broken when Isabelle knocked on Tayla's window. Roman laughed and said, "goodnight, Tayla."
"Good night, Roman," she said as she opened her door. "My dress."
"I'll take care of it and get it back to you."
"Okay," she said, "thank-you." She shut the door after she climbed out. She waved at him before he drove off. It had been the best night of her life.
"Where did you go?" asked Isabelle, "I thought you were arrested."
"No," she said with a smile. "I was falling in love."
"What?" asked Isabelle as they walked up her front steps.
"I was falling in love. I ran into Roman," she said, "He is the most amazing guy ever!"
"Wow," she said as she opened the door. "That's so weird."
"Yeah and he's really good friends with Lucas," said Tayla. "I never thought I would see him again."
"But you did and that's awesome. And where's your dress? And are those his clothes? Did you lose your virginity tonight? If so I want details."
"No," she said, "And he has my dress. I spilled beer on it when he bumped into me so he gave me a pair of his clothes to wear."
"So sweet," said Isabelle as she stumbled up the stairs. "I drank too much tonight and those guys were heinous."
"You were flirting with them," said Tayla as she walked up the stairs to Isabelle's room. It was typical Isabelle always drinking too much and being flirtatious. Tayla was the one to keep her in line from doing stupid stuff.
"I know," she said. "I'm glad you saw Roman tonight."
"Me too," she said with a smile as she still had butterflies in her stomach.
Meanwhile Roman arrived at Lucas' house to make sure he didn't go to jail. He walked up to the porch and into the front door. "Lucas," he said.
"In the living room," he said.
Roman walked into the living room and Lucas was in there with two girls. "Sorry," he said, "I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I didn't know you had company."
"No it's okay," he said, "this is Bella," he said pointing to one of the girls sitting on the couch. "Her and Carrie came to party with us. Are you down? And where did you go?"
"I was having fun with Tayla," he said with a smile. "And I think I'm just going to go home but you guys have fun," said Roman as he smiled thinking about Tayla. She was one of a kind. He couldn't wait to call her. She had already stolen his heart.
*A/N: So what did you think? Please review and thank-you for reading.