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storyline - Brighter

prompt - rapid

not beta'd

There were different morning sounds at Edward's. Different than what I was used to.

His house was tucked against a hillside, so at night the breeze blew harder and in the day, the susurrus of many trees shushed a soothing sound, making me not want to leave the bed.

There were other things making not want to leave the bed, too, like Edward, and how indescribably sweet he looked while asleep. I studied him for a moment, loving that I could do so. Rapid, subtle flutters moved beneath his eyelids; he was dreaming.

I turned on to my back, entranced right away by the play of light on the walls, the quiet shadows of leaves against what I now saw was a very pale yellow wall. It was so pale it was nearly cream, and I wondered if too this had been the design of Edward, or of his mother.

I had no idea what time it was, but by the light it had to have been late morning, maybe even noon. Scenes of the night before flickered through my mind on automatic playback, visual, emotional and physical. I touched my lips, thinking of his touches and kisses, craving more of them, knowing I was getting attached and not really caring.

Or rather, I cared, but not enough to stop what was happening.

I'd been mellow for years, happy alone and then happy in a relationship or two, never regretting, always following my heart. But my heart had never led me to a cliff like this, never asked me to just trust...and jump. There was a little part of me, my rationale, probably, that reminded me I'd do well to keep a clear head. There was no rush, and honestly, that had probably been my voice of reason during the night hours, the very thing that kept my legs closed.

Well, not closed. Edward had been between them, all right. He just hadn't...been any further.

Head versus heart. I imagined everyone had been to this precipice at some point, or would one day. I couldn't pinpoint what it was, but something told me that this was it. Edward was the next big thing for me. Maybe even the only thing for me, but it was a little early for that.

I loved that Pete looked out for my best interest, but I couldn't agree with his mistrustful assessment of Edward. I had no reason to think anything of Edward but what he'd portrayed, and what he'd told me.

And honestly, looking at his sleeping face...how could I even try to resist? Why would I? I wanted him, so very badly, and I loved that he seemed to want me. In what way, remained to be seen. But I'd let him work for it, and then I'd let him in.

As if clouds were passing over the sun, the room dimmed. I shook off the crazy train of runaway thoughts and crept out of bed, desperate for the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror again, after, washing my hands, naked this time except for my underwear. My hair was...everywhere. I worked it in to a knot, thinking next time I'd bring a brush or comb.

But my face was the face of a girl in love. I'd never seen myself look quite this way. I looked...both older and younger at the same time. I let my eyes drift down over my body, past the faint dark marks on my chest (he hadn't hickeyed my neck because of what people might say), my nipples, rosy (from his mouth), my stomach...

Edward walked in, startling the crap out of me. He smiled sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"I was wondering where you went," he said, making a beeline for the toilet.

I blushed at his comfort level, skittering away so he could pee in peace. But he came for me anyway when he was done, tugging me back toward that bright bathroom. He started the shower again, pulling down his sweatpants...but not boxers...I was sure he'd worn those for me... and brought me inside. No asking nicely this time; he was taking this shower with me.

This time it was golden, illuminated by sunshine. I looked up as the warm water hit me, marveling at the blue sky.

"I love this," I said, suddenly inundated by this really happy feeling, like everything was good, or it would be soon.

"Me too," Edward murmured, pressing against me once again.

I looked away from the skylight and in to his eyes, at the water droplets on his eyelashes, and kissed him. He held me close, tangling his fingers in my hair, picking right up where we'd left off, complete with my breathlessness and his morning wood.

I wanted him to touch me, but he tapered off our kisses, gentle, slow.

"Come on," he said, giving my neck a quick nip before pulling away completely. "I'm hungry."

"Me too..."

We shared the soap, talking about things like any couple would. And it occurred to me that maybe we were a couple now, just like that.

We were driving down Centerline, also known as the 'Queen Mary Highway', when the raindrops began speckling the windshield. I was no stranger to rain, being from Washington State, but I appreciated that in St. Croix it always passed quickly.

By the time we reached the bakery Edward had wanted to go to, the sun had joined the rain, giving us a sun-shower. The trees in the parking lot sparkled wetly, dampening my shoulder as I passed.

"They have the best bread," Edward said, grabbing my hand.

I loved that he knew these things, that his love for the island was so apparent and so deep seated. This was no passing fancy for him, no adventure he'd get over...it was his life. It was the place that helped raise him, and it was evident in his respect for not just the St. Croix itself, but its culture. He knew so many people, statesiders and locals alike; he belonged.

The bakery was packed. We stood in line, and when it was our turn, Edward ordered butter bread and cheese, a loaf of raisin bread, and several tarts of different kinds...guava, coconut, pineapple. Everything in the glass case looked appealing, even though I didn't know what half of it was.

"Is there anything else you want?" he asked, leaning closer.

I shook my head, smiling. "Nah, I think you covered it."

He nodded, smiling, and paid.

We ate on our the way to Dorsch Beach, which turned out to be, perhaps, the most crystal clear water I'd seen so far.

"This is gorgeous," I mumbled, crumbs probably flying out of my mouth as I ate pieces of bread with cheese. So simple and yet, so satisfying and good. I could see why Edward had stocked up; we were in Frederiksted now, and that was on the west end of the island. A bit of a drive from where we all lived.

"I know, It's one of my favorite beaches..."

"I can see why."

"Rainbow is right down there," he said, pointing to far away. "Around the corner and further down."

"Oh..." I remembered the day he'd taken me jet skiing, how nervous and conflicted he'd made me feel.

The conflict was gone, but the nerves hadn't abated much.

When I was done stuffing my face, I stripped down to my bikini and made my way toward the water. We'd stopped by my place, earlier, so I could grab my swimsuit. Peter had been passed out on the couch, making me wonder how late he'd stayed out.

Edward joined me seconds later. We swam around for awhile, enjoying the tepid water and the emptiness of the beach.

"I wish I had a mask," I lamented, gazing at the water.

"We have time for that," Edward said. "Just enjoy it. We'll come back."

"Okay." I floated on my back for a while, basking in the sun. I felt Edward's hand at my foot, keeping me close so I didn't drift away. I opened one eye, sneaking a peek at him. "Hey."

"What's up?"

I stood up, moving so that I was closer. "Remember that time? At the Full Moon Party?"

He smirked and looked off in to the distance. "Yup."

"Why were you such a jerk to me?"

He frowned. "I wasn't a jerk..."

"Yes, you were. You totally accused me of being this typical tourist girl, like I was just gonna...I don't know. Live it up and leave."

I half expected him to laugh along, but he didn't. Instead, he looked at me, like really looked. "Well, a lot of people do just that. I can't really blame them, this place isn't for everyone. It drives me nuts half the time."

"What do you –"

"Island fever. It's little things. Sometimes the grocery store runs out of something I want, or...the ATM runs out of money on busy holiday weekends, or...the endless frigging potholes in the road. But then I look around and I remember where I am and it's like...I love my life. I don't want to leave. Not know, and maybe not ever." He focused on me, his eyes intense. "I've seen people fall in love with this place and then fall out of love with it so fast it makes your head spin. I've seen so many couples break up because of it."

I thought of Laurie, and the story she'd told me when we'd first moved. I thought of Peter, and how we very well may have broken up too, even without Edward. Because I liked island life. And wanted to explore it for as long as I could, while Pete was already over it.

"So, you thought I was just..."

"I don't know what I thought." He shook his head.

I swam closer, grasping his shoulders, wrapping my legs around him. I could see already that I was quickly entering that stage where being apart form him sucked, where I wanted to be physically close if he was around. Thankfully, he seemed to feel the same way, because he put his arms around me, too, his hands, holding my thighs.

I swear, I would've stayed right there, forever.

"I don't want to leave," I said, kissing his chin. "I love it here. And...I think I could make a life here."

"I know you could. But that's all you."

"I know." I nodded, biting my lip. "I know it is. And eventually, I'll probably have to figure something out...maybe something besides working the counter at Coconuts."

"Hey, don't knock it," he chuckled. "You get freebies at Coconuts."

"Yeah, anyway," I laughed, rolling my eyes, "my point is, I could see myself staying here. Indefinitely."

"Well, I hope you do," he said.

Our eyes met, and I saw so many things in his. He didn't want me going anywhere, that much was obvious, but I thought maybe...I saw some caution, too. Like he didn't want to get too attached and then get burned. I could understand that, because I felt the same way, even if for different reasons. He could easily decide that this relationship wasn't for him. Wasn't that how it was for every couple?

Only time would tell, for both of us. For me, though? I was sold.

On St. Croix, and on Edward.

best friend is here, hence the late update.

love yous! see you tomorrow.

xoxo