An hour later, they arrived at their destination and she guided him out of the car. "Any guesses?" she asked.

"We're definitely by the ocean," he said, as he smelled the sea air.

Anna leaned up and took off the blindfold. "Remember this place?"

Danny looked around and remembered it well. It was her parent's summerhouse in the Hampton's. She'd taken him there during the first and only summer they spent together. "Do I remember it? Of course, I do."

"That was and still is the best weekend of my life," Anna said quietly as she took his hands. She looked in his eyes as she remembered that they'd made love for the first time that weekend.

"We'll have to give you some new memories of this place," he said as he leaned down to kiss her. "Thanks for bringing me back here."

Their weekend started much much as it had eight years ago. Quickly losing themselves in each other, they took long walks on the beach and spent hours by the pool, their encounter with Rafael a distant memory.

Early Sunday afternoon, they were dreading going back to the city. They spent the morning by the pool and finally were trying to get the willpower to go inside to take showers and get ready to go. But they got sidetracked in the kitchen when they suddenly realized they were famished. They stood in front of the refrigerator in their bathing suits feeding each other strawberries and whipped cream.

Anna hopped up on the counter as Danny stood in front of her. She bit into another strawberry and then kissed him again. "This is quickly becoming one of the most erotic moments of my life."

Danny smiled as he fed her another ripe strawberry. "How so?" he asked.

She returned his smile as she blushed. "We're standing here…barely any clothes on…still sweaty from laying out…and you've got this sexy island boy tan going…and you're feeding me fruit. It's right out of a trashy romance novel."

"Well since you put it that way…I guess I can see it. Do we really have to leave today?"

She shook her head. "You're the one with the crazy job. I live in fear of your cell phone. I'll stay here forever…if you want."

"Just like this. We won't ever get dressed again…we'll just sleep on the beach all day…and get unreasonably dark…and then come in and make love all night."

"You'll get unreasonably dark…I'll keep wearing the SPF50…and I hate to completely burst your bubble, but we are still in New York. We have to take it inside at some point."

"We could run away to the Caribbean," he said as he started to kiss her neck.

"Now you're talking. I bet the FBI couldn't even track you down there…no cell coverage. I'm starting to like this plan better and better," she responded as she felt his hands roaming over body and his lips kissing a trail down her neck.

His fingers traced over her the bare skin on the small of back as he pulled her closer to the edge of the counter. She braced herself against him by grasping his shoulders. The playfulness that had started the encounter was quickly replaced by a burning intensity. Her breathing quickened and she moaned in pleasure when she felt his fingers tug at the tie of the bathing suit top while he focused his kissing on the curve of her neck. Once the top was discarded, his hands moved to her hips as his lips traveled down her neck. Danny loved the curve of her hips. It was obvious he paid special attention to that area because of the tiny finger-shaped marks that Anna became accustomed to seeing there.

"Oh my…" they heard a voice call out from behind them.

Danny quickly pulled away from Anna and turned his head, being careful not move away from her because of her vulnerable state. She looked over his shoulder to find her father's startled wife. "Christi…um…," she started but then didn't know what to say.

Danny found a towel within his reach and handed it to Anna. When she was able to cover herself, she hopped off the counter as she and Danny faced the unwelcome visitor. "Your father and I didn't know anyone was here this weekend," Christi said. She smiled slightly because of Anna's embarrassment and also took a moment to appreciate Danny's barely dressed appearance.

"I thought you and Dad were in London this weekend," she replied as she wrapped the towel around her.

"We got back yesterday. Since it's so beautiful, we decided to drive out here. Clearly you had the same idea. So…Anna…are you going to introduce me to your…your friend?"

"This is Danny. Danny this is Christi, my father's wife," Anna replied in an annoyed tone.

Danny gave Christi a wave with a slightly amused expression as he remembered Anna's step-mistress reference. Anna said she was young, but he had no idea she was only a few years older than Anna. Christi walked toward him and held out her hand. "So nice to meet you, Danny. I don't believe I've seen you around the Hampton's before. Where did Anna get lucky enough to find you?"

He shook her hand and smiled at her warmly.

Anna's embarrassment turned to jealousy as Christi openly flirted with Danny. Before he could respond, Anna said, "He's an old friend from college. Where's my father, Christi?"

Christi didn't take her eyes off Danny's half-dressed body as she responded. "He's talking to the gardener outside. Do you live in the city, Danny?"

Danny nodded about to respond, but Anna rolled her eyes and interrupted again. "Christi…Christi…Danny and I are going upstairs. I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this…"

Christi finally tore her eyes away from him. "Of course. It will be our little secret."

Anna grabbed Danny's hand to guide him upstairs. Once they got to their room, she hurriedly started to get dressed. "I'm going to go downstairs and talk to my dad, first. Give me a few minutes…and then…"

Danny couldn't understand why she seemed so frantic. "Whoa…slow down. What's wrong?"

"Nothing…I just…this doesn't look good…I mean…us…out here. And Christi almost walking in on us…"

He nodded. "But she didn't walk in on anything…really…and you're father didn't see anything. It's no big deal. I mean…you're a grown woman…"

"I know that, but…"

"But what?"

"He doesn't know about us. He doesn't know that I'm seeing you again. And I haven't told him about breaking up with Michael. This wasn't how I wanted to tell him…about us. I mean…now it looks like we just jumped back into this."

"Why haven't you told him?" he asked in a surprised tone. "And why didn't you tell him about breaking it off with Michael? How can you consider moving in together if you can't even admit we are together?"

Anna sighed heavily. "I don't know. I just didn't want to get into it. I knew that I would have to explain…and…I just…" She didn't really have a good explanation for being afraid to tell her father about Danny, so she stopped talking. "Look I need to get down there before Christi says something…inappropriate."

Danny nodded. "After I get dressed, I could just slip out the back door…if that would make things easier," he said half-serious and half-sarcastic.

"Don't…Danny…don't be like that. Just give me a few minutes and then come down," she said as she backed out of the door.

Anna hurried down the stairs and looked around expectantly for her father, but only found Christi at the kitchen table. "Where is he? Where's my father?"

"I sent him to the store. We need wine for dinner tonight. He'll be back in a minute. I figured you may need a few minutes to get your boy toy out of here," she replied with a sinister smile.

"He's not…I don't even want to waste time explaining it to you."

"What's there to explain? If I had an 'old college friend' who looked like him, I might plan an illicit getaway before my wedding as well."

"I'm not getting married, Christi. The wedding is off. Danny and I are together now. I just haven't told Dad about it yet."

"My…you do work fast. Not that I blame you…he's quite a catch. I needed a glass of water after just shaking his hand. I mean…those dark, smoldering eyes…the smile…not to mention the body…" she trailed off as she was obviously picturing Danny in her mind.

Anna felt another pang of jealousy as she listened to Christi talk about Danny. The she noticed her father pulling up in the driveway outside. She didn't bother to respond to Christi. Instead she walked outside to meet her father.

Danny walked hesitantly downstairs and poked his head in the kitchen. He breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see anyone and silently contemplated making a run for it. Meeting parents was never one of his strong suits. Even though he'd met Anna's father before, he knew it would be uncomfortable considering their history. He opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. This was one of those times that he wished for something stronger. When he closed the refrigerator, he was startled to see Christi standing there with a demure smile.

"Hey…" he said hesitantly.

"Hello there. Anna is talking to her father outside. They'll be in soon."

"Okay," he replied as he opened the water and took a drink. "So how long have you and Mr. Ridley been married?"

"Almost a year. I was waitressing at a restaurant here on the island. He walked in…I made him laugh…the rest is history."

Danny smiled. "That's quite a whirlwind…"

"Speak for yourself. The last we heard, Anna was on-again with her fiancé Michael. She even said they were close to setting a date. Cut to today…and well…," she trailed off as she smiled and looked at the counter where she caught them earlier.

Danny looked down in mock embarrassment and look back up at her. "It's not really a whirlwind for us. We dated in college. We recently re-connected and…well…here we are," he said as he continued to smile at her.

"Yes…here you are…and you are a bit of a surprise. I mean…well…let's just say our Anna's taste must have changed dramatically since college. Michael can only be described as the complete opposite of…well…you," she said as she looked at him appreciatively.

"People's tastes change. Most would also say that you are quite different from Anna's mother."

Christi laughed as she touched Danny's shoulder. "Touché…"

Anna walked in with her father while Danny and Christi were finishing their lighthearted exchange. The nervous feeling in her stomach was compounded when she saw them smiling at each other and Christi's hand on Danny's shoulder. She had just informed her father that Danny was with her and they were dating again. He wasn't very pleased. He couldn't understand why she'd give up a relationship with someone as steady as Michael for someone who had devastated her years ago. But he promised her that he would be civil and polite.

"Danny…you remember my father," she said as they walked in breaking up the playful conversation.

Danny walked toward them and extended his hand. "Good to see you again, Mr. Ridley."

"Danny…I must say...this is a surprise."

Danny wasn't sure what to say. Part of him wanted to apologize for breaking his daughter's heart or to explain that he'd changed, but he wasn't sure what Anna had told him about their prior relationship. Fortunately, he didn't have to say anything because Christi took over.

"And a nice surprise it is. We have lobster and wine, enough for a fabulous feast for the four of us tonight. I, for one, look forward to getting to know Danny much better," she said as she continued to cling to his arm.

Anna shifted uncomfortably before quickly responding. "We can't stay. We both have to work early tomorrow. So we need to get on the road."

Christi looked disappointed, but Danny noticed that Mr. Ridley looked almost relieved not to have to continue the uncomfortable meeting. He and Anna went back upstairs to pack their things and then left shortly after. The ride back to the city was unpleasant and full of tension.

As they rode back in silence, Danny got more and more agitated when it seemed Anna was mad at him. He felt he should be the only who was angry. He finally couldn't take the silence anymore. "What's wrong with you? Why am I the getting the silent treatment?"

Anna glanced at him coldly. "I'm not in the mood to talk."

"Not in the mood? It seems you're not in the mood to talk to a lot of people lately. Did you really tell Michael that the wedding is off…or have you not gotten around to that either?"

"How dare you…how you dare question me. Of course, I told Michael. God…Danny…I barely speak to my father anymore…he is so wrapped up in his own life. I'm sorry that I didn't tell him. I'm sorry that I put you in an awkward position today…but as I look back…you really weren't all that uncomfortable, were you?" she asked as she looked at him with an accusing glare.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh gee…I don't know, Danny. What does it mean? Let me think…oh yeah…why is it that you have to flirt with every woman you come into contact with? I mean…Christi was all over you and you ate it up."

"All over me? What are you on? She was friendly to me, which is more than I can say for your father…or you after he showed up. And I don't flirt with every woman I come in contact with. You are just…"

"Just what, Danny? Too sensitive? Well…I'm sorry…I guess I am too sensitive. How I am supposed to feel? You never set any boundaries with anyone. We go to dinner…and you charm the waitresses. We meet for brunch…and you run into some old club hook-up. I go to your office and you are working with FBI Barbie. And then I have watch as my father's wife mentally undresses you with her eyes. And you…you don't do anything to discourage it. You smile at them and charm them and love every minute of it…and I know you say are just being friendly…but you can't expect me to just accept that. Not after everything you put me through."

Danny sat back and rubbed his hand over his mouth. He knew she felt insecure sometimes, but he had no idea it had been building to this. "Do you really have so little faith in me? You told me you weren't holding on to the past…"

"Today isn't the past, Danny. The way you acted today…and most everyday…has nothing to do with the past."

"It has everything to do with it. You are threatened because I am friendly to your stepmother? You feel threatened because I work with an attractive woman?"

"Every time I see you with Samantha, you are laughing with her or she is touching you. It's the way you act around them."

"I don't know how else to be," he almost shouted defensively. "Do you want me to be cold and unfriendly? Do you want me to smile less and frown more? I made a horrible mistake eight years ago…hell, I made several horrible mistakes. And I paid for it by losing you. I'd do almost anything to not lose you again, but I can't change who I am. I try to make the most out of every day. I like to have fun with people. I like to make people smile. Life is too short to live any other way. I spent too many years of my life living a miserable, dark existence. I can't help the way Christi acts around me. Sam and I work together…and I trust her with my life every day. The people I work with are the closest thing I have to family. And I can't help the fact that I have had a social life the last eight years…and there is a risk of running into some one I've dated before. All I can do is promise you that I will never be unfaithful to you…never."

Anna bit her lip as she tried not to cry. She knew she was being irrational. She knew that part of her was just projecting her guilt about not telling her father about Danny. And she felt trapped in the car with him. She couldn't believe that just hours earlier they had had no worries…just hours earlier she had been wrapped tightly in his arms telling him that she loved him…and now she felt trapped.

"You can't change who you are, and I can't change how I feel," Anna stated quietly as she looked out the window.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. The driver stopped in front of Danny's building. The original plan had been for him to drop off his things and grab a suit for the next day. He'd planned on staying the night at her place. He finally opened the door and stepped out of the car. The driver took his bag out of the trunk and placed it on the curb. He looked into the car one last time and tried to will her to look at him. Finally, he asked, "Where do we go from here?"

She still didn't look in his direction. She kept her eyes focused straight ahead. "I don't know. I think I need some time…"

"We need to talk about this…"

"What else is there to say? Obviously, it's my problem…my insecurities," she said as she finally looked at him. "I'm really tired. I just want to go home."

He looked down at the pavement and shook his head. He looked at her one more time before he shut the door and watched the car drive away.