Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.

Chapter 7- Shark Bait in Paradise

Their first week in Fiji was an adventure for the books. It started out rocky, in many ways, yet still managed to fly by. When the week began, neither one had an inkling of just how close they would become. However, realizing that much of their time had been spent fighting what their hearts and Bella were attempting to tell them, they both took what time they had left to get to know each other better.

Final week in Fiji…

As their second week began to tick away, Jack made arrangements for lunch at Cloud 9, Fiji's first two-level floating platform, surrounded by turquoise blue water and picturesque views, and boasting an internationally stocked cocktail bar and Italian wood-fired pizza. They reached the restaurant by a relatively large boat, known as The Maximum, which usually carried upwards of 120 vacationers and crew, but on this occasion, there were less than 60 people onboard.

Once seated in Cloud 9, the conversation flowed without any stumble, bobble, or misstep. No topic was off the table, although each one tended to tread lightly in certain sensitive areas.

With a glass of wine in his hand, Jack started, "So, how do you like living in Charlotte?"

"I love it. There are museums, parks, wonderful shopping, exciting nightlife…actually, what's not to love? How do you like Raleigh? Oh wait, I don't know why I think of you as living in Raleigh, don't you live in Charlotte, too?"

Jack put down his glass, "Well, at one point I was in Charlotte. I bought a house, and was settling in. My best friend, Lee and his wife, Rosie, live nearby. It just seemed like I was commuting to Raleigh several times a week, so I got an apartment for Bella and me. I rented out the house for a while, but I recently put it up for sale. Bella and I are still in the apartment, but I may look at getting a house once the other one sells."

Looking disappointed, Elizabeth responded, "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, but Raleigh isn't that far from Charlotte."

"It's about an hour from wheels up to touchdown by plane, but even the drive isn't that bad. However, I'd have to say that the flight is more scenic; I-85 is a boring drive."

Thinking back, Elizabeth remembered several requests made by her mother, "That's true, but in the past few months my mom has been trying to get me to fly up, saying that the 'new pilot,'" using her fingers as air quotes, "was flying through Charlotte, and she'd love to see me. I wonder if she was talking about you?"

"It must be, because the only two pilots in the company are Captain Cole and me."

"Well, I guess since you are in Raleigh, you really are close to Katie…"

Jack reached over and took hold of Elizabeth's hand, "I don't want to talk about Katie. I want to take this time to get to know you…everything about you."

Elizabeth smiled, "Okay, you can go first."

"Alright, your birthday is…"

"September 3rd… and yours…?"

"October 4th…" he replied.

"Your favorite color…?" she asked.

"Blue, of course… I mean, that's a first-place color after all."

She shook her head from left to right, "Well, I refuse to put so much pressure on myself to be perfect, hence my debacle at the…well, in Charlotte, so my favorite color is green. How far down on the prize list is that?" she asked.

Jack pulled out his phone, and returning to the last question, he pulled up Google, smiled and responded, "Well, apparently in dog and horse shows, green is sixth place. But you are first in my book." Jack continued, "I'd ask if you're close with your family, but I think I already know the answer to that."

"Yes, we're very close. My younger sister, Julie and I were real close growing up. My older sister, Viola, just seemed to think that Julie and I were a nuisance, so we spent most of our time together, and she was happy that we stayed out of her way."

"What about now; has that changed?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, but not in the best way. I mean, I love my sisters, but we are all so busy and have gone our own way, so I rarely see either of them. We occasionally facetime, but that's about all. How about you?"

"My brother Tom and I are close, but just like you and your sisters, we don't see each other often. My dad passed away when I was in high school…"

"Oh, I'm so sorry…"

"Thank you…so it's just been my mom and my brother for years. I try to keep in touch with her, but with my schedule, sometimes it's just a weekly phone call. I do try to physically see her a few times a month, but she just moved to Winston-Salem, which is a little farther from me now than when I lived in Charlotte."

"Why did she move?" Elizabeth asked.

"Her sister, my aunt lost my uncle last year, so they're living together to help each other out," he responded.

"Well, it's nice that they have each other."

Jack smiled softly, "Yeah, they were always close growing up, but my aunt has some physical challenges, and my mom felt it was best to be closer to her so she could help her. She's on a walker and is a fall risk…I know it's been difficult on my mom."

"Does your aunt have any kids?"

"One daughter, my cousin, Rachel, and she was living close by until her husband was transferred to Turkey…he's in the Military," Jack advised. "My mom didn't like the idea of my aunt living alone with home health only coming by once a week to check on her."

"I totally understand," Elizabeth responded. "WOW, that has to be a challenging situation for your mom."

"It is, but when I visit, I try to take care of any mechanical things that have broken down, or other repairs to the house that have to be made, and then I get them out to buy groceries, and take them to dinner," Jack pulled up a picture of his mom on his phone. "This is my mom; I wish I could do more to help…"

Glancing at his phone, Elizabeth responded, "Jack, she's beautiful."

"Yes, she is, isn't she? Oh, I'm sorry, I mean, thank you…"

Tentatively, Elizabeth broached the subject of Jack's prior relationships. "Um, we know how my situation with Ryan ended. What's your relationship story?"

"Not much to tell," he replied.

"Jack, that's not fair. My ending with Ryan was hurtful, humiliating and very public. Actually, when I allow myself to think about our time together, I'm mortified."

"Why; you didn't do anything wrong…?" he replied.

"Nice try, Jack…"

"What are you talking about?"

"You tried to turn the question around on me. I want to know about you and your prior relationships."

Before Jack had a chance to take a breath and start, Elizabeth stood up from her seat, "Oh no, you really are married…"

Jack grabbed her arm, "Please sit down; I most definitely am not married."

Elizabeth returned to her seat, quickly realizing that in order to get back to shore she'd have to swim, and although she was athletic enough to do so, she had not yet gotten past the thought of sharks in the water. "Jack, I just have to be honest with you; with everything that happened between Ryan and me, I guess I'm struggling…"

"What are you struggling with?" he asked, thankful that his prior love life was currently off the table.

"Please understand, I have come to terms with Ryan and what happened. I won't speak for him, but I can honestly say that I was never really in love with him, and I can assume since he picked a job over me, that his feelings for me really didn't run deep either. It's just…"

Jack reached across the table and took her hand, "What…?"

"I'll admit it; I misjudged him. I took him at face value, and if he didn't want to discuss something, I sat it aside with the hope of bringing it up at a later date," she admitted. "I knew he had aspirations to go to a higher TV market, but he never really wanted to discuss it with me, so I let it ride. Apparently, he was going behind my back seeking out other opportunities."

Elizabeth looked down at the table, watching momentarily as his thumb stroked gently across the top of her hand. Her eyes lifted, "Look Jack, I'm a journalist at heart, and if I want to know something, I probably push too hard sometimes. So, for that, I'm just going to go ahead and say, I'm sorry."

Jack's eyes never left hers, and his pursed lips quickly changed to a smile.

"I'll try not to push; so, if you don't want to talk about her, or any others that there may be, that's okay, I won't press you for answers now. But, please know that with the problems I had with Ryan, honesty in a relationship is important to me, maybe the most important thing. I'm just not looking to repeat those same mistakes."

"I don't want to keep anything from you. What do you want to know?"

"Did you not want to talk about it because she broke your heart?"

"No, it's just that I'm long since over her, and I don't want you thinking that…oh, I don't know what I'm thinking. Her name is Taylor and we dated while I was in the military. Let's just say that deployments did not agree with her idea of a relationship, and I can't blame her…it's not right for everyone."

"She couldn't deal with the separations?" she asked.

"That was probably part of it, but she was with a close friend of hers when she was notified that her husband was KIA…"

"KIA…?"

"Killed in action…"

"Oh, I'm so sorry; I knew that…I don't know what I was thinking," she responded. "That had to be horrible for Taylor and especially, her friend."

"It was, and well, I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak…"

"Were you in love with her?"

"Were you in love with Ryan?"

"Why do you keep turning things around and throwing them back on me?"

"I guess I just want to know where your head is?"

"My head is right here, with you," her glance never left him. "As far as Ryan goes, I didn't fight for him or our relationship. I knew it was a lost cause. With the exception of having all of the arrangements and guests that I had to cancel, I think I felt relief…and you?"

"And me, what?" he smiled.

"Jack, we're trying to find out information about each other. It shouldn't be like pulling teeth. Just tell me if you don't want to talk about her," Elizabeth uttered.

"She moved on, is married to a guy I introduced her to, and I understand they have a baby now. Really, I'm happy for her. She wasn't the woman for me, and certainly not the one I have been looking for all my life," he stated as he squeezed Elizabeth's hands.

She quickly smiled, but her expression just as quickly changed when she again asked, "Were you in love with her?"

"No…" Jack immediately responded.

"You answered a little too fast; are you sure?" she inquired.

"Elizabeth, I never told her that I loved her, and maybe that was part of the problem she had with me."

"Were you afraid to say the words?"

"I didn't tell her that I loved her because I wasn't in love with her. I cared about her; but it wasn't that 'I want to settle down and do forever with you' kind of feeling." Jack took a breath before continuing, "She sent me a 'Dear John' letter, well, in this case, I guess it was a 'Dear Jack' letter," he laughed softly, doing his best to show her that he was well over their time together. "Besides, when she broke up with me, if I really loved her, don't you think I would have gone after her?"

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders, "I can't say. I'm not sure where a man's head is following a breakup."

"Well, I'll tell you this, if I had loved her, I mean, truly loved her, I would have followed her and fought for her, fought for our relationship, but I didn't," he replied. "To be totally honest, just like you, I think I was relieved when she broke up with me. She did what I knew needed to be done, but I didn't want to be the one to do it."

"Is she local?" Elizabeth asked.

"To be honest, I don't know, but the fact is, it wouldn't matter. If the relationship was important to me, I don't care where she was, I would have done what I could do to work out our problems. But I didn't, and she didn't come looking for me either, so I think all in all, her breaking up with me was the right thing."

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to push so hard."

"Yes, you did, and that's okay. If we are going to make this work between us, we have to be open and honest about everything, even those topics we don't want to talk about."

Elizabeth leaned closer as her voice softened, "Oh, you mean like our talk about my status as a virgin, or you working for my father?"

"Exactly…" he responded. "What do you say we change the subject and talk about less serious subjects?"

"Before we move on, let me ask you one thing…what scares you more, the first part or last part of my question?" she asked.

Thinking back to her question, he responded, "The first part we will deal with together, the last part, the thing about me working for your father, I just want to put it out of my mind, forget about it while we're here, and deal with it when we go home."

"Is it a problem…I mean that my father is your boss?"

Jack released a hard breath, "I'm not sure how I feel about it. To be honest, I've never been in this situation before. I don't think it's a problem for me, because I'll do a good job no matter who's my boss, but I'm not so sure that your dad would feel the same way."

Jack brought her hand up to his lips, "Let's not think about it, and if we're lucky, your dad and my job won't come up anymore while we're here."

"Well, that sounds good. No more talk about my father or Thatcher Industries. But Jack, are you really able to forget that my father is your boss?"

"One thing I know for sure is when I look into your eyes, I see you, not your father. He is so far out of my mind, and I just want to enjoy this time with you, Elizabeth…"

"Okay, family is off limits from here on out. What do you want to talk about?" she asked.

"How about getting you on a surfboard and doing some surfing?"

"Well…"

"Look, Elizabeth, your fear of sharks is…well, irrational. I mean, most people you ask would tell you that the likelihood of meeting up with a shark in the water is slim to none."

"Oh, I'm assuming that those who would agree with me are unable to give an opinion because…oh right, they've been eaten."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to make light of your fear…" he responded, his voice sounding smooth as brandy. "You don't have to try surfing if you don't want to, but if you do, I'll be right there will you…I promise you'll be safe."

"I do want to try, Jack; I'm just scared," she acknowledged. "May I ask you something?"

"Ask away…"

"Are you afraid of anything?"

"Losing you…"

"Like in a shark attack?"

"No, Elizabeth, just things not working out with us…that does scare me."

"I'm not going anywhere, Jack. Do you have any real fears?"

"Well, I do consider that a real one, but I've never really cared for cows."

"Excuse me," she giggled.

"Don't laugh. When Tom and I were younger, my grandfather had a farm, and let's just say the clean up after a cow was a lot for a kid."

"Okay, Jack, you didn't like that, but did the cows scare you?"

"The cows didn't, but the bulls did. There were a few on the farm that weren't very nice."

"WOW, that's kinda ironic…" Elizabeth stated as her head tilted, and her eyes drifted off while in deep thought.

"So, what's ironic?" he asked.

"Well, it's just that surfing is something you enjoy; it scares me, but I want to be able to share your interests with you. But, if I share your interests with you, then you will share my interests with me, right?"

"Yeah, of course." Assuming that she was interested in typical 'women' things, the worst he thought he'd have to do is sit at a table and scrapbook, or go shopping. "So, what are your interests?"

"Well, you may not believe this, but one of the stations I worked for once sent me to do a story on bull fighting, and the whole running with the bulls thing, and man was it a rush," she smiled, watching as the color seemed to drain from his face. "Isn't that ironic?" she asked while silently laughing on the inside.

"W-hat…I…I…didn't ev…en know y…you could do that in the St…ates?"

"Oh yeah. They do it at some dude ranches out west. You've seen the running with the bulls on TV, haven't you?"

"Isn't it called running of the bulls?"

"Uh, yeah, but I wasn't fast enough, and I was running with the bulls."

"Are you serious?" he asked.

"Why, don't I look like I could be a rough and tumble kind of girl?"

"E-liz-a-beth," he responded, her name coming across sounding breathy, most definitely sexy, and quite romantic. Although, in this case, he was trying nothing more than to simply catch his breath. "That's so dangerous. Bulls gore people."

"Jack, I ran track in high school, so I could hold my own. Besides, I didn't have to run the fastest, I just had to run faster than the people behind me, you know, the ones between me and the bulls," she laughed, but Jack remained rattled. "Just like you helping me with surfing, I'll be right there with you. I promise you'll be safe," she repeated his recent sentiments.

"Well, it's only fair that we share each other's interests, so if you just want to watch me surf, that's fine with me."

"Oh, you don't want to run with the bulls?" she asked.

"Uh, no, and I'd rather you not do it either," Jack stated as Elizabeth burst out laughing. "Why are you laughing?"

"I'm just teasing, Jack. You won't find me running with the bulls, or any other dangerous animals for that matter…that certainly isn't one of my interests."

"That wasn't funny, but you don't know how good it is to hear you say that." Jack released a hard breath, one he had no idea he was holding, "Okay, you can watch me from the shore, and I won't push you to surf."

"Why don't we get a boat?" she suggested. "On second thought, I remember than scene in Jaws…'I think you're gonna need a bigger boat.'" Taking hold of his hand she stated, "I know my fear is probably irrational, but I can't help it, so do you promise not to tease me about it?"

"No teasing…"

"Maybe I need to learn to surf in one of those surf pool places. You know, the place where its controlled and there are waves, but no man-eating sharks," she suggested.

"I know what you are talking about, but really, surfing isn't for everyone, for many reasons, so if you don't want to, you don't have to."

"Well, I feel dumb, Jack. I can't guarantee that I'll surf, but if you stay with me, I'll break through my fear, and give it a try."

Sounding excited, Jack suggested, "I'm sure we can rent you a board, and if you get to like it, you can buy one when we get back home," Jack suggested.

"That sounds good, and if I'm being completely honest, I don't see myself liking it, so it will most likely be a one and done kind of scenario."

"Elizabeth, are you doing this because of Katie?" he asked.

"No…maybe…probably…yes," she admitted.

"Elizabeth, you know you don't have anything to be concerned about with Katie, and you certainly don't have to compete with her for my attention…you already have it."

"Well, I know I don't have anything to worry about with you where Katie is concerned. I still, however, feel that she'd jump your bones in a heartbeat, so when we go home, watch your back…hmm, in this case, watch your front, because she wants you."

"Katie and I talked, and she knows where my heart lies…" he reminded her. "But Elizabeth, the most important thing is, I don't want you feeling like you have to do something you don't want to do just for me…"

"I understand that, Jack, but you seemed to have so much fun surfing with her, and I don't want you to get bored with me."

Jack stood up and took hold of her hand, "Let's walk outside." Jack led the way as they walked outside and over to a railing.

They were practically alone, with the majority of Cloud 9's patrons remaining seated, drinking, and enjoying their view from their tables.

Elizabeth glanced down into the beautiful, multiple blue shades of water, swearing to herself that she was certain she could see the bottom.

Jack's fingers under her chin lifted and turned her face until their eyes met. "Being bored with you…never. You are so special to me, and I just want you to be you. I enjoy sitting at the kitchen table in the morning having a cup of coffee with you. I enjoy just being with you, holding your hand and feeling you close. I don't care what we do, if it's surfing, watching football, dancing, scrapbooking, or shopping, I'm there if it's something you like to do."

Before Elizabeth could respond, he released a rapid breath, "Uh, but no running with or from the bulls."

She looked slightly perplexed, "Deal on the bulls, but where did scrapbooking and shopping come from?"

"Never mind, it's not important. But now that it's part of the conversation, do you like doing that?"

"What…shopping and scrapbooking?"

"Yeah…"

"Jack, please tell me that these aren't other interests that you have, because I've never scrapbooked, so I'm not sure if I'd like it, but as for shopping, I can do that, but I prefer to have something in mind that I'm shopping for. I don't like meandering around the mall for hours."

Jack shook his head back and forth, "Well, I've never scrapbooked either, and I'm not much of a shopper, but I'd gladly go with you and carry your bags."

Jack finally observed a relaxed smile on her face. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

Stepping back slightly, he glanced around. Seeing no one, he slipped one arm around her waist and the other behind her head. Pulling her closer, his mouth covered hers. His lips were soft, yet eager; bold, yet tender, and passionate, yet discreet.

Jack pulled her body against his chest, feeling her warmth flooding him as he held her close. He inhaled, and was consumed by the scent of her vanilla lavender shampoo which mixed quite nicely with her soft, fruity noted perfume. "You are so very important to me."

"You're important to me, too…" she slipped her arm through his as they took a quiet walk around the restaurant.

Taking the transport back to the island, they immediately started their search for just the right surfboard. Finding a local shop, Rip Curl, during their walk home, Jack stepped inside. He put his hands on several surfboards before turning to Elizabeth to say, "What do you think?"

Looking from left to right, Jack realized that Elizabeth hadn't followed him inside the store and was still standing outside, looking through the circular windows at the beautifully decorated displays.

Walking back outside, Jack took hold of her hand, stepped close and surprised her as his lips pressed softly against hers.

"What was that for?" she asked. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it was really nice, but what did I do to deserve that?"

"You're just you," he smiled. "Look, if you don't want to learn to surf, that's okay with me. I don't want you to feel like I'm pushing you."

Returning his smile, although hers was more tentative, she walked inside the store behind him. Suddenly feeling self-assured, or completely filled with self-doubt, she wasn't sure which, she replied, "Nope, let's do this. I can't guarantee that I'll be good like Ka…, never mind. I can't say I'll be good at it, but I'm going to cast my fears aside and give it a try."

"Well, I'm proud of you. So, what about this one?" he asked as he pulled a Cohete surfboard off the wall.

Looking at the plain white board, the only color being black stripes along the outside and down the middle, and what appeared to be the flag of Greece in deep green, and a "Competitor" sticker just above it, "she asked, "Is there anything in teal?"

Jack laughed, but was immediately silenced by her disapproving look. "I'm sorry. No, but if you like it, I'm sure we can find you a teal one when we get back home."

"Okay, let's rent this one. What else do I need…?"

"A wetsuit…"

Glancing along the wall, she walked over and looked at several wetsuits that were hanging on a rack. Although they came in different sizes, visually, they all were black and appeared to be identical. "Certainly not making a fashion statement here."

Elizabeth pulled the leg of one of the wetsuits, separating it from the rest of the group, "Um, I'm assuming that everyone wears black."

"For the most part, yeah…why?"

"I would just think women might like them in different colors, that's all."

Jack explained, "Wetsuits are black because it provides UV protective benefits, keeps you warmer in the water, and when they add carbon black to the neoprene, it allows the suit to stretch with your body without weakening the material."

"I guess I can understand that, but, if all the women are wearing the same wetsuit, how will you be able to tell which one is me?"

Although they'd never made love, Jack was keenly aware of her every curve, "Trust me, I'd know you anywhere. Besides, I won't let you out of my sight."

Grabbing the hanger of one that appeared to be her size, she held it up, "Okay, how about this one?"

"That looks good," was what he said. What he heard in his head was, 'That will look so hot on you, hugging every. single. curve…'

Elizabeth stepped into the dressing room to make certain the suit fit her properly. Jack was standing nearby when she peeked her head through the dressing room curtains, "Hey Jack," she whispered, "can you zip me up?"

Jack slipped behind the curtain. She stood before him, the suit open, exposing her bare back down to where her tramp stamp would be, that is if she had one, which she did not.

Jack placed his hand on the zipper as his skin came in contact with hers. Lost in the moment, his mind went wild, only coming back to reality when she asked, "Is something wrong; is it too small?"

Zipping up her suit, "No, it fits perfectly," he responded. He stepped to the side as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"I'm not used to wearing stuff so form fitting; does it look okay?"

In his mind he thought, 'how could she think that she looks anything but perfect. The suit hugs every inch of her body.' Never in his life had he been jealous of an article of clothing, but right now, he wished he could change places with that suit.

"Hey, can you unzip me?" she asked.

He did as requested, and time seemed to stop as the opening zipper slowly revealed increasingly more of her bare skin. "I'm going to step back out here and give you some privacy," he stated, quickly disappearing through the curtain. Walking through the store, he stared at keychains, souvenir Tervis cups, baseball caps, but nothing seemed to help him remove the visual of Elizabeth in the figure-hugging wetsuit.

Nothing seemed to remove the hot, sexy image of Elizabeth in the wetsuit until the memory of his mother, reminding him to be a gentleman before he left on his first date, crossed his mind. That was the winner!

Jack grabbed the surfboard and the bag containing her wetsuit, "So, do you want to go home and give it a try in the morning?"

Thankful for more time to talk herself into it, or out of it, she wasn't sure which, she agreed. "We need to get back and take Bella for a walk anyway."

They stepped inside the house, "Where's Bella…?" Elizabeth called out as their black Labrador ran out of Jack's bedroom carrying a shark stuffed animal.

Happily, Bella approached.

"What have you got there?" Elizabeth asked as she reached for the toy.

Pulling it from Bella's mouth, it crinkled and squeaked before Elizabeth got a good look at it. "Seriously, is everyone getting a good laugh behind my back because of my fear of sharks?"

"I'm sorry. Bella picked it out at the pet store a while back, and I packed it…I am sorry, and no one is laughing at you."

"Look Jack, I know that my fear is probably irrational. I mean, there aren't that many shark attacks around the world each year…I just don't want to be one of them."

"Have you ever been at the beach and seen a shark; because I don't believe I have?" he asked.

"No, I haven't, and to be honest, my fear comes from watching the old Jaws movies."

"You do know that it was a mechanical shark, right?"

"Well, I didn't think it was a real one, but haven't you ever heard the saying that if you buy a goldfish and keep it in a small bowl, it won't grow big? But, on the other hand, if you put it is a 50-gallon tank, it will grow considerably larger. So, using that logic, can't the same thing be true about sharks? I mean, you can't get much bigger than the ocean…"

His eyebrows raised, "You have a point, but seriously I don't think it works that way, and there haven't been shark sightings here in like forever…"

"Well, I'm trusting you, Jack."

"I'll take care of you, Elizabeth, I promise."

The following morning, Elizabeth walked out into the kitchen pulling her wetsuit over her shoulders. "Do you mind helping me with this?" she asked as she turned her back to him while continuing to tug at the shoulders doing her best to keep herself covered.

Jack inhaled deeply, knowing in his heart that this woman was going to be the death of him, but truth be told, he couldn't think of a better way to go.

He took hold of the material as she tried to uncurl it on her shoulder. Pulling it out, he ran his hand on the inside of the suit, making certain that she'd removed any tags that may cause her discomfort. In doing so, he felt the warmth of her body against the back of his hand.

As Jack pulled her zipper upward, she held her hair and he closed the suit around her body. Stepping closer, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her ear as he whispered, "I don't care if you ever surf a day in your life…do you have any idea how sexy you look in this wetsuit?"

Jack turned her body around to face him. "You know, you fighting your fear and trying surfing is so hot."

She watched as his glance moved between her eyes and her mouth, unaware that as her teeth nervously ran across her bottom lip that this was quite the turn-on for him. Jack leaned in as his hands rested on her cheeks and he pulled her close.

His lips covered hers. One kiss led to another and still another. Jack's hands ran along her neoprene wetsuit, resting along the slope where her hips meet her waist, but it didn't matter that he couldn't actually touch her skin, for in his mind, he most certainly was.

Releasing a hard breath, Jack rested his forehead against hers," I'm so glad you didn't marry Ryan."

"Apparently he is too, because he scooted out of town like someone had lit him on fire," she stated while stepping back and tilting her head downward.

"Do you think he'll ever come back?" he asked.

"For me…?"

"For you, or to you, or to the station?" Jack replied.

"Jack, he made it quite clear that he loved me, but wasn't in love with me. Besides, he left Charlotte for the glitz and glamour of New York City…he won't be back. But if you're concerned that, should he happen to return, I'm not part of his life, and he certainly isn't part of mine."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up his name." His finger under her chin lifted her head upward until their eyes met, "Please believe me when I say, it's his loss…"

She tentatively smiled, "Thank you," she stated before grabbing his hand and heading for the door. "We need to get going if we're going to see the sunrise."

Jack, wearing his own wetsuit, grabbed her board, and his, while she carried a bag containing several towels, two bottles of water, two oranges, her cellphone to call 9-1-1, and/or take pictures of the sunrise, her journal, and a first aid kit she found in the bathroom. She didn't think about the absurdity of the last item as she stuffed it down into the bottom of her bag, simply assuming that it would come in handy. However, as they approached the area where she would be surfing, she realized that the previously opened plastic box containing an individual packet of Neosporin, a pair of tweezers, three cotton balls, one antiseptic wipe, a roll of gauze, tape and a waterproof band-aid that would barely wrap around her pointer finger would be of little help in a shark attack.

Once on the beach, Jack sat their surfboards down, pulled a towel from her bag and laid it across her board before they took a seat beside each other. His arm immediately slipped around her waist, and he pulled her close as they watched the sun rise.

"That is without a doubt the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Elizabeth stated as she stared at the horizon.

Turning his head to face her, his eyes caught her profile. With a gentle smile, he whispered, "The most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Once the sun had cleared the horizon, Jack's free hand took hold of hers. Bringing it to his lips, he lingered. Gaining her attention, he kissed her. Her lips were warm and wet, and carried a slight hint of the saltiness that could be smelled in the air.

They were still sitting on the surfboard talking when groups of surfers and regular beach goers cleared the dune and headed to stake out their spot in the sand.

He stood and held out his hand. "Are you ready to give this a go?"

"No better time than the present, I guess…" she replied as she took his hand, and he helped her stand.

"Now you only do what you feel comfortable with, okay?" he carried her board as they walked to a quiet section of the beach that had not yet been taken over by surfers.

"No problem with that…" she replied as she followed him out into the water, scanning the surface as she nonchalantly looked for fins.

She climbed onto the surfboard and although her balance was WAY off, Jack held the board steady as she laid on her tummy, her legs stretched out and her arms bent at her elbows and tucked under her chest. There was no part of her body touching the water.

She felt much like a small child on a carnival ride as Jack walked her around an area away from the pack of surfers. Observing the majority of those surfing, males and a few females staring at her, she heard someone say, "We have a Kook among us…"

"What's a Kookamunga?" she asked.

"They didn't say Kookamunga, they said we have a Kook among us…"

"Are they talking about me; are they calling me a kook?" she asked.

Jack laughed softly, "It doesn't mean what you think," he responded. "It just means that you're a beginner. Don't pay them any mind."

The group of surfers soon began paying more attention to the waves coming in than to the "kook" who was being pulled around by Jack.

Thankfully, Jack's wetsuit kept his body from being shriveled as he must have walked her around in the water for hours. He said nothing, not even when a person dressed in a shark suit made his way out into the water on a paddleboard.

"I'll bet you think that's funny…" she snapped, as if she assumed Jack had set it up as a joke. "I'm done…"

"Wait, you don't think I had anything to do with that, do you? Because, I didn't…" he responded, his voice sounding very passionate and honest.

"No, I don't believe you set it up; I'm sorry," she stated. "Come on, let's give this thing a serious try." Elizabeth placed her arms on either side of the board and slowly began paddling.

Jack continued pulling her around on the surfboard, doing what he could to help her stand. Unfortunately, when standing and balancing proved to be a combination too difficult to tackle at once, especially on her first, and most likely only lesson, Jack settled for her simply riding around on her stomach.

Tucking her arms back under her chest, Elizabeth depended on Jack's pushing of the board to move her through the water, and although nothing on her body found its way off the surfboard, she was still quite proud of this accomplishment. That was until a child, with his father in tow, grabbed a wave and blew past her. He stood, and moved about his board on his way into shore, leaving Elizabeth with a monstrous inferiority complex.

"Okay, let me try it by myself…" she asked.

"Are you sure?" Jack asked enthusiastically as he pulled her approximately 30 feet from shore. She may not have realized it and he didn't tell her, but if she were to fall off the board, she would literally be standing in chest high water…still deep enough for a confrontation with a shark.

Jack made his way to the beach, "You've got this, Elizabeth," he yelled to her.

With no waves in her area, she glanced around. Seeing nothing that appeared threatening, except the man in the suit, she began to paddle.

"Keep going; you're almost here…" Jack continued with his chants of encouragement.

Riding the surfboard in on her tummy, she smiled broadly as she reached the shore. Jack removed her surfboard leash, picked her up in his arms and spun her around in ankle deep water, as many of the other surfers sat on their boards clapping.

"I'm so proud of you!" he exclaimed, pressing his lips to hers as he spun her in still another circle.

"Jack, thank you, but that wasn't that big of a deal…I mean, I was only out to my waist," she responded, appreciative of his accolades, but doing her best to put everything in perspective.

"Well, actually, you were out to your chest."

"I was what; how did that happen?"

"I'm sorry…while you had your eyes closed, we moved out a little farther. I mean not a lot, and I could have gotten to you if you needed help."

"Oh, okay, well then, maybe it was a big deal for me…"

"You do know how to swim, right?"

"Jack, of course, I do. I was on a swim team all the way through high school."

"So, you not liking the beach is just about sharks?"

"Yes, that Jaws movie really did me in. Well, it's not only the movie…when I was younger, my family went to Universal Studios for one of the few vacations my dad allowed himself, and there was a Jaws ride…" her body shuddered. "You didn't ride the shark; that would be crazy, but we rode through the town in a tram and the shark seemed to follow us. He was huge, and my sister, Viola knew that it scared me, so she would hide and jump out at me like she was the shark. She would even shut off the lights and do the "Da-dum, Da-dum, Da-dum," scary theme at night."

"WOW, that was harsh…"

Changing the subject, Elizabeth set forth a challenge, "When we get home, I'll bet I can beat you in a swimming race."

"What stroke?" he asked.

"You pick it; I can do all of them."

"Okay, what about the butterfly?"

"Oh, I love the butterfly," Elizabeth responded.

"Forget the butterfly. What about the breaststroke?" he suggested.

"Breaststroke is fine."

"You jumped on that one too fast. I'll challenge you to a race doing the backstroke…"

"Well, full disclosure, it's been years, but that was my best stroke…"

"Hmm, well, we're running out of strokes," he thought for a moment.

"In honor of Bella we could do the dog paddle…" Elizabeth laughed.

"Well, I guess we could always do the freestyle…" he proffered.

"That's not my best stroke, but that's fine. What are we going to swim for?" she asked.

"Hmm," he thought for a moment. Jack held her surfboard with his right arm, and his free hand took hold of hers as they walked out of the water. "What do you say if I win, you dance with me under the stars…"

"And if I win," Elizabeth interjected, "you dance with me under the stars."

"Well, I don't care who wins now; as far as I'm concerned, it's a win-win for me," Jack teased as he leaned in and captured her lips. "Are you ready to go?"

"Oh my, are you in a hurry to get beat?" she laughed.

"Well, something you may not know about me, but I did a lot of swim training in the Navy, so, let's just say I know my way around the water."

"Yeah, but I've seen TV shows where they show the training you guys go through. Isn't it mostly just holding your breath and treading water, so you don't drown while you wait to get rescued?" she asked.

"We'll see who's waiting to get rescued in a little while…" he laughed, having great confidence in his swimming skills.

As they walked toward home, Bella took off running to the sound of a young child crying and in obvious pain. Glancing over, Elizabeth observed a woman doing her best to console a little boy while trying to take care of an injury which seemed to be pooling blood in a puddle in the sand.

Running over, Elizabeth reached into her bag, "May I help?"

The woman felt relieved as Elizabeth pulled out a bottle of water and the first aid kit. Pouring water over the cut, the cause was evident as a small shard of a shell stuck out from the side of his foot.

Pouring more water over the wound, Elizabeth removed the shell piece with the tweezers, before cleaning the area with the antiseptic wipe. She took a gauze pad and dried the area before covering the cut with Neosporin, and placing a small Band-Aid on top. To help keep it clean until they could get home, Elizabeth wrapped it with the gauze roll and secured it on the top of his foot with a piece of tape.

His mother slipped on his sock and shoe to keep the area clean before thanking Elizabeth for her help.

As Jack, Bella and Elizabeth continued toward their house, the mom grabbed her son and their belongings before heading to their hotel.

"WOW, that was impressive. Were you ever a Girl Scout?" Jack asked. "I mean, I thought all you had in that bag were towels. You came prepared…"

"Don't judge me, but before we left the house, when I was in the bathroom and saw the first-aid kit, I grabbed it and in my warped mind, I thought I could use it to take care of a shark attack. Little did I know that I barely had enough to take care of a shell attack."

"Well, to that little boy and his mom, you're like Florence Nightingale, or maybe for the little boy it's more like Babybus on YouTube," Jack remarked.

"Babybus on YouTube, what's that?"

"You haven't seen it…WOW, once you hear the music, it sticks with you, much like 'This is the song that never ends…"

"Oh great, now I'll never get that tune out of my head. But what is Babybus?"

"I found it on YouTube one day and Bella was mesmerized. There's a yellow Labrador that's a sheriff or police officer, something like that, and Bella loves it. So, I set it up for her sometimes so she can watch it while I'm in the shower or fixing dinner."

"Hmm, I'll have to remember that…that is if you let her come visit me sometime."

"Of course, she can come visit you, but since she can't drive herself, I guess I'll need to come with her."

Elizabeth leaned over and patted Bella on the head before placing her hand on his cheek, turning his head to face her, and pressing her lips softly against his. "I think I can handle a visit from you…that is, if you have to come with her," she teased.

Once home, Jack changed into his O'Neill boardshorts with the wide band of ocean blue around the waist and smaller stripes in orange, yellow and blue before changing to white from his thighs down to his knees. "Hey, I'm taking Bella out for a walk. We'll be back soon," Jack called out after tapping on Elizabeth's bedroom door.

"Hey, before you go," she opened the door, "can you unzip me?"

Turning around, Elizabeth waited as Jack's fingers tugged gently on the zipper. As with every time before, even the simple touch of her skin seemed to set him on fire as electricity coursed through his veins.

He wanted to touch…oh, he desperately wanted to touch, but he also knew Elizabeth's boundaries, and he would never intentionally press her for more than she was willing to give. The truth was, Jack had relationships before, intimate ones, and although he felt they were both physically and emotionally satisfying at the time, the way he felt about Elizabeth was completely different.

Elizabeth's wet hair dripped down her back as he lost his train of thought. Her skin was soft and tanned from a week in paradise, leaving him with a fast fantasy of a tumble in the sheets. Shaking his head, and biting his tongue, the pain quickly and thankfully snapped him back to reality.

Jack stuck his bottom lip out and released a hard breath as the air blew upward along his face, but it literally did nothing to cool him down.

With the zipper open down to the small of her back, he released the garment quickly, much like it was burning through the skin on his fingers. He chuckled softly, thinking back to his childhood and the "Hot Potato" game he and his friends would play, having no idea how easily that memory would have an impact on his real adult life.

He didn't want sex, although the physical release as a result of the act was nice, it would not be nearly enough, and he wanted so much more. He wanted to make love to Elizabeth, which was certainly something he could honestly say he hadn't done with the few women he'd previously been with since college. But he also knew that he hadn't told Elizabeth how deep his feelings flowed.

Truth be told, Jack didn't feel as though his feelings magically appeared simply because he was with a beautiful woman in paradise…he wasn't that shallow. He'd actually developed feelings for her quite some time ago, brought together by their mutual love for Bella, but assuming she was otherwise attached, he didn't pursue her. Although initially she wasn't involved with anyone, Ryan came into her life and Jack's worst assumption became his true reality.

Jack knew that Elizabeth's relationship with Ryan was unsatisfying in many ways, but he was still concerned that since she was in Fiji on her 'non honeymoon,' the pain of the relationship lost had to hurt. Needing to tell her that he'd been interested in her for years, and jumping headfirst into something new probably wasn't fair to either of them.

Elizabeth stepped forward and turned to face him. Holding up the top of her suit, she stated, "Thank you. I tried to reach it, but I couldn't. I'll be out at the pool when you get back."

"O…okay," he replied, heading outside before his body disintegrated before her eyes.

Jack and Bella walked toward the beach, his mind remaining on Elizabeth until Bella's feet hit the sand. She took off running, grabbing a large stick, and teasing Jack with her jumps toward him, only to run away when he reached for her new toy.

Finally grabbing hold of the stick, they continued walking, attached by the piece of wood between them.

Walking over to a quiet area, Jack took a seat. Bella initially ran toward the water but stopped and returned when she noticed that Jack was not behind her.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Jack asked as if Bella understood him, and maybe she did as she took a seat beside him and looked up into his eyes.

"I love you…do you know that?" he asked, the inflection in his voice causing her tail to wag incessantly. "Well, I do, but that isn't my question. My question is this…" he released a hard breath and glanced downward.

Bella stepped forward and nudged his hand.

"I'm in love with your mom. I have been for a long time, but until we flew down here, I thought she was married and off limits. She isn't, and I think she cares about me too, but not long ago, she thought she was in love with Ryan. What do you think I should do?"

Bella looked lovingly at her daddy. She understood the words 'mom, daddy' and 'love,' but past that, her mind had returned to things like treats, walks, the beach, tennis balls, and her new favorite toy, her stick.

"I wish you could talk," Jack mentioned as he returned to his feet. "It's only been a week, enough time for me to know that the feelings I've felt all along are still there, but maybe it's too soon for her to know or to put any words to this. What do you say we enjoy the time we have and see how things go from there…?" he asked, having apparently placed the connection between Elizabeth and his boss way back in the deep recesses of his mind.

Walking back toward the house, Jack was not prepared when he walked through the back gate.

Initially laying in a lounge chair when Jack and Bella returned, Elizabeth, wearing a bikini with a tropical print, stood… "Ready for the race?"

Jack stared, his legs feeling heavy, much like his feet were embedded in concrete, and he said nothing. Opening his mouth, still no words passed through his lips.

"What's wrong; you look like you've swallowed your tongue?" she giggled, happy that her body seemed to have such an effect on him.

Jack felt much like an adolescent again. Once puberty set in, his heart would pound, and his face often looked flushed, maybe because the blood was rushing to another area of his body. Additionally, he'd hear a little voice say things like, "Come on, dude, she wants you; let's party…" or "Oh, she's the hottest thing I've ever seen…at least in the past hour." Even back then, caring only about physical gratification and lacking emotional ties, Jack knew that his body, although screaming loudly internally, wasn't the best judge of what he needed in his life.

Although hormones were strong in his teenage years, Jack didn't experience sex until college. The physical release was great, but even he realized that there was something missing, something to bring the experience full circle…that being the emotional, complete caring for another person.

He kept hoping to find it in the women he dated, giving each relationship more time to develop, and although he cared for them, the deep, true love that he was searching for was never there. He was well aware of the difference between 'loving a woman' and 'being in love with a woman,' and with Elizabeth, there was no doubt in his mind that he was totally, and completely in love with her…and no additional time was needed. "Uh…I'm, uh…WOW…" was all he could say in response to her question.

"You like it?" she asked. "I bought it last week at that cute little shop on the corner by the beach."

"Um, yeah…" of course, he liked it. 'What's not to like?' he thought.

Jack placed his weight from his left foot onto his right and back to his left again, hoping to find a position that would both ease his discomfort, and hide the growing bulge in his boardshorts.

Totally aware that he had no control over his body where Elizabeth was concerned, and trying to find ways to hide his growing fondness for her, he stepped closer, and slipped his arm around the back of her head. Wanting to feel her warm lips, his mouth covered hers on his way by. "SPLASH," he jumped into the pool, thankful that the water seemed to provide a much-needed chill to his very overheated body.

"Are you ready to race?" she asked as she walked down the steps into the pool.

"Okay, how many lengths of the pool?" Jack asked.

"Two…four…?" she replied.

"How about two. I want to have the energy to enjoy my dance afterward…"

"Okay, two it is," she agreed. "Since this is the shallow end, and we shouldn't be diving here, just put your hand on the edge, and let's count…"

Together, they began, "Three, two, one…go," and both pushed off the side of the pool by the steps and headed for the deep end.

As Elizabeth surfaced, Jack remained underwater, and the movement of his body had her thinking he was a mermaid until she observed his body, and he began the freestyle stroke.

Jack had learned a lot during ocean training while in the Navy, but perfecting an underwater turn was not one of them. Although he was leading at the 3/4 lap mark, he floundered during the turn, and Elizabeth pushed off, leaving him in her wake.

Without a judge to declare the winner, it ended up being close enough that they simply declared it a tie.

Stepping out of the pool, Jack grabbed two towels, reaching out and handing her one of them. "You are quite the swimmer, Elizabeth. As far as a shark goes, I'll bet you could out swim it."

"Well, I have no desire to try. So, I'm turning in my board and wetsuit tomorrow," she admitted. "I hope you aren't disappointed in me. I tried, but it's just not for me…"

"Well, will you still come to the beach while I surf?" he asked.

"Sure; I love being at the beach, but I do prefer the sand to the water."

"I understand, but I appreciate you giving it a try."

"Jack, I trust you. You told me that there aren't any sharks, and that's the only reason I went in. I will tell you that I'm not sure I appreciate being called a 'Kook,' just because I've never surfed before."

"Well, take comfort in the fact that all of them were called that at one time or another…even me," he assured her.

"I can't say that makes me feel any better," she replied. "But…since I surfed today, does that mean I'm no longer a 'kook…?'"

"I'm not quite sure it works that way, but I can say this, you are the most beautiful kook I've ever seen."

"Thanks, that means a lot, I think."

Sitting in chairs by the pool, Elizabeth asked, "So, when do you want your dance?"

"Let's go out to dinner…I mean, dress up, and let's go somewhere nice and then we can have our dance here, or on the beach. Does that sound okay?" he asked.

"Sounds perfect. I'm going to take a shower and get ready…" she advised. "Wait, I didn't bring any dressy clothes…Oh, yes, I did. I have one dress that my mom apparently snuck into my suitcase. It will work perfectly," she stated, realizing that when her mom suggested she take it, and she immediately refused, that as always, her mother knew best.

Once alone, Jack grabbed his phone from the table and scrolled through several entries. Dialing a number, the conversation went as follows…

"Beach Amour, how may I help you?"

"Hi, this is Jack Thornton. I called and spoke with someone yesterday about…"

"Yes sir, that was me. This is Amelia. How can I help?"

"I know this is late notice, but is it possible to make reservations for a beach dinner?"

"Ordinarily, no, we usually need 24 hours' notice, but we have a dinner set up that was cancelled. It hasn't been set up yet, so we'll need an hour or so if you are interested."

"Absolutely. It will be romantic, right?"

"All of our beach dinners are romantic."

"I figured, but this is very important, so I thought I'd ask."

"Okay, Mr. Thornton, you will head toward Solis Restaurant; take the boardwalk to the steps that go down onto the beach. Yours is the only beach dinner this evening, so you will have no problem finding it. There will be a bottle of wine chilling, and once seated, the wait staff will come out for your order."

"Thank you so much, Amelia."

"What is her favorite wine?"

"Gosh, I don't know…just a second and let me see if she has any here at the house," Jack stated as he jumped up and ran into the kitchen. Checking the refrigerator, he returned to the phone, "Everything I see are sweet wines, like Zinfandel and Moscato, and several are open."

"Okay, we'll have something appropriate set up. Just give us an hour."

Twenty minutes later, Elizabeth stepped out of her room wearing a white robe. Her hair was wet, again, as she made her way into the kitchen.

Pulling a bottle of Zinfandel from the refrigerator, she grabbed a glass from the cabinet.

"What's your favorite wine?" he asked.

Fumbling with the bottle and practically dropping it on the floor, she responded, "WHOA, you scared the life out of me. I thought you were in your room getting ready."

"I'm going to take a shower, but I thought we'd go after it gets dark so we can dance in the moonlight."

"Okay, so there's no rush then. Oh, and my favorite wines are the sweet ones. I'm not a real connoisseur of wine, and I don't know what pairs well with seafood or beef, but I personally think sweet ones go with everything." Turning her attention back to the wine bottle on the counter, she asked, "Do you want a glass?"

"No, I think I'll jump in the shower, but don't worry, I'll use the one in my room…"

Elizabeth blushed. "Again, Jack, I'm sorry about that. I had no idea you were showering outside," she stated as she felt her body heating up while remembering walking in on him in the outside shower.

"It's okay. I was just teasing, but since you brought it up, did you like what you saw?" he smiled.

"First of all, I didn't bring it up, and secondly, I closed my eyes, so I actually didn't see anything," she stated, but knew that she did see, and actually very much liked it.

"Oh, well, changing the subject…"

"Thank you…" she whispered.

"I made dinner reservations at Solis Restaurant. I hope that's okay."

"That sounds wonderful. Maybe we can get a table by the window," she responded. "I love restaurants where you can hear the waves rolling onshore."

"I can request a window table," he suggested, knowing that they couldn't be much closer to the water with the arrangements he's already made.

"No, that's okay. We'll take what we can get. I'm sure everyone wants the seating by the window."

Walking past her on the way to his bedroom, Jack stopped, took her hand, and gently pulled her to her feet. Pulling her close, she rested her head on his shoulder as their bodies swayed to the music that seemed to be playing in their heads. "I can't wait to collect on my win…"

"For your information, Jack, I believe I actually won…"

"I don't really care who won, but in a few hours, I'll be dancing under the moon with the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, so as far as I'm concerned, I'm the winner." His lips met the soft, smooth skin on her neck as he moved upward. His hands rested along her jawbone as his thumbs gently brushed across her cheeks, "I'm looking forward to spending some quiet alone time with you."

"I don't know how alone we'll be. After all, I'm sure there will be other people at the restaurant."

"E-liz-a-beth, you don't know, do you?"

"Know what…" she asked.

"When I'm with you, I don't see anyone else," he whispered as his lips brushed against hers.

Dressed and ready to go, Elizabeth stepped out of her room wearing a little black V-neck, sleeveless, body-hugging dress that fell just below her knee with a slit that ran halfway up her left thigh and a pair of ankle strap sandals. She wore her hair down with three silver barrettes strategically placed above her left ear and a pearl bracelet on her right wrist.

Elizabeth was standing in the den looking out at the pool when Jack's bedroom door opened. Wearing a black, three-piece suit with a blue tie, he closed his door and stood still, unable to move.

"Is this, okay? I'm sorry, but it's the only dress I have packed," she stated as she glanced down at herself.

Jack closed the distance between them. "You are breathtaking, and this dress is perfect…"

"You clean up pretty good yourself…"

Elizabeth grabbed her bag and with Jack taking hold of her hand, they made Bella promise to be good before they left the house on their way to dinner.

The Uber driver was outside waiting on them for the less than a mile drive to Solis Restaurant. Once in the parking lot, Elizabeth commented, "WOW, tonight looks busy," as she observed the numerous cars and line of patrons awaiting a table. "I guess it's a good thing that we have a reservation."

Holding hands, Elizabeth started for the front entrance before he stopped her. "We have a reservation, so we go in from the beach side."

Tilting her head and raising her eyebrows, she commented, "Really, that seems odd, but okay…"

They walked hand in hand around to the boardwalk, and although she said nothing, the scene on the beach certainly caught Elizabeth's eye.

When they reached the stairs, Jack stopped, "This is for us…"

"That out on the beach? You did this for me?" she asked. Feeling many emotions as her eyes teared while her smile broadened.

"Do you like it?" he asked as he held her arm and helped her down the stairs.

"This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, Jack. It's beautiful…"

"You most certainly are…"

"J…ack," she responded, barely managing to catch her breath.

Stepping onto the sand, she removed her heels. Jack held her hand as they started walking toward the water. The path, lined with six luminaries on each side lit the way to the beige sheer material draped arbor surrounding a table set up for an intimate dinner for two.

Jack held out the chair as she took a seat. He sat to her right, allowing her, when she looked in his direction, to enjoy the view of the water behind him. "Would you like a glass of wine?" he asked observing that a bottle of Moscato was chilled and two wine glasses were ready for pouring.

"Yes, thank you…"

Pouring two glasses, he handed one to her. Holding his glass up, she tapped hers to his. The toast he wanted to make was, "May we have those in our arms whom we love in our hearts," but what passed through his lips was, "To good times in paradise…"

"I'll definitely toast to that," she replied.

The waiter approached their table with menus and a promise to return for their orders momentarily.

Jack and Elizabeth scanned the menu, but their conversation never ceased.

"I'm proud of you for putting your fear aside and trying something new. You did a great job…" Jack praised her earlier surfing attempt.

"Thank you. I'm sorry that I'm such a baby about sharks, but just when you think there aren't any around, you hear of an attack somewhere. I'm certainly not interested in being shark bait, even if we are in paradise."

With their menus still open, but their eyes remaining on each other, the waiter approached, "Do you need a few more minutes?"

Looking over at Elizabeth, he asked, "Do you have any idea what you want?"

Glancing up at the waiter, she asked, "What would you suggest?"

"Chicken curry with salsa is a favorite among the locals and tourists," he offered.

"Okay, I'll have that."

"And you sir," the waiter turned to Jack.

"I'd like the surf and turf…"

"Okay; is the wine to your liking?" the waiter inquired.

Elizabeth smiled and Jack then replied, "It's perfect."

The waiter walked away.

"Would you like to dance while we wait?" he asked.

"I'd love to dance with you…anytime," she quickly responded.

Realizing that his shoes and socks weren't meant for beach dancing, he removed them before taking Elizabeth's hand and walking toward the water.

Hearing music faintly playing from a nightspot several blocks away, Elizabeth stepped closer. Pulling his phone from his pocket, Jack suggested, "Let me find something here to dance to…"

"Here's one," Jack stated as he started to push a button. Thinking back to the earlier meetings he had with Elizabeth, the next song on the list had lyrics that said exactly what he felt, and he whispered, "No, this one is better…"

As the Ed Sheerin song, "Perfect" began to play, he sat his phone on a piece of driftwood, and pulled Elizabeth against his chest. It wasn't long before their lips, hungry for the touch of the other, met…

I found a love, for me
Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it
Darling, you look perfect tonight

Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a lover, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own

We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be all right this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this
Darling, you look perfect tonight

(No, no, no)

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect

I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight

As the music ended, Jack's fingers under her chin lifted her face upward. His glance drifted between her eyes and her mouth, and it seemed as though time stood still.

"As beautiful as that song is, I'm far from perfect…" she whispered.

"I'll be the judge of that." When he finally pressed his lips to hers, everything around them seemed to go oddly quiet, much like the time between a streak of lightning and the thunder that always seems to follow.

He found her lips to be delicate, silken like, and pillowy against his. He could feel the soft tickle of her breath beneath his nose as his fingers feathered through her loose fallen hair on the right side of her face.

The waiter, walking away from their table, caught Jack's attention. Disappointed to end the moment, he held her hand, "I guess it's time to eat."

Once at the table, Jack held her chair out but scooted it forward once she'd taken a seat.

"Thank you…"

Jack leaned over and kissed her once more before taking his own seat.

Following dinner, instead of taking the Uber back to their house, they chose to walk along the beach, each one carrying their shoes as their toes dug into the soft, warm sand.

Holding hands, they passed night spot after night spot, the music from each establishment competing, or rather fighting each other, and it appeared that the beach provided for a never-ending party. They kept walking, his arm around her waist as he pulled her close; the simple gesture showing the many men out looking for a woman to spend the evening with that Elizabeth was taken, and off limits.

She snuggled in against his body, feeling safer than she'd ever felt before…that is, except for the time, at four years of age, when her parents took her to see the Easter Bunny and fear of the giant rabbit necessitated her father sitting on the bench next to the hairy, long eared creature with Elizabeth in his lap. Her fear of large rabbits disappeared a few years later, but drunken men who felt it appropriate to paw at women always made her nervous.

"Are you okay?" he asked as they passed by one group of intoxicated men who talked amongst themselves, but were smart enough not to direct their inappropriate comments toward Elizabeth.

"I'm with you…I'm fine," she stated as her free arm slipped through his.

Jack pulled his arm tight against his body, making certain that she would not get pulled away.

"I don't remember this area being so rowdy…" she commented.

"It's probably because you've been home most nights, but I think it's a carryover of some festival that started the other night. Don't worry…you're safe."

Once home, Jack turned Bella outside to play while Elizabeth poured two glasses of wine and stepped outside, taking a seat by the pool next to Jack

"Thank you for a lovely evening, Jack. Dinner was excellent, the conversation was enlightening, and the company was perfect," she commented before taking a sip from her wine glass. "Whether I won or lost the race, the dance out on the beach was wonderful…"

Bella sat between the two of them; their hands touching each other as they petted Bella's perfect coat.

"I'm going surfing in the morning, will you come watch?" he asked. Seeing her expression, he continued, "I'm not expecting you to get in the water, but this will be my last chance to surf…so, will you come with me?"

"Sure, I love watching you surf. You're talented, Jack, and I'm glad you enjoy it," she responded as she took a larger sip from her glass of wine. "I'm happy to watch as long as you don't expect me to go out in the water."

"No expectations here…"

Elizabeth yawned… "Sorry, it's certainly not an indication that I'm bored, because I'm not; I'm just tired."

Jack stood, "Maybe we should go to bed." Catching her deep blue eyes, he continued, "Uh, I mean in separate bedrooms. I…I promise, I'm not implying anything."

"I know you're not, Jack," she stated as he took her hand and helped her up from her seat.

As their fingers entwined, Elizabeth became infinitely aware of every nerve ending in her body telling her that she wanted him every bit as much as she assumed he wanted her.

Standing outside her bedroom, Elizabeth leaned her back against the wall. Jack stepped forward, kissing her gently. His forehead rested against hers and he knew he needed to say, 'good night,' and see her to her room before he headed to his room. He knew, and yet he wasn't moving…

Elizabeth's hand rested along his cheek, "You are such a special man, Jack. I just wish…"

"You wish, what…?" he whispered.

"I wish we'd met sooner…"

"What do you mean; we did meet several times," he replied.

"I know; I'm just saying that maybe if we'd met before that fiasco with Ryan," she laid her head gently on his chest. Taking a breath she lifted her head, caught his eyes, and continued, "I just feel like we've missed out on so much time."

"Ryan is gone; he's out of your life, and our time is now," he stated as he stepped closer into her personal space, pleased when she smiled, welcoming him.

She could feel his warm breath as it moved across her neck. The scent of peppermint, left over from their after-dinner mints was fresh and quite pleasing. Her mouth covered his as her lips separated slightly allowing, actually encouraging his tongue to slip through.

His lips didn't feel anything like the boys in high school, or the guys in college, or even what she's experienced with Ryan, or the cardiology intern she dated for several months before taking the on-air reporter position with WRAL.

Those guys were nothing compared to manly Jack. His lips were firm until the moment they touched hers, softening immediately. He was genuinely like no man she had ever kissed before, and she had to admit, she loved being close to him. His kisses were soft and moist, hot, and breathy, always leaving her wanting more, and this time was no different.

As his tongue slipped through her open lips, he was not seeking a battle but a union of sorts, a sharing of breaths, and sensual sensations, leading to that one timeless and passionate moment which would bring them closer together.

Elizabeth could feel the weight of his body as it pressed her firmly against the wall. One kiss led to a second, and then a third, leaving her with the taste of him and the realization that she would never have enough.

Enjoying their passionate encounter, his hands ran over her shoulders and down her arms as their fingers interlocked and he pulled her arms upward. His kisses became harder, deeper and with more of an urgent need.

She wanted more. He wanted more, but he also knew that in the heat of passion, decisions she'd made many years ago should not be turned upside down. Clearer heads needed to prevail, so he stepped back, "We need to stop…"

"But Jack…"

"Shhh… E-liz-a-beth, you don't make a decision like this lightly. I'm fairly certain you know how much I want you," he whispered as he turned away slightly, having no control over the erection that tented his trousers and continued to press against her upper thigh. "If you will excuse me, I think I need to take a shower…a nice long ice-cold one," he kissed her quick and sweet one last time before walking to the other side of the house, closing his door after slipping inside.

Elizabeth smiled as she watched him walk away, tickled by his obvious uncomfortable swagger, but ever so thankful that he was turned on by her.

Final full day in Fiji…

Elizabeth did her best to forget that this was their final day and their time in paradise would be ending soon, leaving them to return to the real world…work and a long-distance relationship. With Charlotte and Raleigh being only a few hours apart, in Elizabeth's mind, that was quite doable.

She slipped into her floral bikini, grabbed her white, thigh high cover-up, her bag which held their towels, sunscreen, bottles of water, and the first-aid kit that now contained minimal supplies, snapped a leash onto Bella and followed Jack out the door on their way to the beach.

Although still early, the sun had long since risen, and the crowds had already begun to congregate both in the water and on the sand.

Jack grabbed a piece of beach real estate that came with an umbrella for both Elizabeth and Bella's comfort, shook out her towel, and kissed her before heading for the water.

She watched as he seemed to wait while wave after wave eluded him. Although Jack was not participating, there seemed to be a competition amongst many of the surfers as they fought for specific waves that rolled through.

Each time Jack caught a wave and rode it in, Elizabeth was more impressed than the time before. During one ride in, Elizabeth heard the word 'kook' again and knew the person was referring to her when the guy asked Jack why she wasn't surfing, appreciative when Jack simply stated, "It's just not her thing…"

While sitting on her towel in the shade of the umbrella that Jack physically repositioned several times as the sun moved across the beach, something, or rather some things caught Elizabeth's eye. Not far from the group of surfers, and specifically close to Jack, multiple fins cleared the water's surface only to disappear several feet later.

"SHARKS…" Elizabeth ran to the water's edge flailing her arms. "JACK… GET OUT…"

Between the laughing and loud talking among the surfers, no one heard Elizabeth's safety proclamation, or seemed to pay attention to the crazy woman screaming onshore.

So, she yelled over and over again as she put Bella into a 'sit,' and told her to 'stay,' as she ran into the water.

She kept screaming, "SHARKS…SHARKS…GET OUT OF THE WATER…"

Finally gaining the attention of practically everyone in the water as well as those on the beach, Elizabeth kept screaming as she watched parents grabbing children, men carrying women out of the water, and surfers swiftly paddling toward shore.

Suddenly the telltale faces of four-bottlenose dolphin jumped out of a wave, a feat worthy of a Sea World performance.

Stopping dead in her tracks, Elizabeth felt every eye upon her; she knew every joke was being said about her, and it was the first time since she and Jack put their anger aside that she couldn't wait to leave the island.

Out in the water up to her knees, Elizabeth barely made it back to dry land before she felt Jack's hand in hers, "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Just mortified. You stay; Bella and I are going home, and if I'm lucky, I'll be hit by a truck on my way," she stated as tears of embarrassment rolled down her cheeks. She released his hand and headed for her towel and bag.

Grabbing her belongings, she called Bella, and they headed up the beach toward their house. Jack unhooked the surfboard leash from around his ankle, grabbed his board and ran after them.

"Elizabeth, stop…"

"Jack, please, I just want to get home."

Jack took hold of her hand, refusing to allow her to push him aside. Bella took her cues from Elizabeth and her eyes remained focused on her 'mom' for the entire walk home.

Once inside the gate, Elizabeth released a hard breath, "I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"Embarrass me? Do you realize what you did?" he asked.

His question provoked more tears as she collapsed on the lounge chair by the pool. "I'm sorry; I've embarrassed you in front of everyone. I don't know what else I can say."

Squatting beside her lounge chair, Jack took hold of her hands before responding, "First of all, I don't care about what those people think. E-liz-a-beth… you thought there were sharks in the water…"

"But there weren't; you don't need to remind me…"

"Elizabeth, that doesn't matter. You thought there were, and as a result, you risked your life for me and a bunch of people you didn't even know." Jack's hand rested on her jawbone as his thumb swept away each and every tear that fell.

"I'm so embarrassed…"

"Well, you shouldn't be. I'm thankful and appreciative, especially since I know what it took for you to go into that water. Thank you…"

Elizabeth finally smiled, "Jack, I…lo…I mean, I really appreciate you, too." She got up from the lounge chair and started for the door. "I'm going to lay down for a little while, okay?"

"Okay, if you need anything, let me know."

Several hours later, Elizabeth walked out back wearing a black bikini covered by a green mesh short set. Laying down in the hammock outside, she again closed her eyes, thankful for the quiet and the soft warm breeze.

Jack knocked on her bedroom door to check on her, but when she didn't respond, he slowly opened the door. Finding her room empty, he started looking for her throughout the house.

He stepped outside and found her resting in the hammock, her eyes closed, and thankfully, tears were no longer falling. He approached her, "Hey, may I join you?"

Elizabeth's eyes remained closed, but she patted the hammock beside her, and he carefully slipped over next to her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Mortified, but I guess I'll survive. I thought I saw Jaws, but it was more like Flipper…" she tried to laugh.

They lay quietly, Jack pulled her close as they fell asleep in the hammock, waking up a few hours later in each other's arms.

"Please tell me that we've been here all day," she ran her hand up and down his arm.

"Only a few hours," he replied.

"So, my rant out on the beach really happened?"

Jack's arm around her body pulled her close, "Honey, you see it as a rant, I see it more as a beautiful woman passionately…"

She interrupted, "Going crazy before your eyes…"

Jack rose up slightly and kissed her forehead, "Well, I for one would rather someone announce a shark when there isn't one than to keep their mouth shut when there is."

Later that night they did as they had done each night previously and retired to their separate bedrooms, although it was becoming increasingly more difficult to do so.

Several hours later…

"GET OUT…"

Woken from a deep sleep, Jack sat up in bed. As he listened, the house became deafeningly quiet. Bella danced at the door, and Jack smiled, assuming the noise he'd heard actually came from her.

Laying his head back on his pillow, Jack closed his eyes and released a hard breath through his mouth. Settling back into sleep, his eyes shot open when he heard the unmistakable sound of Elizabeth screaming.

"JACK…JACK…PLEASE…GET OUT…" Elizabeth seemed to be repeating over and over again.

Wearing a pair of shorts, but no shirt, Jack flew out of bed. Assuming an intruder had managed to get passed the home security system, as well as Bella's keen ears, he grabbed a pole he'd seen resting against the wall in his closet. He quickly, but quietly ran down the hall and burst into her room.

Jack expected a fight, but instead, what he found was Elizabeth, wearing an ivory lace teddy, presumably still asleep, tangled in her bedding in the middle of her own worst nightmare.

"Elizabeth…" he called her four or five times before she opened her eyes.

Her eyes began darting around the room, and as her arms flailed and feet kicked, it was evident at that moment she had absolutely no idea where she was.

Jack helped untangle her legs from the blanket before again covering her body.

"You're okay…" she stated through her rapid breath.

His arms wrapped around her body as his hands ran tenderly up and down her nearly bare back. "Of course, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know; what happened?" she asked as he took the blanket on her bed and wrapped it around her.

"You were having a nightmare…"

Through her broken breath, she responded, "I remember…it was a shark, and you were surfing. I was trying to get to you, Jack."

"Honey, I'm fine," he stated as he held her close to his chest. "Do you know what they say about dreams…?" he asked.

"What?"

"Well," he began as one hand continued to tenderly rub her back while the other ran over her shoulder and up and down her arm. "They say that dreams are brought about by our memories, thoughts, fears, wishes, and I guess anything else in our head and when we are in a deep sleep, they come to life."

Reaching up and capturing his lips, she caught him slightly off guard, but that was the type of surprise he could get behind. His lips welcomed hers as his hand slipped behind her head, pressing her closer, deepening their connection.

Her left hand feathered through the hair above his right ear, and she slipped even closer, her warm breath on his skin stoking the fire that always seemed to burn inside him when they were together.

"I've had dreams about you," she stated, her voice soft and breathy.

He'd dreamed about her, too, but never assumed that he entered her thoughts at night.

"Does that surprise you?" she asked, suddenly feeling as though she'd offered too much information.

"I think about you a lot…asleep, awake, it doesn't matter; you're in my head. I guess I never thought about what women dream of."

"Well, I'd assume we dream about the same things…"

Jack laughed softly, "Somehow I doubt that."

His comment made her smile, "Well, maybe not the exact same things, but the same general topics." Her hand behind her head released the clip that held her hair allowing it to fall across her shoulders. "I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours…"

"Maybe…"

"Come-on Jack…"

"You go ahead…"

"Well, since we've been here, I've had this recurring dream…"

"Yeah, go on…"

"We're out on the beach…"

"Yeah…yeah," Jack eagerly responded, beginning to sound breathier.

"I'm not sure why, because you know dreams just happen, but there is a comforter and pillows on the beach, right by the waterline. I'm in the black bikini, you remember that one?"

"Yes, I remember that one…" 'and all the others, too,' he thought.

"I'm laying on my back with my head on my pillow; my legs are open…"

"Oh, my Lord, you are killing me here…"

"I keep waking up with you laying on top of me, your head resting on my stomach."

"Am I naked?"

"No, Jack, you aren't naked…"

"Well, either you wake up too soon, or men and women clearly don't dream about the same things…"

"So, what's your dream?" she asked.

"My dream is probably better for another day…"

"That's not fair; I told you mine."

"Well usually it starts out dancing…"

"To what song…?"

"E-liz-a-beth…"

"Come on, Jack. I told you all about mine."

"Well, as dreams go, yours was pretty tame."

"Well, now you've got to tell me." She leaned closer, her soft lips easily finding his. "So, what song are we dancing to…wait, are you dancing with me?"

"Only you, Elizabeth."

"Okay, that's good. So, what song are we dancing to?"

"Uh…Elizabeth, I don't remember…"

"Jack, don't lie to me…"

"Okay, it's "Let's Get It On," by Marvin Gaye…"

"Oh my, his voice really gets me going."

"Really…hmm," he commented as he made an unwritten note that he hoped to pull out at some time in the near future.

"Go on, so what happens. Do we have sex?"

"Elizabeth…"

"Please Jack, you can't stop now… do we have sex?"

"No, we don't have sex…"

"Oh, that's a bummer…"

"Time with you is different, Elizabeth. We don't have sex; we make love…"

"Oh…well, am I at least any good at it?"

His hand moved several strands of hair away from her face before it slipped behind her neck, and he pulled her closer. Pressing his lips against her neck, his tongue tasted her skin, both sweet and salty, as he moved upward.

Her ear tickled as she felt his breath on her skin, "I don't think 'good' covers it. I keep dreaming the same dream if that tells you anything."

"How does it end?"

"You and I are lying in bed with a roaring fire…"

"I can see it; my leg is draped over your body and your hand gently moves up and down my thigh."

"WOW, you really are in my head," Jack whispered as he pulled her so close that even a wisp of a breeze wouldn't have found a way between them.

Her body shuddered against his. His mouth covered her lips, and he laid her back on the bed, straddling her as she felt his weight pressed hard against her. The taste of his lips lingered, as her eyes remained closed. Slowly she opened them, having no idea the impact her simple gaze would have on him.

Her bottom lip trembled slightly, easily drawing his attention. Her hand slipped up his arm, over his shoulder, across his body and tentatively down his chest, stopping just above the waistband of his shorts.

He was conflicted. He wanted her; and he wanted her to continue. He was also fairly certain that she wanted him as well. He smiled nervously. Everything with Elizabeth was so new, assumably forbidden, and yet, there they were, each one on fire, and so close that they were sharing the same air.

He couldn't help it; one touch from her and his body was alive, his blood warmed and seemed to pump harder through his veins.

"Make love to me, Jack…"

"E-liz-a-beth…" for a moment, he thought about making a deal with the Devil…anything for one night with this woman, only to realize that one night would never be enough.

"I want to know what it feels like to be with a man who truly cares about me," She spoke softly, hesitantly, as her fingers started to breech his waistband.

Jack gasped, as his world began to spin out of control. He gently grabbed her hand as the Devil on his shoulder told him how much he would regret turning her down, while on the opposite side, the Angel stood clapping.

"I can't; I'm sorry, I just can't," he was frustrated as he rolled over and lay beside her, his head propped up on his elbow.

"Excuse me," she didn't know firsthand, because she had never made the offer before, but her girlfriends always joked that as man would never turn down sex.

"Elizabeth…I,"

Looking stunned, she interrupted him, "Oh, I don't turn you on?"

"No, that's not it; that is so far from the truth, I just can't…"

"Oh, Jack, I'm sorry. I had no idea. Have you been to see anyone about it?"

"Huh…see anyone about what…?"

"Your problem, have you seen anyone about it? I'm sorry, is that too personal?" she asked, having no idea that her thought and his reality were oceans apart.

"What…?"

"Look Jack, there is no reason to be embarrassed; I mean, I think it's more prevalent that most people know. But, you know, you could have just told me when I mentioned I was a virgin. Did you think I wouldn't understand?"

"WHOA, I don't mean I can't, I mean I just can't…"

"Well, I'm not seeing the difference here. I'm just saying that there are treatments that I hear work. You know," reaching for her phone on her bedside table, she pulled up a video. "Don't ask me why I have this on my phone, but I guess it's a good thing that I do. There's this guy, I think his name is Jeremy something…sorry that's one segment I didn't pay much attention to, but clearly, I should have. Anyway, look at this," she placed her phone up to his face as the advertisement played. "He does weekly advertisements on my show for this men's health center. I can get his number for you if you'd like. Oh wait, the number is right there…"

Jack took her phone from her hand and sat it on the bedside table, "That's not necessary…"

"Okay, I'm sorry, you probably have your own doctor. Anyway, if you want to talk about it, I'm here for you…"

"Elizabeth…"

"Jack, seriously, this Jeremy guy talks about their offices all over, so you don't have to go to a center in Raleigh if you're worried about someone you know seeing you…"

"Elizabeth…"

"They have treatments that don't sound too painful, something about radio frequency in water or something like that," she rattled off quickly, clearly nervous about the topic. "I'm sorry, I interviewed the guy once, and well, I felt like I needed to shower after we were done talking."

"Elizabeth…"

"Don't get me wrong, I understand that there are medical conditions that cause this, and it's not that your condition makes me feel dirty and in need of a shower, because it doesn't. It's just that I don't like talking about penises with men I don't know."

Jack snickered, "Thank you for telling me, that's nice to hear; but Elizabeth…"

"If you want to talk about your penis, Jack, I'll listen."

At that point, Jack had heard enough, and he burst out laughing, "Thanks, but that won't be necessary."

"I hear that laughing is good medicine, but I'm not so sure that it helps with this kind of problem. Hey, why are you laughing so hard…?"

Jack shook his head, "You are so special…"

Elizabeth began to ramble, "I just want you to know, Jack, it doesn't matter to me. I mean, I'd like maybe, if you're willing, you could, I don't know, kinda have it checked out. I would maybe like to have the option to have sex at some point, but I'll stand beside you no matter what."

"Well, that's nice to know…"

"It's only fair, Jack. I mean when I told you I was a virgin, you didn't run off, which has happened before. So, it's only fair that I stand beside you. By the way, why didn't you just tell me then? It's nothing to be ashamed of…you know, there's more to life than having sex."

Jack was still laughing as he enjoyed watching her dig herself deeper. "Maybe so, but my dream of us making love is beautiful, and feels so real."

"Well, just know that I'm here for you… Can I ask you something?"

Jack's mind was spinning, but he still couldn't stop laughing, "Ask away…"

"Is that the reason Taylor broke up with you? Because, if so, I've been there, and if someone doesn't understand your morals and values, or in your case, your medical issues, then they aren't the right person."

"No, that wasn't an issue for us…"

"Oh, so you were able to make love to Taylor, but…not to me…"

"Elizabeth, I never made love to Taylor. I've never made love to anyone."

"So, you're a virgin too…? Why didn't you just tell me that?"

Jack released a hard breath, "This is really getting out of control…"

"I'm sorry. Forget I said anything about Taylor. We can deal with your impotence together…."

Jack choked on his own saliva. His hands on his face rubbed roughly up and down, finally removing them as he groaned. "Please be quiet and let me explain…"

Elizabeth rolled over on her side to face him, "Okay, what is it…?"

His fingers moved several strands of wavy hair behind her ear, "I'm not impotent."

"Oh, so you just don't want to be with me?" she looked both confused and hurt.

Jack placed a finger to her lips, "Shh, and let me explain."

She shook her head up and down.

"Elizabeth, there is a difference between having sex and making love," he cautiously began. "I have had sex, but I have honestly never made love."

"So, it is just me…"

"Well, yes, but not like you think." His hand rested along her jawbone as his thumb gently stroked her cheek. "E-liz-a-beth, I could make love to you right now…trust me, I have no problems in that area."

"But…"

Another finger to her lips again silenced her.

"When I say I can't, I don't mean that I physically can't; I just mean that I can't take that part of you away. You want to wait, and I'm willing to do that. So, rest assured, physically, I'm fine."

"Oh," tears welled in her eyes.

"After what you thought, 'Oh' is all you can say…" Jack asked.

"I'm sorry, I assumed something that wasn't true. But, in my defense, can you see now why you should encourage my inquisitive side? If I ask questions, I get information, and hopefully don't make assumptions that aren't true."

"Duly noted," Jack smiled, leaned forward, and kissed her forehead.

"Jack, what you did…putting my needs before your own is the kindest, most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. I mean, my parents put me first because I'm their daughter, but no one else ever has, so, thank you."

"I told you I'd wait, and I meant it…"

"Well, I have to say there were times when it seemed quite evident that you were… well, aroused, so I was wondering if maybe this was a new condition."

"Honey, I don't have a condition…"

"Well, I know that now." Subconsciously, her mouth opened slightly as her tongue ran across her lips, doing her best to wet them.

Jack found himself focused on her mouth, realizing that this was not the time to notice how inviting her lips were. Too late; he'd already noticed…he always noticed.

He slipped closer. His lips gently brushed hers. They were hot and moist, and he lingered just long enough to taste the strawberry lip balm she'd put on before falling asleep.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I'm sorry for the rant about sharks; I'm sorry that I push too hard at times, and I'm really sorry that I made assumptions about…well, you know."

"You have nothing to feel sorry about. Do you think you can go back to sleep?" he asked.

"Will you stay in here with me…at least until I fall asleep?" she asked.

"Sure…" Jack knew, for him, that this wasn't a good idea, but there was no way he was walking away from her…at least, not now

She was laying, her back against his chest, with his arm held tightly against her body and he could feel her take a final deep breath before drifting off to sleep. However, sleep, for him, would not come so easily.

Jack stared as he watched her breath…in and out…slower…calmer, and much more relaxed than he'd observed of her only a short while before. Visions of his life down the road flooded him, easily realizing that he'd never felt this strongly about any woman before her. He wanted to tell her how he felt, how he wanted to share everything with her, how she was no passing fancy and how he'd dreamed of her since the first time they'd met. He was thankful to her, for she had caused him to take a good, hard look at his life, what he wanted for his future and how he desperately hoped she would play a big part in it.

Unfortunately, no matter how he looked at the situation, Elizabeth was in Fiji on what was supposed to be her honeymoon. The fact that Ryan walked out on her didn't ease Jack's mind, for he could only assume that if Ryan had met her at the altar, she most likely would have gone through with the wedding. So, with that thought taking a spot in his mind and refusing to leave, was it possible that Elizabeth still had feelings for Ryan, only masking them with the anger she had every right to feel?

That certainly didn't change the way he felt about her, however, it did prevent him from spilling his emotions on the floor before her.

With her hand holding his arm tightly against her chest, he closed his eyes. Jack took a deep breath, enjoyed the soft fruity notes of her lingering perfume, and quickly realized how easily he could get so used to this. Truth be told, he already was.

To be continued…