A few weeks passed in that manner, James was showing Sandy around the island in his leisure time and she got herself a rental car and a proper map to be able to explore for herself when he was at work. He once even got permission from the Fat Controller to bring her along to work to show her his daily routine. They became good friends with some benefits, though this friendship soon developed into something else. Their feelings for each other grew stronger with each passing day, but neither of them took the next step. Sandy still locked herself in his bedroom for the night and apart from the occasional passionate kisses they didn't share any other intimacies.

One afternoon, Sandy was sitting on the balcony, working on a drawing she had started back home and hadn't touched since. She really thought it needed to be finished and there was no day better than when she had nothing else to do, sun shining and waiting for James to come home from work. He had promised her to take her to Brendam in the evening for a seafood dinner as she came to enjoy that over the years she had been to Italy back in her childhood days. She glanced at her wrist watch before getting up, gathering her sheets of paper and drawing materials, storing them away in a folder and then deciding to go for a shower. James would be back from work soon and she didn't want to leave him waiting.

When she was done and had dried off, she stood in front of the wardrobe part James had removed his clothes from so she could hang hers into it too, trying to decide for something to wear. It was rather warm outside, so she just went with a light blouse and skirt. The moment she walked down to the living room, she heard the key in the lock and James entered the house, sighing.

"Is everything ok?" she asked him worriedly.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just working on a railway run on steam in this heat isn't the best of jobs. But still better than working on a building site which I did before I was offered this job," he answered.

"Seems I learn something new every day," Sandy replied, sniggering slightly.

She walked up to him, kissing him on the cheek and hugging him, whispering into his ear, "Hrm… you smell nice. Did you shower at work today?"

James burst out laughing, "Ohh you! Yes I did, and thank you."

She knew they had a small shower installed in a the small changing room with lockers near Tidmouth sheds in case work got too dirty and the railway men needed cleaning before they left after their shift. Not a bad idea considering all the coal dust lingering everywhere around the sheds and their "workplace".

They soon went out for dinner and Sandy thought the blue mussels she ordered could actually compete with the ones she used to eat back in Italy. She and James laughed a lot that evening, really enjoying each other's company, and the evening meal developed to a very romantic candle light dinner in the end. The two sat there in silence, looking into each others' eyes, when James slowly reached out across the table to take Sandy's hand in his.

He cleared his throat, slightly nervous, before beginning to speak in a low voice, only meant for her to hear, "So… we now know each other for a bit more than two months, and I have really grown to like you. A lot to be honest. I told myself I never wanted a relationship again after my last break up, too deep was the scar she left on my heart. But that all changed when I first met you at that bar, my mind having been turned upside down that moment I saw you. You looked so miserable I felt sorry and, I don't know what got into me that evening, I just had to help you, no matter the cost. You had my heart the second you looked at me and ever since then, I was wondering if you would ever feel the same. We spent a wonderful time together so far and a question rose to my mind a few weeks ago, but I didn't know if I should dare ask it. So now we're here, and I finally found the courage to ask you… would you like to be in a relationship with me? I mean, a real one?"

Sandy stared at him, unsure of what to answer. She swallowed, trying to get words past her lips, but she couldn't. Her mind was running wild, trying to process what she had just heard and what he had asked her. Should she say yes? What if he turns out to be just like all the other guys when she does?

"I- I really like you too. And, yes, I'd like to. I was already wondering when you'd ask," Sandy finally replied with a low voice, smiling and trying to play cool over her nervousness.

James laughed at that, he was relieved that he finally got this off his chest. He had already been fearing she'd say no after her staying silent for a few minutes, but it all turned out well. After they spent a few minutes just smiling at each other and him kissing the back of her hand, they decided to go back to his house as it was getting late. James paid their bill and then drove them home. All along the way, Sandy was in thought, trying to figure out what this new chapter of her life meant for her and what would probably happen when they arrived at the house.

It kept her mind occupied for the whole trip so she only snapped back to reality when James opened the car's door for her to get out. She shook her head to get a clear thought, then followed him inside. James locked the door behind them while Sandy took off her shoes. She then turned to walk to the living room, but was soon stopped by James.

Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he slowly started to kiss her neck and ear, nibbling it softly. He drew back for short only to turn Sandy around to face him. He softly laid his lips on hers, kissing her slowly yet passionately. Their tongues soon were entangled in a dance with each other while Sandy had one hand in James' hair and the other worked on his shirt, slowly unbuttoning it. He then took her arms one by one and wrapped them around his neck before lifting her off the ground with her legs wrapped around him. He carried her into the living room where he lowered her onto the couch before he carefully laid down beside her, starting to unbutton her blouse. Sandy shivered, this being something new to her and she didn't know what to do.

James noticed her uneasiness and tried to calm her, "Do not think, just relax and feel. Let me do the work."

She nodded and ran a hand down his chest, giving herself to his hands completely. James then began to pull her skirt off of her, running his fingertips along her legs, tickling her skin along the way. He started to place kisses all over her exposed skin which resulted into her getting goose bumps. Soon, Sandy's blouse joined her skirt on the floor and James also started to take his jacket and dress shirt off. He pulled her close and kissed her passionately, trying to make her relax more. Meanwhile, she began to unbutton and unzip his trousers, her hands shaking as she did.

He then moved between her legs, kissing down her neck and cleavage, softly squeezing her breasts through her black lace bra before unhooking it. Sandy covered herself immediately and blushed a deep red, never having been that exposed to anyone before. James lowered his head and started to kiss her until she slowly dropped her hands and slid them around his body. He placed a trail of kisses down her neck again before starting to lick and suck her breasts in turns, always massaging the neglected one with his hands. It sent arrows of heat shooting through her body, her skin taking on a soft pink blush.

Sandy moaned slightly, arching her back and pulling on his hair softly, her reactions coming instinctively. Then she ran her hands over his toned chest. James got up from the couch to drop his trousers to the floor, then laid back down next to her, looking at her lovingly and reassuringly. Slowly, he lowered his head again to kiss her passionately, his tongue asking passage to hers, groaning as Sandy wrapped her legs around his waist. He nuzzled her lovingly and then held himself up on his lower arms.

"Are you sure you really want more?" he whispered.

Sandy nodded, though a bit afraid of what would come next. James carefully moved her black lace panties aside and then kissed her while slowly pushing a finger into her cave, testing if she was ready for this. Sandy moaned into the kiss and arched her back again, showing James how much she liked this. He started to move his finger to relax her as he didn't want to hurt her later on. When he drew his hand back after some time, she winced slightly at the sudden removal. James got to his feet, removing her panties and his own boxers, dropping them to the floor, and then lifting her off the couch, carrying her upstairs into his bedroom and placing her onto the bed. He joined her, gently moving between her legs and running a finger up and down between her folds before pushing it into her again to prepare her for what was to come.

After a few minutes, she was writhing underneath him, hardly able to control her movements, and moaning. Her arousal grew even more when he slowly removed his hand and she felt the tip of his manhood at her entrance. He started to push it in until the head had disappeared and he knew this wasn't going to feel good for her now. James lowered his lips to hers and kissed her while pushing himself in completely. Sandy tensed immediately, shutting her eyes tightly and biting down on James' bottom lip hard, drawing blood.

"I'm sorry, darling! I'm so sorry!" was all he could get out between his teeth before kissing her again to make her relax.

Her face was still lined with pain when he started moving slowly, but he tried to make it as comfortable as possible by licking and sucking her breasts again. Soon, both were panting heavily and Sandy got somewhat used to it too. She tilted her hips upwards and drew her nails over James' back and shoulders, moaning his name out loud and begging him not to stop. Every time he pushed in deeper than before, making Sandy throw her head back in pleasure with her eyes closed.

"My god... I can't take it much longer... ah..." she managed to pant just seconds before she arched her back even more and screamed his name in ecstasy.

James let out a low groan, feeling her walls pulsate around him. He slowed his movements in order to make her come down from her heights again. Sandy was nearly crying at the intense pleasure that ripped through her, clawing at the bedsheets, nearly tearing them apart. It took her a few minutes to be able to think straight again; this felt like someone had put her on drugs and now she wanted more. She shifted slightly, wrapping her legs around James' waist and pulling him down to kiss him. He then started moving again, long and slow thrusts, trying to feel as much of her as possible and giving her more of the sparkly sensation that was already building inside her again.

After several hours of their passionate game, they both lay on the bed, exhausted but happy. James held Sandy in a close embrace, placing a kiss on her forehead and enjoying the closeness. Sandy on the other hand was already nearly drifting off to sleep in his arms, mumbling something James couldn't understand, but smiling at him contently.