A picture is worth a thousand words summer edition contest entry. It placed second in the public vote and judge's choice (ceceprincess1217)

Summer Fling

The highlights of the sun against the blues waves of the ocean cast a glow over the captivating ink covering his knuckles, along his arms, and up to his neck.

He was a work of art.

When I first met Edward Cullen, I knew he would break my heart. I knew he wasn't a man who would stick around for long.

But I was a masochist and chose to drown in him anyway.

The first time I saw his perfectly toned body surfing at the local beach, riding those waves like a pro three months ago, I was a goner.

He was twenty-eight—eight years older than me—and spending the summer with his sister, who lived in this small coastal town.

Now it was the last week of summer, and he was heading home tomorrow, across the country, back to his life in Chicago. A final big bash at the beach before I had to start my last year of college.

We've tried ignoring that he's leaving. That he's breaking my heart.

I promised myself I wouldn't fall for him. But I couldn't keep it. He was never mine in the first place. Just a no strings attached summer fling. He never hinted at more. But sometimes the way he looked at me made me think maybe he wanted more as well.

My legs wrapped around his waist as the warm waves crashed around us and his strong arms held onto my hips. I indulged in the serenity and silence of the moment. Leaning down, and kissed his soft lips, savoring him before I had to let him go. Memorizing and taking in every beautiful feature.

I didn't want to bring it up or kill the mood, but I needed to know. "What time are you leaving tomorrow?" I asked as I tried to hide the sadness in my voice.

"I'm not," Edward replied casually as water dripped from his dark hair and along his scruff.

"What?" My brows furrowed in confusion.

"I'm not leaving tomorrow. I was thinking of staying here longer. I run my own business and I have guys helping me back home. Most of the stuff I can do from here. I like it here, and I can teach some surfing lessons as a hobby. It'll also be nice to be in Alice's life, too." His stunning emerald eyes bore into mine and his lips widened in a breathtaking smile that made my breath hitch. Hope filled my chest. "Plus, there's a girl I'm kinda crazy about, and I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. As long as she doesn't want to either."

I was in shock for a moment, processing everything. I squealed in delight, squeezing my arms tighter around his tatted neck, and crashed my lips to his. Tears stung my eyes as I said, "I don't want to say bye. I need more of you."

I wasn't ready to let go of him and I guess he wasn't either.