Tender Times on a Distant Shore

Aaron's P.O.V. ~ Chapter 6

I heard her call Ky and James back towards her and opened one eye. I don't know why but when she gave them both a kiss on the cheek, I became filled with jealousy and envy that she had given them kisses but not me. So, when they left I noticed she watched them as they sped farther and farther away from us. When they were a good distance away, I silently got up from my position on her lap and seated myself behind her. I wrapped my arms around her waist pulling her closer to me, and in doing so, I rested my head on her shoulder giving me the opportunity to kiss her on the cheek, which I did. She didn't flinch, or move away which means she either liked it, or was used to it... The thought of any other guy holding her like this made me angry.

    "I want one too." I said, trying to hide my jealousy as best as I could. She smiled, turned around to face me, and kissed me on my cheek. I don't know what came over me, but just then at the moment, all I wanted was for her to be mine. My instincts took over and I wrapped my arms around her petite body and embraced her. It felt like I had held on to her forever, and I never wanted to let go, but I knew I should. Reluctantly, I let go and she looked as innocent as ever. I moved over to the edge of the dock and sat next to her, our legs dangling over the water.

    "Aren't you sleepy?" I asked her, rubbing my eyes. I definitely was. She grinned.

    "You know, I think I might be." She leaned over on a pole beside her and I disliked that. She should have someplace nice to sleep, not on some rusty old pole. So, I wedged myself in between her and the pole, and once again she didn't flinch or move away. I looked out on the water searching for the boat. They were returning. I put an arm around her and pulled her close to me. I picked her up, carrying her as if she were my bride. Secretly, I wished she was. I carried her back to her room, and realized she was sharing it with James. This infuriated me. Her breath evened out, and I knew she was asleep. I placed her on her half of the bed, and put the covers over her shoulder.

    I paced back and forth in the room deciding what I should do about James. I finally decided on using a bunch of the pillows from the bed to make a barrier splitting the bed in half separating what was mine and what was his. I looked over at the sleeping figure I had just claimed as mine. She was three years younger than me, and James and Ky were the same age as her. Surely, she would pick one of them over me. I heard the boat motor approaching and realized I should go out and meet them. On the way, I was thinking up an excuse should I need one. But, my mind kept drifting back to her skin, soft at the touch, and her scent, of lilac and roses. How her hair was so silky and smooth, shining almost a golden brown in the sunlight. My mind flashed back to my previous thoughts of her being held like that by someone else. I had to make sure that never happened to her, unless it was me.