Red String 2 {h.s}

Chapter 3

Harry and Amy travel to Los Angeles from private airport to private airport, flying under the radar both literally and figuratively. A friend has loaned Harry their unoccupied Malibu beach house for the week and they head straight there, with gate codes, front door codes and alarm codes in hand. Harry doesn't mind the extra security, as long as it keeps Amy safe while he's working.

Amy's mouth drops as soon as they walk in. From the front door it's a straight view through the kitchen and living room to the Pacific Ocean. Floor to ceiling windows enhance what is already a breathtaking SoCal scene. Amy walks across the light-colored walnut floors, past the all-white furniture and pushes open the large slider doors. She is immediately hit by the familiar saltwater smell and ocean breeze that wraps around her like a childhood blanket. She breathes in deeply, much like Harry did that first night they met when they were surrounded by forest. She feels her shoulders relax on her exhale, like some hidden tension was released. The ocean always being akin to a cure for her. Right now it was helping to recede a touch of homesickness.

Harry drops their luggage off in a bedroom upstairs and comes back down. The kitchen and living room are empty but he sees that the back door is open. He finds Amy on the tiered wooden deck, looking out at the ocean. He takes the opportunity to study her. His gorgeous soon-to-be wife. The wind blows her hair into her face, and she pushes it back behind her, turning her face into it. It also happens to be the direction of the sun, so now Harry sees her face light up. She's glowing golden for him.

She leans her forearms on the railing, going up on her tiptoes to look down below at the beach. The effect it has on her already perky ass makes Harry's lower body react instantly. She has her thinking face on, but it's not one that he has to pull her out of. It's relaxed and happy. When he can't stand not touching her for a second more, he comes up behind her, placing a hand on each side of the railing, caging her in. He watches as her cheeks pull up, and she turns her head slightly to nuzzle into his neck. She's been here for only minutes and Harry already thinks she smells like sunshine. Like summer.

He wants to ask her what she's thinking about but he knows she always rewards him with her words when he's patient. He pulls her cardigan away from her shoulder and drops kisses in a line leading up to her ear. He watches the goosebumps erupt on her skin, making a smile grow on his. He covers her back up but moves to the other side and repeats the same action with the same result, although this time the goosebumps are already there before his lips touch her skin.

"You're distracting me," she tosses the words softly over her shoulder.

"Mmm" he hums into her skin. "What am I distracting you from?"

"The Pacific Ocean. I haven't seen it in months. I've missed it."

Harry looks out at it. Trying to see what she sees. He didn't grow up next to the ocean like she did. He is trying to understand her longing for it. Will she miss it when they are in London? Will she be homesick? Will she always feel like something is missing if they don't live on the water? The worries swirl in his brain like an eddy.

Amy has felt Harry's movements stop abruptly at her admission. He has pulled away slightly from her. His lips no longer on her skin and the distance pulls her out of her reverie of staring at the water. She turns around, his arms still caging her in, and she searches his eyes looking for answers. It's easy to find them now when he no longer wears his mask around her.

"Baby?" It's the softest she's ever said it.

"Mmm," he hums back, doubt clouding his expression.

"Remember? Home is a person, not a place," she says as she slides her hand under his shirt, along his bare, toned stomach and resting it over his heart. "I can live without the ocean but I can't live without you."