They talked all day. Catching up on the last eleven years. Talking about every and anything.

Trina couldn't believe how easy it was to talk to him, and it felt like the years hadn't passed at all. As if they'd always been in touch.

It was just like before.

They finished the evening with a bonfire on the beach where they roasted marshmallows and told ghost stories. In the past he used to scare her so bad she'd end up sleeping with the lights on and asking her dad to accompany her around the house and the farm.

"That's not scary." She huffed. She was well seasoned in the horror department now. Nothing scared her much these days.

"An army of flesh-eating zombies in the apocalypse doesn't scare you?" Brad challenged grinning at her. The flames from the orange fire flickered over his face turning him the same color.

"No, of course not. I'm not sixteen anymore Brad. These days the Zombies would at the very least have to have some kind of power to move exorcist fast, and incinerate you with one look." Now that was scary. She smiled when she saw the surprised look on his face.

"Jeez, what the hell have you been watching?"

"Clearly not the same films you watch." She giggled.

He shook his head. "No. I guess I can't scare you that much anymore."

"Nope."

"Your dad could scare us both," he chuckled.

She nodded at that and smiled. Her dad could cook up a terrifyingly, horrific story that would chill them both to the bone. His stories were done so cleverly that it left a psychological mark on you for days.

"He'd win at any time. Past or present."

"Do you remember that time he terrified us on that camping trip?" Brad laughed.

"Yes, with the demonic serial killer story, and then left us for eons while he went to collect wood."

She was about nine.

Brad laughed even more. "You cried the whole time."

"So did you." Now she burst out laughing.

"Hey," he threw a marshmallow at her while she continued to laugh. "I was scared I wouldn't be able to protect you." He shook his head at her.

She laughed at the memory of them huddled together in the woods, holding onto each other for dear life because they believed the demonic serial killer was going to kill them. Then she all but fainted when her dad came back because she thought he was the demon.

She and Brad ran away from him and ended up falling into a hedge of poison ivy. It served her dad right because he had to take care of them both.

"I really miss him," Brad said. He straightened up in the sand and ran his hands across it. Then he looked across at her.

"I miss him too," she added.

"He was really, really proud of you." Brad nodded.

It was good to hear it. "He'd be proud of you too." Her father would most assuredly be proud of how Brad turned out.

She was proud of Brad for changing and making something of his life. She remembered when they first met. She'd just moved to Iowa, and he was delivering newspapers. She found it strange that a boy not much older than her could have a job. She'd actually thought he must have done something bad to suffer such a fate.

The next time she saw him was days after they arrived. She found him in the barn hiding from his parents. Brad had two black eyes, his nose was broken, and he was covered with cuts and bruises. She didn't realize then that it would be a regular occurrence to see him that way. The way that his parents treated him was despicable.

Her father took care of him and tried to intervene when he could, but it made Brad's situation worse. Things only got better when Brad's parents abandoned him, but by then he was at the height of his run-ins with the law.

But look at him now, with his own company, living on the coast in LA, and from what he’d told her he seemed to be very successful. He’d changed immensely and she knew that her father would have undoubtedly been happy to see that, and all that he’d achieved.

The look on Brad's face, however, told her he thought otherwise.

"I don't know about that," he said in a flat tone, confirming her thoughts. He looked out to the ocean, which was now blackened by night. The steady breath of the waves still caressed the shoreline with the gentle shushing sound it made.

"He would Brad." She assured him.

He looked back to her with an appreciative smile. "I'm glad you think so. I would have liked to have made him proud."

His smile turned up a notch as he lowered to the sand and gazed up at the sky. She moved closer to him and laid down too. They used to stargaze a lot in the field on the farm when they were younger.

"Look at the stars." He pointed up at the sky.

She'd noticed that the sky was clearer and brighter here than in Chicago. The stars were brighter in their clusters, and if she wasn’t mistaken she could make out the outlines of a few constellations.

"It's so peaceful here," she sighed and turned her head towards him. A little flutter rippled through her stomach when she found that he was already looking at her.

Trina smiled at him and knew even before he opened his hand to take hers that he would do that.

Her hand automatically found his.

That small gesture felt like something healed within her. As if the hole that had been created when he left had started to fill. He squeezed her hand gently, and she moved even closer so that she could rest her head on his shoulder.

* * *

“I can’t hear Trina. Should I be asking for proof of life?” Neil commented.

Brad laughed and pressed the phone to his ear. "She’s taking a shower." He could hear the water running in the bathroom. She'd been in there for at least an hour and the minute she went in she unleashed the fruity, floral fragrance of her shampoo and other creams and potions he'd seen her carry inside. The place smelled like a spa.

Neil laughed. "Hey man, come on. You can't tell me you aren't even a little happy. I can hear it in your voice."

Brad was happy alright. A little too happy. This was supposed to be them repairing a broken friendship, which was why he had no business holding her hand like that last night and watching her while she practically slept in his arms. At least he had the good sense to wake her. Even if it was three hours later, his senses still kicked in.

"I'm merry," he joked.

He couldn't hear the water anymore, and now he heard her soft footsteps as she made her way into her room.

"Brad, do you want a Spanish omelet for breakfast?" She called out on the other side of his door.

Well, he wouldn't say no to that. That was his favorite breakfast.

He moved the phone away from his ear so he could answer. "Thanks, but let me come help you." He didn't want her going through all that trouble for him.

He smiled when he heard her giggle. "It's an omelet, Brad. I'm not performing surgery." She laughed.

"Okay, I'll make you French toast." She loved that.

"Yay. Thanks. I'd love that." He knew without seeing her that she would have done that little hop thing she used to and land on one leg before sauntering away.

He returned the phone to his ear when he heard her walk away. Neil was laughing.

"What Neil?"

"Y'all sound mighty fine to me." Neil put on his Texan accent. When he first met Neil that was how he sounded as he'd just not too long moved from Texas. They used to joke about it with their other friends. As the years went by the accent faded some what, but he'd bring it out for fun sometimes.

In response, Brad would copy Neil's grandmother who was quite a character with her Dolly Parton accent and the look that complimented it. She even had the big, big white blonde hair even though she was pushing eighty.

"Well sonny son, we do our best for our friends."

"Except, y'all are starting to sound real homely. Omelette Brad? May the good Lord have mercy."

"Yes, sugar. May the good Lord have mercy on you too." Brad really put the effort into his voice that time, and Neil burst out laughing.

"You sound more like my grandmother than she does. Have fun man."

"Bye, bye now sugar." Brad continued to tease and chuckled to himself as he hung up.

He then made his way downstairs. When he got to the kitchen, he stopped by the entrance, too mesmerized by the beauty before him to venture inside.

Today Trina wore a peach camisole top with tiny laces that tied at the top of her delicate shoulders. She turned revealing that the back of the top was tied too exposing the hollow of her back with skin that looked like liquid gold.

Her hair swished across in long graceful waves drawing his attention to her perfect waist, perfect shape in those denim shorts and those long smooth legs.

Shit, he should stop looking, but couldn't.

Thankfully he managed to look more composed when she looked up at him and smiled.

"Hey." She smiled wide revealing her perfect white teeth. "Who on earth was that you were talking to, and with that Blanche Dubois accent?" She started laughing.

He supposed he did sound like Blanche Dubois. "It was Neil, checking to see if we were still alive. We mess around like that sometimes."

She laughed even more. "You're so funny."

"He wanted proof of life," Brad grinned.

She laughed and tilted her head to the side regarding him with keen eyes. "Next time I'll bark or something."

"Okay, I'll remember that."

He made his way inside and grabbed the loaf of bread from the other counter to make a start on her toast. She gazed up at him when he set it before her.

He was thinking of doing some exploring today. It would be nice to go out and see any of the sights the island had to offer.

"What do you want to do today?" he asked.

"Everything, there's so much to do." Excitement lit up her eyes.

"There's tons to do. What are you feeling up for?"

"Anything, I'm in my shorts." She laughed, and poor him took that as an invite to look again, lingering for a little too long at those smooth golden legs.

"Guided tour or not?" He asked looking away.

Her face lit up at the suggestion. "We could do a bit of both. We've always done more interesting things when we did our own thing."

While she meant exploring or something similar, all he could think of was the times they'd sneak away from a family gathering or one of Jim's expeditions to either make out or make love. Brad had to look away when she looked at him. In fact, he had to move away from her. He walked over to the other cupboard to get the eggs, and some seasoning.

What was wrong with him? Thinking about sex, and her like that.

But then, she’d always had this effect on him, and he couldn’t stop. When his cock started to harden, he moved around and tried to distract himself with gathering what he needed to make the toast.

"When do you want to go?" she asked brightly.

"The minute we finish this. The earlier, the better. I think we can do a mixture of things. Plus, we're here for a few more days. If we plan it properly, we could see everything indeed."

"Yes." Her eyes sparkled. "Oh, I haven't done anything like this in forever." She beamed.

"Well, I'll be sure you have a great time."

"Have mercy." She teased with her own Blanche Dubois accent and giggled.

Have mercy indeed. He was going to need plenty of the good Lord's mercy being around her.

* * *

Brad thought they could start with something big so they chose a tour of Haleakala, Iao Valley, and Central Maui. When he made the suggestion to Trina, she practically burst with excitement.

He was excited too. The dormant volcano there had always interested him. When he did get around to going on vacation, he always opted for somewhere that would provide a taste of adventure. This was perfect for them both.

And, a perfect time they had indeed. From the summit of Haleakala Crater to the picturesque viewpoint of Lao Needle they explored the best of Central Maui and even got the chance to visit historic Wailuku. There they immersed themselves in the island's history and other fascinating stories.

Their excitement hit the roof as they drove up Haleakala's ten-thousand- foot summit and saw the astounding land around them. It was definitely a memorable experience.

Brad loved mountains. He'd climbed a few in the past, like Fuji, Kilimanjaro, and Everest.

The whole trip lasted for a good eight hours or so, so it was a good thing they left so early this morning. It gave them just enough time to break away and do their own little tour of the East Maui Waterfalls, experiencing the hidden, tropical beauty that lured them into the scenic view.

Trina loved it there, and he enjoyed watching the happiness that rippled off her. It was good to see her like that, with him.

He marveled at how comfortable he was with her. It felt as if nothing had changed between them. He was so comfortable with her that he had to remind himself several times that they weren't a couple. Every time he went to put his arm around her, or pull her in for a kiss like he used to he had to stop himself.

It was good Trina was completely oblivious to him with his crazy emotions.

He supposed it was good too because it meant she was over him. Not that he expected her not to be. That was the idea in leaving. To make it, so she was free of him, and to give her the chance to be happy with someone else.

As for him, well...

Maybe he was just being a guy and allowing his attraction to her to guide him. He'd never been able to control that. It was something with a life of its own that refused to be wielded. And, like any guy with eyes in the presence of an extremely beautiful woman he was powerless, a complete slave to attraction.

They finished up the day at the oceanfront of Kaanapali with a luau and a heavenly meal. Enjoying the performance and the exotic cuisine as the sun made it's decent, providing a whole other kind of beauty to relish.

It started to rain as they made their way back to the beach house. Trina ran inside the minute they arrived because she didn't want her hair going too curly. It was too late because her already wavy hair had started to become more defined in its curl.

He liked it that way or whatever way she had it. She was one of those women who looked good no matter what style she wore her hair in.

"It's completely curly isn't it?" She gasped and pouted as she looked at herself in the mirror in the living room.

He leaned on the wall opposite her and gave her a tentative look. "Is this one of those times I'm supposed to not tell the truth. It could be safer for me if I pretend I didn't hear you." He gritted his teeth as she laughed.

She swatted him brushing her hands over his chest, making his skin tingle where she touched, although his t-shirt was drenched from the rain.

"Tell me the truth." She smiled and turned back to face the mirror. "You can see what it looks like from the back."

Yes, he could, along with everything else. Her top clung to her skin highlighting the perfect outline of her frame. Those fully rounded breasts that he used to play with, the curve that ran down to her tiny waist, her perfect ass in those shorts and those elegant legs he’d couldn’t help but imagine wrapped around him.

Water trickled down her back and dripped on to the floor. She gathered up her hair and moved it to the side revealing the smooth skin on her back.

"Brad, are you listening?"

"What?"

She turned back to him. "The truth would be great. Curls are a no in humid weather."

"Oh, um..."

A worried expression crossed over her face. "I look that bad?"

"No, God no. You look..." He attempted but stopped. Her wide, beautiful eyes charmed him, and he found he couldn't fight against the force that drew him to her even if he tried. "You look beautiful."

Her eyes widened at the comment.

"You think I look beautiful?" She held his gaze.

"Yeah, so you shouldn't worry about your hair." He couldn't resist. Brad reached out and took hold of a lock of it. It felt as silky as it looked, and just like he remembered. He watched in fascination as the ends curled around his finger.

"I had a really good time today," she said softly. He continued to stare at the lock of hair in an attempt to restrain his desire for her.

"Me too."

"I almost forgot that we weren't actually here on vacation, and... that we aren't a couple anymore," she stated surprising him.

He looked up to meet her penetrative stare. Her eyes bathed him in admiration, shimmering with that sparkle she used to have in the past. The fringe of her lashed cast shadows on her cheeks and a soft and loving curve touched her lips as she continued to regard him.

He should walk away, go upstairs and into his room. That was what he was supposed to do. But he couldn't. Brad was too eager to hear her thoughts. He wanted to hear what she had to say, and know what she was thinking. Could it be possible that he was wrong in thinking she wasn't over him?

Did she feel the way he did?

"I almost forgot too," he agreed.

The sparkle within her beautiful eyes became brighter and her cheeks flushed. "That's strange, right? You'd think that's something we'd remember. We haven’t been together in years."

“Years.” He said more to himself than to her.

“I was eighteen.”

“And I was twenty.”

“Now, we’re in our thirties, all … um grown up. You’re…” her voice trailed off.

“I’m what?”

“Really, really hot.”

“And so are you.” He released the curl and reached out to touch her cheek. The sudden contact with her skin was almost unbearable. It sent a warm shiver through him. She felt the same and looked the same, and Brad felt the weight of his feelings for her pull heavily on his heart.

He couldn't talk. All he saw were her lips and her. His Trina, the best thing that had ever happened to him.

It was useless to resist that force of desire that overtook his body and infiltrated his mind.

She opened her mouth to say something else but he stopped her.

Brad lowered to her lips, smoothing his over hers, caressing her mouth more than kissing it. Then he immersed himself in the desire that engulfed him and took complete control. Her lips molded to his, welcoming him and the light press of her hands on his chest urged him to continue. She rested against him and brushed her delicious tongue against his as their mouths opened to intensify the kiss.

Desire pulled at his groin with a desperate need for this woman he wasn't supposed to have.

And all reasons why he couldn’t have her evaporated from his mind.

* * *

Trina felt as if she’d been given a dose of new life from the moment Brad’s lips touched hers, her body tingled from it. As if it had been injected into her soul. Her empty soul that had been void since the day Brad left.

What was crazy was she didn’t realize just how hollow she was inside until just now, and as he kissed her, her whole essence absorbed him wanting him with an aching need.

It became more apparent when he stepped away from her breaking the kiss and the power that captured them within its grasp.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I…” Brad’s voice faltered as he looked at her.

She didn’t want him to apologize, not when his kiss was something she desperately wanted and needed.

“I’m not sorry.” She breathed resting against the wall, taking the moment to gaze up into those eyes which were filled with the same fire and desire for her that he’d displayed in the past. It was compelling, magnetic and the silence prolonged the moment.

His eyes drank her up and darkened with emotion as he studied her face with a tentative gaze for an extra beat, as if he was checking to be sure.

“I’m not.” She said again, to give him the confirmation he needed.

At that moment, she saw his eyes light up with the heated blaze she felt and when he moved to her she was ready for him.

He reclaimed her lips, fusing his to hers, but this time hunger took over. Hunger that consumed her, hunger that consumed them, making her relinquish everything and she succumbed to the powerful domination of it.

Brad picked her up and carried her to her room, his lips never leaving hers. They ended up on her bed tearing away at each others clothes. Hers was the easiest to take off with the flimsiness of her top and the lacy bra she wore. Within seconds she was completely naked against him. She managed to take off his T-shirt and all that was left on him were his jeans.

Trina wanted to enjoy him and run her fingers over his amazing body. But the hunger, and desire was too much. There would be nothing slow about them right now.

“God, Trina please tell me you’re still on birth control.” His voice came out on the edge of a labored breath.

She hadn’t even thought of birth control, but yes she was definitely on the pill and glad too because she couldn’t imagine him being inside her any other way.

“Yes,” her voice too was strained.

“Do you trust me?” he whispered into her ear.

“I trust you,” she told him.

The smile on his face heated her up even more. She eased herself up onto her elbows as he moved back. She wanted to look at him but she only caught a glimpse of his huge, hard cock when he stepped out of his boxers.

Just a glimpse that was enough to make her want him even more. He moved back to her, and ran his hands up between her thighs, leaning down to kiss the very sensitive skin there. He then made his way up to her center and when he ran his fingers over her folds she buckled on to the bed, grasping at the silky sheets from the impact.

She felt herself go wetter and more so as he ran his tongue over her clit and sucked on her there.

“Brad,” she cried reaching for him. “It’s too much. I can’t.”

“Hold on baby, I want to please you some more.”

She was surprised at the control he showed because she’d all but lost her mind, utterly and completely.

Trina couldn’t hold on. An orgasm took her, and shook her, leaving her shuddering against the force of it. She didn’t even notice when he moved, but felt she’d just about pass out when the tips of his fingers were replaced with the hot head of his cock as he slid into her.

Her body welcomed him, taking him in, remembering him, craving him. It was unreal.

Buried to the hilt he moved into her. Slow then fast, and faster.

Brad gripped her waist and straightened up pumping at a steady pace with a surety that made him all the more attractive.

She caught a sight of his rock hard abs, the swirl of tattoos that were imprinted into each muscle and the tight, taut skin there. God, he looked like something that stepped out of some wild sexual fantasy, and the sight of him sent her into overdrive.

Trina arched into him when he moved faster, now pounding into her. Her body spasmed around him, lost in the throes of pleasure. Liquid fire singed through her veins, coursing throughout her body with unbearable heat.

She screamed in release, legs clenching, and her mind shaken from the greedy orgasm that seized her.

But, he wasn’t done with her yet. A wicked smile flickered across his face and he slid out of her so that he could turn her over on to her hands and knees. Weak as she was she moved because her body remembered how good it was about to feel in this position.

“You used to like it this way,” he groaned as he thrust back into her from behind. His words vibrated through her.

“I still do,” she whimpered as he started pumping into her. She sighed in unashamed pleasure, her breath coming in jagged rasps now.

“Give yourself to me baby,” he told her running his hands over her breasts that bounced fiercely with each movement.

Giving herself to him was no problem because she met his thrusts eagerly, fueled by her own passion as he rode her.

Delicious friction penetrated every nerve, hunger matched hunger within their merged bodies and another orgasm wracked her body making her collapse beneath him.

She cried out as he continued to pound into her, then his grip on her waist became tighter as he jackhammered towards a desperate climax that matched her own.

“Fuck.” He growled. His release then came with warmth inside her, hot, and virile, leaving him gasping.

He leaned back, breathing hard with pleasure-glazed eyes then lowered to join her, panting with her in the aftermath of their wild love making. Slipping his arm around her waist he pulled her closer to him, knowing that she enjoyed being held.

“Trina.” He breathed against her forehead. “Are you okay?” He stroked her hair.

“I’m better than okay.” She was still breathing heavy like she’d just ran a marathon but she felt amazing, and her skin was buzzing with the ecstasy she felt. “Brad, please tell me that we’re doing that again.”

He smiled into a kiss on the edge of her shoulders.

“Oh yeah. I’ve already planned out tonight’s activities.” He chuckled.

She smiled loving the sound of that.