Dan sat back heavily, leaning his head against the wooden bench and looking up at the sky, which was now filled with pink and orange hues. He was happier than he had been in a long time. Finding out that Lucy had now got a job at the mechanics – and that she’d accepted it – meant more to him than he could say. He’d have to remember to thank Jo later. It meant that Lucy was going to be staying with them for a good long while, which, in turn, meant that their relationship could continue.

He glanced over at Lucy, who was lying on the picnic blanket with her head on a cushion. Her face was calm, with an almost serene smile on her face. She was happy. Dan sighed contentedly, as his bear did the same. Even though Lucy wasn't shifting yet, Dan was sure she would one day. He would hold out until then. Until she was ready.

“How does it feel?” he asked, lazily.

He caught the confusion in her eyes. “How does what feel?” she asked, looking up at him.

“How does it feel to finally be in charge of your own life?” he asked, softly. “The moment you made the decision to leave Dominic put your entire life into your own hands, and look at you now!”

Lucy's face lit up with a slow smile, as though she'd not considered things that way before. "It feels pretty good," she murmured, her eyes darkening just a little as she kept looking at him. "I suppose I didn't realize that before, but you're right. I am making decisions for myself. I decide what happens to me, no-one else."

“Exactly,” Dan replied, closing his eyes and settling his head back. “You decided to take that job, Lucy, which means you’ve decided to stay with us for a while.” He opened one eye a crack, with a grin on his face. “I hope that means you’ve decided to spend a bit more time with me. I don’t think I could do without you now.”

Her cheeks dusted red, but that only made him smile even more. “You know I care about you,” he continued, his grin fading. “I’m really glad you’ve chosen to stay.” He closed his eyes, catching her soft ‘me too’.

 

Lucy lay back, thinking hard. Dan was right. She was able to choose things for herself, for the first time in a long time. Dominic had always basically ordered her around, but now she was the one making decisions for herself. It was incredibly freeing.

A sudden tension welled up in her chest as she looked at Dan, who was sitting back with his eyes closed. Examining her feelings for a moment or two, Lucy admitted to herself what she wanted. Him.

What would he do if she said something? Would he haul her into his arms and respond in the way she’d hoped?

Frowning to herself, Lucy realized that she was basically waiting for Dan to be the one to act. Why wasn't she doing something about how she felt herself? Heat rushed into her cheeks as she pushed herself up on her elbows, seeing Dan's eyes still closed. It would be so easy to sit astride him and kiss him senseless. Perhaps she'd be able to show him what it was she wanted without even having to say anything.

Before she could change her mind, Lucy pushed herself up onto her knees, moved closer to Dan and swung one leg over his thighs. His eyes shot open the moment she touched him, but Lucy kissed him before he had a chance to say anything.

Passion roared through her body, setting it on fire. Throwing away all her restraints and her worries about going too fast too soon, Lucy let herself go with her desires. She wanted Dan and she hoped he wanted her too.

“Lucy,” Dan whispered, his breathing ragged as he pulled back.

For a moment, Lucy wondered whether or not he was going to ask her to stop but, after a few seconds of looking into her eyes, he pulled her close again.

There was something raw, something almost animalistic roaring inside her, as Lucy tugged her top over her head, fully aware that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. Dan’s eyes scorched her skin as he looked at her, but Lucy dropped her mouth on his again. She liked the sensation of being the one to take the lead, to show Dan exactly what it was she wanted. Running her hands down the front of his chest, she pulled at the bottom of his t-shirt, which was off in a moment. Licking her lips, Lucy let herself take him in, her heartbeat increasing with every second that passed. His skin was almost golden in the decreasing sunlight, and she couldn’t help but run her fingers down his chest. Lucy heard Dan catch his breath as she touched him, evidently as aroused as she was. Wiggling her hips just a little, Lucy grinned when Dan let out a soft groan. He wanted her, that was for sure.

 

Dan could barely breathe, as Lucy carefully got to her feet and peeled off the rest of her clothes. He swallowed hard, willing himself not to jump to his feet. She’d surprised him, that was for sure, but he wasn’t about to stop what was happening between them. He’d wanted to ask, to be certain she was sure about them taking the next step in their relationship, but he’d seen the heat in her eyes and the question had died on his lips.

“Now, you,” Lucy smiled, reaching out a hand to him.

Dan didn’t hesitate and soon they were both standing, completely naked in the open air. The sun was sending beautiful colors across the sky towards them and Dan caught his breath at just how beautiful Lucy was. 

“I’m one lucky guy,” he murmured, reaching for her. Pushing one hand into her hair, Dan pressed his lips to hers, he felt the searing heat and his entire body burst into flame.

Before he knew it, he was lying back on the blanket she’d brought, and she was on top of him. He kissed her cheek, down the line of her throat and towards her collar bone, as Lucy arched back, a sigh escaping from her mouth.

All Dan wanted was to be with her, but still he held back. There was so much to see, so much to experience. Her skin was soft as he ran his hands down her back, taking in every curve.

To his surprise, Lucy pushed herself forward so that her breasts were near his face. She was really taking control, letting him know exactly what she wanted. He couldn’t do anything except oblige, his hands cupping them, brushing his fingers lightly over her nipples. Lucy let out a soft cry, arching back even more. Dan’s breathing grew quicker as he let his mouth move down her collar bone and towards her breasts, feeling the way she tensed.

She was electrifying. Letting one hand slip further down her body, Dan pressed into her soft core, making her gasp. His mouth worked hard at her nipples while he forced himself not to push up and into her. Her breathing came faster and faster as he worked his fingers gently until she was panting.

“Lucy,” he groaned, as her entire body tensed around him. “I – ”

In one swift motion, Lucy pushed his hand away, before sliding onto him. It was so fast it made him groan with shock and pleasure, but she was moving already, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut so he could control himself. Her heat was pushing him closer to the brink already, and Dan wanted this to last.

Finally getting a modicum of control, Dan let out a long breath, managing to open his eyes. Lucy was stunningly beautiful as she sat astride him, her hair flowing freely as she moved. He ran his hands down her arms, as she began to move faster, panting and moaning as she did so.

She exploded around him soon after, and Dan wasn't able to hold on any longer. Her body tightened around him and Dan felt his own passion hit the brink. With a groan of pleasure, Dan felt his entire body go taut before a wave of heat rushed through him over and over again.

Lucy quivered as she lay in his arms, still completely naked. Dan could hardly believe what had happened, and how quickly they had gone from simply enjoying the sunset to this. Lucy had made the first move, and Dan was surprised at how much he’d liked that. It felt right, for her to do that. It was another way she was taking control of her life.

“Lucy,” he murmured in her ear, tugging the blanket over the top of them both so that she wouldn’t be cold.

“Mmm?”

He swallowed, pressing his lips together as he wondered whether or not he should say what was in his heart. “I – I think I love you.”

There was silence for a few seconds, and Dan cringed inwardly, thinking he’d gone too far too fast.

“That’s good,” came her eventual reply. “Because I think I love you too.”