The man who walked into the house just seconds before seemed almost a stranger. Fynn had hardly said two words. It was more than obvious that something had upset him terribly. His jaw was tight and his amber eyes nearly glowed with an emotion I couldn't read. I saw fury there in the dark gold of his gaze, but I saw something else too. Something akin to what I felt everyday when I woke and remembered that Ethan was gone.

Fynn's arms stayed circled around me as I peered up at him. I placed my hand against the side of his face, and he closed his eyes at the feel of it.

"Do you want to talk about it? Was it Brent?"

"Don't want to talk about anything. I'm holding you and you are the only right thing to happen to me in a long time." He lowered his arm, took hold of my hand and led me down the hallway. He pointed to the doors. I knew which room he was searching for.

We reached my door. "Yes."

His foot tapped the door hard enough that it swung open and hit the wall behind it. He led me into my room and slammed the door shut. My Black Beauty poster crinkled behind my back as he sandwiched me between the wall and his hard body. Heat flowed off him in waves as his hands fumbled with the buttons on my shorts. They dropped to the floor with my panties, and I lifted a foot free. His kisses were rough and punishing, causing moisture to surge in my pussy. It was a different Fynn standing against me, devouring my mouth with his and stripping me naked. But it only made me want him more.

His strong arms took hold of me. With his mouth still tight against mine, he thrust into me. The door rattled and the wall shook as Fynn pounded into me. This wasn't just sex. This was raw lust, a release of energy that had nothing to do with love or relationships or anger. This seemed to stem from some latent emotion that had been released and needed quelling. I felt it in the way he jammed his cock into me and the way his arms held me.

"Ella," he growled. "You're all I need. You're all I ever fucking need."

The erotic passion of the moment brought us both quickly to orgasm. Then his movements slowed and the tender kisses returned. I could feel the tension that had seized him earlier, flow from his body.

"Ella," he said in a low, deep voice as his mouth grazed over mine. "You don't know how badly I needed you just now."

A tiny laugh escaped me as I curled my arms around his neck. "Actually, I kind of do know. I don't think my Black Beauty poster will ever be the same."

He lifted his face and titled his head to see the picture behind me. "Sorry about that, Beauty." He reached up and touched my cheek. "And you too, Beauty."

He picked me up, carried me to my bed and stared down at it. "That is a small bed." He lowered me down and I scooted over so he could slide in next to me.

I had no choice except to curl into his embrace and cling to him. I rested my head against his shoulder. "I guess there’s something to be said about small beds. Where's Boone?"

"He wanted to take a nap in the van. I'll have to go out and drag his butt in before the thunder moves closer. He's not a fan." He grew quiet again and pulled the edge of my bed quilt up over us.

"That storm came in fast. It's a good thing you climbed down from that ladder before the lightning struck." I slipped my hand under his shirt and trailed my fingers over the hard muscles of his chest. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"Not really. It's just something I have to deal with. I've been working hard at getting past some things. I knew if I saw you, I'd feel better. And I do."

"That's nice to hear, especially after I was told this morning by my boss that I could easily be replaced by one of the high school kids."

Fynn reached up and stroked my hair. "Why the hell would she say that?"

"She's just been in a sour mood. It'll pass."

"Well, shit, Ella, let her replace you."

I peered up at him. "I need that job."

"Not if you leave with me. Think about it, Ella. My savings are running out, and I've got to find a job. I'll be leaving Butterfield soon. I don't want to go without you. I know you don't want to leave the safe arms of this town and your parents, but I promise to take care of you, Ella. I'll find a job, and we can make a life together."

I knew exactly which direction my heart was heading, but there was so much to consider. And I worried that I might not survive out in the real world, away from Butterfield. My throat ached at the thought of leaving my parents. It ached more when I thought about leaving behind everything that reminded me of Ethan. But it felt like a stake driving through my chest when I thought about Fynn leaving me. "I'll think about it, Fynn."

We lay quietly in each other's arms and listened to the rain patter out a rhythm on the roof. My head was resting on Fynn's shoulder, but I could feel him looking around the room.

"Boy, you really do like horses."

"Damn right. A horse obsession is not anything to take lightly either. So if I leave with you, I expect you to teach me to ride."

"That's a promise."

"Good." I rested against him again.

"Hey, Starshine?"

"Yes?"

"Why is Justin Timberlake staring down at me wearing a funny wig?"