I tossed the pillow and blanket on the couch and started to unbutton my shirt. Losing my patience, I just ripped it over my head and tossed it on the chair across the room. I sat down on the couch running my fingers through my hair. ‘Oh boy, am I fucked,’ I thought to myself as I jerked off my boots and threw them across the room. I stood up and peeled off my jeans, which provided a small amount relief. I was rock hard.  I fell back down on the couch covering myself with the blanket and then I leaned back on the pillow wishing that she would escape my thoughts. I had a feeling it would be a long time before that would happen.

Jesus, she was perfect in every way imaginable. When I saw her walk into the diner tonight, I thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. But when I saw her standing in the kitchen tonight, stripped free of the makeup, with her honey locks falling down her shoulders in waves, I couldn’t breathe for a second. The little smattering of freckles across her cute little nose flowing down onto her ivory cheeks caused me to lose my breath. I hadn’t even realized that I had closed the distance between us. I didn’t realize that I had touched her beautiful hair. It was like I couldn’t stop myself.  As soon as I realized I was touching her, I backed away.

It would be so much easier if she was who I had originally thought—a spoiled, shallow, selfish, rich girl. But she wasn’t that at all. She was generous, kind, and intelligent. Oh God, she was sweet. So sweet. I couldn’t believe I told her about Tiffany. It was something I never talked about, even to my closest friends. But it was easy and natural to open up to her. It was like we had known each other for years.

When she told me she didn’t want to work for her dad and that he expected her to marry some douchebag that she didn’t love, a fierce need to protect her bubbled up within every fiber of my being. It was something I’d never felt before. I couldn’t come to terms with it. She wasn’t mine to protect. She never would be. I knew I needed to steer clear of her, but it was like I had no choice. And for the love of god, when she told me she was a virgin, I wanted her even more, which I didn’t think was possible. Just the thought of being the first to be inside her was more than I could fathom.

Before she told me, I was resigned to the idea of taking her, of having her, even if it was only for tonight. But when I realized she was so pure, I couldn’t do it. There was no way I could sleep with that beautiful, innocent, and vulnerable girl, even if she wanted me. I couldn’t take that from her, knowing that she may regret it later. Damn it! Everything felt so right about her. That kiss. Jesus, that kiss. It was more and better than any sex I had ever had before, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would feel like to be inside her. I didn’t even know how I managed to stop myself.

And just now, seeing her in those sweet pink, lace panties, it was more than I could stand. I had never been that turned on before. I couldn’t help but picture her again in that little tank top with her firm, round breasts and hard nipples. When she turned her back to me and intentionally showed me that lush ass, it was all I could do not to touch her. It literally took everything I had to stop myself from taking her right then and there.

Whatever chemistry there was between us, it needed to stop. I needed to come to terms with the fact that she wasn’t mine—she never could be. She wasn’t meant to be here. I knew that. But hell, if it didn’t stop me from wanting her. I wanted every part of her in a way I had never wanted anything else. As hard as I tried to put her out of my mind, I couldn’t do it. I needed relief. I thought about jerking off like some damn teenager, but I couldn’t do it, knowing she was right there in the next room. It didn’t seem right.

I didn’t think sleep would ever come, but apparently it did because I was startled awake by a clap of thunder followed by her scream. I sat up on the couch immediately trying to acclimate to my surroundings. I quickly checked my watch, it was 3:30 in the morning. I jumped up and raced towards the bedroom door. Before I could open it, she threw the door open herself. There she was, standing there looking like the most beautiful thing I had ever seen with her beautiful and confused eyes and I couldn’t help but glance down at her sweet little pink lace panties.  

Just then, lightning struck, bringing a bright light cascading over the cabin through the wall of windows. Another thunderclap followed immediately. She jumped and screamed again throwing her arms around me. And god help me, I couldn’t stop myself from wrapping her in my arms. The rain began to beat down on the flimsy tin roof of the cabin. “Shhhh…Claire, it’s okay. It’s just a thunderstorm. You’re safe.” She clung to me like she was hanging on for her life. I could feel the beautiful soft waves of her hair and her heated cheek burrowing against my chest. It was as if she couldn’t get close enough and it made me want to pull her in closer. I just stood there and held her. It could have been a few minutes or even a few hours. I didn’t know. All I knew was that I didn’t want to let her go.

“Jack.” She looked up at me with those beautiful aqua eyes.

“I’m here. You’re fine Freckles.” I smiled at her.

“I’m sorry. It just startled me, it felt like I was right in the middle of the storm.”

“There’s no sound insulation. You’re okay though, it’s safe.”

She looked up at me again. This time I could see that it wasn’t for assurance, she wasn’t scared anymore. She reached up and ran her fingers through my hair. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. I couldn’t help but lean down to kiss her. I had to claim her mouth with mine. It was all too much. There was barely anything between us. I was only wearing boxer briefs and I knew that she had to feel how hard I was.

She pressed her body against me and surrendered her mouth to mine. Our tongues were dancing in synchronized harmony as if they had practiced for years. Our bodies fit together like they were made for each other. My hunger for her grew as I reached for her hair and entwined my fingers in it desperately needing to be closer to her. My other hand escaped her back moving to caress her breast and run my thumb over her taut nipple. She pressed in closer to me, a slight moan escaping from her soft lips. She felt like home to me. She felt like everything to me. I had to stop. I wanted her too much.

I broke free of our desperate hold on one another and took a step back. “Claire.” Her name sounded so sweet on my lips. “I’m sorry. We have to stop. I can’t do this.”  I was breathing heavily and so was she. When I looked down at her, her breasts were rising and falling as she tried as hard as I was to regulate her breathing.  I missed her as our bodies broke free from touching one another.  I wanted more.  I needed more.

“Jack.” Her breathing was ragged and so was mine. I had never felt such an intense need.

“Claire, we can’t. I want you. I want you more than anything. But I can’t take something that isn’t mine. You’ve been drinking tonight. You’ve had a world of shit come falling down on you today. I could never forgive myself if you woke up in the morning with regret.”

“I don’t think I could ever regret it, Jack. I mean that.” Her big beautiful eyes looked up at me. Need. Want. Lust. I saw it. She was filled up with it, the same as me. But it didn’t matter. I couldn’t take advantage of her. I couldn’t trust what she was really feeling right then.

“I can’t. We can’t.” I said trying, at this point, to convince myself, more than her.

“Okay.” She said with barely a whisper. I pulled her back against me and leaned down to kiss her on top the head.

I turned to walk back towards the couch, willing myself to steer clear and it was painful.

“Jack, wait.”

“Yeah Freckles?” I asked smiling back at her, hoping she understood.

“I know we can’t…” God, she was so innocent, she couldn’t even say it out loud.  “But could you come lay beside me? I just want to be close to you tonight.”

As much as I knew I needed to tell her no, I couldn’t.

“Just let me put a couple of logs on the fire, I’ll meet you in there.” I was kicking myself for not standing my ground. Nothing good could come of this. Nothing at all.

I slipped under the covers beside her, grateful that her back was turned towards me. I laid there awake for a few seconds wondering if I could stay there all night—being that close to her, without touching her. I closed my eyes, praying for sleep to come when she nestled herself up against me. I couldn’t help but take her in my arms. With everything I had, it felt as if she was meant to be there. My erection pressed into her perfect ass and she scooted closer to me, rubbing up against it. I felt an unintended moan escape from my lips. The feel of her body against mine was almost more than I could take.

Out of nowhere, she flipped around, her chest pressed into mine and her arms pulled me in closer. “Jack.” She whispered, causing my cock to become harder than anything I had ever felt before. This woman had the power to bring me to my knees and I knew it. As sure as the sun would rise in the East tomorrow, I knew that Claire Hawkins owned me.

I immediately covered her mouth with mine devouring her in an uncontrolled frenzy. Her soft lips reciprocated with hunger and need. I softly dragged my teeth against her lower lip and she moaned lifting her hips as I clutched on to her breast running my thumb across her nipple. In seconds, I was on top of her. “You are so beautiful.” I repeated over and over as my tongue and lips ran down her neck. My hips were moving against her. My hardness against her pink lace moving back and forth, back and forth, needing more, wanting so much more. Her hips bucked towards mine needing more friction. Her knees fell further apart asking for more. Her breathing was uncontrolled. I was losing it.

I was so turned on, I could have probably come right then. A voice of reason somehow, some way, kicked in my head. ‘Don’t do this to her. She’s not yours to take.’  I pulled away. “Shit Claire. We can’t, it’s not right.” I sat up. She immediately turned on her side away with her back to me. A coolness swept over my steaming body. It was the worse feeling in the world, being apart from her.

“I’m sorry Jack.” She whispered.

She’s sorry? I’m the one who lost control. I’m the one who almost took what wasn’t mine to take. “Turn over baby, lie on your back,” I said as I crept back down beside her. I turned on my side and propped my head up with my fist as she wiggled onto her back. I studied her angelic face that was partially illuminated by the firelight cascading through the bedroom door. Her big beautiful blue eyes pierced mine. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I just want you too much and you’re not mine to take.” I traced the outline of her jaw with my finger and moved it down her neck to her collarbone.

“I just need you so much, Jack.”

I knew she meant it. I needed her too. I needed her in a way I had never needed anything else. But I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t take what wasn’t mine. “I need you too. You don’t know how much.” I said moving my finger down to trace the outline of her nipple through her shirt. Something in me wanted to give her the release she needed. I knew for certain that I couldn’t be inside her tonight, but I could make her feel good. I could give her what she needed. I wanted to. I needed to.

“Let me touch you, Claire. Can I touch you?”

“Please.” She whispered.

“Look at me, baby. Look at me. I want to look into your eyes.” I didn’t know why it had all become so intimate. It shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help it. She gazed up at me, her eyes filled not only with passion, but also with hope and trust. She stared into my eyes as my hand traveled from her breast down her flat, soft stomach. I began to stroke her pink lace as she looked into my eyes. “Does that feel good?”

She moaned as I gently ran my fingers ran across her saturated panties. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. I could feel it. I gently pulled her knee to the side so that she would open for me as I pushed aside her lace. My finger was gliding gently between her folds. She was so wet and ready. I was consumed by her as she continued to stare into my eyes. “Do you trust me, Claire? I got you. I’m gonna make you feel good.” I said as I found her clit and began stroking it.

“Oh god Jack, it feels so good.” She said squeezing her eyes shut.

“Don’t close your eyes baby, I want you to look at me when you come.”

Her hips began to buck up against my hand. Her legs parted. She moaned, and her cheeks turned red as she smiled at me. I could see one of her hands fist the sheets when I slid a finger inside her. She liked it. God was she tight. She felt like heaven. I moved my finger in and out of her slowly as I continued to rub her clit with my thumb. She moaned again. I pushed in another finger and she began moving her hips against my fingers taking her own pleasure. I touched her harder and faster sensing what she needed. “God Claire, you feel incredible. Indescribable.”

Her thighs began to quiver. She was shaking. I knew she was close. “Let go. Let go, pretty girl,” I whispered. “I got you, Claire. I got you.” I said to her as she exploded. I could feel the wetness surround my fingers as her body pulsed around them.

Her back arched and she tossed her head back and closed her eyes. “Jack.” She whispered my name several times like her life depended on it as her body continued to shutter. Her breathing began to slow, and I continued to gently touch her as she came down. I continued to stare into her eyes. I’d never felt this close to a woman in my life and yet I hadn’t even been inside her. My mind was racing and not in a good way. She was beautiful and sexy, and her body responded to my touch in a way that had me losing my mind. Every single thing about her screamed that she should be mine, but she wasn’t, and I couldn’t have her. I knew it. But it didn’t matter.

“Oh my god Jack, I have never—that’s never happened to me before.”

I swallowed hard as she looked up at me. I didn’t answer immediately, finding my lips on hers. I kissed her gently. “It’s the most beautiful and sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.” I was telling the truth. It was.  I pushed my arm underneath her. She turned on her side, backing up against me, folding her body into mine. Where it belonged. After what had seemed forever, her breathing slowed and steadied out as she drifted off to sleep.

I laid beside her wanting to fall asleep but not wanting to miss a second of touching her at the same time. What had she done to me?  All I knew is that I couldn’t ever get enough of her. How could I just watch her walk away? I felt like she’s was a part of me that I never knew was missing. My mind started frantically searching for ways to keep her. I could fly to her, wherever she was…New York, Boston---it didn’t matter, this couldn’t be our only night together.

I must have finally drifted asleep because I woke up to her lush ass nestled against me. My arm was wrapped around her pressing her back against my chest. It was as if we couldn’t get close enough to each other. The sunlight was streaming through the bedroom door and I opened my eyes to confirm that she was real, that I wasn’t dreaming. I laid there for a while staring at her, memorizing every freckle, mesmerized by the way her dark lashes rested gently on cheeks and the way her honey hair fanned out across the pillow, wishing I could see her like this every morning. Forever. 

I had the overwhelming urge to touch her again. I wanted to watch her come apart like she had last night. My hardness throbbed and twitched against her ass. I wanted to strip away the rest of our clothes and leave nothing between us. I wanted to feel all her skin against mine. I wanted to be deep inside her. I wanted everything. I had to stop myself from cursing out loud in frustration. Fuck! I needed to get control of myself. I leaned in and softly kissed the back of her head, breathing in her scent—something soft and sweet, I wasn’t sure what the scent was, pears, maybe.

I gently untwined my body from hers and tucked her back into the bed, quietly making my way to the bathroom. I reached for the faucet in the shower and turned the water on cold.  I peeled off my underwear and stepped in, feeling the cold water run down my body, hoping to get some relief. It never came. I gave up and turned on the hot water and began to soap up my body thinking about the way her tight little pussy felt on my fingers, how wet she was, how her body responded to my every touch. I reached down and grabbed my dick, it was rock hard, as I pumped my fist over it, thinking about how it would feel to be inside her. I had to get relief. I needed to get her out of my system. I cupped my balls with my other hand as I continued to pump until I finally lost it, coating the shower wall with my come. I propped my hand against the shower breathing hard, finally feeling a small amount of relief. “Fuck,” I whispered under my breath as I rinsed off and stepped out of the shower.

I dried off and slipped on a clean pair of boxer briefs and opened the door into the bedroom. The bed was empty. I walked out into the cabin and she was standing in front the wall of windows looking out towards the lake, with my mama’s quilt wrapped around her shoulders. I walked silently towards the chair and grabbed my jeans and slipped them on and walked towards her, “Mornin’ Freckles.”

She looked back at me with a heart-stopping smile, “Good morning.” Her cheeks flushed as our eyes met.

“It’s early. I didn’t mean to wake you. You should go back to bed—sleep for a couple more hours.” She didn’t respond and looked back out towards the lake.

“I meant it last night, you’re lucky Jack, this is the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine being able to watch a sunrise like this every morning.”

I came closer and stood behind her and gently moved aside the soft blond curls that were hiding her neck and the creamy patch of soft skin just below her ear that I had no choice but to touch with my lips. I leaned down and softly brushed my lips against the place on her neck, the place my mouth needed to be, and my dick hardened again. “I’ve seen a more beautiful view. I’m looking at one right now.” I peppered her neck with soft kisses.

She finally turned towards me. “Jack last night was…I’ve never felt that way before.” Her breathing had increased.

I took her face in my hands and leaned in, brushing my lips against hers, “Me neither Claire. I don’t know what it is, but you bring me to my knees.”

She turned around to look at the lake again and nestled against my back. “What are we going to do?”

I had no clue, but somehow it mattered to me that she was feeling what I was feeling. She wanted more too, but like me, she didn’t know how to make that happen. “We’ll figure it out. Why don’t you go back to bed? I need to go make sure there was no damage from the storm, there was a lot of wind last night. After, I’ll run into town and grab us some breakfast. I should be back in a couple of hours and we can figure out what to do from there.”

She turned around and burrowed her head into my chest. “Ok.” I wrapped her up in my arms and held her until she finally raised herself on her toes and brushed a soft kiss against my jaw.

“Come on Freckles,” I said as I scooped her up in my arms, “Back to bed.” She let out a little yelp as I threw her onto the bed. God help me, it was all I could do to not climb back in with her as she giggled and looked up at me with those big round eyes, the color of the ocean, the ones I had lost myself in the night before.

I tucked her in and grabbed an old t-shirt from the old chest in the corner and pulled it over my head and pulled a work shirt out of the small closet. I went over and closed the curtains to darken the room and I couldn’t help but stop to kiss her one more time. Kneeling on the floor beside the bed, I brushed her hair from her face and kissed her once gently on her soft lips. “I’ll be back soon. Sleep.” I moved out of the room quickly, knowing if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to leave. I closed the bedroom door to keep out the light and left with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.