The SGT at arms and his run-away

Bikers with business cards

*Willow*

As his lips meet mine, time seems to stretch and bend, wrapping us in an intimate cocoon where the world outside fades into the background. The kiss, my first real kiss, is nothing like I imagined it would be; it’s both sweet and spicy all at once. His mouth is warm against mine, softer than I anticipated, yet there’s an unmistakable heat that radiates between us, igniting a fire I didn’t know I was capable of feeling.

I can feel him guiding me, his touch gentle yet firm, like he’s taking the lead in this tender dance. It’s as if he’s mapping out every contour of my lips with his, coaxing me to respond to him, to lean into the warmth that envelops us. I’m acutely aware of the way my heart races, thudding violently in my chest, and how my legs feel like they’re melting beneath me, the sand shifting slightly underfoot as I sway closer to him.

His fingers still cradle my chin, a grounding force in the storm of sensation that swirls around us. I feel the way his thumb brushes against my cheek, a soft caress that sends shivers cascading down my spine. The kiss deepens, and I can taste the salt of the sea on his lips, mingling with the sweet tang of something unnameable…perhaps the thrill of this moment, the thrill of him, maybe it is just the taste of him.

I find myself leaning into him, chasing the warmth as I breathe him in, enveloped by the scent of sun-warmed skin, leather and something distinctly him. It’s intoxicating, and I feel a soft gasp escape me as I instinctively part my lips, allowing him to explore further. He responds with a soft groan, as if he’s been waiting for this, for the moment when I would let him in.

Every brush of his tongue against mine sends a jolt of electricity through me, awakening sensations I didn’t know existed. It feels like the world around us has disappeared, leaving only the two of us suspended in this magical moment. I can feel the warmth of the sun on my back, the soft breeze whispering secrets through the palm fronds nearby, but all that matters is this connection we share.

I can’t help but smile against his lips, warm delight bubbling up inside me. This… this kiss… is everything I’ve ever wanted, yet never dared to dream would be mine. It’s tender and fierce, exploring the boundaries of innocence and experience, and I find myself lost in the way it makes me feel.

I pull away slightly, breathless, my eyes fluttering open to meet his gaze. There’s a flicker of something primal in his hazel depths, a desire that mirrors my own, yet tempered with a caution. “Wow,” I breathe, my voice barely a whisper.

He chuckles softly, the sound low and warm, “Yeah, wow.” His eyes dance with mischief again, but there’s a vulnerability there too, a shared understanding that something has shifted between us… something undeniably real.

“Do you regret it?” I ask, my heart pounding with both hope and fear. I am not sure I would be able to handle it if he does.

He shakes his head slowly, his expression earnest. “Not at all. I know I should but I just can’t. I guess I am not as chival as I would like to think.”

I take a step closer, emboldened by the kiss, by the connection we share. “Then let’s not overthink it. We both wanted it, both enjoyed it.”

As I lean in closer, ready to lose myself in another kiss, his lips barely brush against mine when a pair of elderly women strolls by. One of them glances our way, her eyes narrowing slightly, and she mutters something I can barely hear. “I thought it was his daughter,” she says, her voice incredulous.

The moment shatters. He pulls away abruptly, frustration flickering across his features. He pulls out his phone, cursing under his breath. “Damn it, we need to go.”

I blink at him, confusion washing over me. “Is it about those two women? I do not care what they think.”

He shakes his head, his expression shifting from irritation to something more serious. “No, not really… it’s just… time has run away from me. I need to pick up Iris.”

My heart squeezes at the mention of the name, curiosity blooming within me. “Who’s Iris?” I ask, my voice tinged with nervousness. I can’t help but wonder if he’s married or something, if this is why he pulled away so suddenly.

His lips curve into a smile, and I see his eyes light up in a way that makes my chest feel warm. “She’s my daughter, She just turned four” he says, and there’s a softness in his voice that makes it clear just how much she means to him. “I need to pick her up from kindergarten.”

Relief washes over me, but it’s mixed with a pang of sadness. I can see the love in his gaze as he talks about her, and it makes me wish for a moment that I could be part of that world. “So you are a single dad?” I ask, my heart racing as I wait for his response, hoping I am right.

He nods, his expression turning serious for a moment. “Yeah, I am. Iris’s mom… she passed away about a year ago.” There’s a heaviness in his voice, making me feel this is not a simple thing. “We were already over, though. We were about to get divorced.”

“Oh,” I whisper, my heart aching for him and for the little girl who’s lost so much. But his obvious love for his daughter only makes me like him more “I’m so sorry.”

He shrugs, a bittersweet smile on his lips. “It was complicated… very much so. But Iris is my whole world. I’m just trying to do right by her.”

I nod, “She’s lucky to have you,” I say softly, meaning every word.

*Zac*

As I watch her, the sunlight catching her hair making the color change, I can’t shake the bittersweet feeling settling in my chest. I’ve promised Iris I’d pick her up, and even though I know it’s the right thing to do, it feels like I’m tearing myself away from somewhere I also want to be.

“We better get going,” I tell her, leading her to the bike.

I reach for the helmet, and as I slide it onto Willow’s head, I can’t resist the urge to lean in and kiss her nose. It’s a small gesture, but something about it feels intimate and special. She giggles softly, and her cheeks blush in the cutest way.

I am pretty sure I can still feel her smile against my back as she wraps her arms around me, resting her cheek against my leather jacket.

As I rev up the engine of my motorcycle, I can’t help but remind myself that I shouldn’t have kissed her. She’s too young and innocent. Yet, that kiss stirred something deep within me… feelings I hadn’t allowed myself to experience in a long time, feelings I am not sure I have really felt before. It felt reckless, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once.

The ride through town clears my head, the wind whipping through my hair, and I feel myself smiling like a loon.

When we reach the café where I picked her up, I kill the engine and turn to face her. “I want to see you again,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. “Soon.”

Her expression shifts, and suddenly she seems nervous. “I don’t know when I can get into town again,” she admits, her voice uncertain. “Tomorrow is definately impossible.”

I feel a pang of disappointment. “What about your number?” I ask, hoping there’s a way to stay connected.

She shakes her head, a sheepish look on her face. “I don’t have a phone.”

My heart sinks a little. What if she regrets our kiss? What if I read everything wrong? “You’re joking, right?” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

She gives a small laugh, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “No, really. I don’t.”

“Where do you life? A convent?” It is half a joke, but something is off here.

“I… I have to go,” She says, backing away from me. “I hope to see you.”

“Wait!l I dig into my pocket and pull out a card I always keep on hand. “Here,” I say, handing it to her. “This is my number. Call me when you can get to a phone. I’ll be here every morning and afternoon, hoping to see you.”

Willow takes the card, studying it as if it holds the secrets to the universe. “Even bikers have business cards, who would guess,” she jokes, a hint of her usual lightness returning.

I chuckle, but my heart races at the thought of losing this connection. “I’ll make it worth your while,” I promise, my voice low and earnest.

Then, unable to resist, I lean in and kiss her again… this time, it’s softer, more lingering. I pour everything i to it, hoping it will bring her back. Her lips against mine feel like magic, and for that brief moment, the world fades away, leaving just the two of us.

Reluctantly, I pull away, my pulse racing as I look into her eyes, searching for any sign of regret. Instead, I see curiosity, desire, and something else… something that makes my heart leap.

“Take care of yourself, Willow,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

With one last smile, I hop back onto the bike, kick starting the engine. As I speed off to pick up Iris, a smile creeps onto my face, so my little Willow has secrets… I can’t help but wonder what it is.