Redeeming Her Love

Chapter Six:

Lucas’s POV:

To say I am in a foul mood, would be an understatement. Yesterday I saw a side to Sarah that I don’t think she shows many people. A side that is playful, mischievous, funny and sexy all wrapped up in one very beautiful little package. We were having so much fun in the sea and my heart was screaming for me to kiss her when we were a bit deeper, beyond where the wave breaks and in the calmer backline of the sea. She had her juicy thighs squeezed across my waist and I wasn’t minding it one bit, but then Tom came and I pulled a typical, prick move and chased Sarah away. She could hardly look at me when I called her my friend, but I knew it was my reference to her being “ew” that really put the cherry on top. I am such an i***t and have never been so angry with myself for something before. I was enjoying my time with Sarah, dare I say even crushing on her as she floated in the water next to me? I wanted to rush towards her fading figure as I saw her reaching for her cheeks to wipe away tears and I wanted to apologize for being THE WORST person ever, but then I would be admitting something very shocking about my feeling and I am just not sure that I am ready for that yet. My words to Tom were true, weren’t they? Sarah is just a friend, isn’t she? Somehow my head and my heartfelt at an odds.

The bonfire was the last place on earth I thought Sarah would be, but somehow her sister managed to get her to come. Even more, it would seem Milly influenced Sarah to get dolled up for the event. I can hardly peel my eyes away from her tight jeans and the way they squeeze at her thighs, which were closed against my waist just the day before. Her belly button is on show and to my surprise, she has a glittery belly button that flashes as she lifts her arms to dance. I lift my eyebrow in pleasant surprise at this little figure, who is clearly completely misunderstood. Could it be that Sarah is a dark horse? I smirk as she gyrates her hips. I have never seen something more sexy in my life. The music is pulsating, but it is no match for the energy of Sarah, who looks completely lost in the rhythm as she jiggles her curves in a way that ignites even the coldest embers of my heart. What is this feeling? I want to go up to her and squeeze at her edges, but once again I am slapped back to reality as Tom turns her curvaceous frame around and slides his fingers across her side lustfully. My knuckles tighten around my beer bottle as I watch her grind up against him, even worse is that Tom seems to be loving this. Just yesterday he was telling me that Sarah is really hot and he wouldn’t mind getting to know her better. I have been friends with Tom for almost my whole life, even though he doesn’t go to school with us and he is a genuine guy, but somehow I don’t like the idea of him pursuing Sarah. Nobody is good enough for her. I look back to the couple, who seems enthralled in one another at this moment as the chaos of the music and the people begin sucking me in, but then as if a switch is turned, the whole room stops as Sarah’s eyes open and land on me. She looks mortified and in slow motion, she walks out the room, leaving me in a state of shock and dismay before everything speeds up to real-time again. I quickly walk to Tom, who is left shell-shocked on the dance floor and I grab his shoulders.

“Hey man, what’s up?” He asks, looking at me concerned. I can feel the jealous energy coursing through my veins, but I know better than to fight with friends over girls. I am not a teenager anymore.

“I lied yesterday, Tom. I lied about my feelings for Sarah.” I admit and Tom looks at me with wide eyes. Before he can respond, I turn into the crowd, looking for my unexpected crush everywhere. I see a small glimpse of her figure.

“Sarah!” I shout out and begin following her. Why did she stop dancing when she saw me? Could it be that my presence affects her as much as hers affects mine, or perhaps is it that she hates me that deeply? My heart beats rapidly as I try to find her in the crowd of people outside. This place has become busier in the blink of an eye. A flicker of soft, brown curls bounces in the distance as Sarah’s legs hurriedly make their way down to the bonfire on the beach. I quickly try to follow her.

“Sarah!” I call again and she quickens her steps. I do the same until she is just a grab away from me.

“Sa…” I call out again.

“WHAT?” She turns around and shouts. I stumble back, a little off guard at how harsh she sounds. She looks seriously angry, which I don’t blame her for. I have been playing around with her this whole time and I guess yesterday was a step too far. My mouth runs dry.

“What, Lucas? What do you want from me? Can you not see that I am trying to avoid you? You are the last person I want to be speaking to right now! I just came here to have fun, so why do you insist on raining on my parade all the time?” She says a bit softer. She looks upset now, as her eyes well up. I want to reach for her, but I know better than to do something like this right now.

“Haven’t you had enough?” She breaks and a tear runs down her cheek. Now I feel even worse.

“Sarah, please let me explain. I am an idiot.” I say and she rolls her eyes.

“Fine, I am worse than an i***t. I don’t deserve to even know someone as kind, intelligent, honest, genuine and beautiful as you. Maybe all those people at college are right about me. I am a jerk, who cares more about my reputation and my sports than people’s feelings. Sarah, you have to believe me when I say that yesterday was possibly the best time at the beach I have ever had. I didn’t know that…” I start, but my mouth runs away with me. When I look back at Sarah, she is watching me with shocked and wide green eyes. They are still wet with tears though, making me sigh.

“I didn’t know you are so incredible, Sarah. How foolish I have been to look past you all this time. You make me feel vulnerable, in the best possible way. You are organic and real and you’re EVERYTHING I want to be. You have NO idea how jealous I am of you. You own who you are and you are unapologetic about it. Sarah, you amaze me and you make me feel things I can’t even begin to explain.” I admit and run a hand through my wavy locks. I feel so frustrated right now, but a huge weight does feel like it has been lifted off my shoulders.

“Y-you are jealous? Of ME?” Sarah whispers and her cheeks flush. She looks very surprised as well which only makes her look more stunning. I nod and offer a small smile and she huffs out in shock before flopping down onto the sand. I do the same.

“Sarah, you are so extraordinary. I am the loser here. I would rather live my life being labeled as a player and jock for my popularity, than own up to the fact that I am tired of having that title. That may have been me in high school, but I just want to be a regular guy now, who studies hard, finds the girl and gets a great job to begin moving forward. I have been stuck in a downward spiral all of College and you have no idea how much I envy you. You are just incredible.” I admit and she quickly looks away. She looks deep in thought as she bites at her bottom lip. So beautiful.

“Lucas, I don’t have time for games.” She says softly and my heart clenches. I softly grab her chin and turn her to look at me. She looks unsure about it all, but surely she can tell how serious I am being? I run my thumb over her blushing cheek and I see her skin erupting into goosebumps.

“Sarah, this is not a game. I don’t know what this feeling is, but it’s very real and you have been occupying my every thought since we got here several days ago.” I whisper back and she leans very slightly into my touch. I smile at this and a tingle shoots through my heart.

“Lucas…” She begins, but I know she is just going to protest. I haven’t got any more words to offer her, because all of this is too foreign for even my own brain to understand. So I let my body talk instead. I have kissed many girls over the years, but I have never allowed a kiss to reach into my soul as this one has. I can’t say I have ever kissed with emotion either, but this small, gentle, soft and moist peck sizzled with warmth and made every fiber of my body buzz with happy energy. Sarah’s lips locked onto mine deliciously and I allowed my tongue to gently rub across her bottom lip. She tastes like oranges, probably from the juice she just had and her warm hands across my back only welcomed me further in. With a very gentle and delicate dance of our mouths, I finally allow myself to separate from her, not wanting to push the boundaries too far too soon. I feel like a happy, love-drunk teenager who just got laid for the first time and my heart is beating uncontrollably. When I peep open my eyes, Sarah is bright pink, with the biggest smile on her face and her green pools still closed, as if savoring every moment.

“Wow…” She breathes and I smirk, pulling her body closer to mine. This moment feels right and it is all ours. I guess my heart is too far gone now for my brain to even comprehend.

“That was my first kiss.” She whispers again, her eyes shining against the moon on the beach as her brown waves of hair blow gently. She looks so breathtaking. I lean in a little closer and kiss her cheek softly, reassuring her that this news honestly makes me feel like a million dollars. For some reason, knowing I am the only person who has ever touched those lips brings a type of protective and jolting sensation to my gut. What has Sarah done to me? I smile against her hair as she holds me close. This feels so right. As we both sit in silence, smiling into the breaking waves of the nighttime ocean and savoring the peace that the moment brings, my heart becomes increasingly aware of what is happening to me. Every small stroke of Sarah’s fingers against my hand, every rise and fall of her chest, every little giggle in between her words and every flicker of playfulness in her eyes sucks me in further and further until with one last little lean against my chest, I feel myself fully give in. The skies finally give into their thick clouds and a soft drizzle begins coming down from above, enough to make everyone else quickly run from the bonfire just to the other side of us. Sarah and I don't move an inch though, but instead, welcome the rain and even laugh out in happiness at it. It's like the earth has brought us some sort of symbol of fresh, new, cleansing starts. I quickly lift to my feet and offer Sarah a hand, which she takes with a curious smile on her face. In a small motion, I bring her body close to mine and begin slow dancing amongst the droplets of drizzle. The only music we have is the swirl and break of the ocean waves softly purring against the shore, but this is all we need. She leans her head against my chest and I feel her heart thumping as strongly as mine. When she looks up at me again, I feel my breathing hitch and my chest swells at the sight of her vibrant, apple eyes.

I am falling for Sarah Nelson.