SUNSET KEY

An erotic romance novella by

CASSIDY KENT

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

eBook ISBN 1-59426-563-1

Sunset Key © 2006 by Cassidy Kent

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Cover art © 2006 by Stacey L. King

Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC.

www.Phaze.com

Freesia Daniels choked again on the moisture-soaked Floridian air. Amazing that a person could live in the state all of her life and never notice it. But, after years away, the sensation was akin to inhaling pure H²O.

She stepped into the yellow cab waiting outside the minuscule Key West International Airport. During the six-hour flight from Boston, she had rehearsed different ways of greeting her parents.

Okay, so that's all she had come up with. Freesia slumped into the back seat and raised her eyebrows, causing her chic Dior sunglasses to slide down into place from her head to her nose. She much preferred the fanfare of her departure to college to the less than triumphant return she now executed.

Key West was a small town, all right. Sure, it was a free-thinking, liberal town with the unofficial motto, "One Human Family," and a party at every sunset, but it was just like any other Middle America locale. Everyone knew everyone, and only one main drag served twenty-six thousand residents.

As they made their way down Duval Street, Freesia reflected on the town. Home to writers, artists, and musicians, Key West sheltered those who had traveled there for a vacation and those who remained on afterwards. Roosevelt, Flagler, Hemingway: something about the place fascinated those guys, and even kept some of them moored for years at a time. Maybe it was the sunsets at Mallory Square, or the expanse of pure, white sand at Long Key State Park. The lobster alone could keep a person grounded, but all of these things also unfortunately brought droves of hungry tourists.

She couldn't complain, really. Her Key West childhood had been idyllic, by most people's standards. Besides the constant threat of storms, summers in the Keys were the stuff of vacation fantasy. As a young child, sandcastles and swimming filled the days, but as Freesia had grown older, summers had been unadulterated by anything but Zachary Gray.

An inseparable pair, there had been a time when Freesia could not have imagined a future without Zachary. Zach. Her childhood best friend, first love, and now nothing more than a hazy memory.

They had drifted in different directions. She toward a corporate career, and Zach towards…

Freesia smiled wistfully. Zach never had a lot of direction.

She brushed away the past as she swiped at the tendrils escaping her ponytail: the beginning of the inescapable Florida frizzies. She definitely hadn't had that problem in Boston.

The cab abruptly halted in front of a massive Victorian. Painted a pale lemon yellow with white trim and hunter green accents, the Daniels house exuded the kind of quaint elegance for which Key West was known. Trellises bordered both sides of the house. The creeping vines of wisteria wound around the white wood, splashing the breezy exterior with a brilliant dose of magenta.

The cabbie stared at the empty trunk, and eyeballed Freesia's one overnight bag as if to say, "You seem a little more high maintenance than that."

In her rush to get back to the relative safety of her hometown, she had packed very lightly. None of her Boston clothes would really stack up to ninety-degree weather and record-breaking humidity levels, anyway.

With tip in hand, the driver gave her a friendly wink and drove off. She was left to face the firing squad alone.

Rather than climb the porch steps for a traditional entrance, Freesia made her way around the side of the house in hopes of finding her father at work in the garden. She sidestepped bougainvillea and jasmine, her Nine West pumps clicking on the stepping stone path. The sound of risqué Fleetwood Mac lyrics in her mother's voice made her freeze at the corner of the house.

Freesia peeked around the corner, mouth agape as she watched Suzanne Daniels twirling about the garden in the manner of Stevie Nicks. A white rose made an admirable microphone substitute.

A giggle escaped her mouth, and Suzanne stopped in mid-lyric to look for the source of the laugh. Her mother did not attempt to hide in embarrassment, but rather glowed with pleasure at her performance.

Freesia shook her head, her feelings varying between pride and mortification. How in the world did I come from this woman, she thought for the millionth time in her life.

Suzanne gasped as her daughter came into sight.

"Freesia? My God, what are you doing here, baby?"

* * *

Suzanne breezed into the lanai, dragging her prodigal daughter behind her. "Just relax here for a minute, Free, and I'll grab your father. Stephen's been in the kitchen for hours perfecting a killer alfredo for dinner."

She willingly sat at the table, grateful for a moment of stillness amidst the sweltering heat. Suzanne disappeared into the house, leaving her daughter to her own devices.

The irregular texture of the table drew Freesia's attention downwards to its surface. Although the subject matter was by no means unique in tropical décor, the sunset rendered on the table stood out by way of its magical medium. Freesia had been to enough sunset celebrations to know that the tiny bits of glass in vibrant aquamarine, gold, and crimson had been arranged to reflect the setting of the Key West sun.

Stephen sauntered in, his apron emblazoned with the sentiment, Gardeners tend to soil their plants. Freesia rose to greet him, her mouth quirking in amusement as her father embraced her with his wooden spoon still in hand.

"Let me get a look at you!" Stephen held her at arm's length for a thorough inspection. "You're a real corporate raider now, aren't you?"

Freesia executed a playful pirouette, finishing with a playful smooch on his cheek. "Never thought you'd have a daughter who'd enjoy working for the man, huh?"

"No kidding."

Suzanne sailed in with a pitcher of lemonade—organic, no doubt—and a plate of her famous "Flaxseed Fritters."

"That makes two of us, Steph." She took a seat at the table, propping an elbow on the table and leaning her head on her hand to look lovingly upon Freesia. "I can't say it isn't a pleasant surprise, sweetheart, but I have to admit I'm wondering what could have brought you here, seeing as you never visit."

And there it was, the conversation she wished she could just skip. There was no help for it.

"They let me go." She swore she could see a glimmer of pleasure on both of her parents' faces. "You don't have to look so happy about it."

"I didn't like the sound of the gig, anyway," Stephen admitted pleasantly. "Personnel specialist. Cutting the fat at a place like that means giving the boot to a bunch of old geezers like me. Guys who spent their whole lives toiling for the establishment."

Freesia must have heard that sob story enough for a bit of it to sink in. "I guess some part of me agrees with you, Stephen. This one guy, Bill, was a few months away from retirement. Let's just say, management and I had a difference of opinion. I wanted to keep Bill until December and they wanted me gone by Monday."

"And here you are," Suzanne finished for her.

She took a sip of lemonade and shifted uncomfortably under the proud gaze of her parents. "So…" Freesia grasped at straws in an anxious attempt to change the subject. "This table's nice."

Her parents exchanged a warm, mischievous glance, causing a raised eyebrow on Freesia's part. "What?" Suzanne leaned her head on Stephen's shoulder and tried to suppress an ear-to-ear grin. "What?!"

"Zachary Gray is what," Suzanne replied, carefully gauging Freesia's reaction. "He made the table you like so much."

She kept her expression studiedly casual. "So he's a handyman now?"

Stephen rolled his eyes. "Hardly, honey. Young Zach's an artisan."

"You should really see the incredible mosaics he's made," Suzanne added. "He gathers sea glass in all of these gorgeous colors and creates the most amazing pictures out of it."

"I'm sure he makes a mint," Freesia scoffed.

Stephen thoughtfully chewed on a fritter. "Nothing mercenary about it. Just does it out of pure love for the subject matter."

Suzanne poured more lemonade for her husband. "You might actually be surprised, Freesia. Zach's got a little tour company running down at the docks. He's done quite well for himself."

"That would be a surprise."

A wave of melancholia washed over her at the thought of her last look at him, standing against the backdrop of the turbulent Gulf of Mexico, his dark chestnut hair waving in the pre-storm winds with those deep brown eyes doing their best to melt her heart. No matter how far she ran from the memory, it remained as vibrant as the day it happened. She shook herself mentally. Time to exorcise the past.

"Maybe I'll pay him a visit."

The Daniels exchanged another meaningful glance.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Stephen replied. "Just leave your bag out here and we'll take it in for you."

She hugged her father and kissed him sweetly on the forehead. "Don't worry. I'll be home in time to taste that sauce."

* * *

Zach wiped the thick rag across the trim of his handcrafted wooden luxury boat. He glided his fingers across the deep indentations of the carving, wanting to discover any leftover wax debris before it settled into the creases. In his experience, nothing ensured the beauty and longevity of his girl, Freedom Key, more than regular maintenance and a good coat of high-quality wax. Nothing but the best for the woman in his life.

The little tour boat wasn't just any watercraft, it possessed two distinct personalities. Its classic elegance drew you in with its graceful lines and luxurious mahogany woodwork, while its modern technology, state of the art power, and effortless handling grabbed you. Zach's love of wooden boats went beyond mere nostalgia. The natural material fascinated him, but he loved its many technical merits almost as much.

Satisfied, Zach threw the dirty rag into a bucket. From his squatting position on the dock, he admired his handiwork. The Freedom gleamed gracefully even under the overcast skies.

Lost in thought, he hadn't realized someone approached until he glimpsed a pair of sexy-as-hell heels next to his bucket. A slow grin spread across his lips as his eyes inched their way up a pair of tantalizing, well-defined legs. Who the hell wore three-inch heels and hosiery in this humid weather? Had to be his realtor stopping in with the final contract on the property.

Not wanting to waste a good ogling opportunity, he allowed his eyes to roam further past the knee-high woolen skirt, past the tailored silk blouse that covered a nice rack, upward to…

"Holy shit." The brakes came down hard as a ghost from his past stood before him in all her conservative glory.

"You missed a spot," she said softly, giving him a shy smile.

Zach sprung up so quickly he nearly lost his balance in the process.

He rubbed his suddenly sweaty palms on his faded jeans. "Free. You're back." The words escaped his lips before he could think of an adequate greeting. He wanted to curse himself for sounding eager rather than nonchalant. He had rehearsed this scenario a hundred times in his mind in preparation for the day he'd see her again.

Damn, she looked good. Free resembled all the fancy city-girl types he'd seen in the professional style magazines. Feelings of inadequacy flooded him like a fresh open wound, and his heart tore apart all over again. His stomach clenched and nausea threatened to surface.

The pent-up ache turned to anger at the bitter memories of that day eight years ago. Much like today, dark clouds had stirred on the brink of the turbulent storm that had defined their relationship. Why the fuck was she here now? Why couldn't he have been better prepared when she showed up, instead of being scrubbing his boat like a common work hand?

Free cleared her throat, and the stick that permanently resided up her ass seemed to propel her to straighten up as she addressed his comment.

"I've been away too long. It seemed like the perfect time to come home and be with my family."

He covered his mouth with his fist in a pretend cough. A likely reason.

"How long?" Zach crossed his arms to prevent fidgeting in front of the one person whose opinion mattered most.

"I'm not sure. Maybe a few weeks, maybe a month." She shifted, pushing her weight to one side. "Is she new?" Free gave him a bright smile and deftly changed the subject.

"Yeah. I had her shipped here to accommodate my high-end clients when business picked up. I want them to feel like they're being pampered while their pretty little asses sit comfortably on the ride to Sunset Key."

Her smile broadened as she spoke. "You've always had a way with words."

And she always got in the last word. At the moment, his tongue wouldn't comply and he stood there for a good minute without a response. When his mind fired up again he blurted the first thing that came to mind. "How about a quick ride across and back?"

Damn. Figures he'd come up with a way to get stuck with her longer than he intended instead of pushing her away. What he really wanted to ask her was if she'd come back to stomp on the broken pieces of his heart for old times' sake.

"Don't you think it looks like a storm is coming our way?"

"It should be okay if we leave now. We'll make it back way before the heavy rains catch up with us."

"Are you sure?"

"C'mon, I make my living off the water. I know these things. I have built-in radar that tracks the weather better than any news channel ever could."

Her brows drew together as she bit down on her luscious lower lip. That simple act made his groin leap to life. Zach hadn't forgotten those days when he'd had full reign to taste those succulent lips. If he weren't still sore with her now he'd show her what she had missed.

He watched while an uncertain look flashed across her eyes, as if she were fighting an internal battle. Finally, she agreed to his suggestion with a nod of her head.

Fuck. He had almost hoped she'd say no and high-tail it off his dock. What the hell did she want with him, anyway? He did not want to take a stroll down memory lane with Freesia Daniels. The sooner he got her out of his hair, the sooner he could forget about her all over again.

Liar! Eight long years and not one day passed that he didn't stop thinking about her. Christ, Free had been in town not more than five minutes and she already had him worked up. He wondered what condition she'd leave him in this time when she breezed her sweet-little-ass right out again.

He didn't want to know.

"Ready?" Zach held out his hand to help her onto the boat. Upon contact, her small hand in his large calloused one caused a surge of electricity to shoot through him. He gritted his teeth and made sure she was settled before she pulled out of his grasp. The feeling didn't bode well for their time together.

He quickly untied the thick rope from the mooring post and threw it into the Freedom. He hopped aboard and took the driver seat next to Free, revving up the engine.

"Hang in there. It's going to be a bumpy ride." Zach whooped excitedly as the boat sped off into the midst of the endless body of water.

He looked over at Free to ensure she hadn't fallen overboard and did a double take. Several buttons on her blouse had come undone, and he caught an eyeful of the tops of those creamy mounds, practically overflowing from the edge of her white-laced bra.

He grew hard knowing how easy it would be to cut off the engine and reach for her. He'd love to take out all his pent-up aggressions on her, to just have it out. How easy it would be to touch her skin, kiss the delicate flesh, and make love to her until the sun went down. Until they were both sated and spent. God, he missed making love to her.

He missed her, period.

If he thought she had been beautiful before, she was even more stunning now. Her loose curls draped over her shoulders and framed her face like a siren luring him back in to her. Her skin appeared flush, like she had been thoroughly made love to, her eyes bright and exhilarated from the trip.

If he didn't stop staring at her he'd have an orgasm right then and there.

Zach gnashed his teeth together to fight the urge that consumed him. He slowed the boat as they approached the docking strip and prayed for the strength to keep from crumbling when she walked away from him today.

"Where's the fire?" Freesia picked up speed to catch up with Zach's long strides as they made their way up the covered dock. The clip-clop of her heels resonated, breaking through the tranquil silence of the tropical isle of Sunset Key.

"We've got a lot of ground to cover if you expect me to get you back to town before the storm hits." He threw the words over his shoulder, but slowed his pace anyway.

Freesia couldn't resist taking a good look at him since the opportunity presented itself. His once mousse-colored hair had faded to a warm, sandy blonde from years in the surf and sun. She couldn't help admiring Zach's toned physique.

The years had been good to him, serving to make him even sexier than she remembered. He stood much taller than those high school days when he was on the swim team. His youthful, athletic build had been replaced now by seriously defined masculinity, the kind she'd only glimpsed before in men who delved into extremely manual outdoor activities.

She stared at the rippling muscles of his forearms, straining against the tight material of his black T-shirt. Wait a moment, was that a tattoo?

"Since when are you into, uh, body art?"

He whirled around to face her, a serious expression gracing his beautiful face.

"Since the day you left." He held her eyes for a moment, then turned back around, forcing her to catch up with his loping gait.

Damn. That effectively ended that conversation. He was always too good at that.

That and other things, she thought dreamily. Her mouth watered and she swallowed hard at her body's response to the man before her. Freesia's gaze wandered back to his broad shoulders and down the length of his sinewy back that tapered to narrow hips. She stopped her visual explorations upon reaching his perfectly muscled ass in faded blue jeans.

Freesia had not seen the small dip between the boards until her heel caught between the slivers of water-soaked wood. Like an out-of-body experience, she watched herself losing balance, her arms flapping in the air. Her purse dropped onto the dock before she tumbled over the side and into the Gulf.

She half expected the icy waters of the North Atlantic to envelop her in their frigid arms, yet warmth greeted her like a long forgotten memory. Freesia didn't panic. She allowed herself to sink, her body suspended beneath the water for a brief moment. Freesia was always a strong swimmer. A smile formed in remembrance of underwater games she had once played with Zach.

A loud splash brought her back to the present as it registered that Zach had jumped in after her. She kicked her feet to swim up when he quickly wrapped an arm around her rib cage and propelled them both up to the surface. A bubble of laughter escaped her lips at the absurdity of the situation, until his large palm gently squeezed her breast. Zach's thumb grazed across her taut nipple and she groaned in response.

He pressed his body tightly against her back as he kept them afloat. Freesia wanted to melt into the embrace she had spent eight years trying to erase from her mind. Damn, but he felt good. She arched back into him until her senses came charging back like a bolt of lightning.

Freesia elbowed him in the stomach and heard a curse escape his lips. She swam out of his grasp to the edge of the dock and grabbed onto the wooden planks for support. A pair of strong hands met her buttocks and gave her a gentle push, up and over, onto the flat surface. Zach climbed up after her and lay flat on his back, laughter consuming him.

She sat up and turned to glare. "Some joke." Freesia smoothed her wet locks back from her face.

He gazed up at her and the laughter died on his lips. A sudden chill washed through her at the look reflecting in his eyes. Was it pain, sadness…lust? She couldn't put a finger on it, and her body responded to the intimacy of the moment. Her nipples ached as the thin fabric of her blouse molded against her, clearly outlining her breasts.

She felt suddenly vulnerable and crossed her arms to shield herself from his view.

Zach rolled up into a sitting position and grinned. "Let's get out of these wet clothes—"

She cut him off with her exasperated tone. "You never change, do you? If you think that line is going to work on me—"

"Whoa, Free. Cool your jets. If you're assuming all I'm interested in is a quick tumble in the sand for old times' sakes, you don't know me at all." He got up and stomped away without waiting for her to follow.

"You coward! It's just like you to run away from your problems." She yelled at his retreating back.

Zach whipped back around and took several long strides toward her. His face a mask of rage, his hands clenched at his sides as he leaned in; their faces mere inches away. She noticed a small tick from the vein at his temple. Ooh, she'd really pissed him off good this time. Freesia braced herself for his infamous temper to unleash.

Her eyes widened when his hardened look eased into one of amusement?

"Oh, no you don't. I'm not going to let you ruin this beautiful afternoon or the chance to discover what you've been doing all these years." Zach straightened up, giving her a sly grin. "Now, as I was saying before you lit up like a firecracker, let's get out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold. My house is just up this patch."

Boy, did she feel like a fool. Zach had a way of unnerving her with just a glance, a smile. How could this be? This man that had been the object of her anger and hurt for the past eight years had now transformed into the sexiest man she'd encountered in a long time. If this was any indicator of what she'd expect for the remainder of time in his company, she was in big trouble.

He stepped away to retrieve her purse and shoes, handing them to her. "Maybe you'd like a tour?"

Trying to avoid further embarrassing outbursts, she nodded and followed him in silence. Freesia's pantyhose started to itch her skin and she felt anxious to strip out of them. As she walked across the sand her toes sunk into the smooth white grains, and she longed to bury them deep until she reached the cool recesses below.

God, she missed the beach. Why had she ever given all this up? Her gaze fell over Zach's solid form and she frowned.

"Him. That's why," she whispered, as sadness clouded her heart.

Freesia shook off the morose nostalgia and lifted her head to discover the beautiful house displayed before her. White picket fences, too. She let out a laugh and stopped to take in the entire view. If she had ever carried a mental picture of her dream home, this place was it.

She hated to admit it, but the Key West Conch style home held an Old World charm that somehow seemed to fit Zach. A faint smile played across her lips as her eyes swept over the massive structure. An abundance of windows appeared to invite warmth and light into the picturesque design. A glass-paneled entry with a standing-seam metal roof replicated a simple balustrade and heritage columns, while louvered shutters echoed the classic clapboard siding. The wraparound porch led to a descending staircase, which eased the transition from outside to in.

Zach climbed the steps two at a time to the front door. He didn't bother using a key as he turned the knob and pushed open the door. For God's sakes, didn't he believe in security? Theft? She wanted to scream at him for his lack of sensibility when it came to his own safety. No wonder she told her mother never to talk about him. Freesia didn't want to know about the moment when his irresponsible nature would finally land him in hot water.

Zach caught her gawking, and she realized that he was waiting for her at the entrance. She hurriedly followed him inside. One look at the interior and she stood rooted in place, feeling like she had stepped into the pages of InStyle magazine. She no longer heard what Zach said as she followed where her feet led her. Staring up in amazement at the coffered beam ceiling, her eyes continued to marvel at the exquisite details as she made her way to the French doors that covered the entire wall and opened to a shaded veranda.

Graceful arches and decorative columns defined the open arrangement of the formal dining room and gourmet kitchen. The well-organized culinary paradise provided a cook-top island with more than enough space for food preparation, complete with a walk-in pantry.

Zach had really outdone himself. It felt as if he had reached into her very soul and plucked out the deepest desires of her heart. As if he felt her craving for a home surrounded by proverbial white picket fences, where family and relationships could thrive and all her dreams could be obtained.

This was what could have been.

Zach, the man I could have had. A tear threatened to spill from her eye when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder.

Freesia whirled around, startled for a second.

"You ok, Free?" His brows drew together as he handed her some dry clothes.

She blinked back the tears. A zebra never changes its stripes, and she would not allow herself to play into his hands. She would show him exactly what he had missed, because she wasn't about to leave knowing he had gotten the best of her. Again.

* * *

The French doors opened onto the sundeck, and Freesia caught her breath. A bullion sun hung low on the horizon, its muted rays illuminating the thunderheads that had so quickly amassed. Pastel colors had veiled the storm clouds' menacing nature. The formerly angry anvils had been briefly transformed into fluffs of lavender cotton candy, tinged with bubblegum pink. Fiery crimson and orange streaked the sky.

She watched for a moment, entranced by the natural beauty of the transition into night. For some reason, she hoped Zach would come up to the deck before the sun dipped below the water. She couldn't explain it, but she just wanted to experience the natural splendor with him. It had been their ritual, after all. Every Friday night, they would find a relatively quiet corner of Mallory Square to cuddle up and kick off the weekend by watching the show. They had never missed one, the whole time they had been together.

Footsteps sounded on the planks of the deck and Freesia turned around to see Zachary with a pitcher of margaritas and two glasses.

"Wow, Zach…" She turned to flash him an openmouthed look of pleasant surprise. "I've seen views like this all my life, but this is really…breathtaking."

Zach joined her at the rail, and when his elbow brushed hers she couldn't help but feel the current of crackling energy. "That's the reason why I bought this place. Gorgeous sunsets are par for the course around here, but something about this deck is just…inspiring." He smiled, not with true happiness, but with the kind of satisfaction that only comes from pride in ownership. Her parents had been right. Zach had done well for himself.

He handed her a frosted glass and filled it to the brim with the tangy liquid. After pouring his own glass, he returned to her side to watch as the sun worked to complete its downward course.

The silence dragged on for a few minutes as they sipped and watched. Freesia realized that if she was to get the closure she had come for, she would need to say something. Say something!

"I saw the table my parents bought from you," she remarked. Good one.

Mid-sip, Zachary glanced at her and swallowed. "I didn't sell it to them, Free. We're closer friends than that."

Freesia narrowed her eyes at that comment. "What are you, having Sunday night suppers with them or something?" she scoffed.

He looked out across the water again, unable to meet her eyes. "Usually," he replied pithily.

"Wow." Freesia pulled out her raggedy ponytail and began to finger-comb the tangled mess. "You're a better daughter than I am."

Zachary laughed, that warm sunshine chuckle of his, and her stomach tightened. "They just miss you, Free. That's all. Everything doesn't have to be about guilt." At the daggers in her eyes he held up his hands in a self-defense pose. "Ugh, I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry, okay?"

Freesia drained the rest of her margarita in one long gulp. "My parents have made me feel guilty about one thing or another most of my life, Zach." She sighed, cracking her neck one way then the other, needing to chase away the tension that resided there. "'Why aren't you joining Amnesty International, Green Peace, Friends of Strays, etc., Freesia? Why don't you recycle? Why don't you fill-in-the-blank? Why? Why? Why?' It exhausts me, Zach."

Zach leaned back into the corner of the railing. The burning sky behind him outlined his frame in silhouette, and Freesia was blindsided again by her memory of the last time she had seen him.

"Don't you think it's time to forget about all that, Free? You're an adult, now," he reminded her.

Freesia crossed her arms. "Doesn't that sound eerily close to what I used to say to you."

"Ah, yes, I remember." Zach slipped into his old impression of her, the one she'd always hated. "'You are eighteen now, Zachary Gray. A man. You need to get your priorities straight. You can't be a volunteer beach-cleaner all your life.'" He smiled with the corner of his mouth only. The cold pit of regret widened deep within Freesia. Had she really said that? She could be such a bitch sometimes.

"So, what are you doing here, Free? The Keys during hurricane season isn't exactly a tourist's playground. You of all people should know that."

She couldn't tell him the truth. Goal-oriented, driven, motivated Freesia Daniels was so unceremoniously fired from her prestigious position at Harmony and Gates that she had to slink back to her hometown while hanging her head in shame.

She could never say that. Not after all the shit she'd given him about getting some direction in life.

"My boss pressured me to take some time off. You know me. Working too hard. I thought I might as well pay Suzanne and Stephen a visit." She swigged another gulp of the drink and wished for a better poker face. He had always known when she lied.

"Beantown getting too rough for you?"

"There's nothing I can't handle, Zach."

He gave her a suggestive look that made her fume. If she didn't keep her guard up, he would be back to the same antics he'd tried down at the beach. The man had no problem focusing when it came to something he wanted. Or someone.

"Whom have you been handling lately?"

"I might ask you the same thing," she shot back, waiting expectantly for an answer.

He stared at the darkening sky for almost a solid minute until she had to punch him solidly on the arm. "Oh, I'm sure the list of conquests is interminably long, Mr. Love Machine."

"I'm trying to remember, here, Free. Gimme a sec…" He miserably failed in suppressing an amused grin. In the distance, a low rumble of thunder threatened them both.

"Here, I'll tick off a list for you. Tasha Grady? Bonnie Riggs? Shannon Lido?"

Zach just sat there, smiling like the cat that got the cream. He tortured her thoroughly, just as he always had. Bastard. "I don't give a hot damn about any of those broads. It's not like you slept with Andrea Van London, at least."

And that was the name that finally got a reaction. "Not Andrea?! Oh, my God, Zach, have some class! Everyone this side of Cuba's had a ride on that bicycle."

"So she's a little more friendly than some of the girls we knew. Andrea's certainly a far cry from you. Perhaps you've forgotten about your nickname?"

She gasped, barely able to breathe through her shock and anger. "Oh, you little…don't you dare. Don't you dare say it!"

"What?" he asked with mock innocence. "Don't say…Freeze Ya?"

She couldn't believe it. "That's it! I'm gone. I never should have agreed to let you take me out here."

"Oh, what a little hypocrite you are. It's perfectly acceptable for you to degrade Andrea for her prolific sex life, but the moment someone calls you a prude—"

"A prude? A prude, Zach? I gave my virginity to you. I was in love with you." She ran to the edge of the deck, half wanting to jump over the edge to escape him. "I should have saved all of that for someone less…" She whirled to face him. "Vulgar!"

"Get off your fucking high horse, Freesia. You left me stranded here. What was I supposed to do?"

"Nobody forced you to bum around on this island, Zach! Combing the beach for bits of shitty glass, was that what you wanted to do?" Freesia marched purposefully over to him. In seconds they were nose-to-nose, so close she could see his eyes flash like the lightning on the horizon. "You could have gone to Miami. You could have gone anywhere in the world. It's not like you didn't have the brains to do it."

"Oh, no. Don't give me that. You made it very clear that I was unwanted. Should I have followed you to the University of Miami, even though they didn't accept me? Pressed Cuban sandwiches while I waited for you to get a minute for me between classes?" His eyes searched her face, their melted chocolate depths heating to a boil. "I knew eventually some asshole with a 401K and a five-year plan would want to take you away from me."

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her close. "How could he not?" His gaze roamed over her hair, cheeks, eyes, lingering finally on her lips. He leaned in, agonizingly drawing out the pace of his movements until her hair stood on end. "Freesia," he whispered. "I always—"

Suddenly, he shoved her roughly to the boards of the deck. His body shielded her, offering protection…but from what? She scrambled to escape, wondering what on Earth was wrong. The brilliant white light that filled her vision gave an immediate answer to her question.

Zach had known the second he felt the static charge course through his body. Lightning was about to strike and he could muster only one thought: protect Free. He threw his body over hers, pushing her to the ground with bruising force. He covered her delicate ears with his hands as the darkened sky suddenly lit up like daylight, fading in an instant to a jagged white bolt. Then nothing.

He could feel her slight frame quiver beneath his while her scream coasted on the wind, barely audible over the thunderclap.

It all happened within the space of a moment, and even once the thunder quieted, there was not a moment of peace. Hurricane-force winds wailed around the island, whipping Freesia's hair into his face. Zach lifted his head to survey the damage.

The frames around his bedroom windows were charred, their glass blown out all over the deck. Metal gutters hung like long strings of confetti on the front of the house where the lightning had struck. An odd crackling, flickering sound niggled at his eardrum through the roar of the gale. Zach tore his eyes away from the gutters and up to the source of the sizzling sound.

The bolt had torched the chimney of the Conch house, its sage shingles blackened by the licking flames. He could not allow it to happen. This place was the only symbol of the success he had achieved. If he lost the house, it would not be without a fight.

Zach turned his attention back to Freesia. She shook, the trauma of the noise and light too much for her to take so soon upon the heels of such raw emotion. Her piteous little face looked up at him, and in that moment, he wanted more than anything to get her to safety.

But where would that be? With winds like this, there was no way to get back across the water. If he could only get those flames out, this would probably be the safest place to be.

"Free?" Her glassy eyes stared at him. No, not at him. Through him. Shit. "Free!"

She finally acknowledged him with a brief bob of her head.

"Listen, baby, okay? I have to go up there and put out that fire."

Freesia shook her head violently from side to side.

"It's okay, honey. Just lie here on the ground for a minute and if you feel that static again, get as flat down as you can and yell like hell for me." Her lips trembled and it broke his heart. "You can do it, babe."

Zach firmly put the image of her fearful brown eyes out of his mind for a moment and concentrated on the task at hand. He could make his way to the chimney by way of the damaged gutter, but how would he douse the flames once he got up there? He visually searched the patio, his eyes finally lighting on the tarp covering the Jacuzzi.

With not a moment's hesitation he shimmied up the gutter with the blue tarp. It ballooned behind him like a sail in the wind, further impeding his progress, and he prayed to God that his plan would work. The gutter creaked dangerously as he neared the edge of the gable over one of the shattered windows. The twisted metal swung wildly with the power of the storm, forcing him to brace his leg against the shingles of the house.

Big mistake. His poor aim caused a long gash along the width of his calf as his denim-clad leg met with the serrated remains of the window. Freesia shrieked, but Zach barely felt the pain, his focus only on reaching the roof. He clamored over the eaves and scrambled toward the flaming chimney. He yanked off his shirt with one hand and gripped the material in his teeth. Flinging the wet tarp over the stack of smoke and fire, he pulled the corners together tightly to keep any oxygen from feeding the blaze.

Zach freed one hand to grasp the T-shirt. He beat the material furiously against the tarp for several minutes. When he was satisfied that the fire could not possibly have survived, he removed the tarp and checked for any remaining sparks. Sufficiently convinced, he propelled himself back down the sloping roof to jump the remaining few feet to the deck.

A flash of lightning and a clap of thunder from nearby harkened the sudden downpour of rain. The heavens opened up, and he could hear Freesia's gasp of shock at the sensation of the sharp needles of water on her skin. Zach dashed over to her and grabbed her by the wrist to drag her into the relative quiet of the house.

With a scream of fear, Freesia slipped out of his grasp, descending the staircase and heading toward the door. She shot out of the house with Zach fast on her heels. He raced after her through the dense mist and heavy rainstorm as she headed for the boat. Fear seized him at the prospect of Freesia injuring herself in her haste to escape. Even with a limp, he caught up with her easily, grabbing hold of her waist as she kicked and lashed out with her fists against his bare chest.

In her hysteria she wouldn't let up, and Zach had to shake her hard. He yelled over the turbulent storm, "Stop it, Freesia. We'll never make it back alive in this weather. Look. Just look!"

He gripped her chin, twisting her head to face the water and felt her uncontrollable tremble beneath his fingers. Zach loosened his hold on her upper arm and pulled her close to him. "Let's get to safety."

The winds whipped around them, mixed with rain and sand. Darkness hovered overhead as the tide rose momentously toward the shore. His injured leg hurt like a sonofabitch, but there was no time to waste. He grabbed her hand and they dashed through the pelting downpour in record time.

He didn't lead her directly into the house; instead, he dragged her to the backyard. Zach let go of her hand and quickly dumped all of the lounge chairs into the pool one by one. Freesia must have recovered her senses because she soon assisted him with the task of dumping loose furniture and any items that might cause damage when the storm hit.

Zach made his way to the small storage shed and yanked open the doors. He hauled up a stack of boards reserved for hurricane season and turned to find Freesia next to him. When she reached for the hammer and nails without waiting for instructions, his affection for her increased. Wordlessly, they worked like a well-trained team to board up glass windows and doors. Once they finished the job, he led to safety within the confines of the house.

"I'll need your help," he stated while rummaging through the walk-in pantry.

Zach piled several blankets in her arms, throwing two flashlights on top. He bent down to drag out a large plastic tub. "Hurricane kit for dummies."

She gave him a weak smile.

He straightened up and looked levelly into her eyes. "Everything's going to be ok, Free. As long as I'm here, I'll make damn sure of it."

"I believe you," she said softly.

His heart skipped a beat at those three words. Freesia's trust meant the world to him, and in that moment he knew he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her badly. God, this was not the time to be thinking about her naked in his arms.

Zach led her to the study and dropped the heavy container in the corner of the room before helping her with her load. She gasped in surprise when he scooped her up in his arms and brought her to the sofa, gently lowering her onto the plush cushions.

"Stay here," he commanded before she could protest.

He proceeded to pull a well-worn afghan off the back of the sofa to cover her and tucked the material tightly around her wet body.

Seconds ticked on while he searched through his winter wardrobe, seizing sweatshirts and pants from the top shelf of the closet. He could see Freesia shivering beneath the blanket and he needed to get her into something warm before she caught pneumonia. Her body appeared flush and her skin heated to the touch. Zach helped her into a sitting position and she protested deliriously while he quickly disposed of her sopping clothes. For a brief moment, he could only admire her nakedness. He longed to possess her again, but for now he needed to take care of her.

He swept his eyes across her body one last time and he felt lost in her perfection. Undoubtedly, his childhood sweetheart had flourished into a well-endowed goddess. Almost a decade later and she proved to be even sexier than any of the wildest dreams his imagination had conjured. Those long, lonely nights of fantasy couldn't compare to the woman before him.

Zach tamped down his desire, dismissing his carnal need to possess that luscious body. His hands shook as he bundled her up in his sweat suit. The outfit practically swallowed up her petite frame, and he bit back a laugh at the precious picture she made. He wanted to gather her in his arms and hold her tight, protecting her for the rest of his life.

God, all those wasted years when he should have gone after her.

What a fool he'd been! He should have chased her down in Boston and fuckin' dragged her back to Sunset Key with him. The ache of losing her had been worse than anything he'd ever felt before. For the first few months after she left he had curled up and found solace in his best friend, Jose Cuervo, and an empty bed. Zach let out a deep sigh; there was no turning back time, but he sure as hell wasn't about to let her leave again without a struggle.

The chill air caressed his naked torso and he shuddered, suddenly aware of his state of undress. Although the lightning strike had shut off the air-conditioner, the ice-cold air seemed to be contained within the room and froze him to the bone. Zach had focused all his attentions on Freesia and getting them to safety that he had forgotten he remained shirtless.

He stood up and stripped out of his rain-drenched jeans, sliding off his boxers and kicking off his shoes before ridding himself of the damp socks. There was no time for modesty and he didn't bother turning away.

While he dressed, Zach noticed that Freesia's shivering had increased, and he made a quick decision to use his body heat to warm her. Lifting her up, he settled her on top of him on the sofa. Their bodies pressed firmly together, and he could smell the faint scent of her perfume still lingering on her skin. A wave of memories washed through him of many nights spent naked together, loving each other until the morning hours. Those experiences had lasted him eight years and if he could have her just one more time he'd hold onto that memory for the rest of his life if he couldn't keep her.

Even if the storm took them both now, he could die a happy man with Freesia in his arms. What better way to end a life than to have the woman he loved with him? Yes, he loved her. He had never stopped and he never would. Even if the storm blew over, he would finally tell her the truth.

Thunder cackled in the distance and darkness descended upon them. Without electricity, in another hour or so he would require the assistance of the flashlights. Rain beat against the window to the rhythm of the wind, and he somehow found this insane situation comforting.

Zach heard another clap of thunder, soon accompanied by a flash of lightning. He could see the stream of white light through the thin slits of the wooden boards.

Freesia stirred and shifted in her exhaustion-induced state, finally nuzzling against the curve of his neck. He smiled while stroking her silky locks away from her temple, reveling in the feel of those soft waves against his fingers. The room darkened just a fraction as the rain sounded an increasingly furious tattoo against the house. His eyelids soon drooped, even when he forced himself to stay awake. His tension slowly dissolved with the even rise and fall of Freesia's chest against his. Zach couldn't fight the fatigue any longer and gave himself into the lull of slumber with the only person that mattered most to him in firm grip.

* * *

Sometime later, Zach awoke to the sound of the roaring wind. He patted the space beside him, searching for her presence.

"Free?"

A soft click sounded, and the tiny flame of a lighter illuminated Freesia's face then quickly extinguished. Once more, the tiny flare glowed, then went dark. In the brief moment, he had made out her amused expression and it puzzled him. Entrapment in an ex boyfriend's house without electricity in the middle of a hurricane sounded like her idea of a good time?

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, the sheet falling away. "Whatcha doin' there, Free?"

"Lookin' at you," she replied.

"Kinda hard to do in the dark."

He heard the distinct sound of sloshing liquid. Curious, he fumbled over to the box of supplies, digging through it until he found a few candles. He reached out for the lighter and the soft blush of candlelight lit the room.

She brandished a bottle of rum and winked. "Found your stash."

"Your dad's stash," he corrected. "He brought it over to celebrate when the builders finished the house."

Zach watched a thoughtful frown grace her perfectly shaped eyebrows as she processed this information.

"Here's to that." She took a gulp and offered him the bottle. In seconds, he was transported back in time. He saw them both as giddy teenagers, passing a bottle of Boon Hill in the backseat of his battered old Honda.

He grabbed the bottle from her, taking a deep draught of the liquid. He welcomed the burn as the sensation crept down his throat to settle in his stomach. He copped a secretive glance in her direction, noting that she had ditched the sweatshirt in favor of one of his sleeveless tanks. With no bra to shield her breasts from view, he was free to feast his eyes on her. Even by candlelight, he could make out the delicate fawn color of her nipples.

Damn. She definitely would make this hard on him. Very hard.

"What happened to the sweatshirt?"

"It was too stuffy and I was getting antsy, anyway. I went upstairs and got one of your undershirts." Freesia whirled for his perusal. "What do you think?"

What a vixen. She had to know exactly what he thought. He had to find a way to tease her the same way she did him. After all, turnabout was fair play.

"So you're bored, huh?"

She eyed him suspiciously. "What do you have in mind?"

"Oh, I don't know," he stalled. "Just trying to think of a way to pass the time."

Freesia lifted an intrigued eyebrow.

"Up for a game of Truth or Dare?"

She let out her unique bubbly laugh, the first time he had heard honest enjoyment in her voice since he had seen her at the docks yesterday. No doubt she remembered the game as their way of shyly experiencing each other's bodies for the first time. Nothing could be more erotic than his earliest glimpse of the tawny skin of her tanned torso, clad only in a feminine white lace bra. He recalled his feverish urge to remove the cups that covered her youthful breasts, desperately wanting to fondle, suckle and pleasure her in ever way imaginable.

"You first," she teased, folding her arms beneath her breasts in just such a way that they were displayed to the best possible advantage.

"Truth or dare?" he asked. Long ago, he would have put all his money on truth. Predictable Freesia had always been unnerved by his bawdy dares, but with this new Freesia, curled up in his clothes with a bottle of rum? Anything could happen.

She eyed him levelly, the candle's flame reflected in her smoky eyes. "Truth."

Maybe she hadn't changed that much. "Why did you come back home?"

"I got fired," she said, without a moment's hesitation. He grinned, delighted to finally get the truth out of her. This game always worked perfectly for him. First, he would strip her emotionally bare while she told all her deepest secrets. Then…

"Your turn."

"Dare."

"You always pick dare. Try something new for a change."

"I happen to like dare. Besides, I wear my heart on my sleeve." He gave her what he hoped was a suggestive look, but she brushed him off, ignoring his meaningful words.

"Ok, then. I dare you to kiss my feet."

Zach caught her eye and refused to look away. He crawled over to her, cupping a hand around the tender flesh of her ankle. He slid his other hand up beneath her pant leg, pushing the material up toward her knee. From this position, he lifted her graceful foot up to his mouth. Dim light or no, he could see a blush creep across her face and it encouraged him to go all out.

He planted soft kisses down her leg, ending at the tips of her toes. She shivered with delight and he grew hard at the thought that he had brought her such pleasure. Zach ran a tongue along the length of her instep. She caught her breath in a shrill gasp and he finished her off with a sweet kiss on each of her toes.

"You're up," he returned, her toes still curling into his palm.

She bit her lip and it undid him. "Dare."

"You're in for it now, honey." He chuckled at the fearful look on her face. He had her right where he wanted her. "I dare you to give me the sexiest kiss you've ever given anyone."

She set her determined brows and crawled over to him like a pacing lioness. Her hair hung wildly about her shoulders and those gorgeous eyes of hers flashed. His stomach tightened as he imagined the heat of the impending kiss.

Freesia linked her arms around his neck and pressed the curves of her breasts against his chest, her puckering nipples tracing a pattern over his skin like two soft fingertips. Her face neared his and Zach marveled again over his close proximity to the only woman he'd ever wanted. That same woman moved in on him, her closed lips meeting his in a soft press of flesh. Her wet strawberry tongue darted out to lick the corner of his mouth and he groaned through closed lips.

She traced the outline of his mouth, taking little nipping bites of his mouth and sliding her tongue across the crease where his lips met. He opened his mouth to accept her invading tongue, unable to stand her ministrations any longer. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned back onto the rug, pulling her body to cover his as he suckled her tongue.

A loud crash sounded behind them as some foreign object struck the boarded window. Glass flew and a large portion of a broken tree branch landed barely a foot from them.

I can't let anything get in our way, Zach thought.

He jumped up to fling open the study door, pulling her behind him.

"Where are we going?" her voice shrilled in alarm, but Zach ignored her.

He practically dragged her through the dim hallway until they entered the guest bedroom. He didn't slow his pace until they were safely within the confines of the walk-in closet, shutting out the raging storm…shutting them away from the world.

Her heart rate accelerated to a fevered-pitch from all the excitement of the recent verbal seduction of their game. She trembled from the heat radiating off his body. There was no denying the sizzle of sexual energy that spurred her desire to feel him inside her. Electricity charged through her every nerve ending as she craved to feel and be felt.

"Touch me." She commanded, no longer able to deny her heart's desire.

Zach let out a ragged breath. "Don't tease me, Free. Don't do this to me unless you're willing to accept the consequences."

Freesia placed the palms of her hands against his chest. "Make me yours again."

He pulled her roughly against him and claimed her lips in a kiss with equal affect to the lightning bolt that had set the chimney aflame. She clung to him; her legs grew limp from the warm pressure of his lips, the teasing probe of his tongue as he explored every inch of her mouth. Their tongues clashed like a duel of wills until she was overcome with need.

As if he read her mind, Zach abruptly broke from the kiss. He grabbed her forearms and spun her around, pressing her body against the wall, both hands against the smooth surface.

"Part your legs, Free."

"Wh…what?" His thrilling command, combined with the alluring darkness, sent delectable chills up her spine and she complied.

"Wider," he growled. "It's about time I punish you for leaving me the way you did."

Freesia felt her legs buckle from the dangerously sexy tone, the underlying threat spoken against her ear.

"Zach. Please…"

"Please what? Please fuck you hard?" He pressed his erection against the crease of her buttocks. "Do you know how you've made me feel? I've been caged, Free."

She swallowed hard, closing her eyes as he continued.

"Every night it haunts me. That waking nightmare when you walked away and I did nothing to stop you. But you're here now and you're not going anywhere until I've gotten what I want from you."

Freesia didn't get a chance to respond when he grabbed hold of her breasts and squeezed the twin mounds, eliciting a cry from her. He tweaked the hardened nipples and fondled her until she grew damp between her legs.

"I can't help it. All I can think about is driving into you until you come. I want to taste you, claim you. I want to make you all mine." He pressed his lips against the pulse at her throat and his tongue darted out to lick her, leaving a wet trail from her neck all the way up to the back of her ear.

Freesia groaned, pushing herself against his thick shaft. She rubbed against him and his hands gripped her thighs to stop her movements.

"If you keep it up I'm going to come before we even get started, baby." His harsh breathing made her feel victorious for a brief moment.

"God, Zach. If you don't shut up and fuck me I'm going to have take you down."

He laughed at her impatience and with a quick yank, the bulky sweatpants slid to the ground and she was left bare from the waist down. He stepped away instantly, and she heard the rustling sound of clothes being tossed aside. In a heartbeat he was on his knees, his face nestled between her legs, his hot mouth covering her throbbing pussy lips.

She moaned as he ran his tongue between the tender folds, exploring the creases before sliding into her slick opening. His fingers strummed across her clit and worked their magic along the rhythm of his mouth. Freesia clawed at the wall, her moans increasing with each suckle, lick, and caress. Her body burned as he assaulted her pussy with his tongue, then continued laving the juices when she squirmed from his attentions. Her cries and whimpers escalated, almost reaching a crescendo before he sank two fingers inside her. He pumped hard and fast to the tempo of her heartbeat until she screamed out her release and shuddered from the orgasm that ripped through her.

Zach pushed up from the floor and parted her legs wider. He gripped her thighs and buried his cock deep inside her wet heat, filling her up to the hilt.

"God, I've missed this," he said as he moved in and out of her with slow, steady strokes.

"Faster, Zach. It's been too long. I need you to—"

He didn't allow her to finish the sentence as he covered her pleas with a fiery kiss, deepening the pressure as if he was trying to prove to her that what they did was right. She could feel the pounding of her heart when something inside her cracked open, like an electrical circuit blowing a fuse of regret. This felt right. Freesia had deprived herself from the one thing that gave her any semblance of happiness.

I just want a piece of this feeling to take with me. She desperately needed him to fill the void left from their breakup. She didn't want to feel lost and alone anymore. This storm could be the catalyst that finally resolved their unsettled relationship once and for all.

As if Zach had read her thoughts, his body moved in tune with her passionate sway, a sensual dance of exploration and reconnection. It felt as if time had never gotten away from them. With every stroke her body accepted, the feelings surged higher while her emotions became more enhanced and more meaningful than they ever were the first time around.

His pace quickened as he pounded his cock into her with an insatiable hunger that made her feel alive and greedy for more. She arched her back to take in more of him and he quickly led her to the edge, pushing her just enough until she was freefalling down an unknown abyss. Freesia let go of all the baggage, anger, and resentment she had carried for him as she allowed herself to finally hear the truth of what her mind had been harboring.

She let out a cry that pulled Zach tumbling after her; their bodies convulsed and clung to the orgasm like a safety net within the turbulent hurricane in which they rode together. They slid to the ground, still connected in more ways than one. Minutes passed before her blurry mind cleared and she lay wrapped in his arms. He hadn't pulled away from her and she loved the sensation of his shaft still embedded in her.

"Now that we've gotten the frenzied sex out of our system, I want to make love to you again. Gently and slowly, because we have all night to make up for lost time." Zach's rich tone penetrated her senses, and she snuggled closer.

As promised, he reluctantly pulled out of her to construct a makeshift bed out of a stash of emergency blankets. He proceeded to fulfill his pledge, their lovemaking continuing on into the early morning hours. Finally, when they were spent and exhausted, she teetered on the verge of sleep.

He held her tight and she felt comforted by the security of his affections. In her muddled state she whispered, "I wonder…what were you about to say to me before the lightning struck?"

Zach inhaled deeply before saying, "I always loved you, Freesia…" Trailing off for a brief second, his voice cracked. "I always will."

* * *

Freesia awoke to the realization that although darkness still surrounded them, the howling wind had ceased its endless wail. She pulled herself up to a seated position and unlatched the closet door to push it open. Cracks of light shone through the boards over the bedroom windows.

She plopped back onto the sprawled blankets and looked over at Zach. His energetic yet tender lovemaking had exhausted them both and he slept quietly now, his features arranged so peacefully that she knew he must feel happiness for the first time in so long. She could almost feel that same joy. After all…

Was that enough? It could be. It could work.

All her life, Freesia had been pushing someone away. She had tried to be the exact opposite of her parents, and that had gotten her into a career she hated. She had fled from Zachary when he had shown her true love even through her self-righteousness and pride, and that had only made her more miserable. They had formed an instant bond from the moment they met. A woman could brush that off as youthful ignorance. Puppy love…

But wouldn't that be a waste? If she had found her other half in youth, it only meant that she and Zachary were even more blessed to be able to enjoy each other longer. It certainly didn't mean she should throw that love away because of some meaningless goal she didn't even think she wanted anymore. Maybe she had never wanted it.

Oh, what a mess I've made, Freesia thought. She hoped she could undo it.

A strange but insistent rattle broke through the silence and into her thoughts. Freesia lay there for a moment, puzzled as to what it could be, when she realized she had left her cell phone on vibrate. Her parents had probably called a zillion times, but the muted sound would have been muffled by the roaring wind. She scrambled out of the closet and into the kitchen, fumbling through the contents of her purse in search of the phone.

Without glancing at the display, she answered the call.

"Mom?"

She listened for a moment, surprised by the voice on the other end.

"Are you kidding? After all that, you want me back?"

In shock, she slumped onto one of the kitchen barstools to listen to the pleading voice on the other end.

"It's going to take a hefty pay raise for me to try to trust you guys again."

The sum she heard boggled her mind. It was almost too much to even hesitate.

"Listen, can I call you back? I'm really going to have to think about this. Yeah. Yeah, okay. Bye."

Freesia flipped the phone closed and sat in stunned silence. A noise at the bedroom door startled her, and she looked up to see Zachary leaning on the doorframe, his sleepy face wearing a look of curiosity.

"My job," she began. "They want me back."

Instantly alert, he dropped his casual pose and stood immobile. "I want you back. I thought you knew that, Free."

She did know, and yet she could feel all of the dreams she had entertained just a moment ago, all of her positive feelings about them, begin to drain away from her. The call had woken her up, taken her away from dreamland and back to reality. Her job, her life back in Boston: that was real. This thing with Zach, however evocatively poignant, would not last.

He must have seen that realization dawn on her face, because he began to take action. "Let's get going then. Grab your stuff, I'll be waiting at the dock." He went upstairs for clothing and came back down fully dressed, passing her without a word. The front door slammed behind him and she jumped at the sound of his raging anger.

Freesia went to the dryer to remove her clothing and donned the slightly damp skirt and blouse over another of Zach's white tanks. He would never miss it. She couldn't find her shoes anywhere, so she stuffed her undergarments into her purse and headed out the door, almost forgetting her cell phone. She grabbed it from the kitchen counter and left the house.

Zach waited in the boat for her, his rigid back an indication of his heavy heart. Freesia climbed in and sat beside him, wishing she could find the words to say to him. They rode in silence for several minutes until suddenly, Zach cut the engine and turned to her.

"I'm only going to say this once, and even that would be giving you the benefit of the doubt, as not even an act of God can make you realize what you have."

She blushed at that, knowing her stubborn will to be both her best and worst quality.

"You have a second chance, Free. A second chance to make a choice. Look." He pointed to Key West in the distance. "You are at the turning point, baby. Out there is the airport, a trip back to Boston, a cushy job with an even cushier salary."

She stared at her birthplace, seeing it from afar as though under a tiny microscope. He grabbed her chin and directed her attention back to Sunset Key. "Back there, anything can happen. I know you love those plans of yours, mapping your whole life out like a cross-country trip, but it just doesn't work that way."

The gentle breeze caressed their faces, luring her toward a carefree existence.

"I can't give you a plan. I can't tell you what will happen. The only thing I can say is that I adore you and I will never hold you back from anything you want to do or anyone you want to be."

He spread his hands in both directions.

"So what's it gonna be?"

Freesia looked down at the cell phone she still clutched in her palm. When she returned her gaze to his deep brown eyes, she felt the warmth of their love and hope. She made her decision.

Freesia stood up, her eyes never leaving his face. With a determined smile, she flung the cell phone across yards of clear blue water to land in a splash of inevitability.

She had freed herself.

"I choose you, Zachary Gray. I'm flying without a net for the first time in my life." She wrapped her arms around him. "But it feels great."

His joyful face overwhelmed her and she cried tears of bliss as he covered her face with kisses.

"It will only get better," he replied, pulling her close against him. "Trust me." Zach gave a hoot of victory and gunned the engine, steering them back toward Sunset Key.

"I do," Freesia said. The roar of the boat drowned out her words, but it didn't matter.

They were finally true.

As the daughter of an ambassador, Cassidy Kent is no stranger to overstuffed luggage and airport lounge cocktails. She has traveled the world in search of gorgeous men, scandalous situations, and beautiful backdrops and uses all of these as inspiration for the diverse story webs she weaves. As she does every year, Cassidy made a New Year’s Resolution to try something new: 2006 would be the year of the author. Between latte sips and spa trips, she holes up in her loft apartment to spin her tales of love. Cassidy resides in the City of Angels for now. Her true identity is a mystery that only she and Thaddeus Brighton (her personal assistant extraordinaire) knows…

To learn more about Cassidy Kent, please visit her online home at http://www.cassidykent.com