“It’s not the ride I’m talking about, Michael.”

“I know.” He smiled and kissed me, his lips shaking under mine from the laughter still rumbling through his chest.

“You two ready?” the guy asked as he approached with the hook, ready to attach us to the boat. My whole life rested in the hands of a guy in flip-flops and a baseball hat with a pair of Tom Cruise Raybans. Fucking marvelous.

I shook my head against Michael’s forehead before he pulled away.

“Yeah we’re ready,” he said to the man with a nod. “You’ll thank me, Mia. It’s spectacular.”

I smiled and kept my mouth shut. Right now being in the air felt a whole lot safer than standing here touching and kissing Michael. My resolve was wearing thin.

The man attached us to the parasail and the boat. There were so many cords and ropes it made my head spin.

Butterflies filled my stomach as the boat started to skip across the water and I reached for Michael’s hand and squeezed. I could already feel the scream inside me building in my belly.

He turned and smiled, returning my squeeze, before leaning over and kissing my temple.

The whoosh of the air in my ears, the sunshine on my face, and with Michael by my side I felt a combination of excitement and fear. The driver motioned thumbs up to us. Michael nodded before the man released the lever.

We glided backward and anxiety gripped me as the boat disappeared, turning to a sea of blue. “Fuck,” I said, clinging to Michael’s arm as I stared at the water passing below my feet.

“Nails,” he said, as his arm grew tense under my grip.

I looked at him and yelled, “What?”

His eyes shot to my hand currently in a death grip as he yelled, “Your nails, Mia.”

“Whoopsie,” I said with a smile and removed my fingernails from his skin. Blood dotted the surface where my fingers had been. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed, the wind making it impossible to hear.

“Oh shit,” I screamed as my stomach plummeted and the parasail rose in the air. The rope was rigid and we were the highest we could go. I sealed my eyes shut, scared to look. Gripping Michael with one hand and the other holding the rope next to my head, I concentrated on my breathing and repeated ‘I will survive’ over and over again in my head.

Michael patted my hand and I peeked at him through one eye. “Look, Mia, there are dolphins,” he yelled, pointing to the water.

I tried to swallow but my mouth felt like sand paper. I followed his finger with my eyes. Below us were three dolphins jumping in and out of the wake as they kept up with the boat.

Even though I spent a lot of time at the beach in college, I rarely saw much of anything in the water besides the tiny fish near the shore.

I became lost in their play, taking in the moment and forgetting my fear. Michael stroked my fingers as I watched with a giant smile on my face. It was breathtaking and reminded me that we were just a small part of this planet.

The parasail jolted and I almost lost the contents in my stomach out of hear as he started to reel us in. Michael squeezed my hand and laughed from the obvious look of fright on my face.

A small pang of sadness hit me as we descended toward the water. The dolphins disappeared below the surface as we hovered over the boat.

“It’s all over, Mia. You did it,” he said as our feet touched the boat deck.

“I did,” I muttered as I grabbed his arms and tried to gain my balance. My legs felt shaky as I wobbled from the sway of the waves against the small boat. “I never want to do that again.”

“Don’t you feel alive though?” He looked pretty damned pleased with himself.

I couldn’t be shitty with him. He looked too sexy with his brown hair tousled and windblown, his cheeks sun kissed, and his body glistening from the heat.

I smiled but couldn’t lie about the sheer panic I experienced. “I always knew I was alive, Michael. You almost killed me with fear alone.”

“Mia, I thought you’d love it. You said you loved the beach and I thought I’d give you a whole new view.” His thumbs rubbed my arms, calming me. “I won’t make you go again. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head and smiled. “I’m just being an asshole. It’s okay, really. It’s something I would’ve never done and I liked it once I saw the dolphins but I don’t think I could do it again.”

“It’s off limits.” He grabbed my face, kissing me passionately, making my tension melt away. “It won’t happen again,” he murmured against my lips.

“It’s okay,” I replied, my mind mush and the fear forgotten.

“Want me to carry you?” he asked as the boat docked. “I liked helping you when we boarded.” He smirked.

“I can do it,” I said as I pushed him away and stepped on the wooden dock.

“You ruin all the fun.”

“My ass in your face is not fun, Michael.” I fiddled with the latch between my legs and couldn’t get the bastard unclipped.

“It’s the best kind of fun there is, Mia.” He watched me, rubbing his chin. “You want help with that?”

“No, no. I got it.” I still felt buzzed from the rush and fear that coursed through my system during the parasailing ride; I certainly didn’t need his fingers brushing between my legs again.

His laughter filled the air as I yanked and pulled to no avail, trying to break free from the harness. Luck wasn’t on my side today. I hung my head and whispered, “Can you help me, please.”

Without a word, he bent down and ran his hands up my legs slowly before grabbing the harness and giving it a quick jerk. “I’m more than happy to help you down here.”

“Just unhook me, please.” I said, closing my eyes, trying to block out the feel of him against my skin. “You’re torturing me on purpose.”

“It doesn’t have to be torture, Doc. I don’t have a needle, but I can find a way to ease your suffering.” He winked as I looked down at him.

“I’m thirsty,” I squeaked out, wanting to avoid thinking about the ways he could help me; if I thought about it too long I’d give in and throw myself at him.

“Avoiding the offer,” he said with a hint of laughter. “Let’s grab a drink and watch the sunset again.”

Thank god he let he off the hook, another stroke of his hand would’ve sent me over the edge and begging for his cock. He stood and grabbed my hand, leading me to the tiny beach bar with colorful umbrellas.

A reggae band played while we sipped on ice-cold beer and waited for the sun to set. His free hand stroked mine, toying with my fingers, never breaking contact.

Just as the sky started to change a vibrant shade of red, a crack of thunder caused everyone to jump and scream.

“Come on, Mia,” Michael said pushing out his chair as he stood.

Large droplets of water splashed down on the metal table as I reached for his hand. Thunder rumbled as we ran from the patio toward his car.

My swimsuit and cover-up were drenched as we made our way through the parking lot. My hair slapped against my skin, lashing my face with each bounce. The sky lit up, the lightning in the distance causing the ground to shake as we climbed in the cab, slamming the doors to the truck.

We wiped our faces as small drops fell from our hair. I flipped back my hair, pushing it out of my eyes and ran my hands down my arms watching the water splash to the floor. “Jesus, that scared the crap out of me,” I said, shaking from the excitement.

“Just when you were relaxing, God finds a way to give your ass a jolt.” He laughed, grabbing his chest.

“You’re a funny man, Michael. I don’t think my heart can take much more today.”

He leaned over, pulling me into his arms as he grabbed my chin and tipped it back. “I have something that’ll take your mind off of it while we wait for the storm to pass.”

His brown eyes held my gaze before he crushed his lips against mine. If the interior of the truck hadn’t been hot and steamy enough, being close to Michael, wrapped in his arms and smothered by his kiss made it close to impossible to breathe.

His hand rested against my back, pulling me closer, and I became lost in his kiss. The feel of his rough thumb pad as he stroked my face made my body feel on fire. The sound of the rain beating against the truck, the thunder rumbling outside, and our breath frantic and quick, filled the cab.

I climbed in his lap as he gripped my ass and pulled my bottom to him. I could feel his hardness against me and I ached to feel him inside.

I couldn’t deny myself any longer.

“Take me home, Michael. Stay with me tonight.” I didn’t even have to think about it.

I wanted him.

The light touches, commanding kisses, and the feel of his hardness had me wanting more, needing it.

“Mia, I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” he whispered against my lips.

“I want to feel your skin against me. Remind me what it feels like to be loved, Michael. Show me the beauty and make me forget.” I held myself up and stared in his eyes. “Please,” I begged.

His fingers swept against my cheek and I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes. “I’ll do anything you ask,” he said.

I smiled at him before climbing off his lap. “I don’t want to be alone tonight,” I said as I put on my seatbelt.

He started the truck and grabbed my hand, stroking it with a smile on his face. We sat in silence as I stared out the window during the drive.

I wasn’t alone in life but I did feel lonely.

Being with Michael reminded me how much I missed that connection to another person. I wanted someone to hold me until I fell asleep and comfort me when the nightmares came.

Our bodies stayed connected as he drove, the energy never waned.