“He wanted you to have something solely yours,” I said.
“That’s what Julia says.”
“Listen to the women in your life,” I playfully advised.
“Are you in my life?” he quickly countered.
“I am at this moment,” I said.
He nodded and looked at the tree house. “Want to?”
“Well, it isn’t exactly where I expected to end up tonight, but . . . okay.”
We shot forward like two preteens. He helped me onto the ladder and followed me closely, protectively, as I made my way up to the tree-house floor. I was surprised to find some soft cushions, but the most delightful and surprising thing of all was the view. We here high enough to look out over the trees on the east end of the property.
He scooted in beside me, and we both lay back against the cushions, gazing out at the ocean and the boats lit up against the inky blue.
“Sometimes they look like stars that have fallen out of the sky,” he said. “See that one off to the right, how it twinkles?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I know you won’t believe me, but you’re the first girl I’ve brought up here.”
“What made you think I would do it?”
“I don’t know. Yes, I do. You don’t seem afraid of anything or anyone. I mean, it had to take a lot of courage to just leave home and start out on your own.”
“Sometimes we do things because we have no choice,” I said.
He was quiet, and then he leaned over and kissed me softly. He held himself over me, gazing down into my eyes. “That was one of those things I had to do. No choice,” he said.
I couldn’t help but smile, and he kissed me again. This time, I kissed him back, and it lasted longer. I could feel my body tightening with passion. It rushed through my veins. He kissed my neck, my chin, and my cheeks before finding my lips again. He started to caress me, moving his hands to my breasts. I stopped him by seizing his wrists.
“I have to go slowly, Liam. This is already more than I had intended.”
“Okay,” he said. “I’m cool. But can I have my wrists back?”
I released him and sat up.
He rubbed his wrists. “Wow. You are sure full of surprises. What a grip. How did you get so strong? Gymnastics or something?”
“Something. I think I had better go,” I said. “It’s late.”
“Right. Be careful going down.”
He backed out and started down the ladder, waiting for me. Together we descended. For a moment, we just stood there looking at each other.
“I don’t know too many girls who would have gone up there,” he said.
“Now, don’t tell me I’m the first girl you kissed in your tree house,” I said.
He laughed. “You are. I said I never brought any up there.”
We started into the house. He flipped off the lights.
“You have to come back here in the daylight to really appreciate it.”
“Okay.”