Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding 1)

He kept calling and eventually, without even realizing it, they were a couple.

A few rather uncomfortable situations had occurred, in which, she was forced into civil environments with Jack. She usually extracted herself as quickly as possible making whatever excuse came to mind. Recently, it had happened less frequently, and it really made things easier between her and Clark.

Lexi's mind had instinctually turned to Jack when Clark had invited her on this trip. She hadn't even meant to ask about him. But somehow it had slipped out, and she had asked Clark the one pressing question she needed to base her decision on: Is Jack going to be there? She could handle hanging out with a bunch of people who knew that her and Jack had had…something at one point in time. But actually having him at the beach house for a whole week looking damn sexy would just kill her. She couldn't do it.

Clark had been disappointed. She had been able to hear it in his voice over the phone. They had been dating for nearly nine months, and she still had to ask about Jack. Sighing uncomfortably, he had told her that he wasn't positive but last he had heard from Seth, Jack would be out of town for his cousin's graduation ceremony in Savannah which was a week ahead of their own. That was all the confirmation she needed, and she had happily agreed to accompany them to the beach. Her tan was waning anyway. Some hot rays would do her good.

Lexi popped open the door to the Lexus SUV as soon as Seth placed it in parked and gingerly stretched out her aching muscles. She breathed in the cool beach air and sighed pleasantly. Her head swiveled up to the massive beach house Seth's parents called home. The entire place looked modern and chic from the outside. She couldn't wait to see how the interior matched. But what she was really curious about was the beach. All she really wanted was to sink her feet into the pure white sand and stare out across the Gulf of Mexico.

Clark came around from the other side of the car and kissed her cheek. Taking one last look at her, he said, "Go on." He nudged her towards the side door that opened up to a pathway leading directly to the beach. "I'll grab your bag."

Without a backwards glance, she rushed the gate. Yanking it open, she dashed down the stone stairs, and around the corner. Her breath caught at the sight of the ocean looming ahead of her. Chucking her flip-flops to the side just as she reached the threshold, she edged into the sand feeling the heated temperatures against her skin. Then she took off with a burst of energy loving the overpowering feeling of release at the thought of being here, in this beautiful place, for an entire week.

Just before she reached the sand soaked through from the salty water, she stopped dead in her tracks and stared dumbfounded in front of her. Maybe she was dreaming. Had she fallen asleep while she was in the car? Would she remember that she had been in the car if she was dreaming? Would he be here if she was dreaming? She didn't really have to answer that question. He had always been in her dreams, but the real question was whether or not she was dreaming about him right now. Suddenly terrified, she wondered if Clark would hear her say his name. Then realizing she couldn't be dreaming or else she wouldn't be thinking about this, she would be doing…other things. Her mouth opened as he suddenly turned towards her.

Had she said his name out loud? She didn't remember.

"Lex?" he asked obviously just as startled as she was. "What…? How…? I…uh…"

"Are you real?" she blurted without thinking.

A characteristic smirk appeared on his face, and she knew. He was real. Even her dreams didn't make him look that gorgeous. Every feature was vividly defined in the afternoon rays pouring over his body, and into his intensely blue orbs.

He took a step forward clearing the gap she had left between them. It had been a safe distance. Now, he was so close their bodies were nearly touching. Her breath caught as she raised her head to meet his intense stare. God, he looked amazing. Her foggy image of his perfect features faded so quickly when he was out of sight. Everything felt right as she stood in his presence only inches separating them. He reached out placing one hand on her cheek, checking to see if she was in fact real. Lexi's heart raced at the gentle touch, her mind returning to a brilliant clarity.

Jack was here.

They both seemed to be in a trance as their looks never wavered. She felt his thumb stroke her cheek lovingly, but she couldn't break away from him. She couldn't remember the last time he had touched her…on purpose. Then, the image of her lying naked on his bed filled her mind, and she blushed deeply. He seemed highly amused by this and stepped closer to her. They both sank an inch or so into the sand as he shifted causing her to reach out and grab his chest to steady herself. His smirk returned when she didn't pull her hand away from his incredible build.

This couldn't be happening to her. There was no way that Jack would be here. Everyone had confirmed that he was supposed to be in Savannah…far far away from the beach house. So she let her thoughts return to the possibility that she was dreaming. He was only a few inches from her succulent lips. It would be so easy to close the space. Though she had never envisioned being with Jack intimately on a beach before, she didn't put it past her imagination. And her imagination could be very ingenious when it wanted to be.

Something was off about her dream though. At this point in the dream, Lexi was sure Jack would have practically read her thoughts, and would now be bending down to kiss her. That's how it normally happened. She blushed deeper hoping that her dream Jack would kiss her already. Then colored even further as the time progressed and he didn't.

No, she had been right the first time.

He was not a dream.

"Jaaaaaack," Lexi heard someone yell impatiently from the direction of the house.

Broken out of his spell, he quickly dropped his hand to his side and took a fraction of a step away from Lexi. Her heart thudded in her chest at the absence of his touch…his warmth. She suddenly felt very alone.

"Jack! What are you doing? Who is that?" another whiny cry broke through the serene expanse.

Jack glanced up to the house and did a slight almost dismissive wave, not even bothering to respond in turn. Lexi did not want to turn around. She had heard that Jack had a serious girlfriend, her stomach twisted uncomfortably at the prospect, but she had luckily never met her.

"I guess I better get up there. Everyone's starting to stare," Jack said returning to her confused brown eyes.