She had a defiant mouth. Feisty too, he remembered from those long, thrilling kisses they'd shared in the grass by that lake.
He watched from far yards back as she walked lazily towards the end of the dock and sit at the edge. She looked out across the water at the sunset that glowed back at her, making her complexion shimmer golden. It was a warm evening but she still cuddled up in a sweatshirt like she always did.
He fidgeted against the tree he was leaning on, wondering what her reaction would be to see him again after so long. She turned to watch a flock of birds suddenly spring up and flutter into the sky, the fault of a small fishing boat drifting near the meadow that they graced.
He'd always loved her profile. The promenant cheekbones, the pixy nose and big brown eyes, the curved lips; that stubborn bottom lip that he'd always loved to sink his teeth into lightly.
It'd been too long.
He watched her light brown hair flutter in the fragrant hunny-suckle wind.
Funny, that the first place he came to since he got in town that day would be the lake, and he'd found her there.
He stood from his leaning position and started towards the dock. He glanced over at the sunset and the spot in the grass where they'd first given themselves to each other.
He never should have left, he knew that but it slammed into his gut full force now that he was here.
He came to the start of the dock and frowned when he heard sniffles and quiet sobs coming from her. It hurt to hear them.
He stepped closer, saw her shoulder's stiffen when his steps made the wooden planks creak. He took a few more steps when she didn't turn right away but then her head whipped around and those teary wet brown eyes pinned his. He heard her breath suck in at the sight of him and he could only frown at the sudden heat in her eyes.
It happened in a flash and he was close enough for her to stand quickly and rush towards him. Her fisted hands striked against his chest and he could see through her flailing hands her snarled lips and tears that were rushing down her cheeks. He heard her angry curses and the pain in her teary voice as she continued to try to harm him in any way. His reflexes had him moving out of the way in time before her knee could aim to unman him. He tried to get her arms under control, grabbing for her wrists, none too hard in fear of bruising, he knew, her already bruised heart.
But before he could stop her, she weakened and limply callapsed on the dock at his feet. Her hands were trailing down with her but he grasped them in his own and looked down at her. He crouched infront of her, held her hand tightly, using the other one to lift her chin to look at him. The hot pain had her jerking her head to the side. She wouldn't look at him.
"I'm sorry." He watched that lovely profile but he couldn't take his eyes away from the tears that continued to roll down.
Her eyes looked down and she tried to tug her hand free from his. "You left."
"Biggest mistake of my life."
She turned to look at him then, but her eyes were still hard with pain. "Why?"
He sighed and reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear but she evaded him. "A lot of reasons."
He didn't think she'd go again but she shoved him hard so that in his crouched position, was easily fallen backwards. She was on top of him before he knew it, her fists at work again. He grasped her wrists this time before she could do much damage to his already aching ribs and sat up so that they were straddling eachother in a sitting position. She struggled against him but he strengthened his hold and before her curse could escape her mouth, crushed his lips against hers. Her scream was muffled and she tried to get away but it wasn't easy when his hands had a hold on her and were tugging her closer. With all the force she could muster, she pulled back. "I hate you!" She said, her lips snarling as she watched him stop from leaning forward to kiss her again. "Not a word. You just up and left. There could never be a good enough reason for that."
"I love you."
"Screw you." She scrambled up from him and started walking back out towards the road. It didn't take long for him to jump up and jog up to her. He stepped infront of her and gripped her arms with his hands to stop her fast stride. They watched each other a moment.
"I love you."
She paused and her breath sucked in in shock at the works. "So did I."
He frowned and looked deep into her eyes, saw the dishonesty. "You're lying. Why?"
"You left!" Her hands gripped his arms.
"Should that matter now?" He watched her look away from him, out towards the lake. "If you don't love me anymore, why are you here?" He tilted his head in a challenge and met her side gaze.
"It's been a year."
"So it has. And this hasn't stopped." He brought his hand up to place against her chest above her heart. "I want to know where it can lead."
They stared at eachother for a few quiet moments. His eyes full of sorrow and hope, hers of confusion and resistance.
"I don't think I can do that."
She averted her eyes away but he pushed her closer towards him, frowned with seriousness when he leaned forward and kissed her. She didn't move at first. But when his head tilted and his hands cupped her face, she closed her eyes and moved her lips against his. Emotions clashed and swirled. They were lost in themselves.
It would last.