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It was a glorious day, just like it had been since the guys had been in Orlando. They enjoyed the constant sun and warmth, something they weren't used to. It was a hot afternoon as they began bouncing the football on their patio. They were laughing and cheering each other on in their efforts to maintain the ball. This was the first time they'd been able to relax and just be themselves since they released their first single. Orlando was a time for them to connect with one another again and to have fun before the release of the next album.
"Bry, keep it in the air!" yelled Nicky.
"I am!" He shouted back, kicking the ball towards Nicky who returned the ball to Mark. He made a mad dash to retrieve it only to see it roll off the patio onto the sand.
"Keep your mind on the ball, mate!" yelled Shane as he ran after the ball. The ball rolled onto the beach down to the edge of the water. Shane stopped dead in his tracks. He couldn't help but stare at the beauty he saw down at the water, wading in the tides.
"Come on, Shane. We're waiting!" Kian hollered down to him. Shane ignored him as he stood silent watching the blonde walk gently in the water, as if to almost walk above it. She pulled her sun dress up above her knees, keeping it dry as she playfully splashed in the tide. She looked so innocent as the sun hit her face She turned to face Shane. He wasn't aware that he was also being spied upon until suddenly he felt Claudia's hazel eyes gazing at him. Her eyes were soaking in his gorgeous face as he quickly looked away from her. How she wished he wouldn't turn away from her. Shane picked up the ball and turned around to join the other guys on the patio.
"What are you doing, mate?" Mark stood in front of Shane.
"I was just getting the ball, come on, let's kick it around a bit." Shane walked toward the cabin.
"Hey, isn't that Claudia?" Mark said as he walked towards her.
"Come on, Mark." Shane pulled at Mark's arm. "We don't want to bother her."
"When she's looking like that? Aye, we do." Mark twisted away from Shane and continued walking toward Claudia. Shane stood silent as he watched the two talk.
"If you don't talk to her, you won't have a chance with Feehily around." Bryan startled Shane as he walked up behind him.
"I don't want..."
"She's not Nicola, mate." Bryan put his arm around Shane's shoulder.
"I'm not into her. Bryan." Shane brushed Bryan's arm off his shoulder and joined Kian and Nicky back on the patio. He could hear Claudia's soft laughter as he tried putting her face out of her mind. It was uncanny how much she looked like HER! Nicola. The love of his life.
Shane first met Nicola Jordan when they were only 10. Their families attended the same church and they always seemed to be thrown together. She was a shy, beautiful girl. They quickly became friends, but as time went on they found themselves wanting more in the relationship. They dated throughout their school days and Nicola became a source of inspiration for Shane as he pursued his music career. She attended every rehearsal, every audition, every musical event. She followed the lads from school to stardom. Nicola would stand in the front row of every crowd and would always be the one cheering the loudest. But as Westlife became more famous and the schedule more demanding, Nicola and Shane found it hard to keep the relationship together. Phone calls became more scarce as personal time was near impossible. Rumours about other girls, long stretches of time apart, and a general distance settled between the two. Nicola could no longer sit at home waiting for Shane to return. When he did finally come home the last time, Nicola informed him that she was engaged to one of his schoolmates and that they would be married in a few months.
Coming to Orlando was not a vacation for Shane but an escape from the hurt. He truly loved Nicola and the pain he felt could not compare to any other he had ever known. And just when he thought he'd started to heal, there was Claudia. She had the same hair, the same hazel eyes and the same mannerisms as Nicola. But Nicola's image in his head was fading as Claudia's replaced it, he could tell there was something different about her. She was so secret, so locked away. A whole other world waiting to be unleashed. He hated the fact that Mark would be the one to experience all that. Shane knew what Mark was capable of. Or maybe it just all came down to Shane realizing he was the only one Claudia should be with, even if he couldn't admit it.
Bryan joined Mark down at the water where Anna and Kori were sunbathing. Anna's almost-nothing bright red bathing suit showed off the tan she had already perfected. Her slim, shapely figure glimmered in the sun as Bryan sat down next to her. She rolled over to face him, shielding her eyes from the sun.
"We have to stop meeting like this." Anna said smiling.
"I love meeting like this. You look great, Anna." Bryan dug his feet in the sand.
"What do you think you're doing, getting all comfy? You look like you need to get wet." Anna jumped off the blanket and ran to the edge of the waves. She scooped up a handful of water and tossed it Bryan's way.
"Anna, are you crazy? The water is freezing." Kori leapt off from the blanket, wiping the water from her body.
"Sorry, K. I meant to get Bry." Anna said laughing.
"You are so immature." Kori grabbed her towel and walked towards the cabin.
"Kian's over at our cabin if you fancy seeing him." Bryan yelled as he stood up from the blanket.
"I'm not but thank you anyway." Kori said as she straightened her hair. She wasn't interested in Kian but just in case she did see him, she wanted to look good. Bryan began toweling water off his arms. Suddenly he ran towards Anna with full force. He picked her up and cradled her in his arms as he waded into the ocean.
"Bryan! Don't!" Anna pleaded.
"You get me wet, I get you wet." He said as he dangled her over the water.
"Stop! If you do, I swear I'll never talk to you again!" She yelled as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Alright, wouldn't want that now, would we? Promise me you won't get me wet?" Bryan said as he set Anna down in the gentle surf.
"I promise with all my heart." Anna said with a mischievous smile and then suddenly kicked water onto Bryan's trousers. He began chasing her down the beach. They both laughed as they frolicked in the waves. Bryan was finally able to tackle Anna as they both fell to the ground. They laid on the sand laughing when he rolled over, staring into Anna's eyes.
"What now?" she asked, as she lay facing Bryan.
"You are so beautiful, Anna." Bryan said softly as he brushed some sand from her face. He traced her cheek down to her lips. He couldn't help himself, he was falling in love with the beautiful creature that was before him. She was everything that he wanted in life and he knew that she could make him the happiest man in the world, if only she felt the same way. "I think I am going to dread this trip after all."
"Why? I thought we were having fun." Anna took Bryan's hand from her face and held it within her own.
"We are having fun. What I dread is having to say good-bye to you." Bryan squeezed Anna's hand as he leaned into her, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.
"Let's not think about the good-byes, but what we have right now." Anna whispered as she moved her lips across his, lingering in their embrace.
"Looks like our friends are getting rather close." Claudia said as
they stood staring at Anna and Bryan. Mark looked so handsome before her, the
sun gilding his form.
"They aren't the only ones that I hope get close." Mark's tone implied humor, but his expression was entirely serious. He took Claudia's hand and examined the difference in their hands. Hers was so small, so delicate, almost swallowed whole by his. A wave suddenly ran past them, knocking Claudia off-balance. Mark grabbed her by the waist as she held on to his arm.
"Once again you are here to save me." She smiled shyly. She didn't know how to act around him or even what to say. The only thing she wanted to do was to kiss him, kiss those beautiful lips. Mark didn't say a word but pulled her close enough to feel her tremble in his arms.
"Why are you shaking? Trust me, I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you." he said as he held her.
"I know Mark, I'm just..." Claudia tried to tell him how scared she was but she couldn't get the words out before Mark's lips coupled hers. She melted in the sweet touch of his mouth on hers as she felt his arms tighten around her. Mark held Claudia close, caressing her back and shoulders. He ran his hands over her silky skin. Claudia finally found the strength to back away from Mark.
"I"m sorry, Claudia, I have been wanting to do that since I first saw you at the club." Mark said as he took Claudia's hand in his.
"It's fine. I mean, you kiss fine... I mean the kiss was fine...."
Claudia looked down at the sand below. She felt so inadequate next to him. He was perfect in every way and she was nothing.
"Don't ever look away, Claudia, your eyes are meant to look at me. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to look at me." Mark moved closer to Claudia as he gently took her in his arms. "I know you're thinking I'm just some charming bloke who doesn't really mean what he's saying to you, but there's more to me." Mark smiled as he held her close. "I just need someone like you to bring it all out." He whispered in her ear as they held each other. Claudia realized then that she had stopped shaking. He was so sturdy, so secure. For the first time, Claudia didn't feel awkward about her inexperience with men. She felt strong as he held her, she felt...she felt loved.
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