
      Paradise


      Author: aria


      Rated: NC17



      Chapter 3
      Serena ran until she encountered a group of students huddled near the 
      stern of the boat. Not wanting to see anyone she took a sharp left and 
      kept running. She found an empty stretch of deck on the other side and 
      stopped to catch her breath. Thats when the tears came.
      How could she let Darien kiss her like that? Especially since she was 
      still technically seeing Malachite. The tears flowed even faster when she 
      remembered Malachite and what he tried to do. How did she know that Darien 
      wasnt just after her body anyways? He could be just like Malachite.
      She took a hiccupping breath and sighed. She knew he wasnt. Darien had 
      never been or would ever be like Malachite.
      Drained of all energy, Serena sat down on the nearest bench and threw the 
      blanket lying there over her shoulders. She blocked out all thought, 
      curled herself into a ball and still crying fell asleep.
      Darien wandered around for a while. What could have made Serena freak out? 
      He sighed. Knowing Serena she probably felt like she was betraying that 
      asshole of a boyfriend she had. He wished she would just see past the good 
      looks and charming personality to see the true Malachite. The jerk who 
      didnt give a hang about her, only his image. Mr. I Have Everything, 
      couldnt go around school with a second rate girl. Only the most 
      beautiful, sought after girl would do for him. Darien wouldnt have cared 
      if it had been any other girl. But this was Serena. She was so sweet and 
      kind and deserved someone with more to offer than a perfect smile and a 
      ride in a flashy car.
      Darien stopped and kicked at the rail. He leaned over and looked down 
      hoping to see the dolphins. They were gone. Puzzled he looked out a little 
      further. What he saw worried him. The sea was starting to get high. The 
      wind whipped around him with force. There was a storm coming.
      He quickly gathered his wits and headed to the bridge of the ship. 
      "Theres a storm coming!"
      A man in dress whites walked over. "We know son. It just came out of 
      nowhere. Just go back to your room and relax. Its going to be alright."
      Darien studied him and frowned. But he nodded anyways. "Right." He ran out 
      of the room and down the decks. It wasnt going to be ok. He could see it 
      in the captains eyes. He had to find Serena. Sneakers screeching on the 
      well-waxed decks, Darien ran back into the dining hall. He headed straight 
      for the head table where the rest of Serenas group were still sitting and 
      chatting.
      "Have you seen Serena?" he looked into their flush faces and knew that 
      theyd had too much to drink.
      Raye shook her head. "Nope. She and Malachite skipped out a while ago. Our 
      guess is theyre in their cabin." She wriggled, well attempted to wriggle, 
      her eyebrows before tipping sideways into Jadeites arms. Still her 
      meaning, if totally wrong, was clear. They hadnt seen her since she left.
      Darien turned and ran back out. If possible, the wind had gotten even 
      stronger. He put and hand up to shield his eyes from the spray and ran 
      along the slippery decks. She wouldnt have gone back to her cabin. That 
      much he knew. He looked around. So where would she be?
      He continued to run around the decks. He asked everyone he saw if theyd 
      seen her, but the answer was always the same. No one had seen her since 
      she left the dinner with Malachite.
      Soaking wet Darien was about to give up when he saw a small bundle on a 
      bench. He knew who it was instantly. "Serena!"
      ----
      When Serena woke up she was freezing. And wet. Confused she looked around 
      and saw that she was on deck. But the gorgeous view was gone. Now wind and 
      mist obscured her view. She sat up and wrapped the blanket around her 
      shoulders more securely.
      "Serena!"
      Through the howling wind, she thought she could hear someone calling her 
      name. Serena looked and saw a soaked Darien skid to a halt in front of 
her.
      "Serena!" he grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her. "Thank god I 
      found you!" he pulled her along behind him. "Weve got to get inside! 
      Theres a storm!"
      They fought to get to the nearest door. But on the bobbing, slick deck it 
      was nearly impossible. Serena tried as hard as she could to keep up but 
      slipped. She pushed herself up and looked up.
      Heading straight at them was an enormous wave.
      "Darien!"
      Darien had her in his arms before his name died on her lips. He picked her 
      up and ran as fast as he could but it was no use. The wave engulfed them 
      and took them overboard.
      Serena barely had a chance to fill her lungs with air before they were 
      dragged under. She tried as hard as she could to hold on to Darien, but 
      the impact and the shock of the frigid water made it impossible. Flailing 
      uselessly she fought to find her way to the surface. Lungs burning, she 
      kicked upwards, or at least what she thought was upwards. After an 
      eternity of struggling, she broke through the surface.
      Gasping for air she looked around for Darien. The harsh spray of the rain 
      made it nearly impossible, but she was sure that she saw a head bobbing on 
      the water not too far from her. Battling with the current, she made her 
      way over. "Darien!"
      "Serena!" Darien met her half way. The first thing he did when he surfaced 
      was look for her. Then look for the ship. It was nowhere to be seen. At 
      least he found her. "Serena, are you alright?"
      She nodded.
      "Look around! Theres got to be an island or something!"
      Serena did as he asked. Between being pushed under by waves and the sting 
      of the harsh rain, Serena barely had a chance to look around. A wave 
      engulfed her and threatened to take her under again, luckily Darien was 
      there this time and there was no doubt that it would have to take them 
      both before it happened again.
      "Look! Over there!" Darien was pointing at some unknown point on the 
      horizon. "I think I see something!" he grabbed her in a lifeguard hold and 
      started kicking in the direction he had pointed in.
      Serena kicked hard, hoping that her efforts helped him a bit. She knew it 
      had to be incredibly hard to carry both their weight in the stormy waters.
      They struggled for what seemed like hours before she felt Darien start to 
      weaken. Serena panicked she couldnt let him die. Not here. He stopped for 
      a moment coughing and spluttering seawater. Serena mimicked his hold and 
      started pulling him along as best she could. She wasnt about to let her 
      friend drown. Tenaciously she swam against the current, not caring how 
      much the briny water stung her eyes or how much her lungs burned.
      An eternity later, Serena felt the sandy shore under her feet. Supporting 
      each others weight, they stumbled onto the soggy beach and collapsed 
      under the shelter of a swaying palm.
      ----
      When Serena woke up, it was still dark, yet there was a warm light not too 
      far from her. The rain had stopped, and so had just about anything else. 
      The screaming wind had been replaced by a sighing breeze, the huge swells 
      by gently lapping waves. Five feet away, she could see a silhouette 
      hunched by the flames carefully adding kindling to the modest fire.
      Stiffly, she sat up, groaning when her muscles protested. Darien was at 
      her side in an instant.
      "Howre you feeling?" he sat down next to her and smiled a little.
      "Not too bad considering I swallowed half the ocean." She stretched out 
      her tired muscles and winced when she found a tender one.
      Darien chuckled then leant over when she winced. "Youre sure youre ok?
      Serena nodded. "Just achy."
      "Same here."
      Serena watched as Darien rubbed at his shoulders and thighs. He had every 
      right to be tired. She smiled at him. "Is there anything I can do to 
help?"
      Yeah rub me down. Darien shook his head. "Nah, Im ok."
      Serena looked around them. The terrain looked completely alien to her. In 
      the murky darkness, the shadows looked menacing. In the other direction, 
      the water didnt look much friendlier. "So what do we do now?"
      "We survive until someone finds us."
      She turned to him and stared. "And how do we do that? If you havent 
      noticed were on an island in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the 
      clothes," she looked down at their torn sodden clothing, "on our backs. Or 
      at least whats left of them."
      Darien gave her a reassuring smile. "Dont worry."
      "How can I not worry?" Serena got up and paced. "We cant live here! We 
      have no food. No shelter. Nothing!" she collapsed back in heap next to 
      Darien and started crying. "Tell me the truth Darien. Are we going to make 
      it?"
      "We will." The words sounded more like a promise than anything else. "Now 
      lets get some rest." He put his arm around her shoulders and settled back 
      against the foot of the palm.
      Trembling Serena wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. He was the 
      only thing that she had now. And if he said they were going to make it, 
      then she believed him. No matter how unlikely it seemed to her.
      Chattering birds and brilliant sunlight woke her the next morning. Sand 
      peppered her face as she sat up. She quickly brushed the offending grains 
      away and looked around for Darien. For a moment she couldnt see him 
      anywhere. Panic rising she stood up and scanned the water, the beach and 
      the jungle. "Darien!" No response. Nothing but the echo of her voice.
      Did some animal get him? Serena ran aimlessly around the camp area. 
      "Darien!" What would she do now? How would she survive here without him?
      A movement in the vegetation caught her eye. With a shriek, Serena fled 
      and hid behind a palm tree.
      "Serena?" Darien saw a blur of blonde when he got back from hunting. 
      Puzzled he followed the trail of footprints to the tree. "Serena? Are you 
      back there?"
      Serena was cowering behind the palm when he found her. If she was to be 
      described as a bird, shed be an ostrich at that moment. From his vantage 
      point she looked as through she was in earthquake position, curled up on 
      her knees with her hands protecting her neck and her head practically 
      buried in the sand.
      Trying not to laugh, Darien knelt down beside her and put a hand on her 
      shoulder. "Serena."
      Screaming at the top of her lungs, Serena popped open and started running 
      once again.
      Darien grabbed her and put his arms around her. "Serena its me!" she 
      didnt calm down until he managed to make eye contact with her. "Serena!"
      "Darien!" so completely relieved, Serena threw her arms around him and 
      held on for dear life. "Oh my god I thought something ate you!" the 
      extreme sway in her emotion was just too much for her and she started 
      bawling.
      "Ate me?" Darien hid his amused smirk. Only Serena. "I went to see if I 
      could find us some food." Because she looked so genuinely scared he was 
      able to put aside his mirth and give her a hug. "Im sorry I should have 
      told you."
      "Food?" her fear immediately evaporated at the word. "Did you find any?"
      He smiled. At least she wasnt scared anymore. "Yeah. You like fish?"
      She nodded and looked at the enormous fish he had in his hand. "How did 
      you catch it?"
      Darien stood up and helped her up with his free hand. "Thats my little 
      secret. Come on. Lets go cook this bad boy."
      Not too long later they were sitting in the sun and enjoying roasted fish.
      Serena picked a bit of fish up and tasted it. "This is so good!" She 
      grabbed a bit more.
      "Yeah. Not bad if I do say so myself."
      "I really could use a drink though." Serena stared longingly at the surf.
      Darien saw where her eyes were drawn and frowned. "Dont even think about 
      it. Just sit still and Ill be right back." He looked around a moment 
      before he jumped up and ran off before she could argue. He reappeared a 
      second later with two coconuts. Darien bashed the green-husked orbs on a 
      rock then brought them over, handing one to Serena.
      Serena took hers and watched Darien hang his over his face and gulp the 
      juice running from it. "How is it?"
      "Great. You give it a try."
      Serena copied him and let the sweet juice roll around her mouth. "So how 
      come you know how to do all this?"
      "Its amazing what you learn when you read a few books." Darien wiped his 
      mouth on the back of his arm and leaned back against the scratchy bark of 
      the palm.
      "Whats that suppose to mean?" Serena put down the coconut and looked at 
      him.
      "Nothing."
      Serenas spine stiffened as she looked at him. "You think Im a dumb 
      blonde dont you?" she glared at him. "After all these years that weve 
      known each other, you think Im some imbecile!"
      Darien knelt next to her and tried to put and hand on her shoulder. 
      "Serena..."
      "Just leave me alone Darien." Serena turned her back to him and sat 
      staring at the swaying palms. It hurt her to think that even Darien 
      thought that she was nothing more than just a pretty face. No matter how 
      hard she tried at school, thats all she ever was. She even started 
      playing to the fact, letting her schoolwork slide just to live up to her 
      image. Serena was really stating to regret it now. Darien was right. If 
      she had just read more maybe she wouldnt be so helpless in this 
situation.
      She sat there for some time, moping over her academic choices when she 
      heard some banging coming from behind her.
      Over at the edge of the jungle, Darien had some driftwood and was in the 
      process of driving one of the logs into the ground with a rock.
      Serena sucked up her pride and walked over. "Can I help?"
      Darien looked at her a moment and took in the humbled look on her face, 
      then smiled warmly. "Yeah. Grab as many palm leaves as you can and weave 
      them together."
      "Sure. But why?" Serena started gathering a few that had fallen off the 
      tree nearest them.
      "Youre better off getting fresh ones off the tree." He point up at the 
      leaves flitting in the wind. "Well need them for a roof."
      "I see. And how do you suppose I get up there?" Serena looked up at the 
      tall, narrow trunk. Maybe if it had some branches she could climb on or 
      something she might be able to make it.
      Darien looked up as well. "Maybe Id better do it. See if you can find 
      anymore drift wood." And he went up the tree.
      Serena watched him easily shimmy up the tree and shook her head. He made 
      it look too easy. She headed up the beach to see if there were any more 
      logs washed up on the beach. She managed to find a few branches here and 
      there and gathered them up to bring back to their little camp. She 
      returned to find the tree Darien was up in was almost bare of its leaves. 
      She looked up at the flurry of leaves and shouted up to him.
      "Shouldnt you leave some leaves?"
      "Yup." He slid down halfway before jumping to the ground. "See what you 
      can do with these. Ill see if I can find a banana tree. Their leaves 
      would probably work better. Plus I think we could do with a snack."
      Serenas stomach growled in answer. "Youve got that right." She watched 
      him scan the dense vegetation and had to admire his optimism and stamina. 
      How in the world did he find the energy? He ran back to her and grabbed 
      her hand.
      "I think I see a bunch. Come on." Darien pulled her along with him into 
      the bush.
      "Do you think this is such a good idea? What about snakes and other 
      things. They could be hiding anywhere."
      "Just keep an eye out. Ill lead the way." He led them 50 yards into the 
      jungle and looked up. "Yup bananas." Darien grabbed the trunk and was on 
      his way up in the blink of an eye. "Heads up!" Several bunches of bananas 
      fell to the ground in a blur of yellow closely followed by a steady stream 
      of leaves.
      Serena went to work gathering the leaves while Darien returned to the 
      ground. He grabbed the bananas and slung them over his shoulder and led 
      the way back out. "See? Easy."
      Serena smiled genuinely for the first time since they fell off the boat. 
      So far this wasnt that bad. Hopefully their luck would hold out until 
      someone found them.
      Back at the camp they snacked on the bananas while they put the finishing 
      touches on their little hut.
      Serena watched Darien put the roof together and couldnt help but notice 
      that Darien was quite well built. She watched his muscles bunch and flex 
      as he went to work. Serena couldnt believe that she never noticed before. 
      Of course this was the first time that shed ever seen him without his 
      shirt on. But now her eyes were having a free for all on the smooth 
      expanse of skin.
      What was she doing? Serena quickly turned her eyes away. I think all that 
      salt water and sun has effected my brain. She looked down and concentrated 
      on weaving the banana leaves together.
      Serena wiped the sweat from her brow and fanned her face with her hand. 
      The heat was really getting to her now. Serena looked at Darien again and 
      could have sworn that he was the best looking guy shed ever seen. Now 
      that his glasses were gone she could clearly see the clear deep blue of 
      his eyes and their thick black frames didnt engulf the rest of his 
      features. His chin was set determinedly and she had this odd urge to run 
      her fingers over it. The less said about his soft inviting lips the 
      better. Even his hair had gone through a transformation. The salt water 
      tamed it so that it didnt stick out all over the place.
      Serena let her eyes wander down his body over his strong arms, taunt 
      stomach and down. Hed ripped the legs off his shorts so that hed be 
      cooler and in doing so his legs had tanned like the rest of him. Her eyes 
      traced the intriguing shadows his muscles cast.
      Youre losing your mind!!!! Serena blinked as if coming out of a trance. 
      "I think I need a break. The suns getting to me."
      Darien nodded. "Yeah I could use a dip. How about it?"
      Serena barely heard him. She was transfixed on watching him wipe the sweat 
      off his chest with his discarded t-shirt. "Uh, yeah sure. A dip. Sounds 
      nice." She mechanically followed him to the shimmering blue green waters.
      With a whoop, Darien leapt into the water sending spray everywhere. 
      Encouraged by his enthusiasm, Serena ran into the water, jeans and all. 
      She quickly discovered it wasnt a good idea to go swimming in clothing 
      that was several sizes too big and she returned to the surface, 
      spluttering and spitting seawater.
      Darien laughed. "Are you ok?"
      She returned his grin with a scowl. "Yeah sure. Why not? Its not like I 
      havent swallowed enough of this stuff already."
      "Here let me help." Darien stuck his fingers through a hold in the jeans 
      and tore off the lower part of the leg, then did the same to the other 
      side. He took look at her shirt and had to notice the way that it clung to 
      her body in some very tempting places. "You should do something about the 
      shirt too."
      Serena looked down and nodded. Wet, it hung past her knees. She tore most 
      of it away and tied what was left in a knot, that way it didnt tangle on 
      her while she swam yet she still had some shirt to keep her warm at night. 
      "All done! Lets swim!"
      They played tag for a while and swam around the temperate water. Tired out 
      they floated on their backs and let the sun warm their faces.
      This had to be the best place to be stranded and Darien was the best 
      person to be stranded with. Serena turned her head so she could look at 
      him. Even in this sort of situation Darien didnt look like he had a care 
      in the world. There he was floating around like he was meant to be here, 
      like this was his.
      He turned to her and saw her looking at him. "What are you thinking?"
      "How can you be so calm when were stranded on an island and might never 
      get rescued?"
      "Why dont you ask yourself? You look just as content as I feel." He 
      turned away, but not before Serena caught the smug look on his face.
      "Are you saying that Im happy being here?"
      "You definitely look it. Youre glowing and smiling and for once its not 
      due to makeup or forcing yourself to look happy."
      "Thats not true!" But it was, she knew it was. For once in her life she 
      actually felt as good as her outward appearance would have others believe. 
      Serena closed her eyes and let herself float loving the feel of the warm 
      water rocking her. She opened them again when she felt a shadow over her.
      Serena opened her eyes and could only see Dariens silhouette standing 
      over her. Very close to her.
      "Tell me that youre not happy." Dariens voice had a husky quality to it 
      now, and it tugged at something deep inside Serena. He moved even closer, 
      so their lips were a breath apart.
      Her voice caught in her throat. "I cant." she managed to whisper.
      Darien tentatively brushed her lips with his own. Groaning at the sweet 
      taste of her, Darien deepened the kiss. He couldnt help himself. He 
      wrapped his arms around her and they slipped below the surface entering a 
      soundless world that enveloped them.
      They re-emerged gasping for air. Serena wound her arms around Dariens 
      neck while he swept her up in his arms and carried her back onto the beach 
      kissing her the entire way. He tenderly laid her on the soft sun bleached 
      sand and smiled at her.
      Serena had never felt like this before. It was like she was about to burst 
      from all the feelings that were cascading through her. She looked up at 
      him and saw him struggling with himself. He was so sweet. Even now he was 
      worried about her feelings. Her heart swelled at the look on his face and 
      Serena raised a gentle hand to his cheek.
      Darien smiled knowing what she was saying to him with the touch. "You have 
      no idea how long Ive waited for you." He looked at Serena. Her skin had 
      warmed to the colour of honey in all the places he could see it and her 
      hair lightened after the constant contact with the hot sun.
      Serenas gaze collided with his when it returned to her face. All these 
      years and she never knew how he felt about her. How she really felt about 
      him. She ran her fingers from his chin into his hair and held him to her 
      as she assaulted his lips. A sudden hunger gnawed at her now. A hunger 
      that only Darien would satisfy. Heat blossomed starting somewhere in her 
      stomach and radiating out until it warmed even the tips of her fingers. 
      Serena entwined her legs with his until they were hip to hip. There was no 
      denying the arousal coursing through Darien, Serena felt the proof pressed 
      up against her stomach. The feel of it sent shivers through her. The idea 
      that she had so much power over this man was staggering. She watched as 
      passion darkened his eyes to midnight. There was love there and respect; 
      both things that she never saw when she looked into Malachites eyes.
      Darien looked over Serenas slender body and wanted to pinch himself to 
      see if this really was happening. He kissed her again in lieu of the 
      pinch, a much better way of finding out. Gently he caressed her lips with 
      his tasting the wondrous mix of the sea and Serena. A truly intoxicating 
      mix. Darien pulled back a little, trembling slightly with the sensations 
      coursing through him.
      Serena kissed him back just as fiercely. Shed never known that just 
      kissing someone could be such a heady experience. Tingling from head to 
      toe, Serena looked up into his face.
      "Wow."
      Darien sat back trembling slightly and gave her a shaky smile. "Yeah. You 
      can say that again."
      They sat silently for a while just gazing into each others eyes. Serena 
      loved being able to just sit with him and being completely relaxed. She 
      knew Darien didnt care what she wore or who she hung out with. And with 
      him she didnt care either. Smiling contentedly she wrapped her arms 
      around his waist and just held him.
      Darien returned her embrace and leaned back taking her with him. Caressed 
      by the gently blowing breeze, they fell asleep in the shade of a palm.
      ----
      It was evening when Serena awoke. The bright sunlight had dimmed to a 
      subdued indigo lighting the sky in its varying shades. And as usual 
      Darien wasnt by her side. Shaking her head she sat up and ran her fingers 
      through her tangled locks. "Darien? Where are you?"
      "Over here."
      Serena looked over and saw Darien trudging back to their camp with another 
      load of fish. "Why didnt you wake me?" Serena walked over and took a few 
      from him to lighten the load.
      "You looked so cute I didnt want to wake you." He gave her a kiss in 
      greeting and they walked together to the fire hed made earlier.
      "I want to help. What can I do?" She sat down by the cheery little bonfire 
      and looked into his eyes.
      "You can gut the fish and cook them while I fix up the hut a bit." He 
      laughed when she wrinkled her nose. "Or -"
      Serena put up her hand. " No, no. Ill do it. Just show me how."
      So he showed her how to do it roughly with a sharp rock. He sat with her 
      until she got the hang of it and then walked over the few feet to the hut.
      Serena concentrated on the task, trying to fight the nausea as she removed 
      the innards of the fish. Then she jammed it onto a stick and roasted it 
      over the fire. It didnt take her too long to cook most of the fish.
      "How are you doing over there? Im just about done cooking." Serena looked 
      over her shoulder and saw Darien emerge from the doorway of the hut.
      "Its liveable, I guess. Not exactly a five star hotel or anything." 
      Darien dusted himself off and sat down next to Serena.
      "Here." She handed him a fish. "Im sure the huts great." She watched him 
      take a bite out of the fish without hesitation and then nod approvingly.
      "Its not bad." He saw at her intense look and laughed. "What?"
      "You didnt even look at it."
      "Was I supposed to?"
      "Well you might have gotten a half cooked one or something."
      He took another bite. "Tastes fine to me." He threw an arm around her 
      shoulder. "I trust you so I dont worry about stuff like that."
      Serena smiled. "Thanks."
      They settled down to a leisurely meal of fish and coconut juice and they 
      talked about just about everything they could think of. By the time they 
      finished eating, they knew everything about each other.
      "Feel like a dip?" Darien gave her an impish grin.
      "Nah I just want to sit here for a bit." Serena leaned back on her elbows 
      and sighed.
      "I think you do." He inched towards her.
      "No!" she tried to get up and run from him but was too late. In a flash he 
      had her in his arms and was carrying into the lapping waves. 
      "Nooooooooo!!!" She tried haphazardly to get out of his grasp and was 
      laughing when he dunked her. Two could play at this game. Serena grabbed 
      at his legs while she was under and dragged him into the dark waters.
      They both resurfaced laughing and spluttering.
      Darien tried to scowl but failed miserably. "I cant believe you did 
that!"
      "Well you shouldnt have dunked me!" Serena flipped onto her back and 
      stared up at the velvety blanket of stars and inky blackness that made up 
      the night sky. "Its so beautiful here, isnt it?"
      He swam over to her. "Absolutely."
      Serena was silent for a moment, and then asked, "Do you think that theyll 
      find us?"
      "They will. Dont worry." He took her hand and floated next to Serena.
      Serena tightened her grip on his hand. "What happens when we get back?" 
      Would he still want to be with her? Would she want to be with him? What if 
      it was the spell of the island that caused the attraction between them?
      Darien pulled her over until their heads were bobbing above the surface. 
      "Well figure that out when we get there." He kissed her so she 
      practically went limp in his arms. "Okay?"
      She nodded, still breathless from his kiss. "Okay."
      It was late when they returned to the hut. The air grew heavy just before 
      fat raindrops pelted the woven roof. And they laid there listening to the 
      soothing rhythm of the rain. The hut had just enough room for the both of 
      them to lay down side to side. With not much room to spare. Still it was 
      snug and, at the moment, waterproof.
      Serena turned on her side and looked into Dariens face. Even in the dark 
      she could make out the magnificent blue pools looking at her. "Have you 
      ever thought about contacts?"
      He shook his head. "Not really. I only really need glasses for reading."
      "How come you wear them all the time then?" she ran her fingers lightly 
      over his brows and down his chiselled cheekbones. "I think you look much 
      better without them."
      Darien inched closer. "Oh really? Anything else you want to change about 
      me?"
      Now it was Serenas turn to move closer. "Not a thing." She moved her lips 
      over his, boldly caressing his mouth with hers. "Anything you want to 
      change about me?" she managed to mumble against his lips.
      "Just your boyfriend. I have a much better guy in mind." Darien wound his 
      fingers in her hair, holding her to him so he could plunder her lips. She 
      tasted so sweet he could stop himself with just one taste.
      Her legs entwined themselves with his and her hands found their way under 
      his shirt, exploring the smooth expanse with their sensitive tips. She let 
      them roam over every dip and plane of his superbly muscled back.
      Her senses were being bombarded with a never-ending supply of stimulus. 
      Darien was invading every one of them. All she could feel, taste, hear, 
      smell and see was Darien and she loved it. Needed more of it.
      Darien slipped into a deeper state of a delirium. He needed to feel her 
      skin against his. Needed to hear her voice grow heavy with need then to 
      hear it sigh with ecstasy. He pulled her soggy top off in one fell swoop, 
      sending it against the wall with a wet plop. Free to roam, his eyes raked 
      over her torso. He could just make out her pale skin and followed it to 
      the swell of her breast, then down her flat stomach and to the offending 
      material that still dared to cover from him. He undid them and dragged it 
      down her lean legs, skimming them with his fingers and loving the silky 
      feel of her skin.
      Slowly he slid his way back up to her letting his hands and eyes wander to 
      their satisfaction. Unable to stop himself he leaned forward and took an 
      aching peak into his mouth and gently flicked his tongue over her.
      Serena reared up, wanting more. Sensation after sensation rocketed through 
      her. Mindlessly she fisted her hand in his hair anchoring him to her. He 
      moved from one to the other never breaking contact with her skin. When she 
      couldnt take it anymore, she tugged at his shirt, trying to pull him up 
      to her. He resisted. "Darien."
      The plea in her voice was too much for him. Darien came to her then, 
      kissing his way to her mouth. He helped her pull his shirt off, only 
      breaking the kiss to whip the collar over his head. He quickly regained 
      her lips and wound his arms around her pressing her tightly against him so 
      that he could feel every breath she took.
      The feel of his cold chest against hers tightened the peaks of her breasts 
      into hard pebbles. As he moved she could feel them scrape against his hard 
      chest sending even more shivers skittering through her already trembling 
      body. The slight ping of awareness that she felt every time he looked at 
      her had now escalated in an all consuming ache that ravaged her entire 
      body, arching her neck back and curling her toes. All that mattered now 
      was Darien and her need for him.
      Her hand timidly skimmed over his tight stomach to the fastening on her 
      jeans. He helped her out with it and kicked the fabric off his long legs. 
      Embracing her once again, he made sure that every inch of their bodies was 
      touching where they could. Gently he rolled her under him and kissed her 
      again. This time he broke it to look deeply into her eyes. He needed to 
      know if there was any doubt there.
      Serena stared back at him and for a moment the world stopped moving. The 
      sea no longer rolled onto the shore. The rain stopped its rhythmic beat 
      on the woven roof. All she could hear were their hearts beating in unison 
      and all she could see was the question in his eyes. In answer, she pulled 
      him down to her and kissed him. Shed never been surer of anything in her 
      entire life.
      Darien let out the breath hed been holding and kissed her back, letting 
      go of his control as the sensations wash over him.
      And the sounds of love echoed into the night.