I kiss her again.
Because apparently self-control is no longer part of the equation tonight. Especially not when I am around her.
The moment my lips touch hers, Autumn responds instantly.
Her hands grip the front of my shirt, pulling me closer as if she's been waiting for this just as much as I have.
Maybe she has. I hope she has.
The kiss deepens slowly, naturally, until the rest of the world fades away.
The ocean.
The wind.
Everything.
All I can focus on is the warmth of her lips and the way she leans into me like she trusts me to catch her.
That's the part that hits the hardest.
Trust.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing harder than before.
Autumn stays close, her emerald green eyes darker in the moonlight.
"You're trouble," she whispers.
I can't help smiling.
"You like trouble."
She doesn't deny it.
Instead she rests her forehead lightly against my chest. It fits perfectly.
I hesitate for half a second before wrapping my arms around her.
She fits there too easily.
Her head settles over my heartbeat like it belongs there.
"You're going to ruin me," she mumbles.
I laugh quietly.
"Probably."
She snorts softly.
"Good to know."
We stand there like that for a while, the waves crashing rhythmically against the shore.
For once my mind isn't racing.
For once I'm not thinking about mistakes or consequences.
Everything feels strangely calm.
And that should probably worry me.
Because calm moments like this never last.
Not for people like me.