Define Me

by Culine Ramsden

  At eleven the game started.

  I was the first to serve, the game went well but it was not at all easy, landed with my face in the sand once or twice. It was up and down, suddenly we were a point ahead eventually I manage to slam the last one down right in the corner by the back line.

  "WE WON, WE WON"

  Heather came running onto the court nearly knocking me over. "OMG you did it, you won!"

  "Not me, we won… Sam and I did it” Heather could be so bitchy some times.

  "Ya, ya that’s what I mean, congratulations."

  The next thing I felt was a pair of big strong arms coming around my waist, his mouth right next to my ear. That smell, it could only be Vincent. "I knew you could do it, congrats, I’m proud of you"

  That is all I needed to hear.

  He then lifted me up onto his shoulder; Cole did the same to Sam. Vincent was so tall, I felt like I was on top of the world looking down. That was when I spotted him.

  It was Brent, the guy from school, oh my word I couldn’t believe it. Those beautiful aqua eyes, our eyes locked he winked at me, he then turned away talking to the guy standing next to him.

  When I looked down, Heather was tugging on my leg; I saw a worried look on her face. I gestured in the direction of where Brent was standing, Heather quickly caught on to what I was showing her, her eyes went big and she screamed. That was the scream the two of us used when we were excited, it drove my poor mother crazy.

  Before I could say a word she was gone, from my elevated point I could see where she was headed, a bee- line for Brent. I think she always had a soft place for TDD. I would never tell her what I thought; she was the one that saw him first.

  The next hour was a blur; so much going on so many people to meet, photo shoot with Vincent and Cole, it was crazy! After all was done, I took at seat under one of the tents, the sun was hot and I felt a little light headed. I was lying on my back with my eyes closed just trying to gather myself. Wow we won, $ 1 000 and the face of Simplicity!

  It was truly a new beginning; I hoped it was going to be a positive one. I hoped that Vincent would be part of my new beginning.

  I was still day dreaming away about Vincent, when he suddenly put his hand on my knee. It sent shivers down my spine; I could feel my body burning from his touch. When I opened my eyes, he was lying on his side leaning on his right arm.

  "Hey gorgeous, how do you feel?"

  “What?" I could not speak properly. He was too close my mind was foggy.

  "I asked how you are feeling"

  "Um, great thanks, just a little dehydrated I should have more water" with that I tried to jump up but Vincent got hold of my hand and pulled me down on top of his lap.

  I panicked…

  He placed his hands on either side of my face, his emerald green eyes focused on mine. His mouth was so close but not touching.

  "Stop running, let it happen, give me a chance, please?" Before I could open my mouth Vincent kissed me. His lips closed over mine, I could feel the roughness of his beard on my face, his tongue stroked my bottom lip and very slowly pushed past into my mouth. In that moment I was lost, the world stood still. His tongue twirled and twisted with mine, I could taste the mintyness of his breath. We kiss what felt like forever.

  Finally he pulled away, breaking our kiss. He tilted my head so that I could look into his eyes. He just stared at me for a while before he gave me a peck on my forehead.

  I could not find the right words to tell him how he made me feel when he kissed me, so I showed him. I moved my right hand to the back of his neck, pulling him closer and my left hand on this chest, right over his heart, I kissed him with all the passion I could muster! To answer the question I saw in his eyes…Yes, I'm in, yes I will stop running, I want you. YES, YES, YES!

  I was happy, for the first time in so very long my heart and soul felt free of pain. I felt alive, new and happy. I could have jumped up and done my happy dance but Vincent might have thought I was crazy.

  After my kiss Vincent looked like the wind was knocked out of him. Perhaps he thought he would have had to fight a little harder to get my attention

  "Does that mean yes?"

  "YES"

  Vincent lifted me off his lap and got up; he wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. I could have stayed in those arms forever.

  "Let's go to my shop, I will get you something to make u feel better". On our way I spotted Heather, she was talking to a bunch of guys dressed in army uniform, I wouldn’t be seeing her for a while, that was for sure. Perhaps she had found Brent.

  Still deep in thought over Heather and Brent I didn't see Vincent bending down and scooping me into his arm, I squealed in surprise. I flung my arms around his neck and kissed him. I took a big breath scenting him, to think if just the smell of him made my toes curl what I wouldn’t do if I were beneath him.

  “Oh no”, I squeezed my legs together, I needed to stop thinking dirty thoughts about Vincent, it was far too early for things like that. My rule was; 3 dates at least before I could get my hands on that fine ass!! “CAITLIN!!” My inner voice scolds me!!

  When we got back to Simplicity Vincent placed me on one of the red bar stools by the counter, while he went into the kitchen for something to eat. I was staring at him walking away when Rebecca entered the shop. I got some strange looks from her that I was not quite sure how to react. She was friendly though, not sure if she realised that Vincent was in the back.

  "Well done on your win today, you guys were really good"

  "Thank you, it was hard but I had fun"

  "Can I get you something?"

  "No its ok, Vincent has that covered"

  As soon as I said his name her body language changed, I really needed to ask Vincent if there was something between them, this was really starting to annoy me.

  "Ok then, I will be off; I'll go see if Cole needs me at the stall outside"

  "Bye, see you"

  That woman was strange, all I knew was I didn’t want to get on her bad side, I knew she would kick my ass. Five minutes later Vincent appeared carrying a tub of raspberries, bananas, apple juice, frozen yoghurt and some other stuff I was not certain of. “I will put it all in the blender for a few minutes.” He made us both a glass of it.

  "It is called a Turbo-Boost; it will make you feel better in a minute"

  "Mm...tastes amazing"

  We sat chatting for a while; I was trying to build up the courage to ask him about Rebecca, but was not sure how to say it without sounding like a jealous girlfriend. I was not even sure if that was what I was. He said he wanted to get to know me better and this was the start of something, but I was not sure. I needed to know about Rebecca.

  I was sipping on my drink, looking up at him. I think he could see from the frown on my face that something was on my mind.

  "What it is, you have worry lines on your face?"

  "Worry lines?"

  "Yes, what is on your mind, spill it"

  "Um, Rebecca….is she or was she your girlfriend?"

  "No"

  "No what, is or was"

  "She is my employee that is it, nothing more"

  "I get the feeling there is more behind this"

  "Let’s just say I have no interest in her, never have and never will"

  "Ok so you mean I don't have to worry about her slipping something into my smoothie in the mornings?"

  With a grin on his face “No you don't have to worry, but from now on I will make sure I'm here in the mornings for your breakfast run"

  "Aah thanks, that would be nice, you mean you just going to make me breakfast every morning or are you going to come and run with me."

  "It is up to you, if you want me, I will be there"

  "I want"

  Vincent just gave me a smile, pulled me closer and kissed me on the head.

  Simplicity arranged for a big beach party after the finals. A lot of the locals took the opportunity to play one last time before the stands and courts were remo
ved that Monday.

  Heather found her way back to our group after a few hours. Heather and Cole decided on a little friendly competition against Vincent and me. I was so tired from the days playing that I was not in the mood; I made Vincent do all the hard work. It was fun watching him trying to get to all the shots. A few times I got a swat on my ass for not diving for the ball. What did he expect, how could I resist watching his mussels move with every stretch and jump? Hell I was a mess of sexual tension. How was I going to stick to my 3 date rule with a man like this?

  After best of 3 games, we lost. Heather loved the fact that they just beaten us. I was in a happy place; Vincent was by my side and we were on the beach, who could ask for a better way to end an already perfect day.

   Chapter 8

  It was getting late, the sun was already setting. I was really tired and I needed a bath, I love the beach but the sand gets up everywhere, it was really starting to make me feel uncomfortable.

  Heather and I were sitting chatting while Vincent sorted a few last minute things at the shop.

  This is the first time I got to talk to Heather alone after she went looking for Brent.

  "So did you find him?"

  "Who?"

  "You know who, don't play stupid with me"

  "No, when I got to the place where he was standing, he was gone. I did meet a few of his buddies, cool guys; think I will hang out with them again. There were a few hotties, but unfortunately not as hot as TDD"

  I was disappointed; I would have loved to see him again

  "Oh"

  "What does that mean, Oh?

  "Nothing, I just wanted to say Thanks, I never got to say it, I'm grateful for what he did back then"

  "Grateful for what?" Vincent walked in at the tail end of our conversation.

  "Nothing much, I saw one of our old school friend who saved Cat's sexy ass at school, but when I went to find him, he was gone…nothing much"

  I could see the question in Vincent's eyes; I was just not ready to go into the whole Hunter story with him as yet. Before he could asked I changed that subject and gave Heather THE look to tell her to drop it.

  "I'm tired I need a bath, do you mind if I call it a day"

  "Yes I would mind, but I understand, it has been a long one"

  "Can I walk you home?"

  "That would be lovely"

  "Ok then, I will see you later, going to join the other's at the bonfire"

  "Perfect, I will see you later"

  Heather walked off to join Sam and the others. I just could not stand feeling like that any longer. I got up and Vincent came around the counter. He slipped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him. I fit perfectly under his arm and I put my arm around his waist. We walked side by side towards my house, I could feel someone watching us, in this light I could not see a thing.

  As we got to my front door I turned around to face Vincent. He put his hands on my hips and pulled me closer again. I put both my hands on his chest and stood on my toes, I rested my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beat speeding up. I closed my eyes just for a second, I love being in his arms. I felt protected and safe; I never felt that with Hunter.

  Vincent rested his mouth on the top of my head for a little while and then kissed me. I pulled away so that I could look into his eyes.

  "You know, we are moving a little fast, I've only known you for two days"

  "I know... does that matter? I like you Caitlin and I mean really like you"

  "I like you to, but…”

  "You said yes earlier, now what? Why not just enjoy this?"

  "I'm not very good with relationships, quite crap actually"

  "Oh come on"

  "No seriously, my last one did a number on me, I’m not sure if I will be any good for you"

  "Let’s take it one step at a time"

  "Ok"

  I kissed Vincent; he moved his hand and pulled me in even closer. I could feel every part of his body against mine, as though our bodies melted into each other. After what felt like forever, I pulled away.

  "I am going to have a bath; if you want we can have some drinks on the patio later, just us, while the rest enjoy the bonfire. That is if you don't want to go there"

  "I would love to have you to myself, I’m just going to lock up and then I will be back, I will bring us a snack"

  "Great, I will see you later"

  "See you later"

  I watched him walk away. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something move in the shadows, Vincent was too far away for me to call him back. I quickly ran into the house and slammed the door shut. I went upstairs, my heart still racing. I poured a hot bubble bath; my bath is right next to the window so I could look out over the beach and the ocean. I spent over and hour in the bath and then at least another hour putting cream on and trying to find the right thing to wear.

  Coming down the stairs I put my IPod on its docking station and put it on shuffle, then walked outside. The sky was very dark already, but my patio was all lit up. Vincent placed what looked like a 100 candles and on the table was a platter of fresh fruit and cheese. It took my breath way. I was still standing looking at the scene in front of me when Vincent walked up from behind me, he was also freshly showered. He put his left arm around me and with his right hand moved my hair from my neck. He lowered his face in my neck and kissed me softly, it sent tingles right to the core of my body.

  Moments like that stay in your head.

  I wondered where he lived, how he could have done this in such a short time.

  "I had some help, I asked the girls to sort out the candles and I went home and got this for us"

  Did he read my mind or had my face given it away again?

  "It is wonderful, thank you"

  "Come sit with me"

  Vincent walked over to one of the chairs and pulled me onto his lap. I think this was my favourite seat by far, the only place I wanted to sit from then on. I sat with my back against his chest; it took me a little while to relax. I know that he could feel it to, but he was patient with me, he put his hands on my back and rubbed my shoulders until the tension left me.

  We sat like this for a while, music softly playing in the background, Vincent had his arms wrapped around me and nuzzled his nose in my hair. "You smell amazing” It all felt so peaceful.

  "Let’s dance"

  "What... here on my patio, are you crazy the people can see us?"

  "Yes, why not, I would love to dance with you"

  Vincent lifted me off his lap and held my hand while he got up. It was beautiful outside, just a soft breeze blowing.

  Once the song had ended, Vincent walked us over to the railing. We stood there like the night before just looking at the moon shining on the sea, it is beautiful and magical. In that moment I knew this was right for me. We talked about our childhood and what the future held. It was nice to meet someone that was so positive about what could be, should be. I was really starting to feel tired, Vincent led me back to the seat, I sat cradled in his lap, with his right arm around my back.

  We talked so much. It was wonderful just to be able to open up and be myself; whilst chatting we fed each other fruit and cheese.

  Somewhere during the evening, day’s activities overcame me and I fell asleep on Vincent's chest.

  I woke up with Vincent carrying me to my room; he pulled the covers with his one hand and then lay me down. He bent down to kiss me on my head. I laced my fingers around his neck pulling him closer.

  "I will see you in the morning for a run, sleep now"

  That night was the best I had ever slept, I dreamt about green eyes, black cars and beautiful sunsets.

  Chapter 9

  I woke up Monday morning with new hope, new love. I jumped up almost knocking Heather out of bed. I didn't remember her coming in last night.

  "Hey, watch it, what you so excited about this early in the morning?"

  "Hey, what time did you get in?"

  "Um, I think around two thi
s morning, was spending time with one sexy piece of ass"

  "Now who would that be? Cole or one of the army men I saw you adoring?"

  "Nice, you think I'm a Ho, Cole of course, ok but back to you, why so chipper this morning?"

  "Vincent of course!"