around her and lifted her up to spin her in a wild circle. He seemed so strong – she was practically weightless. Suddenly, she felt like a helium balloon, and grasped his forearms - trying not to float away. He laughed and she looked into his eyes. The color was off. They were like blue fire. He set her down and flung his backpack to the ground. “Well?” He raised an eyebrow. She slowly slid her own backpack off her shoulders and placed it down. He was watching her, the electric blue of his eyes glowing oddly. What was wrong with him? “Julian, I don’t think this is a good idea.” The woods around them darkened. Ainsley shivered. “Poor darling, you’re cold! Let me warm you.” His smile was sincere but his eyes were all wrong. She backed up a step. “I’m okay.” “Ainsley, what’s wrong?” “What’s happening to your eyes?” A fleeting look crossed his face and was gone. “It’s the light, Ainsley. Your eyes are glowing too.” He took a step toward her. “You’re beautiful.” His voice had grown low and hypnotic, it made her heart race. She stepped forward to meet him, expecting soft teasing kisses. He surprised her by pushing her into the tree at her back. The bark pressed its fingers to her shoulder blades as his insistent mouth claimed hers. He ran his hands down her ribcage and let his thumbs brush over her nipples. The unexpected thrill of pleasure made her gasp. He pressed his lean body against her soft one and she could feel the length of him harden against her hip. Another shiver of desire ran through her in response. She pressed her breasts against his chest and ran her nails down his lightly muscled biceps. He growled in excitement and devoured her mouth again, rocking the bulge against her helplessly. Suddenly Ainsley could hear the clink of silverware at the inn restaurant. She could smell the exhaust from the cars on the highway just outside town. She could taste the rain in the air. A storm was coming, a hundred miles away. What was happening? Everything seemed familiar but it wasn’t right. Like a bad imitation. She began to cry. Sobs racked her body. Julian pulled away. “Ainsley, I’m sorry, I know you’re a nice girl. We don’t have to do this.” She heard herself say, “Julian, being here like this with you might just be my favorite thing.” Her arms went around his neck and she grasped his bottom lip between her teeth and suckled gently. He surrendered with a growl and took her face in his hands. His tongue sought hers. Again, he pressed himself against her. A wave of desire coursed over her and she moaned into his mouth. He swept her off her feet and laid her gently on the bed of pine needles. He lay down next to her on his side and stroked her from her rib cage down to her hip, his azure eyes searching hers. She could feel each individual pine needle under her. But she couldn’t feel the cold ground and she didn’t care anymore about the color of his eyes. She only cared about the heat of his hand as it traveled the length of her body. She arched her back, offering him her breasts. He responded immediately, cupping her right breast in his hand reverently. She watched as his thumb brushed her nipple again and his lips parted in wonder as her nipple swelled, popping over the demi-cup of her bra, and pushing against the fabric of her thin t-shirt. Ainsley’s head fell back on the pine needles as he mouthed her nipple through the cotton of her shirt. The sensation was overwhelming and she felt it all over at once. Soon the muted contact was not enough for him and he lifted her shirt. She helped him slip it over her head. Her breasts ached as he pulled away from her to remove his Tarker’s Hollow High t-shirt. His lightly muscled body was graceful yet powerful. He gave her no time to admire it. Quickly he dipped his head down to nuzzle and kiss her breasts gently. She clutched his hair, pressing him to her. He responded with