I'd known Seth had been planning something by the way he had been a bit distant during the next week. He was secretive and would not give anything away, but I let him act that way knowing he would eventually let me in.

That time came mid-Sunday when a knock sounded at the door of my room. Luce had gone out on a date with Charlie so I was alone and had been immersed in a novel. With the sound, I sit up and head towards the door which I open to find Seth, waiting patiently.

"I have a surprise for you...." Is the first thing he says when I open the door and the look in Seth's eyes is pure mischievousness and it both scares and excites me.

"Is it too late to tell you that I hate surprises?" I laugh nervously. "Let's just turn around go back inside while we still can."

"Where would be the fun in that? Trust me, I know you hate surprises but you'll love this one."

"Okay," I say in complete confidence.

"Okay?" He raises his brow.

"I trust you." As the words leave my mouth Seth's lip tip up into a smile and it completely melts my heart with its warmth and I can't help but look down to hide any reaction evident on my face.

He takes that as an opportunity to lean through the doorway and place a tender kiss on my forehead. "You make me so happy."

The seemingly simple words that leave his mouth mean so much more than that. Never from my first day meeting him would I have ever imagined that in a few months' time the guy I'd assumed to be an asshole with his cocky smirk would be saying such sweet things to me and become one of the only people who truly understood me.

Seth 'Stone' King had single-handedly stolen my closed-off heart and taken it to the frontlines where it was most susceptible to damage. Over time I'd realised his rough exterior was just a show to see who would make the effort to get to know the real him; the one who absolutely adored his mother, worshipped his dad, is a role model and teacher to his little brother and would go to war to help his friends. He was undoubtedly the best kind of man and I was in no way worthy of being in his presence, but I was glad nevertheless.

In an attempt to ease my embarrassment, I look up and comment, "Let's go before I change my mind."

He nods in response leads me out of the door rooms and into his car, shifting into gear quickly, probably afraid I'll decide I want to go back into the safe house which is the dorm room. Whilst driving through the windy roads, we pass multiple shades of green and brown of the trees and shrubs and I find myself getting lost in the colours as they whip past.

An hour later, Seth finally pulls into a long drive and as we arrive at the end he cuts the ignition my mouth widens in shock. In front of us are two buildings; a farmhouse and a barn which features two saddled horses out the front. One is a beautiful dappled grey whilst the other is a brown and white pinto.

"Seth," I murmured slowly. "What are we doing here?"

"Well, we're going horseback riding, silly." He mocks me sweetly, sticking his tongue out.

"I've never ridden a horse before." I state.

"I know," he's smiling.

"I've always wanted to," I continue.

"I know," he repeats.

"But I can't, I'm too scared. There's no way I can do this."

Seth takes my hand in his grip, bring it to his lips and kissing it softly. "Doe, you can do anything you set your mind to," he released my hand, opening and shutting his door before making his way around the car to open mine, and bows offering his arm, "Your chariot awaits, milady."

"Seth," I pause again.

"I know, I know, you love me." He jokes.

And even though other times when he has said the same thing I kept quiet, this time I open my mouth and speak my mind, "I really, really do."

He looks up from his bowed position in surprise, but it's not long before his signature smile transforms his face and he stands to place a chaste kiss on my lips, "You know I love you, too."

"It's nice to see you again, Seth. This must beautiful girl must be Lily." We're interrupted by a middle-aged woman with red hair pulled into a bun at the base of her head, with a fringe covering her forehead. Without missing a beat, Seth grasps her outstretched hand and pulls her in for a hug.

"It's great to see you again, Melissa. How have the kids been doing?"

"They're good, although the older ones miss you and the new ones wish they knew you," she chuckles before turning to me. "Sorry, I should introduce myself. I'm Melissa and my husband and I are the owners of this property, used to be our family home and it still is, but we've turned it into a camp for troubled kids. Seth was one of our campers before he started volunteering as a guide."

"You? Trouble?" I turn to Seth, but Melissa answers my question.

"There's a distinct difference between trouble and troubled, he just needed a little guidance after his sweet pop passed away. The kids here absolutely adore him."

Once again, Seth has stunned me with just how many things I am yet to learn about him and I tell him so, "You amaze me."

Melissa laughs before stating, "Chief and Pixie are all ready to go. I assume I can leave them in your capable hands, Seth?"

"Scouts honour," He swears, even holding up the fingers.

"Oh Dear, you were never a scout," She comments, but a grin adorns her face. "Enjoy yourselves, you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," and winking she walks off, leaving us alone once again.

With that, Seth shuts the passenger door behind me and pulls me towards the horses. He halts when he reaches the pinto and I begin to brush my hair over the softness of his fur stating, "He's gorgeous."

"This is Chief, he'll be your horse and will treat you like the gentleman he is, while I'll be riding Pixie," he nods his head towards the grey horse who has approached us, vying for attention like Chief.

"You just can't resist having any female under you, can you?" I question, smirking.

"Nah, she just requires someone experienced, unlike Chief who will take it slow." He winks at me and I feel my cheeks warm at the action. "You ready to hop on, I'll give you a boost."

I turn my body to face Chief's side and place a hand either side of the saddle before placing my left foot in Seth's cupped palm. With a couple failed attempts I won't lie, I eventually make it into the saddle and position my feet into the stirrups. Much to my dismay, Seth mounts Pixie with grace, putting me to shame. He sits straight but relaxed in the saddle, poised.

Chief begins to move backwards and I squeak in fright, "What's happening? Stop, help."

In a second Seth, along with Pixie, are alongside me and giving guidance. "Relax your hold on the reins, it's too tight and you're pulling it towards you so he thinks you want him to move backwards." I relax my hold and Chief stills. "Now, when you're ready for him to move forward give him a soft kick in the belly and just manoeuvre your reins about 90 degrees left or right when you want him to turn. He is pretty familiar with the track so he'll most likely do everything without much encouragement, but if you ever want him to slow down or stop, just pull back lightly on the reins." Seth's calm voice reassures me that this will be okay and that if I just relax I'll have a good time.

"Far out, they make it sees so damn easy in the movies."

Seth chuckles, "You've got this, Doe and remember nine-year-olds ride Chief."

"Thanks for making me sound like my fears are irrational," I quip.

"Never," he reassures me once again and with a soft kick to Pixie's stomach, Seth begins to move forward and I do the same with Chief, setting us off towards the trees.

I'm in awe as we ride, passing native flowers, streams and a rabbit even crosses our path. It's so peaceful out here and Seth and I are both quiet as we take in our surroundings. Eventually, we reach a clearing and I found my mouth gaping open at the view. We are on the hillside and from here you can vaguely see the town over the tops of trees and the ocean meeting the horizon where the sun is setting. The sky is a mixture of purples and oranges and it's so extremely beautiful.

"I love this view," Seth comments, so much adoration in his voice and I begin to agree with him, but when I turn around he's not looking at the sunset. He's gazing at me.

I make a point of ignoring his comment and continue, "Yeah, the sunset looks so much better here."

"That's not what I was talking about and you know it," he says brazenly. He's staring at me so intensely and his amber eyes seem to smoulder in this light. "Come here," he gestures as he dismounts and makes his way towards me. I do the same and I watch as he reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a jewellery box.

"Lily, from the moment I met you I knew you'd be different from any other girl I've met. You leave me in awe of you every single day and never fail to take my breath away. I wanted to get you something to express my love for you, because I do really, truly love you, but I thought a ring might be too much." He opens the gift box and inside is a gorgeous gold hummingbird necklace and my hand moves to cover my mouth as I marvel at its beauty. Seth continues, despite my speechlessness. "Love isn't something I've ever felt outside of my family, but I feel it with you and I just wanted you to know that I'm here and I love you." It's here that he stops and ponders my response and for the second time since I've known him, he looks worried, scared of what I might say.

"Of course, I love you, too! Oh my god, Seth, I love it... How'd you know I love hummingbirds," I turn around so he can put it on me, his fingers caressing my neck as he hooks it on.

His breath tickles my neck as he whispers into my ear, "Because I know you."

I touch the necklace which rests just below my collarbone, turning around to face this caring and amazing man who has brought so much happiness and adventure to my life, reaching a hand behind his neck so I can pull his mouth down to mine.

As per usual, the butterflies explode in a frenzy as we kiss, his hands creeping into my hair and around my waist as he brings our bodies closer and we find ourselves lost to our surroundings.

But clearly, our make-out session wasn't impressive to a certain audience, because the Pixie decides to come up behind me and pull my hair, forcing me away from Seth.

"Wow, someone's jealous..." I joke, laughing, but massaging my now tender head.

"I mean, can you blame her." He raises a brow, his cocky persona back and ready to play.

"You can always take this necklace back, give it to her, maybe?" I challenge him.

"Naw, right on your pretty neck is where it belongs." He places a quick tender kiss on my forehead, "I love you."

I beam at his words but stick my tongue out, "Yeah, you're alright."