**Author Note: The lyrics in this chapter are from the traditional Irish ballad Let No Man Steel Your Thyme. The version posted is sung by Carey Mulligan**

Tilly's is just as crowded as it was the last time I was here. But instead of loud rock music this time it's folk.

We find a table in a corner of the bar. Jake and I both have a habit of people watching, and we both get caught up in this until we look at each other and laugh.

"I still owe you that last drink," he says.

I nod with a smile, "Yes you do, and I'll take the usual."

He gets up and returns after a moment with two whiskeys. "Here's to being reunited." He clinks his glass to mine.

"To us," I say with a smile and take a sip.

Jake stares at me for a moment with an unreadable look in his eyes before taking a drink. After looking around he leans across the table. "So, this is similar to the type of bar I'd want to own."

"Really? It's pretty divey."

"I like dive bars. We just didn't go to many together back home. Don't you like it here?"

"I have to admit I do. And they have live music here all the time. Is that something you'd want too?"

He nods his head. "Yeah, I would. So, what about you? Are you going to try and do something with your art now?"

I shrug. "Oh, I don't know. It's a fun hobby."

Jake frowns. "Sloan, your art is not just a hobby. Or doesn't have to be. You're talented. I remember what your art was like in college, and heck even in high school it was great."

"I think you're just biased as my friend."

"It's absolutely true that I'm a bit biased when it comes to you. But it's not because I'm your friend. It's because I know how great you are."

I ignore what the look on his face is doing to me and instead shift my attention out over the bar to the people dancing. Suddenly the music changes to a slower melodic ballad. A young man plays the violin, while a young woman steps up to sing.

The woman's voice sweeps over the whole bar and a hush settles. Everyone stops moving, completely captivated by her voice.

Come all you fair and tender girls

That flourish in your prime

Beware, beware, keep your garden fair

Let no man steal your thyme

Let no man steal your thyme...

Couples start to dance slowly in the middle of the bar. Completely captivated by the melancholy and enchanting song, I listen transfixed.

For when your time, it has passed and gone

He'll care no more for you

And every place, where your time was waste

Will all spread o'er with rue

Will all spread o'er with rue

Turning my attention back away from the singer I look over at Jake with a smile, meaning to say something about the song. But there's a vulnerable look in his eyes that makes me swallow my words.

Getting up he reaches his hand out, and I take it - letting him lead me out onto the makeshift dance floor.

He moves one arm around me, rests his hand against my back, and with the other takes my hand. We fall into an easy rhythm. Leading me effortlessly to the music, I realize he's a good dancer - something I would know if I had stayed for that dance at Prom.

The gardener's son was standing by

Three flowers he gave to me

The pink, the blue, and the violet true

And the red, red rosy tree

And the red, red rosy tree

I turn to look up at him and our eyes meet. My stomach flutters at the expression in his gaze. Pulling me closer to him, Jake leans his head against mine. The warmth from his body and hint of cologne is wreaking havoc on my senses. They're on overdrive as he slides his hand to the small of my back and pulls me closer. He turns his face against my hair and leaves just the hint of a kiss. I melt at the gesture.

Taking a shaky breath, I realize my body is alight with desire. I instinctively want to move even closer but hesitate. This is new territory, but though I'm taken aback about how I'm feeling, I'm not nervous. I feel safe. Safe in these arms that know me, really know me. His head still resting on mine, I let myself close my eyes and imagine we are the only ones that exist in this moment.

But I refused the red rose bush

And gained the willow tree

That all the world may plainly see

How my love slighted me

How my love slighted me

Leaning even closer, Jake rests his cheek against mine and I find myself turning my face, my lips almost against his. Moving slightly in response, his lips become just a whisper away. We breathe the shallow air between us as the song comes to an end. I can feel his pulse in my hand beating just as rapidly as my own.

The band switches tempo and upbeat music infiltrates the air. The dance floor fills once more, but we remain still, gazing at one another. His eyes are dark and intense, and they reflect what I'm feeling with every fiber of my being. Leaning down, he murmurs against my ear.

"Let's get out of here."

I nod and let him lead me outside into the cool night air.

We walk in silence back to the cottage, stealing glances at one another, our shoulders brushing as we move. There's a knot of tension forming in my stomach and my heart is hammering in my chest uncontrollably.

Arriving home, I shakily unlock the front door while Jake's warm hand rests on the small of my back, causing a surge of anticipation through my body. Inside the house, I switch on the light and we both smile at each other in a moment of nervousness.

He steps towards me slowly, pressing me back against the door. I can tell he's holding back, purposefully moving carefully. I watch him swallow hard as his hand cups my face. His thumb brushes my cheek, gaze full of longing.

"Oh Lara," he whispers desperately as his lips meet mine in a kiss that takes my breath away.

I've been anticipating this kiss, dreaming of it. It's better than the first, much better. All my pent-up longing and desire over the past weeks reaches a crescendo and I don't hold back. I lean in, wanting it as much as him.

He deepens the kiss, his lips parting, and I do the same as we explore each other with eagerness.

I can't help the moan that escapes against his lips, my need for more overruling any other thought. All I can think of is that I need more, I need all of him. In response Jake groans and kisses me harder, pressing his body against mine, his leg moving between my legs. Suddenly our hands are everywhere, desperate despite the barrier of clothing between us.

Grabbing my ass, Jake lifts me effortlessly against the door as I wrap my legs around his waist. With his lips not leaving mine, he moves us to the bedroom. Laying me down gently on the bed he kisses me slowly, deliberately, taking his time tasting me. My fingers entwine in his hair, and my body arches towards him, needing to close the space between us.

I've lost it, I've fucking lost my mind, I think. And I don't care, because at this moment I want him more than I've ever thought I could want someone.

Stubble pricks at my skin as he moves his mouth from my lips, down my neck in a trail of sensual kisses. I gasp, my body ablaze all over again as he continues his descent, unbuttoning the top of my dress and kissing me between my breasts, his hands exploring the curves of my body.

He pauses and then moves so that his lips rest gently against mine again and asks, "Are you sure?"

I tug at his hair in my grip, a smile on my lips. "I'm sure Jake, and you had better talk less and do more before I change my mind."

He smiles against my lips in another searing kiss. Then moves to whisper against my ear, intermittently kissing my neck, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine, "I'm going to taste every single inch of you. And when I'm done you'll be begging for more."

And he made good on that promise.

Some describe bright colors, flashing lights, stars, and everything in between. It was more like an all-consuming fire that licked and danced through my very core, setting me ablaze and then leaving me in a molten pile of simmering ash.

I had never experienced anything like it, and in case I never would again I pressed the memory of it deep within my being, locking it up for a time when I would need it's warmth again.

It had never been like this with Brett. With him it was robotic - him a pumping sweaty mass, me going through the motions. Me waiting for him to finish, thinking about the book I had been reading and wanting to get back to.

I just thought that was how it was. I never orgasmed during, only by myself.

But this.

This with Jake wiped my mind to the semblance of a blank slate, the only thoughts being how to occupy every finite space between our bodies. This turned me into a creature I did not recognize, with impulses and desires I didn't know I had.

After, when we're both spent and used, every breath ragged, I wrap my arms and legs around him not wanting to lose the incredible sensation of him melding with my body. He in turn moves his head to gaze down at me, his hair damp, his fingers softly brushing my cheek as he kisses me gently.

In his eyes, I see no question, no doubt.

I see a declaration.