Chris

It's been two weeks since Roberta left, and her sweet scent still lingered in the air. She left her soaked bra on one of the chairs in my three-bedroom cabin after we ran in the rain together for one last time. "Keep it for old time's sake," she whispered before kissing me goodbye.

"You deserve a good man like Tommy, who can love you the way I can't," I murmured after my lips parted from hers.

"I know. There's one thing I don't want you to forget, Chris. We were friends before we became lovers."

Roberta was right. She was not my soulmate, but we would continue our friendship. Lost in thoughts, I didn't hear the soft knocks on my door until they grew louder. I cursed as I stood up from my comfortable lounge chair and slipped on an old, used shirt. What now? Has a cabin tenant, maybe Liz, run out of hot water again?

"Hey." Two bewitching amber eyes looked up at me as I opened the door.

Damn, I could've put on a better shirt. I folded my arms, hoping I didn't smell bad. "Is everything alright?"

"Umm, I need to leave the island."

I raised my eyebrows. "Oh?" Don't go.

"I need to go soon."

"You won't be getting your money back," I said sternly.

Harper waved her shaking hands in defense. "No, no! I didn't mean I wanted to leave for good."

"Then why do you want to leave?" I questioned, arms still folded.

"I need groceries and other stuff in town. I've run out of a few things."

Is this small talk? Or does Harper need my help? She and I were getting to know one another, engaging in plenty of small talk, talking about the weather whenever we passed each other. She invited me for coffee a few days ago, and she came over to try my home-brewed beer last night.

"I've got a few supplies if you need anything," I said, hoping we wouldn't have to go into town. I planned to show her the old schoolhouse today.

"There's something I need that you don't have," she replied.

"Try me," I teased, half-grinning.

"I ran out of contraceptive pills."

"Oh shit. Well, I can't help you with that. But a drugstore can." We both laughed, and our eyes met again. I cleared my throat, then asked, "You got a boyfriend coming here?"

"As if. Nope, no boyfriend. I'm on the pill to keep my cycle regular," Harper admitted, then scratched behind her ear.

Neither of us spoke until I broke the ice. "So, you're an introvert, huh?" I chuckled, and she nodded, biting her lower lip.

"I'm a loner," she confessed.

"Ah, and you're also social. We talk a lot, you see. Ever since you got here, we've been yapping away like a pack of wolves. Don't you think?"

Harper smiled widely and answered, "You're easy to talk to, Chris."

"I suppose I am."

"I saw your girlfriend in town a few days ago. Sorry to pry, but she was with another man, and they seemed to be—"

"Roberta and I are just friends now. She's a good woman, and she deserves a man who can love her right."

"Oh." Harper blushed bright red, the color spreading from her cheeks to her bare neck. Right then, I wanted to kiss and suck that smooth neck. I detected a change in her scent and body warmth and knew she was in heat. Heck, I wanted to take her panties off and kiss her core until she would cry out my name. Settle down, boy.

"Why don't you call Per like you usually do to take you to town?" I asked, changing the subject.

Harper dug her hands into her skirt's pockets. "Per's off duty tonight, and I'm hoping to catch a ride with you if you're heading into town. I mean, it's Saturday and all. I thought—"

"Are you ready to go now?" I scratched my jaw, seeing the rain had cleared and the sun appeared from behind the clouds.

"Yeah, sure," Harper chirped, eyes all lit up like a kid about to eat cake.

"Alright, let's go," I instructed, grabbing the boat keys from the wall hook before shutting the door.

***

Paul's Hardware Supplies hummed with customers as I bought rope and weed killer while Harper shopped elsewhere. After returning to the island from our short town trip, I helped her step out from the boat to the jetty. Her skin felt smooth and supple, a combination of warmth and silk. It was a sunny afternoon, so she removed her red jumper and secured its arms around her waist.

I gazed at Harper's pretty face. "Have you seen the old schoolhouse yet?"

"Not yet, but it's on my list of things to do," she responded, leaning back against a large rock. "Chris, is it true that there's a wolf on Varg Island?"

"Hmm, yes, what about it?"

"I hear him howl at night sometimes. Do you know where he's from?"

"The wolf belongs to me," I replied. "I let the animals roam around this island because they're safe from hunters on the mainland."

"I love wolves. I dream of shadows of wolves, you know," Harper confessed. She sighed, basking in the sun's rays. My cock hardened as I watched her lift one leg to rotate her ankle, exposing her creamy thigh.

Not now, dude. Play your cards right, and she'll be begging for you later. I diverted my gaze to a rock. A boring, old rock.

"It's unusually hot today, isn't it?" Harper turned to me and smiled. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

Needing her, I decided to take the risk of bringing her closer to me. Scratching my chin, I looked at the ocean and asked, "Harper, how open-minded are you?"

She slowly dropped her shapely leg and played with her skirt, raising it slightly. "I'd like to think I'm open-minded. Why?"

"Have you ever tried swimming naked in the sea?"

Harper shook her head. "It sounds like fun with the right person to do it with. Is that something you and Roberta did?"

I nodded, then took Harper's hands. "If you're feeling warm and tense, we can cool down. The seawater might bite a little at first, but it's refreshing. What do you think?"

Harper's startled eyes blinked as she smoothed her skirt, pulling it down. "Skinny dipping? With you?" she squeaked.

I turned my head away, regretting I had ever asked. As sensual as she was, a girl as sweet as Harper would probably say no. Then, slowly, I felt her warm hand slip into mine. Harper's fingers weren't as firm as Roberta's, but her energy flowed smoothly into my skin.

"I want you to know one thing," Harper whispered into my ear. "I'm not a replacement for Roberta. Are we clear?"

"Yes, absolutely. Come," I coaxed, touching her smooth thigh. "I'll show you a nice, private place where we can swim."

Moments later, we stood on the large rocks facing the calm sea. Apart from the waves washing up against the rocks, the only sounds were seagulls squawking near the abandoned lighthouse. Harper dipped her toe in the water, then turned to me. "Will anyone come here?" she asked.

"No. Nobody passes by this place anymore, especially after the new lighthouse was built," I explained, pointing at the landmark in the distance.

Harper pressed her lips together, then removed her skirt as I took off my shirt and cotton shorts. We already had our shoes off; her red sneakers were next to my gray ones. Our eyes met again, and she let out a little laugh as I threw a flirtatious grin.

"You go first," she encouraged, eyeing my boxer shorts with curiosity.

I stared at her. "What about your shirt and panties?"

Harper bit her lip. "I'm not wearing anything under my shirt."

"We're just going in for a dip. It's not a strip show." I smirked, remembering I hadn't been to a strip club for a while.

Harper toyed with her curly black hair, holding me captive with her dark eyes. "I want to feel safe with you."

"You are safe with me."

Harper slowly peeled off her shirt, showing off two perky breasts. They weren't big, but they were perfect. Her dark-brown nipples were erect, staring at me proudly. She was about to remove her panties, but stopped.

"Keep going. I want to see all of you," I growled, moving closer to her. I breathed in her rose oil scent and kissed the nape of her neck.

She didn't resist, smiling a little instead. Her lips parted, inviting me to taste them. I brushed my mouth over hers and savored her sweet warmth. "Do you want this?" I whispered into her ear.

She nodded. Her eyes were wide like saucers.

"Take this off," I touched the fabric of her panties.

"Actually, it's your turn," Harper murmured, pushing me back.

Feeling a hot arousal stir in my body, I shucked my boxers and revealed my manhood.

"Oh!" Harper gasped as she watched my erection grow.

"You like this?" I massaged my cock. "It's been hungry for you since you first arrived."

"Are we...are we going to...?" Harper gulped.

"Let's go in the water first." I threw her a teasing smile, sensing her mixed feelings, and then dove into the sea to cool down from the heat. I didn't want to pressure her into anything she was unsure of.

Her red lips pouted as I saw my rejection stab through her. She balled her fists into a crimson rage and began to breathe rapidly.

Harper Ross was not ready for me.

Not yet.