Me: The perfect date would be in a beautiful place that isn’t surrounded by the city.
So now here we were at Tibbitt’s lighthouse. He’d remembered.
Still regaining my ability to walk, all I could do was stare at the amazing panoramic scenery. The way the clouds sat just right around the lighthouse. The flowers in bloom. The pink primrose blending with the yellow sunflowers. The breeze that carried the sweetest fragrance from the mixture of wildflowers.
Dom took my hand and gently kissed the top of it. He guided me up the walkway. “This place is my getaway. I come here to think. It’s just mine. Nobody knows.”
“How did you find this place?”
His eyes glazed over as if he’d drifted away into a memory. “Being the only child of parents who don’t care if you live or die can really take a toll on you. So during my teen years, just after I started working at the shop, Locke helped me get a bike. I started riding every time I felt like I was getting ready to drown with the day to day shit, ya know? I’d get on the back of my bike and just ride. One day I drove by here and the beauty made me stop. I think I sat here for hours that day, just hoping for a better life. A way out of my hell. The view is magnificent when you look out and see the water.” He pointed. “The waves crashing on the shore, leaving white foam. It’s breathtaking. Did you know the lighthouse is a beacon to the ships? Almost like a siren call beckoning them to come in. Just like a person’s soul calling out to another’s, finding it in the sea of life.”
I was so blown away by his passion I couldn’t speak. I didn’t want to break the moment. We stood there watching the waves crash against the shoreline. He moved behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
“Thank you for saving me.”
I had no idea what he was talking about at the time.
He told me he had another surprise and led me to the path at the bottom of the lighthouse, right at the edge of the shoreline. I gasped as I saw a blanket on the grass, complete with a picnic. We sat down and he handed me something to drink. I just looked at him, falling even deeper for this man who seemed to understand my soul. It felt like he was already there.
Dom asked me if I wanted to dance and then pulled out his phone. He searched for a minute before finding the song he wanted. He took my hand and pulled me into his arms. We swayed to one of my favorite songs of all time. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. I couldn’t believe he’d remembered.
I let out a small laugh.
“What is so funny?” he asked.
“I was just thinking how the big, bad biker is Prince Charming.”
“Well baby, my daddy always said, when you find the one, treat her like the princess she is. And every princess needs a prince. Even if he does ride a Harley instead of a horse.”
Gently, he brushed my lips with his. His taste caused my heart to race and my blood to thrum as heat pooled at my core. I moaned into his mouth, and he deepened the kiss, brushing my tongue with his. I clutched his sides as he pulled me closer, running his hands down my back.
Finally pulling away, I gasped for air. Leaning down, he gently gripped my lip between his teeth, eliciting a groan. His fingers roamed my body and found their way under my shirt. He lifted it up, exposing my breasts to the cool night air. My nipples peaked as his fingers brushed the tips. Panting, he gripped my hips and lifted me up as I wrapped my legs around his waist. My core flooded and I moaned again as I felt his fingers digging into my ass while he rocked into me. Just as I felt the tingle in my spine and the delicious pull in my belly signaling my release, he pulled away.
He softened the kiss and lowered me to the ground. I stumbled, having problems finding my footing. I couldn’t help but stare at him as he watched the sun fade. The lighthouse turned on and became that beacon he’d talked about.
All I could think was, how could I fall for a man that fast? Under the emerging stars, framed by the red, pink, and orange horizon, I realized I could love this man.
“When you’re ready, my love, I’ll show you.” His words were soft.
Knowing what he meant, I smiled and felt heat spread into my cheeks.
I cried out as the memory faded. I looked around and tried to adjust to the darkness again. I just wanted to be able to see, damn it. I heard a whimper and the sound of chains rattling. One of the men must have come back down. I mentally scolded myself. Damn it, Jules. Pay attention. I couldn’t tell who was crying. Chains dropped to the dirt and someone was yanked up off the ground. I silently pleaded for Dom to find me in time. Make that, pleaded he found us in time.
“Looks like we have a buyer for this one, but he wants better pictures first.” The rough voice shattered the quiet.
“No, please!” Leah cried.
Panic knotted my chest and I couldn’t seem to keep my mouth shut. “Leah, don’t worry. It’ll be okay. I’ll find you. Don’t cry. Please don’t hurt her!”
“Shut up, you stupid bitch. I’m sick of your mouth.” He kicked me right in the rib cage, taking my breath away. He bent down to my ear. “Keep up with your mouth and I will find a way to fill it.” Then he stomped up the stairs, dragging Leah behind him.
“What are we gonna do?” One of the other girls whined.
“I don’t know.” Holding on to hope my family
