split the island into two halves like an undone bow tie whose ends were left hanging from the center loop. Eastsound was the knot in the middle. Hilltops covered primarily with fir trees could be seen in the lowering sun that cast warm colors across the sky and made the water of the Sound sparkle.
Walking around downtown, they found a little shop that sold ice cream and went inside to get a couple of waffle cones that they ate as they continued their stroll along the downtown area filled with various businesses. When the sun finally set, they headed back to Anne’s car and drove back to the inn. Ben parked the car in the Petrovic's private parking area behind their house then walked with Anne up the back path to the inn’s main building. The swimming pool, that held a number of people earlier in the day, was empty now and music from a live band came from inside the lounge. Deciding to skip the lounge full of wedding guests and vacationers, Ben took Anne's hand and led her up the fire escape to his room where he proceeded to show her just what the day spent with her meant to him.
Chapter 15
Anne woke early on Saturday morning to the feel of Ben behind her, his arm thrown over her waist and his hand on her breast. His lips moved over her shoulder and she sighed before rolling onto her back. He moved between her legs and entered her as he watched her face in the dim morning light. She felt the familiar pleasure enter her with each of his thrusts, and she rose to meet him. Then they found their climaxes together before Ben collapsed on top of her, their bodies still joined. She gladly accepted his weight and held him in her arms, running her hands over his muscled back and firm cheeks.
They both knew that their time was running out, and their passionate lovemaking the night before was laced with a touch of desperation that heightened every sensation. Several times during the night, Ben brought her to climax, holding back his own release until she finally took control and drove him over the edge of desire. In contrast, their joining this morning was sweet and simple, and its impact squeezed her heart. She still held out hope that he would say something today to let her know that he wanted to continue their relationship. If he didn't, she would risk his rejection by telling him that she would be moving back to Seattle and hope for the best.
There were several times when she tried to find the words in the past two days to tell him, but her fear held her back. When it came right down to it, the woman she was here on the island was not who she really was anymore. He remembered the fearless spitfire she used to be when she was a kid. But she had changed, and if he knew just how boring she really was, he would run in the other direction. Her life revolved around science now, being careful, and looking at things logically. She wore lab coats over tee shirts and jeans, her hair was usually pulled back into a clip, and her nails were unpolished. But she wished that she could be the sexy spitfire he said she was.
Ben smiled sleepily at her and kissed her tenderly before laying back down beside her. She soon fell back to sleep. When she woke up again, the sun was bright and she looked over at the bedside clock. It was ten-seventeen. Goodness! Anne could not remember ever sleeping so late. Getting out of bed, she picked up Ben’s tee shirt and put it on before going into the sitting room. The room was empty, but a note was left on the buffet next to the coffee pot and a lemon poppy-seed muffin. She smiled because he remembered the kind of muffin that was her favorite. The note was from Ben telling her he would be back soon.
Before pouring a cup of coffee and eating her muffin, she went into the bathroom for a quick shower then dressed in the pair of shorts and a blue button down shirt she had brought over the day before. Once dressed, she went back into the sitting room and picked up her cell phone to check the text message that beeped at her. Looking at the message, she smiled when she read