[color=gray][right][sub][b][u]TIMESTAMP:[/u][/b] Tuesday Night || July 20th 2021
A [@BrutalBx] & [@Venus] Collaboration
Featuring [color=00A868]Alexandria Davies[/color] & Introducing [color=0096bb]Shane Osprey[/color]
[color=darkred][b]TW: BRIEF MENTION OF SELF-HARM[/b][/color][/sub][/right]

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[indent][indent]Shane Osprey had only been back on dry land for less than an hour when he got a text from his favourite little pothead, Addie Davies-Drake. The usual context of the mad young girl's messages were centred around the buying and smoking of weed with her and Natalia. They were three very different individuals of different ages, bonded by a love of something green. However Adelaide’s text had nothing to do with a joint, nor was it a welcome home after Shane had spent the better part of six weeks at sea with Big Bear Summerhill and Captain Sean Costigan, ferrying rich people to exotic destinations on their yacht.

Captain Costigan had to shoot off immediately after they had docked, something to do with his son being in hospital. Bear was greeted by three of his four stunning daughters and Shane couldn’t help but wonder how someone like the Bear could make anything as beautiful as Pava, Yana, Chey and Odie. The Native man lived a free life out on the sea, a modern pirate swashbuckling across the ocean, bound only by his own will. His relationship with his daughters must run deep for them to allow him to go off as he did.

Shane was not welcomed by any of his family when he departed the boat. His father would never close the shop. Who would clothe the men and women of Edenridge if not an Osprey? Freya was likely busy too. It was fine, he didn’t expect much. He was sitting in Beau’s when Addie messaged him asking if he wanted to go on a date. That confused the young man as he knew that she was gay and they had never had any kind of inkling of a romantic connection. Before he could send an awkward response, the pixie luckily followed up her message with another one explaining that she had found him the perfect girl.

This was intriguing. He wasn’t sure what possessed Addie to become a matchmaker and he was even less sure as to whether to take her up on it. At least, that was until she told Shane who the date was with. He had long had a crush on Addie’s cousin Alexandria Davies. Everyone was obsessed with her older sister in both life and death. He couldn’t help but watch Lex instead. She was gorgeous and behind her bright smile and pretty green eyes, she was kind too. Shane had spent much of his life in a wheelchair, he had been looked down on and mocked but not Lex. She always took the time to talk to him, always took the time to treat him like a human being. He was quite sad when Lex left for military school.

Yet now there he was, out of the chair, dressed in the best casual suit his father had available and he was walking through the door of El Cielito to go on a date with THE Lexie Davies. His heart was pounding when his eyes locked with hers across the restaurant.

[color=0096bb][i]Don’t fuck it up, Shane.[/i][/color]

To say that Alexandria was nervous would be an understatement.

One of the main reasons dating in Edenridge was a risky, complicated game was that small town living made for plenty of crossover in the tangled webs of romance and lust its residents created. If you were interested in someone, chances are they turned out to be family, an ex of someone you knew, or the current partner of someone you knew. The odds of finding someone that wasn’t or hadn’t been involved with a person close to you were as slim as finding a needle in a haystack. A blind date deprived Lex of the opportunity to do some research on the other person and be prepared for any unpleasant surprises, which made the whole thing even more anxiety-inducing. When she’d voiced her concerns to Addie during the ride to the restaurant, her cousin had pleaded for her trust, and sworn on her love for women that she’d picked out ‘the perfect man for her’. And although she believed her cousin, Lexie’s apprehension remained at an all-time high as she exited the vehicle and made her entrance to El Cielito.

The Davies girl had arrived at the restaurant ten minutes before the scheduled meeting time, which gave her plenty of time to panic and overthink. She’d been shifting around in her chair since she’d been seated, and not even the tequila shot she’d taken to soothe herself had worked. In the midst of her nervous fidgeting, she'd awkwardly locked eyes with nearly every single patron that had entered the restaurant after she’d been seated, her anticipation growing heavier with every person that didn't acknowledge her as their date. So when her green eyes momentarily met with a pair of blue ones across the room, she bashfully looked away without thinking anything of it. A split-second later, however, when her anxious mind finally made the connection between name and face, the woman did a double take. 

[color=00A868]"STOP!"[/color] Lexie yelled out in disbelief, green eyes wide and gaping mouth being covered by both of her hands.

The last time she had seen Shane Osprey had been years ago, before being shipped off to the city. Back then, he'd been a quiet, lanky teen that stuck out in the sea of Edenridge High students because of his newcomer status and the metal wheelchair he was begrudgingly tied to. As someone who knew firsthand what it felt to be on the receiving end of the cruel comments from the dim-witted peers that resided in her hometown, the Davies girl had always been quick to jump to Shane's defense whenever he was being mistreated, never once caring about the consequences she could face. She'd treated him with the kindness and decency any human deserved, making a point to interact with him frequently but never making him feel like her actions came from a place of pity. Unfortunately, Lexie and Shane had lost touch when she'd left town. Addie had kept her updated on his progress throughout the years and she'd seen photos, but the two didn't coincide on the rare occasions she’d dropped by Eden, which meant they hadn't seen each other or spoken to each other in a long time.

Years later, here was her old friend: sporting a casual suit perfect for this night out (no doubt his father’s doing), looking positively handsome after growing into his looks and confidently striding towards her on his own two feet, no wheelchair in sight.

Overcome with excitement, Lexie leapt up from her seat, sprinted across the restaurant and jumped straight into his arms, wrapping her own around his tall frame and grinning so widely it hurt. Out of all the men Adelaide could've picked to be her blind date, Shane Osprey was the most perfect option.

Now wasn’t this a turn up?

As Lexie jumped into his arms, Shane couldn’t help but allow for a huge grin to cross his face. He tightened his hold on the smaller girl…no, she was a woman now, and she was gorgeous. He could feel the warmth of her skin against his and he could feel his heart begin to race faster than a speeding car. She smelled amazing, she looked amazing. Now all he had to do was be amazing for her and this night could be something special. After a few more moments of silence and them just holding each other in the middle of the restaurant, Shane finally lowered Lex down to her feet gently and took a slight step back so that he could drink in the view. 

He was used to seeing beautiful scenery on the boat; sunrises, sunsets, tropical sea life and the rare instance of Big Bear making breakfast but all paled in comparison to Lexie. The way the dim El Cielito light bounced off of her bronze shine, the glow flickering in her green eyes and the way the [url=https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_editorial_12597864bb-1636615710-550x900.jpg]maroon dress[/url] clung to her body to show dangerous curves ahead. She was a vision, truer than ever Shane had ever seen before. [color=0096bb]“You look phenomenal, Lexie.”[/color] He managed to blurt out, bringing his hand to his jaw and rubbing it gently. 

The smile on Alexandria’s face meant that she wasn’t against him being her ‘blind date’. This was a massive relief. She had always been nice to him and although he knew it wasn’t pity, he also believed that it could never have gone any further than friendship. She was Lexie Davies! She was royalty in this town. He was just the lanky new guy in a wheelchair that was too small for him, who up until two years ago wasn’t able to walk under his own power. How could he ever be anything close to enough for her? That he didn’t know, but he was definitely going to try.

Shane owed Addie big time. 

Lexie grinned and shook her head. [color=00A868]"Me? How about [i]you[/i]?!"[/color] she replied enthusiastically, gesturing up and down at him with both hands. [color=00A868]"You're up on your feet, you're [i]walking[/i], I felt some muscles when you lifted me up earlier…"[/color] she trailed off with a giggle, eyes glazed over with the tell-tale shimmer of happy tears. [color=00A868]"I'm just… I'm so happy for you, Shane. I'm so happy for you, and I’m so happy to see you."[/color]

Lexie could only imagine the years of pain and suffering Shane had endured chained to his wheelchair because of his condition: the jokes, the dismissal, the missed opportunities, the mistreatment... He'd always put on a brave face and dusted the dirt off his pants, claiming he'd grown so used to it things didn't bother him anymore. But Lex could always see the hurt he tried so hard to hide bleeding through his eyes. She'd been able to recognize it right away because she was doing the same. After Allison’s death, she’d boasted about having thick skin when the reality was that it all hurt more than the cuts she secretly inflicted on herself while seeking a release from it all. She felt helpless that couldn't do more to help Shane, and there was more than one time where she'd wondered about the state of his well-being while she was gone. Thankfully, he'd found friendship in Adelaide and Natalia Belmonte, which Lex had seen in the photos had lightened his burden somewhat. But none of that compared to seeing him in person, glowing with happiness and lighting up the room with that breathtaking smile of his. The joy she felt in her heart was indescribable.

To look at the tall man now, one wouldn’t think that Shane had spent much of his life confined to a wheelchair. He had been born with a genetic defect in his lower spine which had rendered him nearly paralysed with extremely limited lower movement. He spent his entire life watching his younger sister Freya run around, enjoying her life like any other child whilst he was stuck on the sidelines, staring out of the window at a world he didn’t think he would ever know. 

Edenridge was never supposed to be a fresh start for the Ospreys. It was simply meant to be a drop off on their journey to fashion excellence. Shane’s father Percy wanted to open a new branch of his tailors in town and so the family arrived in the summer of twenty fifteen. He had been the new kid in school before, so Shane knew exactly what to expect. After the awkward introductions and explaining why he was wheelchair bound, the young man retreated into himself. He ventured out looking for weed for his pain and found himself crossing paths with Charlie Decker and Adelaide Davies-Drake. Through them, he also met Natalia Belmonte and found a kindred spirit, his future best friend. Despite these friendships, Shane always felt alone, save for when Alexandria herself made him feel a sense of normalcy.

It was Lexie’s own aunt, Addie’s mom Wednesday, that conducted the experimental surgery on him the day after he graduated high school. It was a long eight hours spent with her eyes deep down a microscopic lens, moving muscles with tweezers, slicing out excess fats and attempting to calcify vertebrae. When he woke up, for the first time in his life, Shane had the full feeling of his body. The sensations were somewhat overwhelming and addictive. It was likely because of that he ended up venturing out into the world on Sean Costigan’s boat, hoping to see the face of the world that had passed him by. In the two years since, Shane had seen a thousand beautiful things, but Lexie’s smile was better than any of them.

Reaching for and taking a hold of Lex’s hand, lacing their fingers together, Shane’s eyes drifted over to the table where she had come from. The welcome couldn’t last forever, it was time for him to give Lex a night she was worthy of. [color=0096bb]“Shall we?”[/color]

The young woman nodded with that wide smile still in her face. [color=00A868]"Yeah. I guess we should, before P gets mad at me,"[/color] she chuckled, glancing over at their teenage server and shooting Shane a playful wink before allowing herself to be escorted back to their table.

After [url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/6be4b8e294cb5df8532a3bb8b48ee2a5/61c1d0f64ef552ab-f8/s250x400/918cf6f168c582ee8b564e84887c4ac5c688f51a.gif]Paola Guerrero[/url] (the restaurant owners’ second oldest daughter) had taken their orders and returned with their drinks of choice, it was time for conversations to get started. [color=00A868]"So, tell me what's going on! How's life been treating you these past few years?"[/color] Lexie asked Shane, taking a sip from one of El Cielito's frozen strawberry margaritas.

From within Shane’s throat came a small, soft half chuckle. [color=0096bb]“Well.”[/color] Before he began he took a sip from his mojito, the mix of mint and rum burning his taste buds in the best way. [color=0096bb]“Since the last time I saw you, as you can see I’m walking now. That’s a thing that happened. Your aunt worked wonders.”[/color] The waitress popped some complimentary chips and salsa on the table as the sailor took off his smart blazer and hung it behind his chair. [color=0096bb]"Though I do think she must’ve put something extra in there because I don’t think I’m naturally this tall.”[/color] A sardonic wit had very much been Shane’s defacto mode throughout his life, so rare was it that he actually got to be himself and enjoy it. He wanted to enjoy it with Lexie.

[color=00A868]"Shut up, yes you are!”[/color] the young woman retorted with a snicker. [color=00A868]"Addie told me about the surgery back when it happened. I was so happy for you. I remember telling her that it couldn’t have happened to a better person. If anyone deserved a chance to live their life to the fullest, it was definitely you,”[/color] she admitted with an earnest little smile and a wink. 

[color=0096bb]”I appreciate that, and you, thank you.”[/color] There she was, showing Shane that signature Lexie Davies kindness. She didn’t have to go out of her way to comment on his situation but she did and did so with genuine care. Shane was so used to falsities that he had indeed joked during a smoke session with Adelaide and Natalia that he was a human lie detector. 

[color=00A868]"So what are you doing now? You’ve ditched the chair and you’re free to do whatever you want with your life. What did you decide your next step would be?”[/color] she asked Shane, eating a few of the salsa-dipped chips.

Shane took a small sip from his cocktail, the ice cold refreshing mint mix a perfect contract to the summer heat. [color=0096bb]“I’m working now, on Clay Costigan’s dads yacht? Just a deckhand, nothing glamorous, but I get to see the world.”[/color] He never allowed his eyes to leave her, enamoured by her smile. He couldn’t tear himself away.

[color=00A868]"Seeing the world, huh? That sounds really cool,”[/color] the girl replied dreamily, tucking a hand under her chin while keeping her eyes on Shane. [color=00A868]"I wanna do that myself at some point, as a travel nurse. Going around the country saving lives, making money and sight-seeing all at the same time is a pretty appealing career choice.”[/color]

[color=0096bb]“I’ll have to speak to the skipper to see if he wants to fire his on board nurse and we can get you on board? I know a good chunk of our clients would prefer you more than our current medical personnel.”[/color] Shane grinned from ear to ear. Even at this early stage, she was living every second of this.

[color=00A868]"As long as you put in a good word for me to get the job, we're good,"[/color] she teased back, taking another sip of her drink.

[color=0096bb]“What about you? Last Addie said you had just got out of college and were planning on chasing your BSN and some employment?”[/color]

[color=00A868]"Well,"[/color] the brunette began, helping herself to some more of the chips on the table before responding. [color=00A868]"Because I took some AP classes back in high school and I chose an accelerated program, I was able to get an and become an RN in two years and graduated just a few weeks ago. I started looking for work in Boston that same night-- I really had no plans of coming back to town; my entire life was in the city. But for the first time in my life, Edenridge's nepotism worked out in my favor. Apparently, Auntie Wednesday had put in a good word for me at Sinclair Health while I was still in school, so as soon as I graduated she came to me with a job opportunity and I jumped at it."[/color] Lexie explained, taking another sip of her drink and chomping on a few salsa-dipped chips. The fact that the job she spoke about was more of a cover and way to launder the money from her [i]actual[/i] job wasn't something that needed to be disclosed anytime soon-- preferably, not even at all. [color=00A868]"So if your surgery would've been happening anytime soon, chances are I probably would've been the lovely individual in charge of taking care of you until you were discharged from the hospital. Isn't that fucking scary?"[/color] She teased with a dramatic gasp, as if the mere idea of anyone trusting [i]her[/i] with another human being's care was ludicrous.

[color=0096bb]“I don’t think that’s scary at all. I’d love for you to be the one to take care of me.”[/color] Shane realised the weight of his words. Perhaps that was a little too forward? He had been living his days like he had never lived at all a lot of the time. No filter, no funnel, just doing what made him happy because he didn’t know how long it would last. Even taking this date with Lexie was part of it. Shane had always wanted to ask her out, Addie knew that, but his lack of self confidence always stopped him. He was doing his utmost not to let it stop him now. Sitting there before her beauty, he felt like crumbling into dust, he did not feel worthy. [color=0096bb]“I’m not usually a big lover of nepotism but yours is a special case. If you hadn't come back, we wouldn’t be here together. I always knew your cousin was a bit crazy but a blind date? Might be her magnum opus.”[/color]

The smile Lexie had been wearing became a blinding grin at Shane's nice words. [color=00A868]"Stop it! You're so sweet!"[/color] she squealed, reaching over the table to hold his hand and squeeze it in appreciation of his words. She'd forgotten about how sweet and charming Shane had always been with her-- rivaling even her most long-lasting ex. It was a nice feeling. [color=00A868]"It came at a good time, too. I was going to start looking at ways to get out of here again,"[/color] she explained with a dry chuckle, taking another sip of her drink. She didn't want to make the same mistake her fellow townies made in making the conversation about Allison, so she chose to divert the topic back towards Shane. [color=00A868]"It doesn't matter, though! All I care about right now is us enjoying tonight together. And when it's fucking free, how [i]can[/i] you say no?"[/color] She teased with a laugh.

[color=0096bb]“Free?”[/color] Shane laughed. [color=0096bb]“I’ll have you know, Miss Davies, that I charge by the hour for my company.”[/color] He teased right back at her as their main courses arrived in front of them.

As they tucked into their meals, Lex and Shane covered a myriad of topics that both held near and dear. They chatted like the old friends they were, completely and utterly enjoying each other's company. The drinks flowed with a buy one get one free offer which had loosened up both of them. Of course they would end up the last two people in the restaurant, having lost all track of time and space until the Guerreros decided that they had been there too long.

After they left El Cielito, Lexie and Shane wound up at the Hole in the Wall for a swift drink and more conversation. It was here that they began to delve into the topic of escape from Edenridge. Despite the sadness that both carried, their time purposely did not dwindle on the negative things. Shane offered to show her his escape and once they had sunken a pint or three at the Hole, he took the beguiling beauty to his other home, the docks.

Leading Alexandria by the hand, the tall boy could feel the warmth from her fingers penetrate his skin and warm his body to its core. He was so excited to share this night with her, even if it didn’t last. Lex had been his hill to die on, the girl he would’ve done anything to get and now there they were, descending the slopes of Collins Port, hand in hand, together. [color=0096bb]“So that one is mine.”[/color] He pointed to a large motor yacht that was currently getting washed. [color=0096bb]“Well, not mine, but you know what I mean.”[/color]

[color=00A868]"Holy shit!"[/color] Lexie shrieked in amusement, staring agape at the yacht Shane was pointing to. Growing up, her father would take her and Allison for a walk along the pier on Sunday afternoons after enjoying a nice brunch at Dolly's. As a little girl, she found beauty in all of the boats along the marina. But Captain Costigan's yachts, with their pristine exteriors and luxurious interiors, were always the crown jewels of the lot. She remembered Clay and his father taking them on a tour of his last yacht, and how she dreamt about being old and rich enough to afford a trip of her own. Hopefully soon, if she worked hard enough, she'd be able to fulfil her dream.

It had been a few years since the last time she'd been down here, though, because this was a new boat. But in her slightly inebriated state, she didn't realize it until she was already blurting out: [color=00A868]"I don't remember it being that big."[/color] As soon as the words left her mouth, the young woman grinned and shot a smirk towards her date. [color=00A868]"Addie would've flamed me for that one,"[/color] she commented with a laugh. 

[color=0096bb]“Somewhere in town, she’s likely heard those words on the wind and is laughing away to herself or whatever girl she’s managed to rope into her web.”[/color] Shane glanced down at Lexie as she stared up at the boat in wonder, his jacket hanging large and loose over her shoulder and her petite frame. He was an old romantic at heart and giving her girl his jacket may seem like an old school move but it was also the kind thing to do and if Mama and Papa Osprey did anything right, it was to raise a gentleman. Reaching into his pockets, Shane could feel his keys rattling around. The clinking and clanking of sterling silver whispered an idea into his ear. With a slight lower lip bite, he looked up towards the bow and back down at Lexie. [color=0096bb]“You wanna go take a look inside?”[/color] 

Captain Costigan would kill him if he found out-- or at least in theory he would. The reality was that when most of the crew were on shore leave in whatever place that the yacht had docked at, Big Bear usually wound up bringing back some local girl to play his games with and would do so with little to no repercussions beyond a reprimand. However the big difference between Shane and Bear was seniority. He had only been with the crew for just under eighteen months. Bear had been with Sean for over twenty years. They started on ships together and when Sean decided he was going to captain his own and start a business, Bear was his first hire. For Lexie, Shane was willing to take the risk and hoped that he had built up enough good faith with the skipper to allow him a free pass. 

Alexandria’s face lit up instantly, and she looked up at Shane the same way she used to look at the many gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. [color=00A868]"Hell yeah!"[/color] she exclaimed, grabbing Shane's other hand and spinning them around a few times in excitement, giggling all the while before wrapping one of her arms around his torso. Judging by Shane’s expression before he asked, they were probably about to do something they shouldn’t… which made whatever mischief they’d get into all the more fun.

With Lexie’s arms wrapped around his torso, Shane led the pair further down the slip dock and towards the stairs of the motor yacht. It didn’t take much for him to be able to get them aboard the ship, all he needed was his million dollar smile and his crew ID for the night workers to allow him and his stunning companion to board the vessel. The sailor hadn’t given any thought to the fact they were using the crew entrance, meaning they entered into the yacht below deck. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue but with a guest who had never been there, Shane had to explain that all quarters were close, single file areas. It was tight in every space as he and Lex made their way through the bowels of the boat: drunkenly crashing into each other with every short step.

After making their way deck side, Shane, still clutching onto his gorgeous date, walked them towards the bow of the ship. [color=0096bb]“And this is where you will usually find the guests pretending they’re in Titanic.”[/color] He laughed as he motioned towards the tip of the yacht, with his date joining in. [color=0096bb]“Behind us are stairs that lead to the jacuzzi and games room, as well as the captain's bridge where he steers us.”[/color] It was at this point that he released Lexie from his grip. [color=0096bb]“So this is my life, my escape.”[/color]

[color=00A868]"It's a beautiful place to escape to. That’s for sure,"[/color] she observed, giving Shane a soft smile.

The Davies girl allowed silence to settle between them momentarily, filled only with the sound of the waves crashing softly around them while she admired the late night view stretching out in front of them. As she stared at the way the open ocean mirrored the bright reflection of the blanket of stars and the full moon above them, an interesting question suddenly came to her. 

[color=00A868]"Have you ever thought about staying?"[/color] Lexie asked Shane, a sudden seriousness in her voice unlike her previous bubbly, buzzed behaviour. [color=00A868]"Like, during your travels, have you ever loved a place so much you'd be willing to say 'fuck it' and stay there forever? Somewhere you can start over, where nobody knows anything about you and you can be whoever you want?"[/color]

Despite his inebriated state, Shane knew how loaded that question really was. Lexie, despite her status and her family's status in Edenridge had suffered a great deal. She had struggled in the looming, all encompassing shadow of her beloved older sister Allison. To be a Davies in this hellmouth carried with it the greatest of expectations and the largest pitfalls. He had often wondered how those that carried foundling names around their necks like nooses dealt with it all and he was surprised that more of them hadn’t ended up like Allie or David. 

[color=0096bb]“I think that’s why I chose the boat, you know?”[/color] Shane began. [color=0096bb]“I never really had a home, constantly moving because of Dad’s business. Edenridge is the place we’ve stayed the longest my entire life.”[/color] He moved a little closer to the bow, placing a hand on the railing. [color=0096bb]“I never got to be myself until I was out of the chair. I get to be whoever I want when I’m out on this water. No prejudice, no pity, no sympathy and no expectations.”[/color] His ocean blue eyes looked down at the girl and he smiled before turning back to the calm water. [color=0096bb]“I guess to answer your question, no, I’ve never loved a place that much because to start over completely without someone by your side would be an awful waste.”[/color] Shane returned his gaze to Lexie and smiled. [color=0096bb]“If I was gonna start over, I’d have to make sure the right person was standing next to me.”[/color]

[color=00A868]"Oh, absolutely!"[/color] Lexie nodded in agreement, returning to her bubbly, liquor-buzzed self. She completely understood what her date meant. As independent as she considered herself to be, uprooting your life to a strange country on your own could make for a very lonely experience. Making a leap like that with your beloved and coming home to your better half would always trump returning to a quiet, empty house. [color=00A868]"But you can't tell me that in the year and a half that you've been sailing around the world you haven't found a single girl you'd risk it all for,"[/color] the young woman teased, turning around from the bow to face Shane and taking both of his hands on hers. [color=00A868]"I mean, look at you! You're tall, you're handsome. You have the prettiest eyes. Your charming smile with those perfect teeth can probably blind someone. You're smart, you're kind. You're patient, and funny. You're a good listener… Shit, I could go on about you all night!"[/color] she complimented with a chuckle, swinging their arms by their intertwined hands with each compliment she gave him. [color=00A868]"You are so fucking amazing, Shane. And if none of these girls will scoop you up, I guess I'll have to do it myself."[/color] Lexie teased with a wink, letting go of Shane's hands to stand on her tiptoes and throw her arms over his neck, green eyes locked with blue with a smile that didn't leave her face.

[color=0096bb]“Careful, Miss Davies.”[/color] Shane was all but lost in Lexie’s smile. She was so lively and energetic and had a way about her that he hasn’t seen in such a long time. So much of the young woman was hidden behind a shroud of grief and pain and he felt blessed to be able peer behind the curtain and see the true Alexandria Davies again, the one he had felt deeply for so long. [color=0096bb]“You inch any closer and I might have to kiss you, which of course I charge extra for and I don’t know if Addie’s tab will cover it.”[/color] The truth of the matter was that he wanted to kiss her and he wanted to do so quite badly. She was inches from his face, wrapped around him like lovers do, and she was happy. God, she was beautiful when she was happy.

The shorter girl raised her eyebrows, chuckled and bit her lip. [color=00A868]"Really?"[/color] she inquired, defiantly inching closer to Shane's face. If she was quite honest, Lexie had never thought of Shane in any way other than friendship before tonight. He was a gem of a man, with so many favorable qualities he’d give any old Prince Charming a run for his money. That’s why she’d always felt like he deserved someone much better than her: less damaged, less traumatized, less broken, less mad at the world. Yet staring up at his handsome face in the moonlight-- with that bright smile and those pure blue eyes-- and encouraged by the drinks from earlier, there was nothing more she wanted to do right now than to cross the line-- consequences be damned. 

[color=00A868]"Then maybe you should just kiss me. But before you do…"[/color] she trailed off, allowing her hot breath to tease his lips before suddenly pulling away and crying out: [color=00A868]"You're gonna have to catch me first!"[/color]

With a howl of laughter, Lexie pushed Shane away from her and sprinted across the boat. She grabbed the railing and jumped across the stairs, making a surprisingly graceful landing on the floor below despite her inebriated state. Before her date had even time to process what had just happened, the brunette had already disappeared from view inside the vessel.

Oh this was a bad idea. A very bad idea. Yet Shane couldn’t help himself as he gave chase. Just over eighteen months ago, he was miserable and couldn’t even fathom walking around. Still, there he was: running around a yacht, which one should never do at the best of times, and he was chasing Lexie Davies, whom he had wanted since he first wheeled into Edenridge. Was it all a dream? Had Addie laced her latest batch of weed with LSD or peyote? If it was all a manifestation of his inner mind, then Shane really didn’t want it to end.

It wasn’t really hard to follow Alexandria as she moved around the boat. Her giggles were a massive telltale sign of where she was. Plus she was being quite heavy footed, though that was likely the alcohol building her confidence but dulling her senses. Thank God she had taken off her heels at some point during their tour and was running barefoot. Eventually the chase ended in the bathroom of the presidential suite; which was reserved for the highest paying charter guests. Blocking the doorway with his long body, Shane smiled. [color=0096bb]“Got ya.”[/color] He took a step forward into the room, his heart racing and his skin on fire. That was all that he needed to tell him what he wanted. Her. [color=0096bb]“So, I caught you. Does that mean I get to kiss you now?”[/color]

The panting Lexie didn't respond to his question with words. Instead, after giving him a beaming smile, she wrapped her arms around him again and pulled him into a kiss.

In that moment, Shane gave in to the heat and the want and pulled her tightly against him, body to body. As his lips feverishly danced with hers, he could feel Lexie unbuttoning his shirt, her hands exploring his body in earnest need. He hiked the smaller woman up into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he sat her on a dressing table. With his hands now cupping her face, Shane caressed her pouty lips with his thumb tip, becoming lost in those green eyes and that smile once more. Gently, he looked at her and short of breath spoke again. [color=0096bb]“Are you sure?”[/color]

The small part of Lex that remained sober was taken aback by Shane's actions, in a good way. To ask for her consent to proceed even when desire and alcohol were ruling their senses made it clear that he was a gentleman above everything else, which was a quality the young woman valued greatly. The [i]other[/i] part of Lex-- the one feeling daring and emboldened by the liquor they'd consumed earlier-- was begging for release from the hair-raising thrill of this late-night adventure.

Finally, the young woman handed Shane the match that would light up a blazing flame between them. [color=00A868]"Yes."[/color] she breathed out with a nod, ensuring she got her point across by kissing the thumb previously caressing her lips, pulling him towards her and entangling him in another passionate kiss.

To consider himself lucky was an understatement. Shane had longed for a moment like this, to be shared with Alexandria Davies for as long as he called Edenridge home. He had desired to be with her for so long, beyond the physical. Shane had always wanted to be a piece of her heart, a piece filled with love and affection, and perhaps this was the start of that becoming a reality? Her hands had removed his shirt and her fingers drifted to his back, and he could feel them brush against the scarring from his surgery. But this did not deter Lexie. All it did was make her deepen the kiss, breathing him in as they gave themselves to one another intensely and desperately. 

Two souls crashing together like high tide waves against a boat at sea: powerful, unstoppable, and undeniable.[/indent][/indent][/color]