“Park closes at nightfall,” the ranger says pointedly.

Zack groans before he takes a step back and turns around, giving the officer his attention. “Yes, sir. I was just going to show my girlfriend the lighthouse. She’s from Texas and has never seen one up close.”

The ranger looks between me and Zack, eyeing us suspiciously, then nods. “Okay. You two have a good night then. Just mind the closing time, son.”

Zack nods and the Ranger drives away. The entire exchange is less than one minute, but it effectively kills the moment. His expression a cross between deflated and amused, Zack growls and takes my hand. “Ranger-blocked,” he mumbles as he leads me toward the lighthouse. For the next few minutes, he rambles on about the history of the lighthouse and something about ships that used to dock in the area, but my brain is still stuck on two simple words he said. My girlfriend.

***

Deep orange and vivid shades of purple and pink fill the sky as the golden sun makes its way down past the edge of the ocean. With only the sparkling deep blue sea as the backdrop while the sun sets, it looks as if the endless Pacific is swallowing the shining orb. We watch in silence as it disappears right before our eyes. The waves crashing the rock jetty below us leaves a mist of salt water in the air.

“I guess we better go. The ranger will probably be coming back to check on us and it’s almost dark,” I say, hating to even bring it up as we sit on the outside deck at the top of the lighthouse. Our shoulders pressed against each other as we watch the sunset keeps me warm, even though the air has chilled with the disappearance of the sun.

Without a word, Zack stands, offering me his hand. My back against the wall of the lighthouse, he places one hand on either side of my head, caging me in. His eyes sparkling in what little remains of the daylight, he smiles widely as he slowly shakes his head.

“No?” I whisper, his nearness clouding my brain and making me forget what he is even responding to.

He shakes his head again. Leaning in slowly, he whispers in my ear, “No way I’m going anywhere until I kiss you. And up here, I’m thinking there’s a lot less chance of being interrupted again.” God, the sound of his throaty voice, his warm breath on my sensitive skin, and the thought of his lips finally touching mine— it’s almost too much.

He draws his head back, his eyes meeting mine, and I find the need I’m feeling throughout my body reflected back at me. My breaths become shallow and closer together, and the muscles in my thighs tighten as I watch his eyes drop to my lips and then rise to meet my gaze again. And then ever so slowly, he leans in and kisses me. At first it’s gentle, almost hesitant. But that doesn’t last long. I lean into him, my pert nipples push up against his hard chest and a sound that can only best be described as a growl comes from deep within him.

Our kiss deepens, becoming hungrier, more forceful. He wraps his hand around my neck, guiding my head to the position that he wants me. I cling to him, my hands grasping at his shirt, wanting more, needing it more than wanting it. We seem to have a rhythm together, our tongues dancing with familiarity even though they’ve only just met.

Dusk has fallen into night by the time we both break away, breathless. I take a deep breath, trying to regain my wits, but it’s no use. Zack’s eyes smolder as he runs his knuckles along my cheek and looks into my eyes. His breath is labored and it makes me feel good that he’s as affected as I am. He doesn’t say a word; instead, he smiles, a real, full-mouth smile, his sexy, deep dimples telling me more than words can say. Again, without words, this boy has taken my breath away, and maybe even a little piece of my heart.

Time seems to fly by the rest of the night. The kiss relieved some of the tension that’s been weighing him down, because Zack’s lighter, happier. I’ve seen bits and pieces of this side of him, in small glimpses, but it’s never lasted very long. Until tonight. We laugh through dinner and fight over music as he drives me home.

“Wonder if we’ll have an audience soon,” Zack says as he turns off the engine in front of Aunt Claire’s house.

“Not tonight. My Aunt is working the overnight shift at the hospital.”

Grinning widely, Zack pulls me across the bench seat onto his lap. I yelp in surprise, but there’s no place else I’d rather be.

“So that means I can kiss you as long as I want tonight?” He says with a devilish smile on his face. His hand, casually wrapped around my bare leg, caresses the outside of my thigh. I wonder if he has any idea what the simple stroke of his fingers on my skin does to me. It sets my body on fire and turns my brain to mush.

“I’m supposed to be home at midnight,” I whisper, wishing it wasn’t true.

Zack kisses my lips once, his mouth still lightly pressed against mine as he speaks, so I can feel each syllable as I hear it. “You are home.”

“I guess I am.” I smile. “She did say I had to be home. She wasn’t specific about being inside.” I wrap my hands around his neck.

The corners of Zack’s mouth curl up. “Now you’re talking.”

I don’t look at the time when I finally leave the car, but the windows are completely fogged. We both groan a bit and I can tell that it won’t be long before our kisses become something more. We can’t keep our hands off of each other. The things he makes me feel scare the hell out of me, but excite me even more.

Zack insists on walking me to the door this time. He kisses me a few more times, and then hands me a folded-up paper before he walks away with just a smile. Leaning up against the inside of the door, I wait to open the note until I can no longer hear the rumble of his car as he pulls away. I had a great time tonight is scribbled on the piece of paper. The smile is still on my face when I fall asleep an hour later.