Never Forget (Memories)

feeling spreading through my body.
    I have to admit it to myself, no matter how much I want to run from it to save myself.
    I'm falling for this guy, hook, line and sinker. He's stealing my heart, a little piece at a time.
    And I'm not sure I want him to stop anymore.

    ~

    I awoke this morning with the previous night's revelation still fresh in my mind.
    We've been in Devon for three weeks. That means we leave in five. But that doesn't matter much to me anymore. Like Jen said, I have to stop worrying about the future and live in the here and now.
    And that's why I'm sat on the beach, staring out to sea and waiting for Alec to get here.
    I might be crazy. The early morning heat might be making me delusional. I'm not sure. I just know.. I trust him. Everything he's done since we've met is to make me believe in him, trust him.
    ''It's seven thirty in the morning.'' Alec's voice drifts over the beach towards me. ''Any reason I'm here so early? Not that I'm complaining, any excuse to see you, Princess, but still.''
    I turn my head and he's stood behind me, the sun playing off his features. There's a shine to his hair and apprehension in his eyes. I pat the spot next to me and he moves forward almost tentatively.
    ''You're not smiling,'' he observes and sits down.
    I shrug one shoulder. ''I have to talk to you about something.''
    ''Go on,'' he encourages, leaning back on his hands.
    I look down at the sand and draw a pattern in the sand absently. I trace it three times and realise it's a heart.
    ''I don't wanna fight it anymore, Alec.''
    ''Fight what?''
    ''This. Me and you.'' I peer over at him. ''Us.''
    His eyes widen slightly. ''Us?''
    I nod and tuck my hair behind my ear. ''Everything you've done since we've met has completely disproved everything I've been told about you. You've done nothing but try and make me happy, and you have.''
    ''Princess..''
    ''Let me finish, okay?'' He nods. ''I've had the best three weeks - with a few exceptions - and it's because of you. I.. I don't want to keep fighting against what I know will happen.''
    ''So, you're saying.'' He swallows slightly and turns his body towards me, ''that you want there to be an us?''
    I close my eyes, breathe deeply and nod. ''If.. If that's what you still want.''
    ''So, if I leaned over, like this.'' Alec inches closer to me, moving his hand behind my back. ''And put my hand here, wrapping my fingers in your hair, you wouldn't mind?''
    He's so close to me, and I know, emotionally, this is the closest we've ever been. I can feel his warm breath fan across my cheek, my breathing speeds up, goose pimples erupt over my body. My lips tingle in anticipation, my heart starts to play a fast rock beat against my ribs. The almost kisses - and actual kiss - of the past hold nothing to what I know is happening.
    ''Hmm, Princess, you wouldn't care?'' he repeats softly, his blue grey eyes boring into mine.
    I shake my head slightly.
    ''I didn't hear you.''
    ''No,'' I whisper, ''I wouldn't care at all.''
    ''And what if I did this?'' He moves his face forward so our lips are nearly touching, mere millimetres apart. My eyes flutter closed as he tightens his grip on me.
    ''Would you care, then?''
    ''No, not this time,'' I breathe out, almost soundlessly.
    I want this. I want this more than anything, and I know I've been a fool to fight it.
    ''Then you wouldn't mind, if I did this.'' He closes the barely there difference between us and my body explodes.
    His lips are soft, like a silky rose petal, and they merge against mine in a perfection seen only in movies. He's gentle, ever so gentle, brushing his lips over mine again and again.
    I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck, my fingers entwining in his hair. I want more, more than just a gentle kiss. I've had a taste of him, of heaven, and I don't know how to stop. All that exists in this second is him, Alec, the guy I'd vowed to stay away from.
    That thought sobers me and I freeze for a second, but it's long enough for Alec to notice. He pulls back and looks in my eyes.
    ''Princess?'' he says uncertainly.
    I press my fingers to my lips and stand up, turning away from him. He stands and grips my arm.
    ''What are you running from now, Princess? What are you so afraid of?'' he asks me softly.
    ''I don't know.''
    ''You're lying. Tell me.''
    ''You want to know? Really?'' I turn and meet his eyes. ''Maybe I'm afraid to admit to you just how much I'm falling for you. Maybe I'm still scared of getting hurt. Maybe this.. kissing