THE FIRST KISS

I stood at the barn’s edge, watching my mare Luna paw the ground. Her chestnut coat glowed in the morning light. Riding had always been my passion; it brought me freedom. I climbed onto Luna to enjoy the sunset by the coast.

“Let’s go, girl!” I urged her towards the coastline. It felt like a part of the ocean breeze, effortlessly.

Ahead, I saw him: Eduardo was leaning against a fence with his arms crossed, watching me ride in. I reined in Luna.

“Well, well, Ms. Arquette!” he called, with a teasing tone. “Are you and Luna planning to conquer the world today?” he said as he handed me to slide off.

“The world’s already ours, Garcia!” I said as I patted Luna’s neck. ‘‘What’s your deal? Scouting for stray seagulls?”

“Just keeping the island safe, but damn, you’re a distraction. Have you ever raced for real?”

I answered as I looped Luna’s reins around a post. “Only her… She’d burn any challenger though. Are you a rider, Eduardo?”

“Once upon a time…” he said, leaning beside me. His shoulder brushed mine warmly. “Scrappy ponies back home, all knees and chaos.”

I laughed, picturing a young Eduardo tumbling into dust. “You, a mess? No way, Mr. Smooth Moves!”

His hazel eyes danced. “Oh, I was a disaster! But you looked like you could outrun the wind.”

“Felt like it,” I said. “Riding’s my reset. Too much noise up here lately.”

He nodded. We stood there in silence for a second.

‘‘You’ve saved me from various dangers in just a few days.’’ I said. ‘‘First the fever, later creepy masked figures, then shady deals. I didn’t even know I was in that much danger before you entered my life. What’s your secret, hero?’’

“No secret, just you keeping me on my toes. What’s next, Ma’am? Chasing storms?”

“Maybe. You’d run into one for me, wouldn’t you?” I said with a grin on my face.

“Like a damn fool!” he said as our gazes locked. “You’re a force, but I’m not letting you face trouble alone,” he added.

“What’s your kind of thrill, Eduardo? When you’re not playing the knight?” I said as I blinked.

“Simple stuff: strumming a guitar with my cold beer, making someone’s day better when I can. You?”

“Riding till I can’t think,” I answered. Our hands were brushing against the fence next to each other. “Building something real with my work. And lately, this… Talking to you like nobody’s watching.”

I was going too far, but I pressed on.

“Like at your door last night?” He said with lifted eyebrows. “Calling me attractive… That’s encouraging, boss.”

I laughed so hard to hide my blushing cheeks. “You gave as good as you got. ‘What kind of bodyguard?’ huh? Felt pretty real.”

“Real as it gets,” he murmured. “You’re not what I signed up for, Ms. Arquette. I need a raise because you are more than a job.”

“And you’re more than a bodyguard,” I was getting bolder. “You’re not just muscle.” I used those words as an excuse to brush his arm gently. ‘‘What were you then?” I asked.

His grin faded. “Cocky kid, thought I’d heal the world. Loved the rush of saving lives, till money ran dry and dreams crashed. Hard lesson.”

“I’m sorry,” I said gently, wishing to reach out but I held back. “You’re still saving people. Me, every damn time.”

He laughed softly. “You’re not a patient, Ma’am. You’re a whirlwind, the good kind,” he blinked.

“Good kind?” I teased… “That’s high praise, Garcia.”

“Earned it!” he said with a low voice. His hand brushed mine.

That’s when the air thickened and charged, when thunder suddenly rumbled, shaking the moment.

We quickly lifted our heads. The clouds piled up, darkening…

“What the hell’s that?” Eduardo muttered with narrowed eyes. “Came out of nowhere.”

“I’d better move fast!” I said as I untied Luna. “Gotta get her safe.”

We rushed her into the barn as the rain poured. Warm drops were hitting the wood like coins. Eduardo slammed the gate just as lightning flashed. Keeping Luna safe was a big relief.

My soaked wet shirt was clinging to me. “No way we’re making it to the villa!” I shouted over the roaring rain.

“My cabin is our only option!” he yelled, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go!”

We sprinted. His hold was tight, pulling me through mud and blinding sheets of rain. My hair flew free, my boots were slipping… Thunder boomed, but Eduardo’s voice broke through. “Keep up, Ma’am!” he shouted, half-laughing. “Are you going to fall on me?”

“In this mess? You wish, Garcia!”

“Dream big!” he replied as he pulled me faster. His wooden cabin flickered into view. Its porch served as a guiding light. He kicked the door open and pulled me in with a grin.

The cabin was raw and alive. I shivered because of my soaked shirt. Eduardo was no better; his shirt molded to his muscles. Water dripped from both of us onto the wooden floor. Eduardo’s gaze wandered over me from head to toe.

“You okay, Ma’am?”

“Frozen solid…” I said through my chattering teeth. “You’re not exactly a sunbeam yourself, Garcia.”

He laughed, grabbing towels from a shelf with quick movements. “Point taken. Here, start drying…”

He tossed me a towel, then knelt by the fireplace to ignite a fire. “Fire’s up. Get over here, warm your bones.”

I scrubbed my arms with the useless towel. “This ain’t cutting it!” I said, shivering harder. “I’m a walking glacier.”

“We’ve gotta do better than that towel. You trust me?”

“With my life!” I said with a blink. “As you are my bodyguard. So what’s the play?”

“Clothes off, dry ones on!” he said, with all his cheekiness before he knelt to take off my boots. “Arms up, shirt’s gone, alright?”

I nodded, lifting my arms, letting him peel the wet shirt away. I was left in my sports bra. He was literally forcing him to stay on my eyes; I could sense that. “You’ll catch your death!” he whispered. He draped a towel over my shoulders and rubbed gently. “Feeling better?”

“Almost…” I said before I touched his face with both hands.

Eduardo paused for a second before he whispered very close to my lips, ‘‘What are you doing?’’

My response was, ‘‘Hush!’’ before pressing my lips against his and sliding my hands through his neckline to his chest for feeling his heartbeat.