My eyes light up at the smile spread across Kathryn's flawless face. We might not have been able to go to Lake Whitney and spend a week together in a cabin, but that didn't mean we couldn't go to the beach. 

I was forcing my eyes away from her curvaceous body every 3 minutes. Kathryn looked amazing in anything black and little. I bit on my lip at the way the bikini caressed her body, exposing the outline of places only I should see. Her hair was braided into a bun, giving me full access to her neck. I wanted to run my tongue over her silky smooth skin from head to toe.

"Stop looking at me like that, there are kids out here" the brunette jokes as she takes a seat on side of me. I shake my head and pull her on top of me so she was straddling my waist. I wrap my arms around her waist and hum as I rest my chin in the valley between her breasts. "They don't mind my perverted gaze" I kiss her breast.

Ryn smiles and presses her lips to my forehead before sitting on my lap fully. "I mind. I mind a lot" she teases, her lips falling awfully close to my own. I lick my lips as my eyes crawl over her body. Just as we lean in, a towel is thrown at our faces. I groan and pull away from my girlfriend to spot Emily and Sophia. 

"Can we get two days without you guys ruining our date?" I groan. The blonde and her wife only throw me a sarcastic smile before getting comfortable in the spot beside us. Kathryn chuckles and lays her head on my shoulder, "I think they're stalking us."

I nod my head in agreement. My hands trail up the woman's spine causing her to shiver in delight. She thrusts her hips into me before getting comfortable in her position. She's teasing me.

I bite her shoulder playfully. "You two remind me of when Soph and I were younger" Emily's voice interrupts our playful teasing. Kathryn rolls her eyes at her best friend. Sophia lays on her stomach, untying her bikini top so that Emily can apply sunscreen to her back. Unintentionally I bite on my lip. 

Ryn catches it and scoffs. "Are they attractive, Casey?"

"I'd be lying if I said they weren't. But we both know the only woman I want in my bed is you."

Kathryn nods her head slowly, "Ah, so you won't mind if they're in your pants just as long as they're not in your bed? Got it." I slap her ass causing her to chuckle. Her arms wrap around my neck. "Are you back to acting normal?" Emily questions causing the brunette to go stiff.

I glare at the blonde in distaste. I had just managed to make Kathryn relax. The woman shrugs, "What? We can't just act as if nothing happened."

I stare ahead of me, slightly ignoring the women on side of us. I knew they were right, but Kathryn couldn't even mutter anything to me without breaking down. I didn't want to trigger anything, I didn't need them seeing her so broken and distraught. 

Even I didn't know what was going on inside that pretty head. However, Emily's approach was a bit more distasteful than mine. She wanted to get straight to the point, whereas I wanted to let the woman calm down and collect herself and tell me when she was ready. That's what lovers do right? They wait. 

"I'm gonna go use the restroom" Kathryn removes herself from my lap. I begin to get up but she stops me, "It's okay. Stay here."

"I'll go with you," Sophia says, causing the blonde and I to relax a bit more. Once the two brunettes were no longer in sight I turn my attention to the blonde. "So we're supposed to act like nothing is going on with her?"

I nod my head, "Yes because she'll tell us when she's ready! Kathryn is clearly going through something, we need to give her time."

"Bullshit. If something is going on we need to get to the bottom of it. Whatever it is, is obviously causing the state she's in. Waiting is only making the situation worse. What if it's Rai, what if he's back? And you won't know until after he's probably done his damage, Casey."

Clenching my jaw, I glare at my teacher. "Rai can't do anything even if he was here. He'd have to get close enough to do any damage."

"Does he? He's probably got proof on you two and blackmailing her. He doesn't need to be in close proximity to hurt her. Casey, are you seriously thinking at all?" 

Our conversation is cut short when Kathryn and Sophia take their seats. I suck on my teeth and look away from the blonde in annoyance. I knew she was right but I didn't want to trigger Kathryn. 

I stand from the towel on the sand, "I'm going in the water." I don't wait for anyone to join me as I make my way into the salty water. With my mind wandering to all the possibilities, my eyes begin to water. I harshly wipe my tears away and look around me. My eyes land on a familiar face. 

I squint my eyes, only to groan when I notice it wasn't the man I thought it was. Now my mind was playing tricks on me. I fall to my butt as I stare out to the horizon. What do I do? I'm so conflicted. No one ever told me love was so... harsh.

"I didn't mean to yell at you" I hear. I don't need to turn to know that blue eyes were staring down at me. I wipe my tears again and let out a sad chuckle. "It's okay. I needed it. You're right, I'm not thinking at all. I just, I don't want to trigger anything. She's already being so secretive. The simplest thing can upset her. I- What do I do in this situation Emily?"

My eyes move away from the horizon and to the blonde. She quickly averted my gaze and took a seat beside me on the sand. "I'm not going to act like I know what to do in this situation. As her best friend, I always push her to tell me things, not really caring about her feelings. You're her lover Casey, you're supposed to be patient and wait till she's ready. We have different methods and I'm not saying I'm right or wrong."

The woman lets out a breath. "Kathryn's always been like this. She's timid at times and head-strong during the other. I don't know if Rai is here or not. But he is the only person I know who would cause Kathryn so much hurt and anguish. Please be on the lookout. I'm worried for her."

"I guess I can kiss Tampa Florida goodbye then?"

Emily shakes her head. "Just because you and I won't be there doesn't mean Kathryn won't have any other friends. I'll get Soph and Cane to watch over her. Maybe you can ask your dad to watch over her from time to time too." Nodding my head, I wipe my eyes once more before resting my head on the woman's shoulder. 

Silence sets in around us, the only sound we can hear is the ocean and a few nearby teens. I frown at how perfect the setting would be if we were lovers. Immediately my lips pull downwards and I find myself speaking up. "Edwin once told me that if I wasn't with Kathryn he could totally see us being a thing."

Emily scoffs, "I guess Soph doesn't exist."

I chuckle at her words, "The same thing I told him. We think too much alike sometimes I would probably hate you if we dated."

The woman scoffs again, sarcastically. "I would be the best woman in your life. I... I know how to do laundry and I cook. Mostly eggs or ramen noodles but I can learn. Cleaning is not really my forte. Oh and I'm great in bed."

"Debatable."

The two of us laugh before standing up. My eyes widen as Emily pulls me into a big hug. She sighs into my hair, "I've been your teacher for 3 years, Casey. I never would've imagined us becoming as close as we did in the short amount of time that we had."

She pulls away, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Her eyes search mine before she pats my cheek with a small warm smile. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to Kathryn. Please, please don't let anything happen to her. I love that girl with all my heart, a bit more than I do Sophia. She is the sister I never had. I love her so much."

Emily's voice cracks and she drops her head so I don't see her cry. "Please take care of her, please. I don't want to lose her at all."

The tears I've been forcing away, somehow find their way back to my eyes. I pull the woman back into me as we cry into each others' shoulder. 

- - - - -

I jump into my bed, enjoying the softness. My eyes quickly land on Kathryn, who was slowly finding her way to the bed. I glance around, remembering the news I wanted to tell her a day ago. "My lease is almost up."

The brunette's eyes land on me, sadly. "I was thinking about renewing it but I won't be here long enough to see it through. Was thinking about moving back in with my parents until I go to college."

"When is it up?" 

My eyes follow Kathryn to my side and she slithers underneath the blankets, her beautiful eyes on me, waiting for an answer. "March 31st."

"That's so close. Do you have to move back in with your parents? I mean," she smiles and bites her lips, her eyes crawling over me playfully. "We practically already live together. You can stay with me until you leave."

My eyes widen playfully. "We've been together for only 3 months and you're already suggesting I UHAUL with you. Bold, baby, real bold." I scoot down to kiss her lips but she pulls away quickly. "Give me your answer and then you can have a kiss."

I smile widely, my eyes landing on her lips, craving the feeling. "You know I will," I mutter before planting my lips to hers, enjoying the softness. 

Not too long afterwards, Kathryn falls asleep in my arms. Her head is buried into my chest, while she has one leg thrown over my frame. I smile at the brunette, completely in love with her. Who knew love was this harsh?