Alone, hurting, she walked slowly, head down. The roar of the surf crashed against her ears, the salty spray splattered her naked legs, but she took no notice. Her bare feet left prints in the wet sand, but she scarcely felt the sand between her toes.
Pausing, she lifted her head and gazed across the large expanse of ocean toward the brilliant red orb that was slowly sinking into the horizon. Another day ending, another empty night beginning, she thought, the tears beginning to fall again, streaking down her cheeks and dripping onto the thin fabric of her blouse. The surf rolled in, this time boiling around her feet and ankles, the spray soaking the end of her white peasant skirt and plastering it around her lower legs.
The pain was back, so sharp it cut like a knife, and she gasped softly and wrapped her arms around herself as she began to sob. Why? she asked again. Again there was no answer.
Slowly she began to walk, not caring where she was going, not caring that it was growing dark and that she was a long way from the beach house she had rented. All she knew was that she felt lost and alone, and the pain was almost too much to bear.
He stepped onto the deck of the beach house at which he was staying, breathing the salty evening air. Relieved to be away from the grind for a few days and needing to clear his mind, he headed toward the beach, walking slowly, heart heavy as he remembered the pain of the past few weeks. He was lost in thought when he was brought up short by a flash of white in the distance. Frowning, he watched in the dimming light, finally making out the figure of a woman, walking slowly along, head down, blonde hair blowing in the gentle breeze. She was coming slowly toward him, completely unaware of his presence, and so he continued to watch her. Something about her posture pulled at him, drawing him to her, for she seemed to be a soul as lost as he. Involuntarily, he began to walk toward her, curious.
Her tears still coursing hot down her face, she shivered as the cool ocean breeze blew across her damp skin. The wind slowly picking up, the sky darkening, she knew she really should head back in, but obstinately she kept walking, something forcing her along, tugging at her, calling to her. Not understanding but wanting something, anything, to dull the ache inside, she let the feeling guide her, and finally, lifting her eyes, she saw the figure of a man in the distance, coming toward her.
Frowning, she stopped, watching him. Something about him beckoned her, pulled her toward him, and she found herself walking without realizing she had taken a step. As she drew closer and his features began to come into view, her heart began to pound as her body reacted with a flush of excitement which she had not felt in weeks.
As he walked up the beach, his eyes remained focused on her, watching as she slowly approached. His heart lurched when she stopped suddenly and looked straight at him, for even across the expanse of empty beach he could feel her, sense her pain, her emptiness. Not pausing his progress, he continued toward her, his heart beginning to pound in his ears as she began walking again, heading directly toward him.
Slowing her steps as they approached each other, she finally stopped, not feeling the tide rushing in and swirling around her legs before ebbing again. Her brilliant green eyes stared into eyes as black as midnight, and she stood silently, watching as he closed the small gap between them to stand directly in front of her. Who is he, this beautiful man who is looking at me with such fire? she wondered vaguely. His eyes were magnetic, rooting her to the ground on which she stood, and when he reached forward to softly wipe away the tears still streaking her cheeks, she didn't flinch but closed her eyes and lifted her face to his touch. Gentle fingers traced slowly across her skin, moving to softly outline her full lips. She panted slightly and opened her eyes to find him staring down at her, his midnight dark eyes shining as if with an inner light.
"Don't cry anymore," he whispered, gently sliding his hand into her hair to cup the back of her head and bring her lips to his.