{ Erik }

The damp mist clung to the cliffs, blurring the horizon into a watercolor of grays. We left the lighthouse, leaving behind its comforting warmth, and walked towards the rock where Andrea had admired the views before the sky collapsed.

My coat, loose on her petite frame, shielded her from the cold and rain. Sensing her lagging behind, I halted and turned towards her, offering an apologetic smile. My long, agile legs allowed me to move quickly, while hers, shorter, struggled to keep pace. From now on, I would have to pay more attention to her step, making sure she didn't exhaust herself trying to keep up with my hurried pace.

We reached the rocky area by the cliff, where Andrea had previously enjoyed the views. I sat on the largest stone, leaving the same space next to me that she had occupied a while ago. I gestured for her to sit, but she hesitated, looking at the sleeves of my jacket with concern, possibly fearing that sitting down would wet or soil it.

"Don't worry, it's very hardy," I reassured her with a reassuring smile.

Her large, expressive eyes looked at me distrustfully for a moment before relenting and taking a seat beside me. The physical closeness intensified the protective feeling I wanted to offer her, creating a bubble of intimacy amidst the storm.

I admired her sweetness, rather than just enjoying the moment and the surrounding views. With an almost instinctive movement, I brushed away a puddle of water that had formed on the stone so she wouldn't get wet. Andrea finally sat down, her shyness touching me, as I dried my hand on my knee.

Once settled by my side, she directed her gaze towards the ocean. Despite the storm battering the coast, the lack of wind kept the waves in an almost hypnotic balance. A gesture of pleasure appeared on her face, and watching her enjoy nature was extremely attractive to me.

"I love this place," I murmured quietly, leaning my hands behind me on the stone and closing my eyes, letting myself be carried away by the serenity of the moment.

With my eyes still closed, I tilted my face slightly upwards, allowing the tiny droplets of water, more like a damp powder, to caress my skin. I enjoyed the sensation of freshness as the drops slid down my nose and disappeared among the hairs of my beard. I sensed her gaze on me and, half-opening one eye, I glanced at her sideways. A smile spread across my lips at her expression of innocence when caught. Quickly, she averted her gaze forward, trying to hide her mischief, but a charming blush had tinged her cheeks.

She was truly beautiful, especially when her cheeks blazed like fire, radiant and wild. Her brown eyes, hidden behind glasses that gave her an innocent and intelligent air, seemed to contain an energy that her sweet features tried to disguise. I had always considered myself good at reading people, and that woman had an extraordinary potential to become whatever she wanted, even though, for some reason, she seemed to be trapped in some kind of invisible cage.

"Are you cold?" I asked, leaning on my knees, concerned for her.

She, with that thoughtful expression that seemed to process every word, looked at me as she searched her mind for an answer. With her silence, I rubbed my hands and then my arms, trying to convey the information through a gesture.

"No, I'm ok," she replied softly, a bit awkwardly but adorably. "Your jacket is... good."

"I know," I replied with a smile. "It gets really cold here in winter, so you have to be prepared."

A comfortable silence settled between us, broken only by the sound of the waves and the rain.

I was surprised that someone accustomed to living in a warm country, especially in a capital full of comforts, had decided to move to such a remote and cold island, without speaking the language and without being prepared for it. Perhaps she didn't know that Pierowall rained practically all year round.

"You need Spanish," she said with a mischievous smile that elicited a laugh from me. Had she just suggested that I, a native of these lands, was the one who needed to learn a foreign language?

"Me? Spanish? I think you're the one who needs to learn English," I replied between laughs, unable to help feeling intrigued by this peculiar woman.

"Nah," she said with a gesture that only fueled my amusement.

Despite her initial shyness, Andrea had a great sense of humor, a quality that set her apart from most of the women I had met. She was natural, spontaneous, and fun.

"It's a shame," I murmured, leaning towards her. "I could teach you, if you wanted." It was evident that language was not her strong suit, but if she was going to stay around here for a while, it would be good for her to be able to defend herself.

"You? Teaching?" she asked incredulously.

I nodded, observing her closely. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, but also from a touch of embarrassment that made her even more attractive. Her lips, barely visible under the edge of the jacket, seemed to invite me to something forbidden. Perhaps she noticed that I was watching her because she turned her face forward, depriving me of her eyes.

"I don't bite," I said, unable to resist the temptation to suggest it.

"Sure?" she asked with a mischievous smile that ignited my desire.

"Sometimes," I admitted with a mischievous smile, averting my gaze to the sea to resist the temptation to taste her lips.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

A sigh of exasperation escaped her lips, followed by a mumble where she cursed.

"I hate English," she grumbled, frowning with annoyance.

"Why?" I asked, feigning indignation but unable to erase the smile from my face.

"It's hard!" she exclaimed with frustration.

"It's not, not at all," I shook my head. "You just need a little practice," I assured firmly.

"I doubt it," she insisted, with a disgusted grimace as she looked ahead.

"Alright, I'll prove it to you," I said determinedly. "I'll be your private English tutor."

Was I excited about the idea of having found a perfect excuse to spend more time with her without it seeming forced? Definitely.

"And your accent..." she left the sentence hanging, with a mischievous look.

"What's wrong with my accent?" I asked, amused. Holy hell, that woman had the gift of bringing out all the joy that had been contained within me.

"It's more difficult that English."

A complicit silence settled between us, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter. It was true that many considered the Glasgow accent a real tongue twister, but only those who had never heard the northern islanders could opine so lightly. Anyone who had heard my uncles conversing among themselves would know that my English and my accent were birdsong compared to theirs.

"Oh girl..." I shook my head, clicking my tongue in a paternal tone.

I couldn't help but be hypnotized by the look she gave me and by the way she bit her lower lip, further fueling the desire burning inside me to kiss her. The rain, as if by magic, ceased its silent drumming on our heads. I took off the hood of my raincoat to feel the fresh air on my face, seeking some mental clarity, just as a ray of sunshine briefly illuminated us. Seeing that she was still sheltered under the protection of my jacket, I loosened the cords of her hood so she could breathe some fresh air, just like me.

"Thank you," she said softly, a shy smile appearing on her lips.

"You're welcome, lass," I replied, winking at her conspiratorially.

In that moment, under the faint sunlight breaking through the clouds, something within me shifted. The spark that had ignited between us in the rain threatened to become something more intense, something that promised to be as overwhelming as the storm that had just passed.

"I feel... ridiculous!" exclaimed Andrea, attracting my attention. A torrent of words in Spanish flowed from her lips, expressing frustration and a hint of humor. She sighed, rolling her eyes as she ran her hands over her face, as if trying to calm the nervousness that invaded her.

"Don't worry, your English is better than my Spanish," I replied with a warm smile, placing my hand on her back in a comforting gesture. "How about if you teach me Spanish and I help you with your English?" I suggested.

I doubted very much that I could learn to the level she needed to communicate without getting frustrated. However, between what she could speak in English and what I could understand in Spanish, it would be better than nothing.

Doubt reflected in her eyes, but also a glimmer of hope. Andrea looked at me carefully, as if she could read my soul.

"Do you want to speak Spanish?" she asked, surprise lacing her voice.

"Of course," I assured her with a shrug. "I tried to learn some words a while back when my friends took me to Spain on vacation. But beyond ordering a beer, I don't remember much," I confessed with a mischievous smile.

Andrea returned the smile, her eyes sparkling with complicity. If she only knew what I would be willing to do to hear that contagious laughter again...

"Do you have plans for tonight?" I dared to ask, my voice tinged with nervousness that I tried to disguise.

Andrea looked at me intently, her eyes scanning my face as if searching for a map to guide her towards my intentions.

"Tonight?" she asked softly, her honey-colored eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and shyness.

I nodded, feeling a sharp pang in my chest. It was now or never. I took a deep breath, searching for the right words to express what I felt. Language could be a bridge that united us or an insurmountable chasm that separated us.

"At six," I said firmly, extending six fingers. "I'll drive to your house," I pointed to my car parked next to the lighthouse and made a driving gesture.

"Uh-huh," she murmured, her eyes roaming the vehicle before returning to me.

"I invite you to dinner," I proposed, my voice filled with emotion. "You and me," I pointed to her and then to myself.

"Dinner together?" she asked, seeking confirmation. I nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes."

I paused, waiting for her response, my heart in suspense. I didn't want her to reject me. She seemed to think for a moment, her inquisitive eyes fixed on mine. Finally, she nodded with a shy smile.

"Okay."

My heart leaped with joy. She hadn't rejected me. I had a real chance to get to know her better.

"Wonderful," I said, containing my excitement. "We can go to the Westray Inn if you like. There aren't many options in the village, so..." I got carried away, talking too fast.

"Erik, Erik..." she interrupted with a gentle touch on my arm. "Voy a empezar a hablarte en español, a ver qué te parece. "

I opened my eyes, surprised and amused. Damn, what a sexy accent. She might not like my Scottish accent, but I loved hers. I definitely had to learn Spanish.

"Are you trying to make it hard for me?" I asked with a mischievous smile, feeling her gaze tracing my lips.

"I don't understand," she said with feigned innocence. I leaned towards her, shortening the distance between us. She tensed slightly, feeling my closeness.

"I'm going to take you home," I whispered, with a tone laden with insinuation. "I don't want to bite you prematurely."

I stood up and offered her my hand to help her. She hesitated for a moment, but finally accepted it. As her hand brushed mine, I felt an electric shock course through my body. I would have liked to prolong that contact, but I let go of her hand so as not to make her uncomfortable. I took the keys out of my pocket and opened the car door. Once inside, the music automatically turned on, filling the vehicle with the melodies of The Hu, the band I was listening to when I arrived the night before.

"The Hu?"

"Do you know The Hu?" I asked, pleasantly surprised. It wasn't exactly a well-known rock band. I was passionate about alternative bands, and The Hu was a Mongolian group that played Hunnu Rock with traditional instruments, creating a unique sound.

"Yes. I like them."

At that precise moment, I knew I had to get to know her thoroughly. Andrea was a breath of fresh air in my life, a burst of color and joy that broke into the monotony of my existence at the lighthouse. After five years away from the world, I was ready to open up to someone again.