{Erik}

I stretched as I left the house, heading to the lighthouse where I worked. My gaze went straight to the imposing main building right in front of me. I'd left my mobile in the office after finishing my shift and had lost my head searching for it all over the house until I finally remembered I'd left it charging there.

Although the day had dawned with radiant sunshine, I knew from the barometer readings that the atmospheric pressure was changing. The weather wouldn't take long to turn nasty, which was a shame. I would've loved to walk down to the nearby village, enjoy the fresh air, and grab some breakfast at Aga's cozy café. But the weather forecast didn't look very promising.

As soon as I looked out the office window, with my phone safely in my pocket, I saw the thick grey clouds approaching Westray at an alarming rate. It would be pouring down in less than 10 minutes. Luckily, I had no plans beyond staying at home, surrounded by comfort and calm, retouching some of the latest photos I'd taken a couple of days ago.

'Finlay, there's a stoater o' a storm comin' towards Noup Head,' I warned over the walkie.

'Ach, dinna be daft! It's roastin' here...' my colleague complained, yawning, which made me smile.

'Ye'll need tae cancel the picnic wi' yer lassie,' I teased, grabbing the book I was reading to take home. The good thing about being single was not having romantic plans to ruin and being able to enjoy a quiet day to myself.

Finlay complained that his girlfriend, Moira, would kill him for cancelling their date, but I knew he couldn't control the weather. I turned to leave, but something stopped me dead in my tracks. My gaze fell on the window overlooking the cliffs. There, a dark mane was blowing in the wind, calling to me like a siren's song. Leaning against the stone wall, knowing the chances of being seen were minimal, I gave in to the temptation of indulging in her presence.

I was captivated by her happy face, and a shiver ran down my spine, awakening a deep and primitive need that had been tormenting me since last night. I felt irresistibly drawn to her, and my pulse quickened at the thought of going down to greet her.

The first raindrops began to fall, driven by the wind. Her face transformed into a charming grimace, just like the night before when the cold made her screw up her face. She was bloody adorable.

In a hurry, she started gathering her things, and I rushed down to prevent her from running to the village, which was far away. She wouldn't find shelter for at least 15 minutes, ending up completely soaked, and I couldn't let that happen.

I whistled decisively as soon as I reached the door, making her stop in her tracks and turn to look at me like a deer caught in headlights. I beckoned her to take shelter from the rain inside the lighthouse, and my heart skipped a beat when she started approaching. Her proximity made me feel a sexual tension that ran down my spine. I was drawn to her in an inexplicable way, as if my body was programmed to respond to her presence. What did this woman have that could awaken such intense desire in me? I felt like a lovesick teenager, with butterflies in my stomach and a strange warmth growing in my chest.

'Good morning, lass,' I said in a husky voice, breaking the silence that had formed as soon as she stepped inside and I closed the door behind her.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

'Good morning,' she replied in a timid voice.

I fixed my gaze on her drenched hair and her jacket, which, far from being waterproof, wasn't thick enough to protect her from the island's chill. The fabric of her coat clung to her body, revealing her curves and making me swallow hard as I averted my eyes not to make her uncomfortable. Her bright, curious eyes met mine, causing a shiver inside me.

'Do you need something to dry off with?' I croaked, wishing I could make her feel dry and comfortable.

She ran her hands over her face, pushing aside some of the dark strands that stuck to her damp skin. I smiled warmly at her, trying to convey that I was there to help.

'Come on,' I said, opening the lighthouse door again.

Without hesitation, we dashed through the torrential rain to my house, which was no more than fifteen paces from the lighthouse. I had lit the fireplace a couple of hours earlier, and the smell of burning wood filled the dining room, mingling with the earthy scent the rain brought. The contrast between the cold and humidity outside and the comforting warmth inside was welcoming. I closed the door behind us, isolating us from the storm.

'I'll get you something to dry off with,' I said, taking off my soaked sweatshirt and boots, trying not to make a mess of water and mud everywhere. 'Make yourself at home, I'll be right back.'

I gave her a smile before heading to the bathroom to grab a couple of dry towels. As I walked away, I couldn't help but sneak a glance at her taking off her coat and shaking her wet hair with trembling hands from the cold. I returned with a towel and a warm sweatshirt, thinking she might need something dry and warm after the freezing rain. I stopped beside her, offering them with a kind smile.

'Thanks,' she murmured, drying her damp hair a bit with the towel. Her jersey was soaked, and I could see her shivering.

'Here, put this on,' I said, holding out the sweatshirt towards her.

Our eyes met for an instant, and I detected a spark of curiosity in her brown eyes. Then, her gaze shifted to my arm, to the tattoos that had been revealed when I rolled up my sleeves. I noticed her blushing slightly, possibly intimidated by my appearance.

'I'm Erik,' I introduced myself with a reassuring smile, trying to break the ice and make her feel more comfortable.

'Andy. Andrea,' she corrected quickly with a faint, timid smile.

'Isn't Andy a boy's name?' I asked, trying to tease a smile out of her with a playful tone.

But instead of laughing, her brow furrowed and she gave me a confused and annoyed look, which only made my grin grow wider. I loved how her face changed expression in an instant.

'I'm not a boy,' she defended herself, her tone firm.

I swallowed hard, feeling a sudden warmth in my chest as I waited for her not to bring out that feisty side too often. It was already hard enough for me to keep my cool when she was around. If she had attitude too... Well, I was sure I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to tease her and see how far I could push her.

'Clearly not,' I murmured, letting my eyes roam over her silhouette with deliberate slowness, as if savouring every curve and line of her body.

'Let me help you,' I said, taking her soaked coat and backpack and hanging them on the hook by the front door.

'I'm sorry, I don't speak English very well,' she apologised, her face scrunched up in frustration.

'No worries,' I replied with a sympathetic smile. My suspicions that she didn't speak the language had just been confirmed, but that only made me more eager to get to know her. 'Mi español muy malo,' I admitted, trying to recall the few words and phrases I'd learned on my trip to Barcelona years ago to communicate with her.

Her eyes lit up like a flame had been ignited inside them, and the curve of her lips rose slightly. In that moment, I knew I'd do anything to make her smile again.