Lustful Hearts

"Look at you getting crazy over a little sand." Joel laughed, pulling me into a hug. He kissed my cheek, and I smiled as we headed towards the beach.

I hadn't been to the beach in years, I was not going to lie, I couldn't wait. I nuzzled into his neck. "Thank you for bringing me here. There's no one else I'd rather share this with."

"My pleasure, baby." He grinned, kissing my hair. "Now let's hit the beach, got to keep my girl happy." He slung his arm over my shoulder drawing me in tight against his side as we made our way down.

The moment my Converse hit the sand I pushed my feet in farther imagining how it would feel between my toes. It was one of those cool, crisp days. The waves lapped gently against the sand as the salty fresh air filled our lungs.

The beach stretched on for miles, the golden sand twinkled against the sun's strong rays. There was quite a few people milling around on the beach, mainly dog walkers watching their dogs bound around enjoying their freedom, eagerly chasing and retrieving balls and Frisbees.

We both stood wrapped around each other, staring out into the sea. Both admiring the beautiful view of the sun glistening like diamonds on the waves.

Halfway along a beautiful golden Labrador puppy bounded towards us. The stick it was dragging along was almost as big as it.

I giggled bending down to say hello. The puppy automatically dropped the stick at my feet, she yapped and leapt up, resting her front paws on my knees. I saw by the dog tag she was called Rosie. She licked my face excitedly, and I smiled stroking her soft, little, furry head.

Joel bent down chuckling, watching her in amusement. She immediately left me to check him out. I huffed in jealousy, watching her wag her tail in excitement.

"Aren't you a gorgeous girl," he said, tickling her ears. She yapped some more, loving the attention before leaping into his arms. She licked his face excitedly, nuzzling into his chest.

So it was true, he could charm all the ladies.

"Aww, she's so cute, I want to take her home." I sighed, petting her some more. My mother never let us have a pet growing up, so I always felt like I'd missed out. I blamed my lack of animals on my overzealous behaviour whenever I was around anything puppy like.

He grinned in agreement. "I know she's so adorable." He nuzzled her face, and laughed when Rosie began licking him again. Joel scrunched his face trying to avoid being relentlessly slobbered to death, which only encouraged her to do so even more.

"She likes you," I remarked, chuckling at his face. I was slightly envious she was enjoying all the attention Joel was paying her.

His delighted eyes returned to mine. "She has good taste," he answered smugly, winking at me, trying to wind me up.

"Can we not steal her? Just make a run for it, hide her in your coat." My eyes flashed around for any obvious owners to make a quick getaway.

Joel laughed at the idea, shaking his head bemusedly at me. Part of me really wasn't joking, I wanted to keep this bundle of cuteness forever. "I'm sorry, hope she's not bothering you, she gets a little excited around new people," the owner shouted, smiling walking towards us. My face instantly fell.

Well, stealing her was no longer an option now.

"No, she's such a gorgeous friendly dog. We were going to snatch her if no one turned up in the next few minutes," Joel replied. We all laughed together, and I slightly blushed at my less than honest thoughts earlier.

Rosie was curled up inside Joel's jacket, she seemed to be enjoying herself nuzzled up against his chest. I was not surprised at all. They both looked so adorable together. It did strange things to my hormones. "Yeah, she does have an adorable quality that all the ladies love." He winked at Joel, as in man code for 'good for pulling the ladies.'

I rolled my eyes. Men were so predictable in their attempts to pull women, but to be fair he was on to something. Women generally did go gaga over puppies, we couldn't help it. I think it had something to do with our hormones. Anything cute and we were goners.

"Oh, I'll have to remember that." Joel chuckled, and I instantly glared at him. "Joke," he said, holding his hands up trying to appease me.

"Any more of those, and you will be in the doghouse," I snapped back. Not appreciating his style of joke at all.

Joel reluctantly handed Rosie back, giving her a sweet kiss on her head. I reached over petting her too, sorry to see her go. We both watched as the owner made his way down the beach, no doubt in search of reeling in some more ladies.

We walked off in silence. Joel, sensing my obvious decline in mood, grabbed me and drew me into a hug. "You're the only one for me, and you know that," he said, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. I pouted still feeling annoyed by his comment. "I don't know, Joel, you seem to be irresistible to all the ladies even Rosie took a shine to you," I retorted, glaring at him.

His face automatically dropped. "Are you serious?" He gave me a look of frustration, and I couldn't hold the smile back any longer and started to laugh.

He grabbed me, pulling me into a kiss. "Maybe we can get a dog when we move in together?" Joel asked, his eyes trying to gauge my reaction.

What?

My heart literally stopped beating, and my mind nearly exploded with pleasure overload.

Joel was thinking about the future.

One that included me and now a dog.

I'd always been cautious, never allowing myself to think ahead that far before. I was always living in the moment with Joel, but now he wanted more.

"I'd love to get a dog with you." My eyes misted over at the very thought, my mind exploring all the possibilities of a future together.

His thumb stroked my cheek tentatively. "Good, I can't wait till it's just you and me together. This last week has been amazing. I don't want to let you go, stay with me forever." His words alone were enough to charm me, but we had to be practical.

Ugh, I hated that word.

"I think my mum would have something to say about that, Joel. I love being with you too, it will break my heart when I have to go back home."

We both knew reality was looming once this week was over. I would have to go home and face my mum and Mike, and Joel's dad would return making his life hell once again.

We held each other, walking down the beach. Our day had now taken on more of a sombre turn. I was caught up in my own depressing thoughts until a bright yellow bucket half buried in the sand caught my eye.

I broke away running towards it and pulled it free. I held it aloft, grinning at Joel. "We can make sandcastles," I shouted. My voice was overly excited, but I was still a big kid at heart. Joel ran over and grabbed the bucket to fill it with water.

After an hour of building and decorating, we took photos of the masterpiece. It really looked like a castle the royal family could live in. I would always look back on this day and smile.

I washed the remainder of the sand from my hands by the rocks and caught a flash of green whizz past my head. Turning in time to see Joel standing grinning, moving closer towards me with seaweed in his hand.

I leapt up and squealed, almost slipping on the rocks as Joel mercilessly chased after me.

"Joel-go away-I don't like it-stop it!" I screamed, running like my life depended on it. My heart was almost beating out of my chest trying to outrun the slimy green plant that was gaining on me fast.

He laughed in sheer delight relentlessly chasing me. After a while I could hardly breathe, clutching my side as I started with a stitch.

I stopped, holding my hands out. I didn't want it anywhere near me. I tried to pin his hands back, cringing every time it came within touching distance. "I mean it, Joel, it's not funny anymore." I was just about ready to punch him if he pursued it any longer.

"Aww come on, it's a joke." He chuckled, throwing the seaweed down onto the sand.

My eyes flashed to his. "Do I look like I'm laughing?" I stomped off, leaving him behind. I was raging. What part of stop did he not understand?

He came up fast behind me and swept me off my feet, picking me up by the waist and spinning me around. He was trying to lighten my mood, but I was not interested.

"Stop it, Joel." I wrenched his arms away from my body.

He dropped me back down to the sand. "Iz, it was a joke, lighten up."

"Yeah, cause I really find you trying to rub seaweed in my face hilarious," I yelled over my shoulder, storming off.

I just wanted to be alone.000☐☐☐☐