She couldn’t believe this was happening. She couldn’t believe she was sitting on a plane, less than an hour away from Houston, on her way home - to the place she swore she’d never go back to. Melanie Crosse clutched the armrests of her seat and inhaled a deep breath. This was too much. How could she go back home? How could she face her parents after years of weak phone calls and meaningless letters? And most importantly, how could she face him? How could she look into his midnight black eyes and not break out in tears?

Melanie had left home when she was eighteen. She’d already been planning on going to college but in light of some devastating events, she had left nearly a week earlier than she planned. She had chosen to take a year off from school in order to help around at the ranch and inn her parents own, but she would be lying to herself if she said that that was the only reason she’d chosen to wait awhile. She was hoping he’d come back.

She was waiting for the only man who’d ever captivated her heart to return home from college. Jake Ryder waltzed into her life when she was just five years old. Her older brother, Gage, is four years older than her, and he made friends with Jake around the age of nine.

She watched Jake grow up. When she was young she thought of him as another big brother but when she turned thirteen years old, it was like something changed inside of her - something that caused her to look at him in a whole new way. She’s not sure what it was. It could have been the caring way he talked to her, the closeness they both shared, or the way he seemed to get handsomer each moment she saw him.

He’d always been good looking in her eyes, but the moment she realized that she was falling for him, he became beautiful. His dark eyes, so alluring and captivating, mesmerized her. He was a giant, nearing six foot and still growing, with a muscular build that made her weak in the knees every time she happened to brush up against it. He kept his dark brown hair short, and for the most part unruly, but that only added to the effect of him. He was definitely some piece of work.

Melanie knew how obvious it was. She knew that Jake was aware of her crush on him. How could he not? Her heart was always on her sleeve and her emotions solely in her eyes. She knew he never glanced at her as more than a little sister - she never expected him to. Still, every night, she prayed for just a small instance where he would turn and look at her and she would see everything she felt for him reflected in his eyes.

She knew she was crazy for wanting it. She knew that she should have given up and walked away. But she couldn’t. One glance at Jake, and she knew she’d never find someone to compare to him; everyone else wouldn’t stand a chance.

But there was one time in her life when she could have sworn she’d felt it in him too - that love, that undying and unconditional love she held in her heart for him reciprocated.

It was nearly six years ago when everything happened. She’d been devastated years prior by his departure to college. She was just fourteen years old and she felt like she had lost not only her best friend, but her heart.

Four years later, in the hot summer sun, she had been outside scrubbing the tile of the Inn’s patio, when she saw it - Jake’s shiny black pick-up truck. The paint looked like it had just been polished and the sun glinted off of it. Her heart had immediately gone into overdrive when she realized what this meant. He was home. He’d come back.

A lot had happened in four years. Mel knew she wasn’t the same little girl Jake had grown up with. She was an adult now. Eighteen years old and looking just like it.

She got up off her knees, wiped her hands on her shorts, and took a deep breath. She nearly broke out into a dead sprint towards his car.

She heard voices, but above all, she heard his. She stopped the moment she rounded the corner, and she could have sworn time stopped with her. There, dressed in a snug pair of blue jeans and a crisp white t-shirt, was the keeper of her heart, Jake Ryder. Her dad was with him, and while they briefly hugged, Jake noticed her.

Standing there in a pair of jean shorts and a tight-fitted tank top, Jake had to take a double take. Melanie? She nodded. Had he said her name out loud? Her face broke out into a contagious smile and he let go of her father and quickly moved over to her. She nearly launched herself into his arms.

“Jake!” she cried. She hesitantly touched his face. “You’re here! I - I - can’t believe…” She trailed off.

“Well believe it, baby doll. It’s Jake Ryder in the flesh.” She smiled up at him, her face growing warm from his close proximity. My God, could he get any more handsome?

Jake looked down at the not so childlike Melanie. He couldn’t believe his eyes. She’d grown so much since he’d last seen her. She filled out everywhere. Jake knew she was no longer a young teenager anymore. She was most definitely a young woman.

Jake looked her up and down, admiring everything he saw. God, how could he have never seen how beautiful she was? When his eyes reconnected with hers, he was stunned to see sadness in them. Not only sadness, but hurt.

Melanie wound her way out of Jake’s embrace. Such a fool. She knew she’d done a lot of growing up, and secretly hoped Jake would notice, but his quick sweep of her and lack of longing in his eyes confirmed he didn’t see anything else but the little sister she’d always been to him.

She sucked in a breath of air before saying, “I-I’m glad you came home, Jake. Are you here to stay?”

Jake’s nod came slow, but indeed, it was a nod, and Mel felt herself bursting at the seams with happiness. He was here - to stay.

“Your dad’s offered me a room here until I find a steady income.”

Melanie nodded, afraid her voice would give away just how happy she was. “Do you need help carrying your stuff?”

“Nah, I’ll be fine. Thanks though. You go run along, kiddo.” Jake wanted to slap himself when he saw a flicker of pain pass through Mel’s eyes. But she didn’t give him time to say anything. She gave him a soft smile, turned around, and walked away.

He watched her leave, his eyes hypnotized by the soft sway of her hips. This was definitely not little Melanie Crosse. No, whatever had happened to her over the years definitely sparked Jake’s attention. And God dammit, he knew he shouldn’t be panting after her.

A soft knock came from his door. “Just a minute,” Jake called. He shut his suitcase and opened the door. It still took his breath away to see her. Her fiery auburn hair was sleekly pulled back and she wore a smile he swore could never shine brighter. “Oh, hey Mel.”

“Sorry to bother you. Mom thought you might be hungry after your flight.” Mel held up a plate with an oversized sandwich and pile of potato chips.

Jake smiled graciously at her. “Why thank you.” He chucked lightly. “Care to come in?”

Melanie walked in while Jake closed the door behind her. “Would you like half?” He offered Mel half of his sandwich and watched her eat the crust off first, something he remembered her doing for the longest time.

Mel stopped eating to look up at Jake. He was staring down at her with a bemused expression on his face. “What?” she asked incredulously.

“Still the same ole Melanie.” Jake laughed lightly.

She raised an eyebrow at him. “On the inside, most definitely.”

“Yes, you certainly don’t look the same…on the out.”

She smiled at him, happy to know he’d at least noticed she doesn’t look the same. She wasn’t sure if that was a bad or good thing, but she prayed for the latter.

Later that night, while her parents were sleeping, Melanie visited Jake’s room again. When he answered his door, he seemed surprised to see her standing there.

“I was just about to take a walk. Would you like to join me?” she asked.

“Sure,” he answered.

Once they reached the beginning of the trail, Melanie turned to Jake as they were walking. “So how have you been Jake?”

“What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes. “I mean, what have you been up to? Are things going good?”

He shrugged. “Things have been fine. Busy, for the most part.”

Too busy to even think about me? Melanie had to bite back her tongue from letting the words slip. “Well, at least school’s over now.”

Jake nodded, not making another remark.

They stopped walking when they got to their destination. This was Melanie’s favorite spot; her own little piece of paradise. Lucky for her, her parents’ inn was located just a half mile walk from the beach. She stared out at the shiny dark water, the moon’s reflection sparkling across the sea.

“It’s funny how much you can forget after just a few years,” Jake said, barely above a whisper.

“It is quite beautiful,” she murmured. A grin spread across her face as she turned to him. “But I bet you don’t forget how many times I kicked your butt racing to the water.”

Jake was aware of the challenge in her voice. “Excuse me, but if I do remember correctly, and I do, you were the one eating my dust, not the other way around.”

“Oh, Mr. Tough Guy, I hope college didn’t slow you down too much.”

“Slow, my ass,” he snorted, but before he could finish his last words, Mel had already taken off for the water. “Cheater!” he called as he barreled his way after her.

She knew he was right on her tail. She chanced a glance back at him and her eyes widened in shock as she saw him launch himself after her, sending them both tumbling towards the ground.

She let out a scream as they rolled downwards, only to stop right where the tide washed in. They were laying in barely an inch of water, but all that Melanie could focus on was how close they were. She was pinned underneath Jake, his large frame covering her completely. Her entire body was warming up.

Jake looked down at her. Both of them were breathing extremely hard. Their faces were right next to each other. Nearly an inch of air stood between their mouths. “I win,” Jake whispered softly.

“Foul play,” Mel whispered back.

“A win is a win,” Jake replied.

She scowled at him, but couldn’t stay mad too long. Not with him in such a close proximity. “If you say so.”

“What about my prize?” Jake asked.

“Prize?” Mel cocked an eyebrow at him.

“I win, I get a prize.”

“Sorry, buddy, but I don’t have a prize for you.”

He smiled down at her and said, “I beg to differ.” And with that, his lips descended onto hers, and the already sizzling heat became a scorching inferno.