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We pull back from the kiss, both of us catching our breath as we gaze at each other, the waves lapping at our feet.

"You know, Jacob," I say, breaking the silence, "you're not as bad as I thought."

He grins, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Gee, thanks, I think."

I roll my eyes playfully. "You know what I mean. I was expecting some cheesy pickup lines and over-the-top gestures, but you actually surprised me."

Jacob shrugs nonchalantly. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."

I chuckle. "Well, consider me intrigued."

He reaches out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Good. Because I plan on keeping you guessing."

I raise an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. "Is that a promise?"

He leans in close, his breath warm against my ear. "You bet it is," he whispers.

A shiver runs down my spine, and I can't help but lean into his touch. Despite my best efforts to keep my guard up, Jacob has a way of breaking through my defenses.

As we sit there on the beach, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, I realize that maybe, just maybe, taking a chance on Jacob isn't such a bad idea after all.

As we basked in the warmth of the sun and splashed around in the refreshing waves, I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy bubbling up inside me. It had been a while since I felt this carefree, this genuinely happy. With Jacob by my side, it was as if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders, and I was finally able to let go of the past and embrace the present moment.

Jacob and I were goofing around, having another one of our beach races, when he decided to up the ante. He challenged me to a dunking contest, but let's be real, I'm no match for his towering stature. So, he takes matters into his own hands and pulls me into an oncoming wave. I emerge from the water, pretending to be outraged but secretly loving every moment of it. "You jerk!" I tease, splashing him back. We both burst into laughter until his expression shifts, turning all serious and intense. Next thing I know, he's got his arms around my waist and playfully pushes me onto the wet sand. Amidst the giggles, his eyes lock onto mine with a look that sends shivers down my spine. And then, he leans in for a kiss, and I'm all too eager to meet him halfway.

As the sun begins to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, we finally break away from our kiss, gasping for air. Our eyes meet, a mix of passion and temptation reflected in them.

Jacob grins, a devilish glint in his eyes. "So, Anya, seems like we've got some unfinished business."

I bite my lip, feeling a flush spread across my cheeks. "And what might that be?"

"Well, it looks like you're all wet, and I'm not talking about the ocean." He winks, his eyes never leaving mine.

I chuckle nervously, but a part of me is undeniably drawn to his flirtatious banter. "And what exactly do you have in mind?"

"How about we head back to your grandparent’s house, and I prove to you just how much I can handle," he suggests.

I can't believe I'm considering it, but the way Jacob looks at me, I can't deny his charm. "Okay, deal," I say, a small smile playing on my lips.

As we make our way back, hand in hand, the sea breeze gently ruffling our hair, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. What is it about this man that has me so captivated? Is it his playful nature, his unpredictability, or the simple thrill of the unknown?

We arrive at my grandfather's house, the sun setting behind us, casting a warm glow across the yard. Jacob leads me up the steps and pushes open the door, ushering me inside. The house is draped in darkness, save for the flickering of a candle in the dining room. Jacob takes my hand and pulls me towards it.

"I was hoping we could have some privacy," he murmurs, his voice low and seductive. "Do you trust me?"

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. This is happening. I'm doing this, I’m really about to trust another man again. And for some reason, despite the fear and uncertainty, I find myself nodding.

Jacob leads me to the dining room, where the candle provides just enough light to guide us to the table. He pulls out a chair for me, his hand grazing mine as he does so. The intimacy of the gesture sends an electric current through me, and I can't help but feel more drawn to him than ever.

He takes a seat across from me, his eyes never leaving mine. "Are you ready?" he asks, his voice a whisper.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I don't know," I admit. "I'm nervous, what if my grandparents wake up?."

"We'll have to be extra quiet," he whispers, taking my hand and leading me to the spare room. We tiptoe into the bedroom, trying not to wake my grandparents in the next room. I notice that the air mattress I had set up earlier has been replaced with a bed. "Looks like your Nana knew we wouldn't follow her rules," he says playfully. Leaning in, he cups my face and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, gently stroking my cheek. His eyes are filled with desire."

My heart races as I meet his gaze, my breath catching in my throat. I notice how close we are, our faces mere inches apart, the warmth of our bodies pressing against each other. I can feel his heart pounding against mine, and I can't help but wonder what comes next.

Jacob's gaze never leaves mine as he gently leans in, his lips almost touching mine. I can feel the heat of his breath on my face, and I can't help but close my eyes, savoring the moment. In that instant, I feel like I'm living in a dream, like anything is possible.