Free Sleep Keeper by April Wilcox

my head toward him, my face would be right against his. I would be breathing his breath… my lips would be mere inches from his. If I turned and gazed into those eyes, would he kiss me? Fighting against the urge to turn, I kept my head as still as possible.
    Focus on his instruction, Alexis.
    He moved my fingers to the bail and the fishing line. With a smooth gentle stroke, we cast the lure into the water. He let it sink for a few feet then reeled it back in.
    “Your turn,” he said, and slid away from me, giving enough space to cast on my own.
    Oh great… I wasn’t paying attention enough to do this on my own.
    Trying to recall his instruction, I concentrated hard and attempted to mimic his cast. The hook nearly hit him then landed in the water only a few feet away, line loose and half coiled.
    “Not… bad…” he choked out. “You’re now fishing,” he smiled, as he helped me tighten the line and set the pole in the holder.
    I smiled back at Orion’s refreshing enthusiasm. It left me feeling warm inside. It was as if his happiness flowed into me, instantly lighting me up. I turned around to face him, now that he wasn’t so dangerously close.
    “Well, you are such a great teacher,” I complimented him with my best luring smiling.
    “Wait until I teach you something a little more challenging, then we’ll see if your opinion changes,” he teased.
    “I doubt my opinion of you will ever change,” I countered, a little more serious this time.
    He hesitated in his response as we held each other’s gaze. His eyes were powerful – I could have sat there all day... and night for that matter... and get lost in their beauty. They shimmered in the sunlight and the multitudes of colors danced against the water.
    “And what is your opinion of me?” he asked.
    This time I stayed locked at his stare, “When I am with you, I feel like the person I should have been - my true self. You ignite this spark in me, like fire from the sun.”
    Even through his bronzed skin, he slightly blushed and looked away, breaking the connection. As soon as the words escaped, I regretted speaking them. My face grew red hot from embarrassment. I was never good at thinking before I spoke.
    “I…” I muttered and squeezed my eyes shut, not sure what the rest of the sentence was. I shifted away and peered out at the water, too embarrassed to look at him.
    Great job… he probably thinks you’re such a loser.
    “Thank you. That was quite a compliment,” he softly replied.
    I half-glanced in his direction and his attention was back on me. “I was just speaking the truth,” I affirmed, shifting back toward him slightly.
    Something moved out of the corner of my eye that broke the conversation. I turned my head and saw the fishing pole jump again.
    “Look’s like you’re about to catch your first fish!” Orion announced as he grabbed the pole and handed it to me.
    “Uh, I don’t know what to do,” I stammered as I took the rod, standing there dumbfounded.
    “Quickly reel in the line until it’s tight to secure the hook. Then draw back on the pole and begin to reel in the fish. Don’t force it. You want to tire the fish before reeling it in completely,” he instructed.
    I was hoping he would jump up, wrap his arms around me and show me, but he was letting me do it myself.
    Oh Great…
    I followed his coaching and after a long minute, saw the fish flopping frantically out of the water on the end of the line. As I swung the line over the edge of the boat, Orion reached up, grabbed the fish, and took over the process of removing the hook. He threw the fish into a compartment in the boat and wiped off his hands.
    “Congratulations fisherman,” he beamed with pride.
    “That was actually fun,” I answered, surprising myself. I had completely forgotten about being seasick.
    “When we get back, I can show you how to clean it,” he said, waiting for me to cringe.
    “That’s a deal,” I said. “If I’m still…” I stopped