Caroline's blonde hair was dripping wet.

Her clothes were stuck to her body, plastered down by the ocean waves that had destroyed

her boat, and would have done the same to her had she not managed to swim to shore.

Help!

She cried, looking around at the beach, there wasn't a soul in sight.

Everything was dark.

The shadowed outlines of trees swaying against the sky. On the horizon was the thin

sliver of the sun, setting into the sea. Caroline swiveled her head as she heard footsteps,

catching a glimpse of a dark-haired woman standing on the sand in a long, layered dress.

Come with me, said the woman. My cottage is at the top of the cliffs.

The sky opened up at that moment, buckets of rain pouring down from above.

Caroline let out a squeal and hurried to follow the strange woman up the slippery, rocky cliffs.

At the top was a small cottage, its windows glowing from the light within.

Once inside, Caroline exhaled as the warmth washed over her.

I'm Bella, said the dark-haired woman.

In the light, Caroline finally saw her for the first time,

her pale, milky skin, and her striking blue eyes that seemed almost glacial.

Here, give me your clothes. I'll hang them to dry. When they were both wrapped up in blankets on

Bella's bed, Caroline felt herself relax. She learned about Bella's life living beside the sea,

how she had been stranded here two years ago,

a solo female sailor just like Caroline.

It felt natural for Caroline to kiss Bella,

...