Ok so I just posted a sequel to this yesterday! I wanted to let everyone know that is following this story, in case you are interested. Also, I don't think the rules 'allow' for me to post just an author's note as a chapter, sooooooo as a bonus (2nd one haha) I decided to share a tiny snippet of chapter 22 from Jonah's POV. I originally was going to post chapter 22 in his POV, but decided to keep it in Sinead's to highlight a couple of things. Buuut here it is. Keep in mind that this is rated 'T', and is from a guy's POV, and is heavily un-edited. ;)

"I need to talk to you about one more thing." Sinead said suddenly, once they had settled on the sailboat following their breakfast.

"Ok." He looked over to try to guess her mood but her face was calm. "Wanna sit?"

"Sure." She replied and did so.

He eased in behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him and loving the feeling. "So what's up?"

"This."

He was confused as he noticed that she placed her hands on his arms. "What, our relationship?"

Much to his relief she replied with a 'no', but her next words confused him even further. "Touching. Kissing. Protocol."

He sat there a couple of seconds trying to comprehend but when the answer didn't hit him he turned her around where he could see her face.

She looked apologetic and said quickly, ""Not that I mind the touching or kissing." Then she groaned and added, "This is so awkward!"

Jonah decided to pick out the word that puzzled him the most and start with that. "Explain what ya mean by protocol first."

Sinead met his gaze but he could read a little apprehension in her eyes. "I've only dated three guys."

Surprise hit him at her confession but she was still talking, "The first one I dumped on the first date, that was Clinton, the one I mentioned at the dance studio. Then there was Patrick. He told me that I sucked at relationships after one week of being with him."

Is she telling me this to explain why she's been a little hesitant the past few days? Suddenly Jonah thought he understood but he patiently waited for her to finish.

"Then there was Jayden, who told also told me that I was horrible, but that was probably because I wouldn't have sex with him after our second date."

What a douchebag.

"So all of that being said, I apparently suck at dating. I've only kissed a few guys casually, but there's never been any real intimacy." Sinead had kept her eyes on his this whole time but suddenly closed them - something Jonah realized she did when she was saying something that was really hard for her to admit. Bracing himself, he waited even as his hands started itching to touch her reassuringly.

"I've never had sex. I've never even made out with anyone-" Jonah wasn't really surprised about the sex part but was at the 'making out' part. What was wrong with guys these days? And then her next words hit him right in the gut and he couldn't help but reach out and touch her this time -"and you have all of this experience and-"

She cut off as he rested his hands on both of her cheeks but didn't open her eyes back up. He could see the insecurity all over her face though and hated it.

"Look at me." He commanded gently. Sinead swallowed hard but she reluctantly did so. Her guarded look caused him to immediately start talking, the truth tumbling out of his lips. "I don't care about your inexperience. What you said about only dating three guys surprised me a little, but only because you're so beautiful and such a good kisser."

He couldn't help but grin at her embarrassed expression but kept talking, wanting the doubt to completely disappear from her face. "Those guys sound like idiots. They just said all of that because they weren't man enough to treat ya right. Don't you think I've noticed that you're a little scared of stuff like that?"

She apparently didn't because she looked startled at his words. He almost smiled at her obliviousness but he went on to explain, "I can tell you're hesitant when I touch you sometimes, like you're not sure how to respond. That's why I've been going so slow, I don't wanna make you uncomfortable."

"Wait, you know that I've been freaking out? Why didn't you say anything?"

Not really knowing the answer besides what he already admitted - that he didn't want to freak her out - he just shrugged. Then, wanting her near him again, he moved up to where he was beside her and turned them to face the water.

"We have time." He stated, and hoped as he said it that they would have lots of it. While Jonah didn't really want to say this next part he thought it might help. "Plus, I have moved really fast with girls before, but for all of the wrong reasons. You I actually wanna get to know better, and I know that it took a lot for you to take the steps you have with me. I don't take that trust lightly."

And it was true. Sinead was giving him a lot. He knew that she didn't really open up to people, at least not the way she was opening up to him. There was no way that he was going to jeopardize anything at this point. No matter how much he wanted-

Her words cut him off though just as he felt her head lean on his shoulder, her hair tickling his neck. "It's not that I don't want to kiss you or anything else. I'm just scared I won't do the right thing or something."

Seriously? If she only knew how much she tempts me and how much power she has over me she wouldn't even worry about that.

Deciding not to confess that - at least not right now - he wrapped his arm around her and replied, "I don't think that you can do the wrong thing. You're overthinking. If you wanna touch or kiss me, I promise you I won't have a problem with it."

Believe me on this one babe. He thought dryly.

"And making out? What if I do something stupid?" Sinead said it like a challenge, and he couldn't help but respond.

"I'll help you."

He hadn't meant for his response to come out sounding so seductive, but he was serious. He definitely wouldn't have a problem teaching her. In fact, right now-

As if reading his thoughts, Sinead said in a voice almost too quiet for him to hear. "Now?"

Was she for real? His hand fell from her back and grabbed her shoulders instead, pulling her around to face him. Looking into her eyes, he saw that she meant it so he let his gaze drop to her lips, his response coming out the instant his brain caught up. "Gladly."

Jonah didn't waste any time now that he had her consent, kissing her with the intent to show her just how wanted she was. And, not to be arrogant, but how good he could make her feel.

He soon got lost in kissing her; she tasted as good as he had imagined and her responsiveness surprised him. Jonah had almost expected her to freak out when he put his tongue in her mouth but after only a couple of seconds of hesitation she allowed him access, even reciprocating the gesture, although a bit hesitantly.

Her simple touch on his ear was almost his undoing though. She probably had no idea but it was one of his weak points and when he felt her hand there he was slightly caught off-guard.

Dang, is my self-control really this bad?

But as her hand lingered on his earring and she started kissing him back harder, he knew that he was going to have to slow things down. It was the last thing he wanted to do right now, but he managed.

When he finally pulled away from her his eyes caught how inviting her skin looked at her neck and couldn't resist leaning in to brush a few kisses there. Sinead stiffened but he wasn't sure if it was from surprise or what so instead of pulling back he asked, "Is this ok?"

"Yeah." Her response was breathy and she sounded dazed.

Good. Smirking on the inside he trailed his lips to her earlobe, pausing there for a second before he forced himself away from her again.

He shot her a smile when he saw the awe in her eyes, like she was surprised at how good it felt.

"See." He pointed out, hating that his breathing was off. "You aren't the problem."

"Or you're just a really good teacher." She sounded disoriented and he tried not to let it affect him.

I could teach you a lot more than that. He took in her expression again and swore internally, willing his thoughts to go to somewhere innocent. Think of drowning or something. Wait, we're right by the water, don't think of that-

"So." Sinead's voice cut in, sounding a lot near normal this time. "I did ok? I wasn't sure how much, um, tongue to use or what to do with my other hand.."

Had she really been analyzing during their make-out session?

"You were thinking that much while we were kissing?" He voiced his question.

"No, just now." Sinead looked a little sheepish as she added, "While you were kissing me I could barely think of anything at all."

"Good." He stated, once again fighting the smirk from appearing on his face. "You're not supposed to analyze while we're doing stuff like that. That's rule number one."

Sinead was staring at him like she was waiting for him to start listing things. Sure enough, the next words out of her mouth were "Are there other rules?"

"No."

She looked a little put-out at his tone and he had to work to hide the smile.

"Just checking." She said, a frown crossing her face.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Jonah was still trying to get himself together, memories of what had just happened coming back to him.

"You smell really good." He said, figuring a compliment would be appropriate.

But Sinead just looked at him like she wasn't sure what to make of his words. "Uh, thanks."

His girlfriend was so cute when she looked all uncomfortable like that. But he decided to take pity on her and change the topic, all the while trying not to think of how in just a few hours, they would be separated for who knew how long. Though he had reassured Sinead over breakfast that there were many ways to keep in contact, he had made himself sound more confident than he felt. The long-distance wasn't going to be easy.

Forcing those thoughts away, he managed to relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. He was pretty sure that there would be plenty of time to sort through all of the 'what if's' later.

So yeah. Super short….