Bonfire Heart

By Audrina Lane

Sebastian Winter is a loner with a lot on his mind. His only escape is his photography and enjoying the peace and solitude that sailing off the coast of New Zealand brings. Lena Cavendish is the town's rich girl who wants to break free and follow her heart. Her father wasnts University and a career for his daughter, she wants to write romances. She is looking for her 'Happily Ever After'.

Falling in love can be simple but will Sebastiansanxiety and depression push her away, just when he needs her the most? 

Find out in this coming of age story set on the North Island of New Zealand.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Audrina Lane
• Release date: Apr 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215675328

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sitting nervously on the sea wall Sebastian checked his watch again. He could hardly believe that Lena, the girl of his dreams, had agreed to a date with him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm his nerves before he heard footsteps on the boardwalk. With the sun behind her it shone like a halo on her auburn hair. It bounced like waves on her shoulders and swayed in time with the swing of her hips.

Seb she called, raising her hand in a wave. She watched him jump down off the wall, admiring his legs clad in board shorts. Her gaze saw the smile widen on his usually serious face.

Lena, you look amazing he said, feeling the heat of a blush on his cheeks. It burned even deeper when her lips pressed against his skin for a second.

Um....so what did you want to do? He stammered, reeling as the scent of her fresh floral perfume mingled with the sea air.

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I thought you had a yacht? You're always talking about sailing with your mates.

They fell into step with each other and wandered back in the direction of the sea wall. It was a beautiful summer's day and Sebastian wished he could capture it in a photograph. But he was scared of her reaction to his hobby. They neared the end of the harbour and the small sailing boat that belonged to his father. As a child his Dad had taught him to sail and the two of them had gone on adventures along the rugged coastline, but those days were just memories now. He shook away the image of his father hunched in the chair at home, broken and running from the death of his wife.

Sorry, she's not much to look at he apologised, as he tried to stand and hide the flaking paintwork. With a flourish he took her hand and helped her step onboard. Then he untied the knot and jumped up to start the small engine.

Such a great day for sailing Lena said, the wind starting to whip her hair into a tousled mess as they left

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the harbour walls into the open ocean.

Sebastian had planned this trip in his mind for the last week, ever since she'd agreed to the date. In the small cabin he had packed towels, a blanket and a picnic and he'd sneaked a couple of bottles of beer from the fridge at home. Unfurling the sail, he tied it into place and killed the engine. He stood behind the wheel, steering them left to follow the coast. Lena moved so that she was sitting behind him so Seb relaxed his hold and sat beside her.

My parents have a yacht, but this is much cosier she said, as their legs touched with the swell of a wave. Feeling brave he reached his free arm across the back of the seat behind her, feeling a jolt of electrifying joy every time a strand of her hair brushed his skin.

Yes, I've seen it he admitted. It was hard to miss its magnificence at the harbour entrance and he'd often admired it. Negotiating some rocks on the headland Seb steered them past the first cove, it was already busy with people as was the next few until they

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rounded the final jagged cliff. Hauling the sail around Seb bought the yacht tight into the coastline and a small, hidden beach came into sight.

Wow, I never knew this was here Lena said, standing up to help Seb with the rope as he dropped the sail.

Because the yacht was small Seb was able to steer them in quite close to the beach. He dropped the anchor and turned to see that Lena was a step ahead of him. She had pulled off her t-shirt and he watched her shorts drop down her legs before she stepped out of them and her shoes. Her red floral bikini bright against her skin.

Come on then she laughed, perching on the edge with her toes dipping into the water.

Right there he replied stifling a curse as his t-shirt got caught as he fumbled it over his head. His board shorts hid the trunks he wore and as she splashed feet first into the ocean he stepped onto the edge. Diving into the depths and feeling the cool rush from his head to his feet before he broke through the surface and the

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heat from the sun warmed him. He saw Lena just ahead in the water and swam quickly to catch up with her. The surf swept them up the beach until they had to stand up to avoid grazing their legs on the sand.

He caught her hand in his and they stood for a moment, he loved the way she stared directly into his eyes so open and true.

Thanks for bringing me here, Sebastian.

It’s my pleasure.

I can see why, it’s like having your own private beach. They walked further up towards the cliffs and then she stopped Sit here?

Hang on a minute he said, dropping her hand and finding the hidden