10. Stolen Moments by Tempest

Stolen Moments
tempest

A flash of lightning brought Tempest’s one-eyed gaze from the path he was watching to survey the sky through the dense canopy of leaves. The wind had just started to pick up and he knew that it wouldn’t be much longer before rain followed. He had enough time though and the thought brought the vaguest of smiles to his mouth, she would be here shortly, he could feel her drawing near.

Ravnglade Park was deserted at this time of night, not that he cared; no one could see him but her. Julianne. This was their meeting place, off the central path that wound from the southern end to the northern. The copse of trees offered privacy and snuffed out the occasional words the two shared.

He shifted his weight against the trunk of a tree, leaning against it because his legs felt like rubber. Tempest couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt so weak and his thoughts began to turn dark.

Another jagged bolt of lightning revealed the silhouette of the young woman hurrying down the path. The brilliant burst of light turned her pale champagne hair into liquid silver. She stepped off the path and ducked beneath a low limb, a soft smile appearing on her unpainted lips. Julianne didn’t say word as she stepped up to him. Before Tempest’s mind could touch hers, she had already unclasped the dark cape she wore.

The silent and often brooding man, opened his arms to her, welcoming the subtle, flowery scent that clung to her and the softness of her nubile body, like he’d been waiting a month or more. Tempest’s hard features softened the instant she pressed up against him. Rarely was her hair combed and tonight was no exception, he noted, while brushing a long tendril over her shoulder.

Lowering to the warmth of her neck, Tempest’s large hand splayed over her lower back and pressed her more solidly into him. A slight gasp broke the quiet of the night and was followed immediately by her low, sensual moan. Julianne’s long, golden lashes fluttered downwards as her arms moved to encircled his neck.

He broke from her softly scented flesh with a look of surprise on his face. Murmuring her name, he groaned inwardly. Tempest embraced her slender form and held her tight, enjoying the feel of her soft cheek against his bare chest, while letting the conflict play through his mind. Minutes streamed by while his chin rested on the top of her messy hair. She represented innocence, youth and a carefree happiness he had lost so long ago it was but a blurry memory. Julianne was everything that he was not.

He needed her.

She didn’t even know he existed.

At that moment, as if aware of his thoughts, she turned her face and placed a petal-soft kiss in the center of his chest.

The second shock of the night rippled through him. Tempest stared down at her, frowning then released her slowly. “Go home, child.” He righted the modest sleeping gown she wore then settled the long cape back in place. Julianne’s mouth opened as if to protest, bringing a further trickle of unease to the red-haired man.

“Go.” His mind forced compliance and she turned away from him. Tempest watched until she was out of sight and then waited until he could feel that she was home. Carefully, he stripped the memory from her, leaving her to sleep the rest of the night with her husband.

He stood there, thinking, as the rain came. It wasn’t until well after dawn and the city started to awaken that Tempest left.

Mon, Jan 19th – 11:19PM