Could It Be?

Chapter 2 ~ First Encounters

I smiled as I heard his voice. "Hello Julie, I hope you were not waiting for me too long." The deepness of his voice, so soft and gentle, stirred up something within me. I slowly turned around, my eyes meeting his. I have always loved Johnny's eyes, such soulfulness in them. It did not help I was a complete sucker for brown eyes and dark hair to begin with. I watched as he pulled out one of his cigarettes from his pocket and lit it up. He then proceeded to push back his hair, God, I loved it when he did that! I was thankful he was dressed in casual attire, a simple blue polo shirt and jeans that left little to the female imagination. Did this man even know he was being sexy without even trying?! He stared at me waiting for a reply. I couldn't help but be hypnotized by him. "No, not too long. How was your meeting?" "Business as usual that would probably bore you to death hearing about it." Johnny had replied with a smile. "Probably would." I said smiling back. Johnny came and stood next to me, and we both stared out into the garden as he smoked his cigarette, leaning over the railing of the gazebo. Even the way he smoked and held his cigarette was sexy as hell! He smelled divine, a pure essence of masculinity that drove me crazy. What the hell is happening with me?! I just met the man, and I am already trying to fight off sensual feelings towards him. Lord, help me make it through this day. Johnny had a smirk on his face and chuckled lightly underneath his breath. Did he know what he was doing? Oh, he would be in for it if he did. "What is so funny over there?" I asked casually. Johnny looked over at me and said simply, "You". Oh hell, he knows. I need to do a better job of hiding my increasing feelings of arousal for him or I will end up getting myself in trouble.

"Would you like a tour of the gardens and property?" Johnny asked as he flicked his cigarette out from between his fingers. "Of course!" I said a little too enthusiastically. Johnny smiled as he shook his head. He held out his arm for me to take as we started on our stroll through the garden. We took our time, engaged in small talk, giggled like school kids, and had many moments of just silence as we walked along the brown gravel path, lined with medieval stones. The whole time Johnny never let go of my arm. He would steal glances at me quite frequently as we walked and I pretended not to notice, although my heart was doing flips inside of me. "I am glad you are here Julie." Johnny said as he gave me a sincere smile. Yet, I could still see hurt inside of his eyes and it broke my heart. "I am glad I am here too." Johnny stopped in front of a huge arch in the garden made from the garden bushes. It was quite a sight to see and was different from all the other garden designs I had passed along during our walk. It was placed further back inside the gardens, not easily seen from the main house. "This is one of two special places of mine on the property that I like to retreat to when I need to be alone." Johnny held out his arm, leading me inside of this huge garden arch that was in front of us. I was hesitant to enter, this was after all, a private space of his. I looked at him concerned and he smiled and said it was okay, that he did not mind showing me this space.

To say this space was beautiful was not enough. It was gorgeous! It was in a shape of a circle, with three black, gothic style benches. The ceiling was the open sky, and I could only imagine how this space looked at night with the moon and stars above. There were many butterflies and butterfly bushes that made this space even more serene. "Oh my! This space is breathtaking! I can see why it would be a private spot for you to get away from it all." "It is even more beautiful with that special someone." I looked over at Johnny and he had a different look about him. He was shy, looking down at the ground, pushing back his hair, nervous almost. I walked over to him and took his hand into mine. "Thank you for bringing me here and letting me into a part of your world." "No problem." Johnny still had a grip on my hand and a look of desire in his eyes. Could he be fighting the same feelings too? Oh boy, this day just keeps getting better and better.

Suddenly, Johnny released my hand and cupped the side of my face with his hand. So many emotions I could see in his eyes. Pain, confusion, desire, need. He never broke eye contact with me. I felt my breath quicken as he held my face in his hand. He is so close to me that I can hardly control myself. I can feel his warm breath that smelled of licorice and tobacco. I can see the fine details of his face; pictures do not do him justice. His skin is so smooth, fine lines that come with age, yet he makes look so good, luscious lips that beg to be kissed. Oh no, I was in trouble! Johnny ran his finger across my lips and just as quickly, he let me go and headed to go out of this private garden sanctuary. Bewildered, I stood in shock for a moment. What just happened? Does he not feel the same feelings I do? I looked up to where Johnny was at. He had his hand out for me to take. "I have another special place of mine that I would like to show you."