Vanilla Desires

The death kiss ~ 3

Imlie took in a shaky breath, still surprised that she could breathe underwater. "You are a spirit. I am a human. You are...dead. I am alive. Isn't it obvious?"

"No," he whispered, his fingers massaging the back of her neck. "I am more alive than you can ever imagine." Before she could respond, his mouth crashed down on hers. There was a potent hunger in his kiss, like he was starving, and she was his sustenance.

It scared and thrilled her all at once. She had never been kissed before...could never have imagined being kissed like this. He smelled like the rain, his earthy sensuality evoking molten lust in her body. His lips moved over hers ardently, urging...demanding a response.

To her amazement, she wanted to give him one. She began to kiss him back, leaning into his body in her daze. He pulled her flush against him till not an inch remained. They flowed in an embrace above the silty riverbed, oblivious to everything but the touch of the other.

His hand tangled in her hair, as he took her lower lip between his teeth. She groaned as he ran his tongue teasingly over the plump flesh. Her mouth opened, inviting the tip of his tongue to play. He explored the silken dampness beyond, caressing her tongue in an intimate dance. Suppressing another moan, she pushed at him till his mouth broke from hers.

They stood there, breathing hard, staring at each other. "You...you must not," she raised a reproving finger, her lips tingling from the bristles of his unshaven skin. "You will not do this again."

The corners of his mouth lifted in a slow smirk. His eyes glinted mischievously. "Oh, but I will, my darling. I will do it again and again till you ache with need. I will touch you till you writhe beneath me, begging me to devour you. I will kiss you till you are as much mine as I am yours. And then I will kiss you some more."

"You are raving mad," she whispered, her treacherous heart beating wildly at his words.

He extended a hand towards her, a brow lifted in challenge. "Come. Let this madman show you his world. If you still choose yours, I will let you go."

Her eyes searched his suspiciously. "Do you promise?"

"No." Before she could protest, he took her hand, tugging her swiftly up the surface. Her head rose over the gently flowing waters, relief flooding her system. She sucked in a big gulp of air, kicking frantically in the water to stay afloat.

The bridge seemed far away now, the lanterns illuminating where they stood earlier. "We don't need to go there." His voice spoke from behind. She turned, feeling imbalanced and instinctively grabbing him for support. He looked pleased, much to her chagrin.

"Does your world only consist of this bloody river and an old bridge?" she snapped. To her surprise, he grinned, twirling her like they were in a ballroom. He pulled her against his chest, capturing her left hand in his right.

Resting his head against hers like they were dancing, he hummed a lilting folk tune. The song played over her nerves, seeming to soothe the coiled tension in her body. She felt like she was in a dream, being courted in a river by a ghost.

A ghost who knew some very nice songs, she admitted sourly. "How about a little adventure, my sweet?" His breath caressed her collarbone, sending a tingle of awareness through her. Before she could gauge his meaning, the river swelled beneath her. Like a giant wave, they were thrown forward. She shrieked, gripping his hand for dear life.

He laughed, holding her tighter as they bounced like a boat caught in turbulent ocean waves. They travelled through the rapidly churning waters, turning corners at full tilt.

Adrenaline coursed through her blood as they rounded another one. It was like being on a giant water slide in the dark, only more dangerous. Any moment, she expected to be torn into pieces by hidden rocks or fallen debris. But if there were any in the waters, none hit them.