Revved Up Soul

Chapter 47

Jasmine – Seven Days Later

Jasmine could only see darkness, her feet reaching out blindly with every step – Luke was her only guide. "I still don't see why I can't just take this off," she fussed.

"It's better this way," he assured happily, "much more romantic. I can do romantic, you know – just trust me." She trusted him, but did not believe the words coming from his mouth.

"You?" She squeaked, nearly tripping over herself – was that a branch, or a root? "Romantic? Color me uh, not convinced."

"Yeah yeah, just keep this to yourself, and don't forget to drink plenty of water when you eat those words."

"Uh huh." She could smell the fresh air of Yellow Cypress trees, leaves and sticks crunching softly beneath her shoe. She wondered how much longer that she would have to endure this ordeal. The cool nightly air caressed her person; Jasmine was wearing her sky blue peasant top, which revealed the tantalizing skin along her collarbone. It had 3/4 sleeves and an untied bit of lace at her neckline; all comprised of a fine rayon.

After some time, Luke stopped in front of her – Jasmine came to a still, "Why'd we stop?" She could smell him when he turned and placed his fingers just below her chin, lifting her delicately. The familiar, musky scent, mixed of lavender – filled her with a sense of comfort and ease that she had only ever fleetingly felt before. She felt the heat rise from pinpricks against her feet, ballooning in her chest when the man's lips pressed against her own.

It was always a little slice of earthly heaven, to feel his kiss.

"You ready?"

The corner of her mouth lifted, "Always." When the cloth parted from her eyes, she saw a trail of red petals – some scattered by the elements – twenty something feet of them. Jasmine's heart tapped against her breast: oh my god. The petals led to a great Yellow Cypress in the distance, lights twined around its trunk and a makeshift ladder climbing up to the massive canopy. Inside its heart was a little house painted ivory; it had windows and lights and a small post above the door opening.

Moonlight glimmered against the dew touched grass of the plain; Jasmine's jaw fell to the floor and she looked to Luke. "Luke," she murmured, laughing to herself happily, "h-when did you even find the time?"

He gave that special smile to her, "I had some help," he admitted.

She playfully smacked his shoulder, "You should have kept that to yourself," she said. "That's still impressive as hell though, I had no idea."

Luke twined his hand in Jasmine's, "Yeah well, that was the point – what you think I can't keep a secret from you?"

"Not a chance," she grinned, "and if you did I'd have to take you down for it," his hand was warm and strong; it sent electricity through her. Something so simple, she thought.

"Don't threaten me with a good time now," he warned, "come on," he insisted, pulling her along through the plain. Their conjoined shadows glided through the clearing.

When Jasmine neared the great tree, she just shook her head, "I can't believe you," she whispered so low beneath her breath, that Luke did not seem to hear.

Jasmine smiled, looking at the man, and then climbed the behemoth,

Luke gestured towards the ladder, "Ladies first," he breathed. One by one, handle by handle. She had to remind herself not to look down, and to ignore the horrible fact that she was way too high in the air, When she reached the top, she pulled herself up and glimpsed the sign she had saw before. There was a roughly carved heart with J + L in the middle.