Dreams: A Collection Of Romance One-Shots

Ache

 My heart hammered, thumping and pumping and echoing, in the desolate night. I drew a sharp breath, aware of my every twitch, tense, and breath. I dug my foot into the ground before pivoting on my toes, leaves crunching satisfyingly beneath me. I set a hand on the trunk of a tree, its bark hard against my palm but, cool against my skin. Though the breeze was cold, I was warm. Perhaps it was the adrenaline coursing through my veins but, I think it was the thrill of hunting. The deep rumble of my stomach, the saliva that flooded in my mouth, and the high expectations. But, it was also the images that filled my head. Catching her, hearing her heart pound wildly, and the fear that would strike in her eyes. Her scent was almost burned into my brain, strong with perfume but, the faint trace of vanilla and pine trees. An odd mixture but, a delightful one. I wondered if the aroma had sunk into her skin.

A voice floated through the air and then a soft laugh. It wasn't a laugh that would make you swoon but, one that was contagious. I, of course, was not smiling. All it took was a flash of teeth or catching one's gaze to send prey running. I took a slow step towards the noises, careful of every crisp leaf or plant that might've taken root in the path, and saw her. She looked elegant in the moonlight; she was petite in size but, the bikini she wore complimented every curve. Her waist length hair was up in a loose bun, perhaps she would take it out at the hidden grove and let her hair float about her in the hot water. She laughed again and that time I noticed she held a phone to her ear. A tang of jealousy stung my throat and I stepped through the bushes that lined the sidewalk. Adrenaline pounded in my ears: It was now or never. So I lept.

A scream ripped through the once quiet night and soon laughter. She had landed on the ground, her phone laying off to the side and the towel she carried caught on a bush. Red bloomed in her cheeks, and then she grabbed my shirt collar and pulled me into her. Her lips hot against mine and her body warmth enveloping me. I rolled to the side onto the ice cold sidewalk and she crawled on top, leaving little fairy kisses on my neck and then harsh ones on my lips. When we were both breathless, she stood up, her face flushed, and grabbed her things. "That was mean," She said softly after brushing the dirt off of her skin and swimsuit. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her neck. "I know."

She shrugged out of my arms and continued towards the hidden pond and I felt something in my lungs ache. I did not surprise her to be turned down. So I began trailing after her. After she realized I wasn't giving up, she slowed her pace, her lips pulling into a small smile. She threw her towel over her shoulder and her hand found mine, our fingers entwining. The ache in my lungs dulled and slowly a bubble of comfort grew. Although she was no model, she was incomparable. A deep shade of grey that rolled over specks gold in her stormy irises that could be all you needed to describe her personality. Calm, explosive, beautiful, unpredictable. "You okay?" She asked softly. Her voice was a delicate flower, breathtaking until you touched and tore its petals. It was soft and pretty but, when she was upset there was nothing to prepare you for that low growl that would seep into that flower like venom.

I nodded and returned her smile. "Why?" Her hand slipped out of mine and she grabbed her towel off of her shoulder. "Because you were hurting my hand." I chewed on my lower lip and crossed my arms before apologizing. Guilt slipped into my gut and I began walking behind her, keeping my distance as a little voice whispered, "You hurt her...she's hurt. She's hurt and she doesn't want you to kiss her where she's hurt. Because you hurt her."

I cut through my lip as I chewed on it, blood oozing out. I licked it, a copper taste filling my mouth and I quickly wiped away any traces left of it. We came to the edge of the pond and she beckoned me to join her as she stepped into it. That ache in my chest urged me to step into the cool water but, I listened to that little voice. I shook my head, cast a small smile at her, and started heading back to the hotel room. The only comfort I wanted was the thick blankets that lay on the giant bed and a book. No, I didn't want those two things for comfort. I wanted to be in her arms, surrounded by that vanilla pine scent. But, I couldn't. My lungs ached and burned so I crossed my arms and held them tight against me. The path back to the hotel wasn't as fulfilling. Before I was determined to scare her but, now I was crawling back to the bedroom in defeat.