a known stranger

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

 She went to her room, shrugging off her coat she grimaced and looked at her arm through the mirror, the bruise was already starting to show and her arm was throbbing.

He came in and says, “Are you ok? Sorry was a bit rough..here let me see..she gasped as he took her arm to check it. “No…it’s ok…” she says trying to pull away from him. He squeezed the Aloe Vera Gel that he was holding into his fingers and gently rubbed it onto the bruise, she hissed in her breath, and let out her breath slowly to keep from crying out. He looked at her and noticed that her eyes were swimming in unshed tears, threatening to brim out and run down her satin smooth cheeks.

He wanted to kiss her so badly, and a tear escaped the tightly controlled lids and he lifted his hands to brush it away, and said…  “I am so sorry…” and walked away.

She grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes. She looked around the room and saw that he had kept some books written by her favourite authors. She picks the murder mystery book by Nora Roberts writing as J.D Robb. The stories were set in the 25th century about a Lieutenant Eve Dallas and how she solves murder cases.

Pretty soon she was caught up in the story. She is surprised when Darien comes in and says “dinner time, lets eat,” She gets up, and stretches unselfconsciously. She becomes aware that he was watching her and stops abruptly. “Er.. can I wash up, and join you in 10 minutes time?” He nods and leaves the room. She quickly showers and changes into a black linen Capri pants with puffed sleeve colourful blouse to match. She brushed her hair quickly and applied her favourite coral lipstick.

She walked down the steps and saw that he was just about to walk up the stairs. He looked at her, his eyes running over the clothes appreciatively. She blushed and looked away. He smiled and said, “You are so beautiful, even in such a simple outfit, and no make up,” he held out his hand and she looks questioningly at him unsure of his intent. He looks at her and says, “that is a hand for you to put your hand on, to help you down the stairs.”

“ I think I am quite capable of walking down the stairs unaided, thank you,” she said looking at him mockingly. He shook his head and mumbled, “ huh..these feminist nowadays, don’t know how to appreciate chivalry,”.

They walked in silence and she stops in wonder at the kitchen, was lighted with candles, he pulled out a chair and seated her, she muttered “thank you”.

He dished out the soup; it was creamy mushroom with celery sticks and carrots.

There was garlic bread freshly toasted to be eaten with the soup. “Mmm..this smells so good”, she said appreciatively, and he sat opposite her. “thank you” he said softly, and “please eat up,” he continued.

After the soup, he served her with roasted chicken and salad. She was awed by the way he served her the food with a flourish. Then it was coffee time and she declined opting for water instead. He says, would you like to go for a walk? There’s a full moon tonight and its beautiful.

She took his hand that was offered and they walked out after wearing their coats.

They walked in the small woods surrounding the cabin, and she shivered lightly as it was quite cold, and looks around her. The wood was lighted quite brightly by the shinning moon and the glitter of the snow on the branches of the tree was magical.

He put his arms around her shoulder pulling her close to him. She flinched, and tenses up. He gentled his hold, murmuring softly. She relaxed and is surprised as he stops and faces her.

He cups her face and bends to kiss her softly, one arm dropping to band around her waist pulling her hard against his body. He felt her tremble and tense. He continued to kiss her.

Ashley had no time to assimilate what was happening. Before she could fight him off, she was caught in an embrace that swept away all reason and time. For a moment, the years of pulling away from intimate embraces faded away and she went limp in his embrace. His hands started caressing her running over her back under her coat. Her hands were trapped between their bodies and she realized she was holding on his flannel shirt, holding on for a dear life. Desperately she fought the sensations invading her body, sending her frightening, conflicting messages. This was the enemy, a stranger who has kidnapped her and threatened the life of her best friend. Why weren’t these thoughts enough to extinguish the liquid fire that was coursing through her veins? Why was it so difficult to think to reason? When his tongue forced its way between her teeth it was as if she’d lost the ability to resist. But she had to resist. This was a kidnapper! This was insanity!

Then she sensed a change come over him, a subtle stiffening as if the feelings inside him were at war. When suddenly, he let her go, and stepped back, she could only look at him, shaken and confused.

He gruffly said, “let’s go back inside”, turned and walked back to the cabin. She numbly followed in his steps, her thoughts jumbled in her mind, blood rushing through her veins. She had never allowed Neil to kiss her like that, neither has she ever responded in such a manner.