Transgressions

Lust

Elizabeth gripped the steering wheel, her fingers cold. The lush countryside was coated in shadows, as if, for every beautiful thing there lurked a darkness. She watched the sun dip into the Earth, flaming bright as a last adieu. The sunsets here were so beautiful; with hues of orange, red and yellow all blended together, she could watch them everyday. Of course, she hadn't come merely to watch a sunset. Elizabeth glanced at her rear view mirror. Her strawberry blonde hair was tied up in a lazy bun, a few strands falling on her bare shoulder. Her clear skin smooth with a slight pink glow, the shadows dancing on her sharp features, giving her natural cuts. Her eyelids slightly almond, with thick eyelashes that seemed as though she had just applied mascara. She hadn't though, Elizabeth did not need makeup to be beautiful. Her dewy green eyes stared back at her, slightly dazed.

Elizabeth opened her car door and stepped out into the fresh countryside air. A cool moisture could be felt as the winds blew, kissing her cheeks as she headed towards Malcolm's huge mansion. The colossal iron gates had been opened, vines intertwined between the thin bars. Elizabeth passed the two sculpted lions that guarded the main entrance and stood in front of the cherry wood door. The wood was hand carved, each side told a mythic story. Elizabeth ran her hands through the carvings as she rang the doorbell. Malcolm opened it on the third ring.

He stared at her hand, still poised to touch the right carving, now hanging midair near his own face. Then, he looked side ways at her, one eyebrow raised. Elizabeth immediately dropped her right hand in embarrassment. His lips twitched into a slight smile, the one he always had when he found something amusing. The one that made her heart race.

"Punctual, as always. The others are yet to arrive. However, Max had decided to come early, for once in his life, and ruin this perfectly wondrous morning.", He said, looking at her with amusement. Though she did catch a bit of irritation, a likely side effect of Max's antics. 

"I hope you don't mind, but it's freezing out here. Can I come in?", She asked, shivering a little to emphasize her point.

As she suspected, Malcolm immediately responded; his eyes a little guilty, his body pushing itself aside. He gestured with his hands.

"Please do come in. I apologise for being a terrible host, let me bring you some hot tea, with a spoon honey rather than sugar, right?", He asked already closing the door as she entered and then heading straight for the kitchen. With a huge house, she did not understand the logic of not keeping help. But Malcolm had simply refused to keep staff, adamant that he could take care of himself.

Well that's pride for you, she thought as she headed to the main hall. Sitting down on one of the plush velvet chairs near the fire, she let the warmth of the fire place wash over her. She tilted her head back and relaxed.

"I took the liberty of baking some choco chip cookies, so do let me-", said Malcolm, stopping mid sentence as he cast his eyes on her.

She supposed, she did make a lovely sight, the fire's golden glow on her bare shoulder and face. Her hair pulled down from it's bun, now flowing all the way to her waist. Her off shoulder blouse had been so normal when she had first arrived, now she felt it to be much too fashionable. Her sultry lips seemed to tilt in pleasure of the heat. Malcolm seemed ready to drop the tray of choco chip cookies he was holding. Elizabeth frowned, she did love choco chip cookies.

"Here, allow me.", she said as she got up and took the tray from Malcolm's hands. Placing it on the centre table, she carefully plucked a few and took a good bite.

"These are delicious! They're literally melting in my mouth.", she said, her mouth full of cookie crumbs.

"Well, I did take great lengths to make them mouthwatering.", Said Malcolm,  seeming to have snapped back to the present. "I thought you'd enjoy them. I know how much you love chocolate."