Rising Within

We Meet Again

Dionne

Lisa had some groceries to get so we parted ways after lock up. I felt so dreamy thinking about Elias, the unusual stir of emotions he raised in me, almost animalistic. Shaking my head to myself, I let a smile creep over my face as I walked to my beast. Yep, there she was, my emerald charger.

I was so caught in my thoughts that I forgot to dig out my keys from the bottom of my atrociously messy bag. Divining into the endless pit of receipts and unnecessary crap, I found them caught in a hair tie, so I carefully plunked my bag onto Beast’s bonnet and began to untangle them.

“Yes,” I cheered my triumph out loud. Suddenly, something darted into my peripheral vision and I gasped at the startle.

“Oh, it’s you again. We must stop meeting like this!?” Whoa, that came out far too breathy, question or statement, God knows!

The butterflies were back, pounding at my insides to be released. I thought I’d burst any minute for sure. Elias took an at ease stance, studying my face. I wasn’t sure what I saw, but I was suddenly aware of a little panic heaving in my chest. 1000 karate combos flooded my brain, but I hoped I looked calm. I was ready for whatever the outcome. What he thought he’d find in my face must have left him unsatisfied. What was he searching for?

“What is it?” I asked, trying to break the silence. I knew my eyes had changed their shade; they always did in awkward situations.

Their green haze morphed to piercing blue. At that moment, his scent danced through the breeze, tickling up my nose and immediately seizing the bobbing of my erratic chest. I felt giddy again, and I couldn’t stop my tongue slipping out to lap the air as it glided itself over my lips. Elias smiled. It seemed he was aware of his allure, almost as if he had to be sure it was my need he felt earlier and only then did he speak.

“Honestly, Dionne, I didn’t intend on scaring you. Please forgive me!”

His amber eyes softened, pleading with me.

“I had to see you again…” Suddenly aware of the desperation in his voice, he almost shook it off and casually cleared his throat.

“Look, Elias, you seem like a great guy and all, but I’m not comfortable seeing customers, plus I think your girl would be upset you aren’t home yet, spoiling her for her birthday.”

Yeah it was kind of cheesy, I added a wink to the statement, but I hoped it would ease stating the obvious out loud. I wasn’t about to let him commit relationship suicide at my expense. I didn’t even know the guy. He burst out laughing uncontrollably.

It was a nice whole-body laugh, one I could get used to hearing…

No Dionne, stop!

I hoped he’d share what had his stomach spasming. In the meantime, I enjoyed watching as his black V-neck T-shirt pull taught across his torso.

“It’s my Mum’s birthday, I think she would be just fine knowing I’ve met the most stunning thing ever…

Let me catch my breath, I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time!” There went his strong hand sweeping back his hair.

Elias’ face finally eased and again he studied mine.

Charming, yeah yeah!

I did an internal giggle, keeping my composure, trying to stay cool. The blush overtaking my cheeks yet again. I had just assumed he had a girl, but he never did let on.

What do I say?

He was hot, his aura overpowered me, sweeping up and around me like a gush of wind. He was strong, yep he definitely worked out! I could only imagine licking the mountains of his olive-toned abs. Elias seemed he had no trouble reaching out for what he wanted, but there was a sensitivity I sensed there too. He was safe. I didn’t know him, but somehow, I knew it. The way his scent made me feel at home, its familiarity, pulled me fast to him.

Suddenly, he was closer than I remembered.

He was aware now, my beasts heaving at the breach of personal space. I backed up into Beast, and my ass slid a little on her bonnet. Elias pressed forward, placing his large hands on either side of me, caging me in as he hung his head low. His hair cast shadows on his gorgeous chiselled face. I was forced to meet his eyes, and there I saw it… the shift from amber to crisp burgundy. A small gasp crept through my lips, as I remembered all the paranormal movies I binged on. Never had I witnessed such a colour in real life. His breath sent shivers all over my body, and naturally I inhaled his musk.

“Do me the pleasure of having dinner with me Dionne, at least before you make up your mind,” his lips remained parted after speaking and then closed as he rolled his bottom lip over his teeth.

“Please?”