Innocently Guilty

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a beautiful girl with big blue eyes and long chocolate tresses. Her dreams always came true, and she never wanted for anything. She had many admirers who showered her with adoring attention and exotic gifts. And, of course, she lived happily ever after. I laughed as I looked at the book I held in my hands. Stupid fairytales, I mumbled under my breath. A small sigh escaped my lips as I begrudgingly placed the book back on its shelf. Love at first sight, Prince Charming sweeping you off your feet, the princess wedding, and the happily ever after. I gagged and shuddered at the thought. My attention was snapped back to reality as the bell above the door tinkled to life. In my hatred for fairytales, I had forgotten to lock the door to the bookstore I owned with my mother. “I’m sorry, but we are closed for the evening” I shouted, unable to see the customer from my location. “We open at 8 am tomorrow morning!” “Well I’m here now, and since the door was unlocked, I can only assume the store is still open” a gruff male voice replied. I felt my cheeks redden slightly from embarrassment and annoyance. “I assure you, sir, the store is closed. Please come back tomorrow at 8 am.” “Don’t most stores generally lock the doors when they close up for the evening?” I glared at the direction of the voice. “Are all customers as presumptuous as you?” No response. I waited for a moment and then shrugged, turning my attention back to the bookshelf. I should probably go lock the doors, I thought with a sigh. I began my descent down the ladder, but as luck would have it, I stepped on my skirts and completely lost my footing. I mentally prepared myself for the crash landing, but it never came. I slowly opened my eyes to investigate the reasonings behind my unsuccessful accident and gasped. The most gorgeous man I had ever met stood meer inches from my face. My eyes were drawn to his well-kept beard and intense green eyes. Eyes I could get lost in forever. Arms so chiseled they must be made of steel. Oh, and his scent of pine and fresh citrus! My cheeks burned as the realization of my current situation unfolded. This gorgeous, superhuman had me off my feet, pinned between his body and a bookshelf, those green eyes staring into my very soul. I also realized, to my utter dismay, that my legs were wrapped around his waist like a cheap prostitute on a Thursday night. AND THE FRONT DOOR WAS STILL UNLOCKED!!!!! I began squirming in an effort to release myself from his grasp and try to preserve some of my dignity. “Put me down!!!” I cried in frustration. “The front door is still unlocked, and if anyone came in, I-” He cut me off with a sarcastic laugh. “Oh now we care about locking the doors?” He leaned closer to my face, and I felt an odd pool of warmth shoot to my core. His eyes darkened and settled on my full lips for a moment. When his gaze met mine again, my pulse quickened, and I felt my breath hitch in my throat. What the hell is wrong with me? I wondered. I had never actually been with a man. I had shared a few passionate kisses with my ex-fiance, but none of these sensations had ever reared their ugly head. I must get far away from this man. This complete stranger who had some demonic control over my body. “PUT ME DOWN!!!!” I demanded through gritted teeth. I tried pushing him off of me but to no avail. This man was built like a brick house. Before I could blink, he had my wrists pinned over my head with one of his large hands while his other hand grabbed a handful of my ass. His hard lean body was pressed firmly into my thighs, and his lips brushed against my ear. “Not until you thank me for saving you,” he whispered, sending chills to my nether regions. Fortunately, this made me snap back to reality, and my blue eyes glowered at him. “THANK you??” I exclaimed. “THANK YOU???? What the hell were you even doing here after I’d asked you to leave? Just get out now, and I won't report you to the authorities!” He chuckled dangerously. I swallowed hard as his gaze once again fell on my full pout, but this time, his lips came crashing down on mine, hot and hungry. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, but I was transported to a different dimension and lost track of time and space. The next thing I knew, I was on my feet with his hands on either side of my face, his dark gaze watching the rapid rise and fall of my chest. I felt exposed and instictually tried to cover my voluptuous breasts with my arms. He just grinned at my failed attempt to hide myself from him and pushed himself off the bookshelf, giving me some space to finally catch my breath. “That’ll tide me over for now, my love,” he said, his voice heavy with desire. He tenderly grabbed my face, forcing me to lock eyes with him. “But, I promise you this; you haven’t seen the last of me.” His eyes briefly trailed over my body before he released my face and vanished from my sight. I waited to hear the bell over the door tinkle before I allowed myself to sink to the floor to try and collect my thoughts and catch my breath. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox Bella's POV By the time I finally locked up the shop, the gas street lamps had already been lit, casting little shadows off the cobblestone roads. I often stayed at the shop past closing time, so I knew my mother wouldn't be worried about my whereabouts. Ever since she fell ill, I had taken over running the bookstore so she could rest and spend more time in her garden. I have loved books since I was a little girl, and now that I was destined to be a crazy old maid (according to the town gossips), I may as well be lonely doing what I love. The cottage I shared with my mother was just on the outskirts of our bustling town, and most nights, I enjoyed the walk home, but tonight, I felt slightly unsettled. Even though it was March and the days were mostly warm and sunny, the evenings tended to have a chill. I shivered and pulled my cloak tighter around my body. I don't know if it was from unease or the slight breeze in the air, but I definitely quickened my pace. I breathed a sigh of relief as I latched our garden gate behind me and climbed the steps to our front entrance. My mother's loving energy embraced me as soon as I crossed the threshold, and I instantly felt peace and protection. I removed my cloak, hanging it, along with my satchel, on the rack and proceeded to call out for her. "Mum!" I shouted.. "I'm home!" "Hello dear!" She greeted me. "I'm in the parlor!" My curiosity piqued. We only used the parlor when we had guests. Was Mother entertaining someone? I made my way to the parlor and stopped dead in my tracks when I beheld our visitor. It was an older man with silver gray hair and beard, but the piercing green eyes that met mine were definitely familiar. I felt my pulse quicken, and I swallowed hard fighting down the fire that had erupted in my gut. I plastered a smile on my face and prayed to the goddess that my very observant mother had not noticed my discomfort. "Come, darling," Mother beckoned me with her hand. Her cheeks were slightly rosy, and her blue eyes sparkled. What has gotten into her? I wondered, slightly amused, but I went and stood by her side. "Bella, this is my friend, Rowan Forrest. Rowan, this is my daughter, Bella Rose." She beamed proudly as she introduced us, so I politely held out my hand and gave a slight curtsy. My mother may have raised me to be a strong, independent woman, but she also raised me to have manners. " A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Forrest," I greeted, sweetly " The pleasure is all mine, Miss Thorngarden," he replied, bringing my hand to his lips and placing a light kiss on my knuckles. My dumb ass blushed slightly. No wonder my mother was so giddy. "It is an honor to meet the daughter of my closest childhood friend." The confusion on my face must have been obvious because my mother and Rowan both chuckled. "Yes, dear. Rowan and I have known each other since childhood," Mother explained. "He moved away before you were even born, but He, your father, and I were very close at one time. In fact, he has a son only a few years older than you. You two should definitely meet!" Oh God! I thought in horror. The eyes! I groaned inwardly as the realization hit me full force. My legs were just wrapped around my mother's friend's son!! To my relief, neither Rowan nor my mother seemed to sense my embarrassment, for they continued chattering on. I had to get out of here though before I overheated. "Are you feeling well, Bella?" Mother's concerned voice penetrated my thoughts Oh damn. I'd been spotted. "I'm fine, Mum," I said, smiling reassuringly. "It's been a long day, and I do feel a headache coming on. Perhaps I should excuse myself and go lie down." "Of course, my dear. I'll bring you up some chamomile tea here in a bit." "Thank you, Mum," I said, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight." "Good night, love. Sweetest of dreams." I turned to Rowan. "Good night, Mr. Forrest. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance. " "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Thorgarden," he said once again, brushing his lips over my extended hand. " And I would love for you to meet my son, Lucas. We are opening up a sawmill here in the village, and most of his days are spent helping me, but he does enjoy reading, so maybe I can convince him to visit the bookstore soon." Oh, he already has, though. I quickly pushed that thought from my mind and smiled politely. "Of course! I look forward to meeting him." From a distance…with other people around. I was finally free to make my escape, and I had to stop myself from running from the room. I exited the parlor and ran up the stairs to my bedroom, closing the door behind me and leaning my back against the smooth wood. I felt like my chest was on fire. Air. I need fresh air. I crossed my bedroom to the window and flung it open, letting in a cool breeze. I inhaled deeply and enjoyed the fragrant aroma of spring flowers blooming in the gardens below. The moon was so bright and beautiful, the village so quiet and peaceful, and the stars twinkled so mischievously against a blue- black sky that my thoughts quieted, and I felt peace. Deep in the forest, a lone wolf howled, sending a chill up my spine. I instinctively slammed the window shut, latching it in place, quickly got dressed for bed, and burrowed under my down comforter. Sleep came fitfully.