A LOVE WRITTEN IN ERROR

CHAPTER 4: DESIRE

Juliet leaned lightly against the balustrade, her long, curly hair tumbling over her shoulders in a dim part that caught the pale light. Her eyes were shining reflecting both mischief and longing, as she turned to Romeo, who stood a few steps behind her, worry etched across his handsome face.

“Juliet… if you can’t sleep, just find a book to read. Do not risk your life to come here,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “I strongly advise you.”

She shook her head softly, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Books cannot help me sleep,” she whispered, stepping closer until she stood only inches from him. Her fingers brushed his cheek, tracing the line of his jaw with the gentlest of touches.

Romeo’s breath hitched. “Ask your maid to read it for you…” he suggested, though his voice lacked of conviction.

“But I want you to read my mind,” she teased, her lips curling into a playful smile.

He laughed quietly, the sound mingling with the rustle of the night wind. “Your mind is a dangerous territory, Juliet. You know that?”

She pressed herself a little closer, tilting her head so that her curls brushed against his shoulder. “Perhaps… but tonight, I don’t want danger. I want you.”

Romeo’s heart raced, each thump a mix of warning and desire. He reached out, pausing for just a moment, then let his fingers weave together with hers. “Juliet… I… you shouldn’t...”

“I know,” she interrupted softly, her eyes glimmering with vulnerability and boldness at once. “I shouldn’t. And yet… here I am.”

She rested her forehead against his, and the warmth of her breath brushed against his lips. The world seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of them suspended in a bubble of quiet night and silver light.

They spoke in murmurs, voices so soft that the city below could not hear. She told him of her sleepless thoughts, the worries and dreams that haunted her, and he listened, each word wrapping around his heart, drawing him closer. He shared in return, his own fears, the weight of the feud that pressed upon them, and the longing that he could barely contain.

The night deepened. Stars sparkled above like tiny candles, each one reflecting in Juliet’s eyes. The soft rustle of her dress, the warmth of her hand in his...all of it pulled at Romeo’s resolve.

“Juliet…” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ve never… I’ve never felt like this before. Not for anyone. Not like this.”

She smiled, a tender curve of lips that made his chest ache. “Nor have I, Romeo. That is why… even if the world were against us… I would come to you.”

Her words ignited something in him, a fire that burned brighter than fear or caution. Slowly, almost reverently, he cupped her face with both hands, feeling the softness of her skin under his thumbs. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned into his perfect touch.

Their breaths mingled, as if the space between them vanished. Time seemed to pause as Romeo gazed at her lips, trembling with both anticipation and disbelief.

“Juliet…” he murmured again, almost as if speaking the word aloud could make it real.

Then, with a courage born from longing too deep to resist, he leaned forward. Their lips met... gentle...at first, a hesitant brush that sent shivers for both of them.

Juliet lips parted slightly, inviting him, and the kiss deepened.... slow and sweet, a mingling of breaths and heartbeats.

Romeo’s eyes widened in shock and wonder, if he had only dreamed of this moment. Previously he only imagined this moment by countless times, but now, nothing could have prepared him for the reality of holding her so close, feeling the warmth of her against him.

When they finally parted, even by mere inches, the world seemed brighter, softer, and tender. Juliet rested her head against his chest, and Romeo wrapped his arms around her, holding her as if he would never let her go.

“Romeo,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his tunic, “I think… I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”

“And I,” he replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead “never imagined it could feel like this… until now.”

They stayed like that on the balcony, wrapped in moonlight and silence, two hearts beating as one, the city below unaware of the love that had finally found.

“You startled me,” Romeo admitted finally, his voice husky. He traced a finger along her cheek, over the curve of her jaw, as if he could memorize every detail of her face. “I… I didn’t expect… that kiss.”

Juliet’s lips curved into a teasing smile, her curls brushing against his shoulder. “Didn’t expect me to be bold?” she murmured. “Or didn’t expect yourself to feel this way?”

Romeo’s lips twitched into a rare, nervous smile. “Perhaps both,” he confessed. “I’ve dreamed of holding you, of… of this moment, but I never imagined it would feel so… consuming.”

She laughed softly, a delicate, melodious sound that made him shiver. “Consuming?” she echoed. “Good. Because I feel the same. And Romeo…” Her voice softened, “I don’t care about the feud tonight, not now. I only care about this... us.”

He swallowed, his pulse racing. “Us,” he repeated, letting the word linger in the night. “Juliet, I… I can’t imagine my life without you. You’re… everything.”

Her eyes glistened in the moonlight. “Then don’t imagine it, Romeo. Don’t waste another moment thinking about anything but now.”

They stood closer still, the faint glow of moonlight highlighting the soft contours of her face, the shimmer in her curls, the warmth of her eyes. Romeo’s hand moved to her waist, drawing her flush against him. Juliet responded instinctively, her arms winding around his neck, fingers threading through the dark waves of his hair.

“I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” she whispered, tilting her head. “To be close… to feel you…”

Romeo’s chest tightened at her words. He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, tracing the line of her neck with the pad of his thumb.

“Juliet… you’re… breathtaking,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “And every moment I spend with you, I feel… alive in a way I’ve never known.”

She shivered under his touch, and a soft laugh escaped her. “Then promise me something,” she said. “Promise me that tonight, no matter what tomorrow brings, we will remember this moment. Just us. Forever.”

Romeo’s hands tightened around her, holding her as if he could shield her against the world. “I promise,” he said solemnly. “Tonight… tonight is ours.”

They lingered on the balcony, swaying slightly as the wind teased the folds of their garments. Romeo leaned down slowly, his forehead brushing against hers. “May I…?” he asked, a teasing whisper against her lips.

Juliet’s smile was all the permission he needed. Their lips met again, this time with a deeper urgency, a gentle yet insistent press that spoke of longing, fear, and hope, all at once. Romeo’s hands moved to her waist, and Juliet responded, pressing closer, tasting the warmth of him.

The kisses did not end until Romeo lifted Juliet around his waist and made her sit on a chair that was made of stone. He touched and removed the lower part covering Juliet's body below before he completely claimed her totally.

"Hmmm." Juliet softly moaned.

When she felt Romeo's warmth envelop her body, it was a tender caress that she had been wanted for the night.