Excerpt
Unable to sleep, I crept out of the house, as I had done many times before. While I didn't have a destination in mind, something drew me towards the small, tree-lined beach area by the lake behind my house.
This was a good choice, I thought, mesmerized at the moon's reflection on the water.
A distant rustling in the trees startled me. Must have been an animal, I thought, peering at the trees to see if I could spot it.
Instead, I saw the dark shadow of a man standing and watching me.
"Who’s there?" I asked nervously.
As the figure silently approached, my heart beat faster. Just as I had convinced myself to run, I recognized the way he walked.
"Zeeb, what are you doing here?" I asked, feeling numb.
I did not expect to see him so soon after what happened earlier tonight.
How could I face him?
What would I say?
I stood frozen in place as he neared. His eyes were wide and curious.
“I knew you would be here,” he said.
Zeeb knew me all too well. He knew my deepest thoughts. I told him everything. Well, almost everything. If only I could tell him the crazy changes I was experiencing the past few months. How could he understand? Could anyone?
“Mind if I join you?” he asked.
Turning to look him in the eyes, I blurted “ Oh, Zeeb, I'm so sorry for what happened back there. I don't know what got into me. It’s like I was this other person.”
“Don't cry,” he said wiping away the tears from my cheek.
Grabbing my waist and pulling me close, he whispered, “I love you Zelenia. Whatever happened between us back there was strange, but it felt right. Tell me if I’m wrong.”
My mind and heart raced. I could not lie. Not with him holding me so close.
“Yes, it was amazing,” I admitted.
The memory of his blood in my mouth filled my mind. I had liked it. Ashamed, I lowered my head.
Lifting my chin, he whispered, "Since you feel the same way, please don't apologize."
He leaned in to kiss me. The touch of his lips made my own part in desire.
This time I did not pull away from him. He kissed me harder and I returned the kiss with equal passion. He turned his head slightly, and I began to kiss the red line where his blood had flowed so freely earlier.
This time my only urge was to love him. I wanted to show him the deepest parts of my soul. My body heated at his touch. He held me tighter as he moaned, “I love you, Zelenia. I have always loved you.”
Lifting my head to gaze into his deep dark eyes and kissing him once more, I murmured, “I love you too.”
He twirled me around and laid me on the warm sand .
“Make love to me," I moaned as he kissed my neck.
Raising to look me in the eye, he asked, “Are you sure?”
“I've never been surer,” I answered.
As I slowly pulled off my shirt, I could hear his heart beat harder . I watched him take off his own shirt as my heart pounded in my chest.
His body was amazing. I felt a shudder of deep, animal urges run through me. We took each other in our arms. Our bodies intertwined as one. I felt as if our hearts beat the same rhythm.
Waking to the warmth of the sun shining brightly upon me, and a smile to match, I realized he was gone.
Where was he? Why had he left me alone?