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The
Quiet Before the Storm Part 1 April 22, 2003, 1: 53 AM The
hallway was deserted now. Her chance to act had come and she had
no intention of leaving until she did. She fished the key from her
jacket pocket, placing it in the lock and slowly turning it until
she heard the now familiar click resound in the small space. Mustering
the courage to open the door, she walked in, momentarily looking
around at all the little nick-knacks the room possessed. Things
that spoke loudly about the mentality and persona of its owner;
brooding, dark and elegant, all wrapped into one. She slowly crept along the living room, moving with practiced purpose as she climbed the stairs, in search of the man she had been watching from afar for weeks. Before, she had watched him from the shadows as he moved about town, not allowing nearly enough close access for her to get a read on him. But now she took care, not wanting to make any discernable sounds that would indicate the presence of an intruder to the man who lived there. Lately she found herself here almost every night. An unexplained force drawing her. That force leaving her unsatisfied if she fought it, usually succumbing to its power. She accepted it and seemed to now cherish it. It was unwelcome at first, but over this short amount of time looking forward to it. As she approached the door at the end of the hall, she saw the door slightly ajar. Cradling the door she eased it open on baited breath, hoping he was sound asleep. Dreaming the dreams of a man not tormented by his past or the present hurt she saw imprinted on his face daily. Only the night seemed to bring him any peace. Breathing a sigh of relief she saw that he was knocked out. Enjoying a peaceful sleep that she was glad he now seemed to be in the habit of obtaining. His bedroom was lit only by the moonlight that cascaded into the room, illuminating his sleep filled face. This is how she liked to see him. This was the man she had seen on a few occasions but that seemed to disappear when the cold light of day awakened him from his slumber. As
she moved towards the bed she once again noticed the black satin
sheets that adorned it. The contrast of his mocha kissed skin against
the dark color that covered him sent her senses into a state of
déja-vu. She stood over him as he slept peacefully, remembering
those few precious times she was able to see him like this. So innocent
and trusting. She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest
as he breathed. Crouching closer, she sat beside him on the bed. Her need to touch him sent her senses into overload as she saw her delicately manicured hands reach out to touch him, as if she had no control over her actions. She wanted to touch the scar that reminded him daily of a sacrifice he made not so long ago. A feeling of wonder washed over her as she felt herself slipping away. Becoming someone new, yet very familiar. Opening her eyes, she was comforted by her surroundings, yet a niggling feeling burned in the pit of her stomach. Looking down, she noticed the face of the man who she yearned for constantly, and had felt like she hadn't seen in forever. Her fear was replaced by the love she felt. It radiated throughout her being as she sat so close to him. Moving as she had on many a nights, she fingered the scar, tracing its short length but remembering the enormity of the wound when first created. As her hands moved upward along his strong shoulders and throat, she slowly cupped his face. She let the back of her right hand caress his cheek as he smiled a contented smile at her touch, but still slept on. His happiness washed over her as she saw him revel in her touch. After a few moments his hands come up to rest atop hers. Having been lost in her actions his movement caused her to slightly jump and stop her ministrations. Holding her breath she looked into his eyes- eyes which were now open; two pools of chocolate that burned into her like wildfire. Her own eyes also burning into him. They sat in silence as if waiting for the other to make their move. She, not listening to the voice in her head telling her to stop, pushed it aside. Lowering her head, her lips descended upon his, sending a current of electricity through them both. Her slow moving kiss stirred a wanting in him that he now came to expect. She lightly flicked her tongue out, tracing his lips, asking for permission to enter the hot cavern of his mouth. He granted her wish, parting his lips, and reveled in the sweet bliss that overcame him as his tongue mingled with hers. He moaned deep in his throat, relishing the sweet nectar of her that he continuously longed to experience in the long hours of the night. As she felt herself giving into him, she felt his hands come to rest upon her upper arms, moving slowly down them until they reached her elbows, detouring until they now gripped her hips. They pulled her slowly towards him, tying to get her to lay her body upon his naked one. The urge to join him in bed tugged at her heart, knowing that his silent request was what she really wanted to oblige.Feeling herself about to lose control, her inner voice beckoned her to re-evaluate what she was doing. Then panic struck. Realizing the enormity of the situation she started to push his hands away, pulling back from the hands that now roamed her body, and his mouth that was branding her lips and face with kisses, leaving her lips bruised from his passionate assault. Fright mixed with longing took hold of her, her mind screamed "NO!" although she spoke not a word. Feeling her reaction he stilled his movements. "Please don't stop,” he asked. “Please don't run away." Looking imploringly at her he quietly begged, "Don't leave me like this when I need you." Hurt registered on his face as he looked at her fear filled eyes. Finally releasing herself from his hold she stepped away from him, "I can't," she replied. "I can't." Her eyes steadily filling with tears darted around the room, from his face to the door. She ran from the room, not seeing where she was going, only knowing where her inner voice told her not to be. "Come back! Stay with me," he cried. "Please!" He saw her form quickly move towards the door and fade from the room. He reached his arms out for her, only to feel the cold empty air envelope him. Opening his eyes he saw that he was alone. His common sense breaking through. He remembered where he was, and that he was alone. "She wasn't here," he told himself. "Nobody's here. She never was. It's just you. Alone. Get used to it." It was the same dream he had, night after night. A dream that always ended sadly, and way too soon. Wiping the errant tear that had escaped from his eye, he ran his fingers through his hair. Shaking off the bad feelings his dream brought.Turning over, he looked at the clock on his bedside table. 5:55 AM it read. "Wow, it's early," he said to himself. "God knows I can't go back to sleep now." Looking at the rays of the early morning sun that now filtered though his room he sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and walked slowly towards the bathroom. "A good shower ought to get me going, help me start the day. Make me forget what's not meant to be." Across town a woman smiled inwardly in her sleep at the vision before her. The man she loved. Kissing her. Grazing her silky skin. His fingers burning her body with every inch of her that he touched. She could smell him. The scent of cloves assaulting her senses. As she looked up into his face, she saw the man she loved staring back at her. Swiftly sitting up in bed she massaged her temple with a worried look on her face. Shaking off her last bit of sleep, she spoke his name in a confused whisper…"Sonny." *Can’t
remember why we fell apart Do
I ever cross your mind, anytime Still
have your picture in a frame Do
I ever cross your mind, anytime Oh,
loneliness and heartache Do
I ever cross your mind, anytime “Anytime” By Brian McKnight
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