The Kiss

I know I said no more snippets but I decided to pull this one out of hiding. I had it tucked away for rainy day and it was raining yesterday so…why not post it? LOL Special credit goes to Jennifer Lee, Ellbee and Staci aka Ladybug who inspired this not that long ago, as we played around with a few ideas via email. It was Jenn's original idea and so, it's all her fault. LOL My friends, I hope you don't mind me tweaking this and submitting it. Please enjoy and I hope you, the readers, don't mind me getting mushy. ;-)

~*~

Alone in the moonlit night, she stood outside on the stone patio and folded her hands in front of her, a futile effort to quell their trembling. She waited impatiently for the warrior to come; the contents of his note forever burned into memory.

Meet me at midnight, out on the stone patio. I need to see you; the consequences of my rash actions do not concern me…

"Ardeth, my love," she whispered into the night and closed her eyes. Her stomach tightened with nervous anticipation, her chest rose and fell with each breath as she fought to contain her excitement. She marveled at the feelings for him that swept over her, their intensity a surprise considering they had met only a few days ago in the marketplace. Tall, dark, mysterious, an aura of danger exuded from the warrior and she was helplessly ensnared thoughts of freedom no longer clamored for attention in her mind. Instead she listened to her heart and now, waited for him to come to her…

Suddenly, she felt his presence and sensed Ardeth was standing only a few feet away. Incredibly she could feel the warmth emanating from his body, his masculine scent entirely too appealing; a heady mixture of spice, heat and man. She opened her eyes and reached out, smiling when their hands came together; large and warm, his hand dwarfed hers as their fingers locked together. With a surprising gentleness, they silently instructed her to turn around, making her willing body pirouette until her back was pressed against him. Ardeth released her hands, and gently brushed aside the silken curtain of her hair, placing sweet tender kisses on the delicate flesh of her neck. Distracted by his lips, she tilted her head to one side, encouraging him, lost in the magical spell he skillfully wove around them. She flinched in surprise when his hands skimmed down her arms and came to rest on the small span of her hips. Ardeth gave a low throaty chuckle to her reaction as he pulled her body against his tall, hard length; the defined planes of his broad chest pressed against her shoulder blades.

Ardeth kissed her the side of her neck again, slowly pulling her body until it was flush against his hips, the thick proof of his own excitement bulging beneath the thin layer of his cloth pants. She gasped from the feel of it, unable to stop herself from wiggling; the friction too delicious to ignore as he continued to lavish the sensitive skin with his lips then his teeth. Small bites, licked then kissed captured her attention until she felt the insistent pressure of his hands, silently urging her body to dip and sway. Willingly she followed his directions, amazed that somehow they fell into a rhythm, hips aligned and undulating in perfect union.

"Ardeth," she breathed in wonder. "What are you doing to me?"

"Perhaps I should offer an explanation to help you understand," Ardeth chuckled as his masterful manipulation of her body continued.

"No…no," she replied and closed her eyes. Wantonly she pressed herself against him and felt his hands come up to capture her arms, placing them up and around his neck. She had to stand on her tiptoes and gladly anchored her hands around him as they both swayed together. He nuzzled her neck, no longer content to kiss one spot and traced a wet trail with his tongue up and down the slim column of her neck. She leaned her head to one side, giving him better access and freedom; her lips parted as her breath came out in small puffs.

Their dance of passion came to an abrupt end and she almost cried out her disappointment when he slowly turned her around to face him. Her protests were silenced when she found herself pulled against his body, hips once again meshed together. A groan of need slid past her lips and her arms moved up and up, resting briefly on his broad shoulders, fingers roaming over the muscular strength of his body. Her hands caressed Ardeth's face, lovingly tracing the firm jaw line, dancing across skin covered with light stubble as now she gave silent instructions, urging his face down to meet her own. She could feel his warm sweet breath wash over her and briefly wondered why he hesitated in kissing her. Lips parted, she almost whispered "Please..." but fell silent when she felt his hand stroked her face.

Ardeth lowered his head and gently kissed her; his lips fluttered against her own. He sampled, tasted, tested and learned their outline and texture. He grunted in surprise when she mimicked his actions, and continued his unhurried exploration of her mouth and yet, he could feel the urgency building up between them.

Feeling bold and empowered, she took the initiative and as Ardeth's lips touched one corner of her mouth and her tongue flicked out. It dragged along his mouth and suddenly Ardeth became the aggressor. His mouth turned back to hers, his lips parted as his tongue came out to stroke hers, sliding over and around it. His arms tightened around her, pulled her close as his lips became more demanding, his tongue now seeking permission to enter her mouth of which she gladly gave. It slid over her lips and she sighed with happiness. She accepted it as well as his undeniable domination of her mouth; his tongue explored the recesses, leaving no part of her mouth untouched. She clung to him as he became more forceful and she reveled in his loss of control. Their tongues dueled, mated, intertwined as they greedily drank from one another and almost became lost...

A piercing whistle shattered their union and Ardeth reluctantly pulled away from her; his hands still rested on her arms. "I must go," he whispered.

She resisted the desire to throw herself into his arms, chilled without his warmth. "Will I see you again?" she asked eyes luminous with unshed tears as he started to walk away from her.

Ardeth took a few steps, then turned back to face her, his face a mixture of moonlight and shadow. His eyes burned with the flames of desire that remained unquenched and his reply, although curt, sent a shiver of excitement racing through her heart. "Yes."