Had way too much fun writing this chapter (as you can tell by the fact that it's twice as long as my other chapters.) Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy!
She had said yes. She had actually said yes. Keenan strolled down the sidewalk, his posture carefree, arms swinging lightly from side to side. What had changed in her? The coldness of her eyes and the feeling of slight fear which practically rolled off her skin had vanished. She had looked at him with lust. He had seen it with his own eyes. She wasn't that good at hiding her emotions. Maybe this 'going slow' thing was the way to go. It was certainly working. Nevertheless, as his stride slowed down to a thoughtful walk, he realized he still had a long way to go. How was he going to tell her what he really was? How was he to explain the part she had to play in their future? All these questions filled his mind while the scent of her skin resonated hauntingly within him.
She had said yes. She had actually said yes. What was wrong with her? Why did she let what little ounce of self-control she had just evaporate when she was in his presence. She had done so well in avoiding him, but of course she had to give in practically the moment she saw him.
And now she was to have a date with him. Tomorrow. In less than 24 hours. She muttered profanities under her breath as she walked through her front door.
"Grams?" she called out. No answer. She then remembered it was Bingo night tonight down at a café downtown. At least she wouldn't have to explain where she had been all day just yet.
She dragged her backpack with her to her bedroom and let it drop to the floor by her desk. She suddenly felt exhausted, as if being with Keenan, even for a short while, seemed to drain all her energy out of her. As if she had to use all her energy to understand what his words meant, what that look in his eyes meant.
She lay down on her bed, kicking off her sneakers. She stared up at the dream catcher which hung over her head. It had blue jewels dangling from it. The blue colour seemed oddly familiar, like something from a distant dream. She focused on the teardrop jewels as they swayed slightly from side to side. Just before sleep claimed her she remembered why that blue looked familiar.
She was walking. Where was she? Her feet were bare. The feeling of warm summer grass tickled the soles of her feet. She looked around. She was in a park. The sun's rays made her raven black hair almost glow.
She was wearing a silk dress, its sleeves ending in cascading silk just below her elbow. It ended just below her knees and the fabric felt amazing as it caressed her thighs. It was pale yellow and it was covered faintly in a green pattern which seemed to resemble vines. When she stopped to study them, they seemed to almost slither across her dress.
She lifted her gaze back to the park. It stretched out and beyond for what seemed like miles. There was a shallow lake to her left surrounded by tall tress which were reflected in the water's surface. Beyond the lake she thought she could see a gazebo made out of wooden pine.
Fuschia bushes were placed at regular intervals around the park, as well as oak trees that looked just like the one her and Keenan had slept under.
Keenan…
As if the thought of him triggered her dream, a dais stood now before her. It was also made from wooden pine and was covered in sunflowers. The sunflowers seemed to twirl their petals as if they were long, beautiful evening gowns.
He sat before her on the dais in a grand chair covered in the most exotic plants she could imagine. Humming birds rested their beating wings on his shoulders. His bronze hair glowed in the radiant sunlight. He was wearing a thin white linen shirt, thin enough for her to be able to see his lean yet muscular stomach underneath the fabric. He wore white trousers and was, like her, barefoot.
"Aislinn…" he murmured, letting her name linger on his lips. He rose from the dais and let his feet touch the grass. At even the slightest touch, from the grass bloomed sunflowers, stretching their petals, gasping for more sunlight.
"I've been waiting for you." He spoke softly and left blooming sunflowers in his wake as he strode over to her.
"You have?" She asked. She couldn't help but sound breathless. Even though she hated to admit it, he was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.
He simply nodded his response. He was now only inches from her, and could easily reach out and embrace her had he wanted to. A raven black tendril of hair had escaped in the soft breeze and he reached out carefully to tuck it behind her hair. She couldn't help but catch her breath as she felt her heart flutter at his touch.
He kneeled down in the grass and put his hand gently on the ground next to him, stroking the grass softly. His palm seemed to glow and from the ground sprung a giant lily. Its petals were magnificent, a pale pink colour with tips the colour of gold.
Its petals unfolded to reveal a crown. It wasn't like any other crown she had seen pictures of before. Instead of being clunky and looking like it weighed almost a stone, it was delicate and woven of daisies. In between the daisies were placed delicate cherry blossoms and the whole piece seemed to be held together by fragile gold thread that captured the sun's rays.
It was beautiful.
She looked up at Keenan who now held the crown in his hands. He was looking down at her, smiling his dazzling smile, she could see the daisies on the crown reflected in his eyes. He was breathtaking.
She snapped out of her staring when he spoke her name again. All she did was listen.
He went down on one knee and held the crown up to her, as if he was making a peace offering. He never broke eye contact. The sunflowers stroked his feet, as if reassuring him.
"Will you be my queen, Aislinn?" he asked, smiling his crooked smile as he spoke. "My one and only Summer Queen?"
She was stunned. He was a king? She didn't have time to really contemplate the situation before she heard herself speaking.
"Yes," She answered back. He exhaled sharply and laughed. He sounded relieved.
He rose from his feet and placed the crown on her head. As he did her dress transformed. It went from a somewhat shapeless, pale yellow dress, to bloom into a fullblown ball gown. The skirt of it bulged out and sunk to the ground. The cascading silk around her arms shed away and revealed only one strap on her right shoulder. The top took on a corset-like appearance and the dress was now a mesmerizing and bright yellow colour. The whole dress was covered in a twirling pattern made with real, live buttercups.
"You are breathtaking," he murmured. He closed the small space between them and reached out to rest his hand in the crook of her neck. He brushed back her hair and trailed his lips down her neck and across her collarbone. She couldn't help but shiver.
"My Queen…" he murmured over and over again as his lips left blazing trails on her skin. She gasped as he touched her jaw line. His lips only lingered on her lips. He had a floral scent.
She lifted her hand to stroke his cheek and pulled him closer. His hands drifted to her waist.
"Aislinn?" a soft voice spoke inside her head. Where had she heard that voice before?
"Aislinn?" the voice called again, this time louder.
She pulled away from Keenan, who looked confused. She now realized why the voice sounded familiar.
"Grams?" She called aloud, peering around her surroundings. All she saw was the park. And Keenan.
"What's wrong, Aislinn?" he asked, sounding concerned as he reached out to touch her arm.
Before his fingers could touch her skin she felt as though she was being jerked backwards. She could see Keenan and the park getting smaller as she was being dragged away from him.
"Keenan!" She screamed. He only got smaller and smaller. Soon he disappeared completely and she was only surrounded by darkness. Even though he was out of sight, she could still her hear his voice as clear as if he was standing right next to her.
"It's alright, Aislinn. You can open your eyes."
The feeling of someone grabbing her arm dragged her from the last of the darkness of sleep. Her face was buried in her pillow and she was breathing hard. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest. She jerked up in a sitting position and was greeted by the sight of Grams leaning over her.
"You alright, honey?" She asked, stroking Aislinn's forearm, trying to comfort her. Her eyes darted around her room. Her own room. No beautiful park insight. Nor was there any crown. Had it all just been a dream?
"Yeah, I'm fine." She reassured Grams, pulling back the covers.
"You didn't seem fine," she contradicted. "You were tossing and turning and you were murmuring something about someone named 'Keenan.'"
Aislinn couldn't mask the surprise written plainly across her face. Had she been talking in her sleep? She shook her head, as if trying to shake away the heavy feeling in her head.
"It's nothing, Grams. Just a bad dream."
Her Gran only nodded and pulled her close, kissing her forehead before leaving her to get dressed.
Her hair stuck to her forehead with sweat and she could feel perspiration drip down her back. She got out of bed, only to stagger a few feet before regaining her balance.
She let the cold water in the shower wash away the last traces of sleep from her body before getting dressed. It wasn't until she had pulled on her white shirt that she realized what day it was today. She was meeting Keenan today. How could she have forgotten?
She suddenly found herself in a frenzy, rushing around her room in a daze trying to find where she had kicked off her other sneaker. She didn't like to admit it, but her heart was hammering in anticipation. He had only promised her that he would show her a quiet place. Somewhere peaceful, like their oak tree.
Their oak tree? What was wrong with her? They weren't a couple. They were just friends meeting to hang out.
Just friends… just friends… just friends… She mentally chanted to herself while looking in the mirror one last time. Her white shirt was a stark contrast to her black hair, making it even more prominent. She wore little make up, she just darkened her eyes a bit. Her hair cascaded down her back as she pulled her fingers through it one last time.
The ringing doorbell drew her away from her mirror. Startled she looked down the entryway towards the stairs. She didn't move as she heard Grams answer the door. Grams sounded slightly taken aback, but soon regained her posture and sounded her usual cheerful self. Then the person who came knocking spoke. She would have recognized his voice anywhere, maybe even in a sea of people all talking at once.
She bounded down the stairs, grabbing her phone before slamming her door shut. She halted quickly before she reached the bottom of the stairs which faced the front door. She lingered on the last, taking in his appearance.
He wore a navy blue shirt and dark trousers. His bronze hair didn't seem duller than the last time she had seen him. His eyes twinkled as he looked at her, as if he seemed as pleased to see her as she, reluctantly, was him.
She didn't move from the last step until he spoke.
"Hello," he said smoothly, smiling at her.
She walked over to him slowly, her fingers fumbling with her phone in her hands. Grams raised her eyebrows and smiled at her mischievously, making sure Keenan couldn't see her. Aislinn gave her a slight nod, as if telling her he didn't impose any danger.
Keenan spoke again.
"I'm Keenan." His eyes captured Grams'. Aislinn wondered if they had the same dazzling effect on her Grams as they did her. Obviously they did, from the look on Grams' face.
"I have an arrangement with Aislinn. I am taking her on a little outing." He smiled at her, showing his row of pearly whites.
Grams turned to Aislinn, her eyebrows still raised.
"Oh, you do, do you?" she asked, her gaze directed at Aislinn. Aislinn reached out to touch her, as if to reassure her.
"Yes. I know Keenan from school." She replied. She could hear her own voice shake slightly.
Grams was about to reply, but Aislinn cut her off.
"I'll be home for dinner, Grams. See you!" She walked swiftly passed Grams, dragging Keenan with her as she left. Grams only stood bemused in the doorway, as she watched the two teens walk down the driveway. Keenan turned to look over his shoulder and throw her an apologetic smile before they turned the corner and were out of the old woman's sight.
Aislinn let go of his arm and continued walking, not quite sure which direction they were supposed to be walking. She looked away from him, just focused on the sidewalk that stretched out ahead of them.
Keenan was the first to break the silence.
"I didn't arrive too early, did I?"
She hadn't even noticed what time it was.
"No, though I wish I would've known you would turn up at my house." She replied. Her voice sounded so cold, she could almost see icicles escape her mouth.
He sounded bewildered. "Why?"
Why didn't she want him in her house? He had, after all, already stood outside her front door once. Did she not want him to meet Grams? Sure, she had her crazy whims, but she was a good person. She came to the realization that it wasn't so much him seeing her Grams, and more that he turned up at her house, the one place she always felt safe. And Keenan was the one person who took hold of the feeling of safe she had and shredded it to pieces, and replaced it with a feeling of danger; alluring danger.
She would never admit this to him. Instead she chose to shrug it off, and just dismiss his question entirely.
"Where are we going anyway?" she asked. She stopped and looked around. They had been walking for about five minutes and had reached a convenience store.
"We passed my car about five minutes ago," he replied. He sounded amused and smiled his crooked smile at her.
She looked incredulously at him. Instead of lashing out at him, she tried to keep her cool.
"Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, her eyebrows raised.
"I had too much fun being dragged by you." He replied without a second thought, his stupid grin still planted on his face.
She didn't bother replying to this. Instead she just groaned and started off back towards her house. After they arrived, she didn't understand why she hadn't stopped in amazement in the first place. It was a nice ride he had. He drove a black 1966 Mustang and it was parked right outside her front door. She couldn't help but whistle.
"Nice ride," she said while walking around to the passenger side. Keenan followed her and opened the door for her. He settled in and turned on the radio. 'Boys of Summer' by Don Henley was blasting through the speakers. Keenan turned down the volume so they could easily hear each other's voices.
"I love this song," he said before singing along to the chorus, while tapping his fingers to the beat on the steering wheel. Aislinn couldn't help but smile.
They drove for a few minutes in silence, letting the song end before Aislinn dared speak.
"Where are we going, anyway?" she asked curiously.
Keenan only smiled his crooked smile while driving out of her neighbourhood.
"That's a surprise," he replied, glancing at her, watching her reaction.
She only rolled her eyes, but she wasn't annoyed. She just kept smiling.
Soon they were driving out in the countryside, fields on either side of them. It made her feel like they were a happy couple going on a long road trip which would lead them to whichever destination they chose. The sky was the limit. She couldn't help but daydream wistfully. There they would drive endlessly, the top down, the wind in their hair, Keenan's eyes sparkling with pure joy.
They would bring a picnic in the backseat and-
She glanced behind her and noticed the basket perched in the backseat.
"You brought a picnic?" she asked, generally surprised. Despite her daydreams, she didn't think Keenan would be the type to pack food in an old fashioned basket.
He shrugged. "It was a nice day for a picnic."
She looked out her windows and realized how right he was. The sun beat down from the blue sky; a sky which wasn't spoiled by a single white cloud. The cornfields seemed almost gold in the sunlight, and the corn swayed slightly in the wind. It was a beautiful sight.
"I also thought we might get hungry later," he added.
At that statement she could hear her stomach groan faintly; a sound that apparently Keenan also registered. He couldn't help but chuckle. He reached his hand back and fumbled around in the basket, before he pulled out an apple and handed it to her.
"Here," he said, his eyes not leaving the road. She smiled gratefully and accepted the fruit.
"Thanks," she said before taking a succulent bite of the juicy apple. It was the kind of apple Snow White would gladly die to have a bite of. She savored the fresh taste in her mouth.
"These are delicious." She sounded slightly astonished.
"There's a lot more where that came from," he replied, turning off to the left at a crossroad. They had now left the cornfields and were driving down a gravel path lined by tall trees. It reminded her slightly of pictures she had seen of Central Park. She turned to look at him.
"What do you mean?" she asked, not taking her eyes off him.
He chuckled and turned to meet her gaze. "You'll see."
They spent the rest of the journey in silence, except for the radio playing. Silence with Keenan wasn't an awkward silence. It was the nice kind of silence; the kind of silence which didn't need to be filled with words, just the kind of silence which could be enjoyed in the company of others.
The only thing that broke this silence was Keenan singing along to the tune the radio belted out. She had only listened in awe as he sang along softly to the song 'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King. His singing voice was pleasant to listen to and she almost dozed off in her seat.
Keenan pulled the car to a stop outside a wooden gate. She got out of the car, not waiting for Keenan to open her door for her, and looked around. A wooden gate seemed to lead to a garden of some sort. Just inside the gate was green grass, but it soon turned into a path that turned a corner, cutting off her vision.
"Are we going through there?" she asked, hearing the poorly masked excitement in her voice. Keenan obviously noticed her excitement as well.
"Yes," he chuckled softly. He walked over to stand beside her, his hand outstretched towards her. She looked down at it, as it waiting for something magical to appear in the palm of his hand, just like in her dream. Nothing happened.
She just looked up at him. He was waiting for her, patiently.
She dismissed his hand and strode past him over to the wooden gate. She walked through, leaving it open for him to follow. She started walking across the grass and had come to stop at where the path began. She expected Keenan to be right behind her. She turned and saw him still standing outside the gate, staring at her in awe.
"Are you coming or what?" she called.
He only laughed and walked over to her, shutting the gate behind him.
They walked down the path in silence. Aislinn was too distracted by the beautiful trees on either side of them to strike up conversation, and Keenan was too busy eyeing Aislinn to bother form words. They were both too absorbed, too fascinated.
The path only stretched a few hundred yards before it opened up again to a grassy ground. Stretched for what seemed like miles and miles were rows of trees placed at regular intervals. They were all roughly the same height and together their dense branches seemed to shut out the sky, creating a secret world, hidden from above. Under the trees lay little round, red objects. These same red objects hung from the branches of the trees.
An apple orchard.
It really was magnificent. Aislinn became completely entranced by the whole scenery. Like when she had discovered the oak tree, it was like she had stepped into a whole new world, a world where there seemed to be something magical hidden deep within, and if she just searched thoroughly enough, she would find it.
"Do you like it?" Keenan asked. He sounded like a child looking for some kind of recognition or praise for their hard work.
She was too awestruck to form an answer. She only answered with another question.
"This is all yours?" she asked, striding over to a random tree and picking an apple from one of its branches.
Keenan followed her to lean against the trunk.
"Yes. I come here when I need to think, or relax. I like it here. My own world, in a way." He smiled wistfully as he stroked the trunk of the tree, looking up through its branches.
She touched the trunk and could almost feel the tree's heartbeat, as if it was pulsing under her fingertips. She didn't draw her hand away. Instead she only pressed harder.
"It's beautiful here. Thank you for showing me this, Keenan." He looked at her, holding her gaze. It wasn't often she spoke his name aloud, and when she did, he cherished the moment.
He smiled crookedly. "You haven't seen the best part yet," he said secretively.
He grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers together in his grip. He broke out into a run, pulling Aislinn along with him. She was taken aback first, but soon she was running alongside him.
She looked down at their twined hands. It felt right. Sharing these kinds of moments with Keenan, it all felt right.
Soon she attempted to outrun him, letting go of his hand, only to push him playfully on the shoulder, trying to get him off balance. He only beamed a smile at her, letting her run ahead of him. He would let her think she had won.
She laughed and just ran, watching the apple trees rush past her. She could see a clearing up ahead. She could hear running water. She quickened her pace, determined to beat him. She was about to burst through the last of the trees to the clearing. She turned to see how far behind her he was. She didn't see him anywhere. She didn't slow her pace, just turned to face forward again.
Then it hit her.
It felt like she had struck a wall, a wall that had come out of nowhere. The wall fell with her and hit the grass beneath them. She tumbled with the wall, keeping her eyes shut tight until she waited for the rocking to subside. She was being squashed by the wall. She could feel the wall's heartbeat.
What?
She opened her eyes and was greeted by ocean blue eyes. She tried to sit up, but was restrained. She focused and saw Keenan lying on top of her. How had he gotten there? His hands were bracing themselves on either side of her head, caging her in and keeping her trapped in his gaze.
He smiled wickedly and lowered his lips to her ear. "You didn't really think you could outrun me, did you?"
She could feel his hot breath in her ear and she shivered. She couldn't respond, all she did was lay there beneath him. He pushed himself up from the ground and stood next to her, his hand extended, offering to help her up.
She sat up, and in her moment of feeling slightly flustered, she ignored his helping hand and rose unsteadily from the ground. He was walking over to where he had laid down the picnic basket, underneath a magnificent weeping willow tree. It was growing next to a small river, whose sound of running water created a whole new level of tranquility.
He sat on the ground beneath the willow, digging around in the picnic basket. She sat down next to him, gazing out at the river. Beyond it she could see distant green hills and fields. Keenan had been right; it was peaceful here. It was almost like she never wanted to leave.
He handed her a ham and cheese sandwich, which she accepted gratefully. They sat in silence for a moment, eating their sandwiches and together appreciating the scenery.
"How long have you had the apple garden?" Aislinn asked after they had finished eating.
"It was given to me when my father passed away." He answered simply, no obvious pain in his voice. Even so, Aislinn regretted asking.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. She knew how awful it was talking about a dead parent. God knows, she had to explain where her mother was a few times too many.
Keenan didn't seem saddened. "It's alright. He died before I was born."
"Still, it must be sad knowing he's not around to see you grow up, to know you won't have any memories to remember him by." She contradicted. She regretted it the instant she had spoken. She had no right to pry in his personal life. She was pushing him, and she forced herself to stop.
Still, Keenan didn't seem mad of offended. He just stared at the river in front of them.
"Maybe," he answered wistfully.
She looked away, her fingers tugging on the grass beneath her fingers.
"Sometimes," he continued, "I feel I don't have the right to miss him, since I never knew him. But I do."
Why was he opening up to her like this? Did he really want to get to know her? She suddenly felt uncomfortable. He was peeling away layers, layers of himself, too quickly for her liking. She felt like she should repay him somehow. Tell him a secret.
"My mother died in childbirth." She almost blurted out. Her voice was stronger than she had anticipated.
He turned to look at her; sorrow dulled his usually dazzling eyes.
"I'm sorry," he sighed.
"Don't be," she said. "I never knew her. But, I know what you mean. I want to have her around and get to know her. I want to know what she would have said the day I graduated middle school, the day I lost my first tooth or how she would've comforted me when I awoke from a bad dream. It's the not knowing that is the worst."
At this he couldn't reply. They just sat there, the river breaking the deafening silence that threatened to choke them both.
"At least you have your Gran." Keenan sounded slightly heartbroken. Why were they touching such depressing topics?
"Grams? She's the best parent I could ever have asked for." She smiled at the memory of Grams making pancakes for her on her birthday.
"Who do you live with?" she asked, wanting to know more about him.
"My uncles," he replied.
"Oh," was all she said. "What about your mother?"
His expression darkened suddenly, his mouth stretching out into a thin line.
"We are not… on speaking terms, exactly…" he drifted off.
Aislinn chose to drop the subject, not wanting to upset him further.
The breeze played with his bronze hair. His expression was strained and thoughtful. Is he still thinking about his mother?
"Keenan?" she asked.
He turned to look at her, his expression softening instantly. He smiled at her, gazing into her dark eyes.
"Yes?" he replied, leaning towards her. Their faces were now only inches apart. She didn't try to look away. She couldn't.
"Why did you bring me here?"
He exhaled, his eyes closing, as if he was searching for an answer. He broke the eye contact they had had and turned away. He sank down onto the grass, his arms bent to rest behind his head. He looked overhead at the long leaves of the willow. They acted like curtains, hiding them from the rest of the world.
"For selfish reasons, I guess." He chuckled softly.
This only made her more curious.
"What do you mean?" she pressed. She let herself sink to the ground, mimicking his position. She rested her hands on her stomach, her legs stretched out and her ankles crossing. She had her head turned in his direction. His sharp profile was staring up through the branches overhead.
She looked up as well, waiting for his reply. The leaves of the willow swayed gently in the wind. She liked it here.
"I guess I just wanted to see if you would come with me. If you trusted me." He replied, not looking at her.
What an odd reply. She couldn't help but smile.
"I don't know if I even do trust you yet," she said teasingly.
At this he turned to look at her. He couldn't help but smile. She was so beautiful out here. He would have to bring her out here more often. His Summer Queen.
He turned to lay on his side, never taking his eyes off her. She just stared up above, not noticing his shifting position.
"Nevertheless, I'm glad you came," he murmured, his voice turning abruptly husky. At this change in tone she couldn't help but look at him. She turned her head, still lying on her back. He was suddenly only inches from her. She could feel his hot breath on her skin. It felt like sunshine. She lost herself in his eyes, she was almost certain she could see blooming flowers in the depths of them.
He reached out his hand, slowly. Agonizingly slowly. She almost moved to close the small space between them, but she lay very still. He brushed her hair away from her face and rested his palm on her cheek. She closed her eyes, and didn't notice her movements as she subconsciously leaned in to his touch.
She moved her hand to grip his, willing herself to push him away. Instead her touch went from a rough touch, to caressing his arm. He sighed as he leaned in closer, letting his fingers rest in the crook of her neck. He pulled her against him slowly. She let her eyes close, in case she sank into the abyss which was his eyes and never resurfaced.
Their noses were touching and Aislinn found herself stroking the tanned skin of his arm. At this loving gesture Keenan smiled and didn't hesitate as he closed the small space between them and let their lips caress.
It was unlike anything she ever imagined. It was gentle, yet filled with lust. Behind her now closed lids she could see flowers blooming, waterfalls cascading down mountains, leaves being captured by the wind and flown to unknown places.
She tried so hard to resist. She tried to pull herself from his ever enchanting grasp, but to no avail. She was lost in him. He had taken her free will and shattered it. And she didn't seem to mind.
She leaned in closer, now returning the kiss. The kiss grew steadily passionate. She let her fingers knot in his hair, his bronze locks feeling like Egyptian silk. His hand slid down her back to rest in the small of her back, pulling her to his chest.
She bit his bottom lip, causing him to moan in pure desire. He pulled her closer to him and shifted their position. Now he was lying on top of her, one of his hands stroking her collarbone while the other was bracing him against the shaded grass.
She knotted her hands in his shirt, trying to close the small space between them. At this he only became more eager. His hands slid from her collarbone to rest on the buttons of her shirt. He started fumbling with the buttons, trying to open them with one hand.
Was she ready for that?
She abruptly became aware of what was really happening. She was kissing Keenan, quite lustfully to say the least. And he was about to take her shirt off.
At the realization of this truth she froze in his arms. He noticed this and raised himself to look into her eyes. His eyes were ablaze with desire, knowledge that would have left her breathless and giddy, had she not suddenly felt so exposed and uncomfortable.
She tried to push him off her gently, noticing the electricity that sprung to life as she touched his chest. He understood her wishes and rolled off her. She sat up, straightening her shirt and getting to her feet. She didn't want to be here anymore. She had let her guard down, and cursed herself for it.
Keenan got to his feet, trying to reach out to touch her. "Aislinn, I-"
"I think we should go," she interrupted.
She wandered over to where they had set the basket down, grabbed it and set off for the path they had recently travelled. Keenan followed her, trying to keep up with her hurrying pace behind her.
All she did was hurry along, pushing branches out of her way, trying not to turn her head to look at Keenan. She thought about how willingly she had greeted his lips. She was turning into those girls she despised.
Keenan kept pace with her, making sure he was always right behind her. None of them spoke the rest of the walk to the car, they couldn't find the words.
Aislinn couldn't find the words to explain the confusion she felt, or the words to admit that she wanted Keenan.
Keenan couldn't find the words to tell her what he actually was. It was forbidden. She would only run away. Much like she was doing now. But he wouldn't let her get away. She was his Queen, and he would always be there for her, even when she ran away from him.