It was a morning that mushroomed with different fervor inside Cassidy, not in the world around her. The first streams of sun that managed to break through the canopy of trees above fell onto the ground, casting naturally dappled shadows on the ground, and instantly there was an awakening deep inside of her-the raw, unbridled energy.
They walked on in silence, he sure of his way, leading her through the trees. Yet somehow Cassidy felt that something was now different between them, the air thick with what was unsaid, her mind in muddle now with stirrings she'd little expected.
It wasn't just the power awakening within her; it was deeper, yet from a part of her that hadn't felt anything in years. This man-an enigma, yet so fierce in his staring-had managed to light a fire in her that simply would not be tamed. Every now and then, she could feel his stare on her, as if he knew some turbulent storm brewed inside of her, just waiting on her first move.
Her skin prickled as the trees wrapped their shade about her, the soft stroke of breeze raising gooseflesh along her arms. She fought to keep her mind on the task at hand-the encroaching darkness, the truth about her past-but somehow it strayed to him: the way he had looked at her in the crypt, a heady mix of respect and something else… something forbidden.
It was the low, husky voice of the man that finally broke the silence between them. "We should rest awhile. Gain strength.
Cassidy nodded, more than relieved for the reprieve. They came into a small clearing where the soft grass felt like silk beneath their feet. She sat on the ground, leaning her back against a sturdy oak, watching him settle across from her, his eyes never leaving hers.
There was something in his eyes, a hunger that made her heart flutter in unison with his. She could feel the crackling in the air-an electric tension of unspoken desire smoldering from the first day they met.
"Who are you?" she whispered low; words ran off her mouth before she could stop them. "I mean, really. You have told me all about the darkness, about my parents, but what about you? What are you hiding?"
Color fled his face as he narrowed his eyes on her. "You're asking the wrong question, Cassidy. It's not who I am. It's what I am. What I've become."
Cassidy's breath caught, the force of his words sending a thrilling spark through her. "And what have you become?"
He leaned in closer, and his voice fell to a dangerous whisper. "I've become something that's lived in the shadows, in worlds between light and dark. I've done things… things I am not proud of. But I have protected people, saved lives. I've walked the line separating good from evil for so long, I am not sure which side anymore."
His words hung heavy in the air between them, a cumulative statement of secrets and sins. Cassidy felt the acceleration of her heartbeat, curiosity mixed with undeniable attraction toward him. She knew she ought to be leery, that a decent distance was in order, yet she could not seem to help herself. The darkness within him spoke to her, resonated with the darkness she glimpsed within her own soul.
Before she knew it, her hand reached out and skimmed his. The touch of bare skin produced an electric jolt of arousal that sent her gasping, her eyes so wide with surprise. The man's gaze flickered to hers, going darker with a reflected desire.
"You don't know what you are doing," he shrilled.
Cassidy shook her head furiously, in a sort of fearful-excitement tone of voice. "I know what I am doing."
The tension that had been gathering between them snapped in an instant, and he was reaching in, catching her off balance. In a heartbeat, he was on her, his hands pinning her wrists to the tree trunk as he pressed hard against her. The hotly exhaled breath against the side of her neck gave her an icy run of shivers down her spine, his lips just above the skin.
"Say stop," he whispered, his voice low, a growl.
But Cassidy didn't want him to stop. She wanted this-wanted him-the danger and the darkness, drawing her in, making her want more. Her breathing was ragged, her heart pounding in her chest, her gaze lifted to his, her eyes hot with desire.
"Don't stop," she whispered back, her voice barely audible.
His self-control broke. In one hoarse, low sound, he attacked her lips-wild and hungry, and at last unleashing all that pent-up restraint and wordless yearning between them. Cassidy's mind turned to mush as she melted into him, her body writhing against his with violent need. She could sense the darkness in him, the power humming just beneath his skin, but only the fire of her desire blazed hotter on account of it.
Her lips tangled with his, and the kiss deepened, as if both were trying to devour one another. His hands roamed over her body, and Cassidy responded in turn, her fingers digging into his back, pulling him closer, wanting more. The forest fell away around them, and the world reduced itself to the two of them, locked in that clash of wills and passion.
But in that much time, it was over, too. The man drew back, puffing hard, his eyes wide with surprise and something akin to regret. Then he released her, stepped back, his hand shaking as he drew it through his hair.
"We cannot do this," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "It's too risky. For both of us."
Cassidy's chest heaved as she fought for breath while her still humming body refused to quiet the aftershocks. "Why?" she shook, frustration and confusion raising her voice. "Why is it so dangerous?"
"Because I'm not who you think I am," he whispered, his eyes haunted. "And if we give in to this, it could very well destroy us both."
Cassidy's heart leaped with a surge of pure fear, overcome in an instant by anger. "You're the one who said we needed to face our fears, our darkness. Well, perhaps this is part of it. Maybe we need to face whatever this is, together."
He shook his head, his face contorted in a mask of anguish. "You don't understand, Cassidy. There are things about me, about this world, that you're not ready to know. Things that could hurt you in ways you can't even imagine."
Cassidy strode defiantly forward, her eyes afire. "Then show me. I'm not afraid."
For one telling moment, he looked at her as if he just might take her up on that offer, his eyes dark with desire and something more. And then shook his head again, and it was gone, as fast as it had come.
"No," he said in an even voice. "Later. Too important. We have to be concentrated on the darkness and upon that which is to come. All else… we shall see later.
Cassidy felt frustration well up, but she knew he was right; too much hung in the balance, much resting on their shoulders. Yet the look returned to her from those eyes told an altogether different story: this wasn't over, not by a long shot. Something was there, potent and undeniable, and it was only a question of time before it blew its cork.
Saying nothing more, he veered into the woods, granite setting into his features. "We have to keep going. We don't have much time."
Cassidy nodded, her heart still racing, and began following him as all their footsteps into the forest could not rub off from her soul what it had taken in during that kiss.
The darkness was perhaps their enemy, but the fire between them. that was another thing entirely.
To be continued.