Eternal Embers
By Kagiso Meshack
Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter
Ashley Heintae's eyes locked onto the piercing gaze of Elijah Black, and she felt the air escape her lungs. She had never seen anyone like him before - tall, dark, and handsome, with an aura of confidence that commanded attention.
As a plus-size model, Ashley was no stranger to the eyes of strangers. But there was something about Elijah's gaze that made her feel like he could see right through her.
"Can I help you?" Ashley asked, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in her stomach.
Elijah smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think you already are," he said, his voice low and husky.
Ashley's heart skipped a beat. Who was this guy, and why did he make her feel like she was melting into his eyes?
She tried to brush off the feeling, reminding herself that she was at a photoshoot, and this guy was probably just a client or a colleague. But as Elijah's gaze continued to hold hers, Ashley felt her resolve weakening.
"Hi," Elijah said, extending a hand. "I'm Elijah Black."
Ashley took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity as their palms touched. "Ashley Heintae," she replied, trying to sound calm.
Elijah's eyes never left hers as he held her hand for a beat longer than necessary. Ashley felt her cheeks flush, and she quickly pulled her hand back.
"It's nice to meet you, Ashley," Elijah said, his voice dripping with sincerity. "I have to say, you're even more beautiful in person."
Ashley's heart skipped another beat. No one had ever made her feel so seen, so desired. She felt like she was drowning in Elijah's eyes, and she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss him.
"Thank you," Ashley said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the butterflies in her stomach.
Elijah smiled again, and Ashley felt her resolve weakening. She knew she had to get back to work, but she couldn't help but feel drawn to this mysterious stranger.
"I'll let you get back to your shoot," Elijah said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But I hope I'll see you again soon, Ashley."
Ashley nodded, feeling a spark of electricity as their eyes met.
Chapter 2: The Photoshoot
Ashley tried to shake off the feeling of Elijah's eyes on her as she returned to the photoshoot. She had a job to do, and she couldn't let some mysterious stranger distract her.
As she struck a pose in front of the camera, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had been modeling for years, but today she felt like she was being watched.
She glanced around the studio, but Elijah was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she had just imagined the whole thing.
"Ashley, can you try to relax?" the photographer asked, snapping a photo. "You look a little tense."
Ashley took a deep breath and tried to let her shoulders drop. She had done this a million times before. She could do it again.
But as she looked into the camera lens, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling that Elijah was still watching her.
"Ashley, great job!" the photographer exclaimed, reviewing the photos on his camera. "I think we got some great shots."
Ashley smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe she had just been imagining things. Maybe Elijah was just a random guy who had wandered into the studio.
But as she turned to leave, Ashley saw Elijah standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed intently on her.
"Ashley," he said, his voice low and husky. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Chapter 3: A Private Conversation
Ashley followed Elijah out of the studio and into a quiet hallway. She couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about what he wanted to talk to her about.
As they walked, Elijah's eyes never left hers. Ashley felt like he was seeing right through her, to the very heart of her.
They stopped in front of a door, and Elijah pushed it open, revealing a luxurious office. He gestured for Ashley to enter, and she did, feeling a sense of trepidation.
Elijah closed the door behind them and turned to face her. "Ashley, I have to say, I was blown away by your beauty and talent back there," he said, his eyes burning with intensity.
Ashley felt her cheeks flush, but she tried to play it cool. "Thank you," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Elijah took a step closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm not just talking about your physical beauty, Ashley," he said, his voice low and husky. "I'm talking about the spark that's inside you. The spark that makes you come alive
Chapter 3: A Private Conversation (continued)
Elijah took a step closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm not just talking about your physical beauty, Ashley," he said, his voice low and husky. "I'm talking about the spark that's inside you. The spark that makes you come alive."
Ashley felt her heart racing as Elijah's words washed over her. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. No one had ever made her feel so seen, so understood.
"What do you want from me?" Ashley asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elijah's eyes never left hers. "I want to get to know you, Ashley," he said. "I want to see if there's something more between us."
Ashley felt her heart skip a beat. She had never been one for romance, but there was something about Elijah that drew her in.
Chapter 4: A Spark of Attraction
Ashley couldn't believe what was happening. Elijah Black, the mysterious stranger who had walked into her photoshoot, was asking her out on a date.
"I'd love to," Ashley said, trying to sound casual despite the excitement that was building inside her.
Elijah smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Great," he said. "I'll pick you up at 7pm tomorrow night."
Ashley nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation wash over her. She had no idea what the future held, but she was excited to find out.
Chapter 5: A Night to Remember
Ashley felt like a princess as Elijah pulled up to her apartment in a sleek black limousine. She had never been on a date like this before, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.
As they drove to the restaurant, Elijah couldn't take his eyes off Ashley. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined, and he couldn't help but feel drawn to her.
Over dinner, they talked about everything from their childhoods to their dreams for the future. Ashley felt like she had known Elijah her whole life, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to him.
Chapter 6: A Love that Lasts
As the days turned into weeks, Ashley and Elijah's relationship continued to blossom. They went on romantic dates, took long walks on the beach, and explored the city together.
Ashley had never felt this way about anyone before. She felt like she had found her soulmate in Elijah, and she couldn't imagine living without him.
As they sat on the beach watching the sunset, Elijah turned to Ashley and took her hand. "I love you," he said, his eyes burning with intensity.
Ashley's heart skipped a beat. "I love you too," she said, smiling up at him.
And as they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, they knew that their love would last an eternity.