She and He series

Greatest Desire

Copyrighted © 2008 Arden Ashart

He scooted closer to her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, gently leaning her back, holding her.

“What is your heart’s greatest desire? What do you dream at night?” he whispered in her ear.

She turned her head away from where his rested on her shoulder. Her hair cascaded into a curtain between them that he brushed away, tucking behind her ears.

“I…I’ve always wanted to go dancing,” she said in a hushed, slow voice. “I’ve always dreamed of wearing one of those formal, beautiful…elegant…sexy gowns, entering an old fashion ballroom on the arm of a handsome man. Someone I trust, who means something to me…” Her voice started to break with emotion, speaking of tears. “He’d smile at me, lead me lovingly towards the dance floor, pull me into his arms, hold me…and we’d dance. I’d be pretty and cherished…and loved.”

His arms curled tighter around her, for support. “And this beautiful gown you’re wearing, what does it look like?” he whispered these words against her ear too, as his hands, one on her arm and the other her shoulder, began slow, reassuring circles.

“It’s blue,” she choked, her eyes closed as the images floated through her mind, her lashes darkened by tears. “Long, down to my ankles, with a swishy, full skirt,” she moved side to side in his lap, like she was wearing the dress and wanted to feel the fabric brushing against her bare legs. “It’s got a twist it in, right here,” she moved her hand to touch a spot between her breasts, “and then it goes on up my shoulders, with a clasp at the top of each strap that sparkles like it’s decorated with diamonds. …It’s simple and graceful at the same time.” Her lips were curved in a tiny smile that shook with the emotion welling up.

“Just like you,” he complimented. “And your man—tell me what he looks like?”

“He’s—”

She stopped abruptly and turned to look at him, a tear trailing down one cheek. That she cried tore at his heart, and a primitive, protective part of him, and he touched one finger to the tear, wiping it away.

“Why are you asking me these things?” she asked, a frown creasing her brow and pulling her mouth tighter.

He smiled at her, their eyes fixed. Everything beyond them vanished, in that way that it does with all lovers. He could drown in her dark brown eyes, so dark and tormented that it twisted his gut into knots and begged his soul to comfort. Such a simple dream, he marveled, and yet it was obvious that this meant much to her. That she could be pleased so easily—he warmed, realizing how lucky he was to have found such a treasure that could so easily be destroyed by any other man.

He kissed her then, a deep, slow mess that stole their breath and stunned them both. It was answer enough.