For a moment, I am speechless. I don’t know how to respond to such words. It seems taken out of a romantic novel, one of those where the couple lives happily ever after, where there are no barbarians who hurt or a Lucian who tries to abuse your sister, where parents don’t offer you as a sacrifice to pay their debts.
One of those novels with endings apotheosically full of love.
“It’s a bit of a corny phrase.” I play hard to get, even though I feel like my heart has turned to butter: melted by this stranger. I smile at how he makes me feel.
“Corny or not, you’ve smiled.” He takes a step closer.
Our breaths come together in silence.
I can’t believe I’m so close to a complete stranger in the dark, and I’m not afraid of being killed. Quite the opposite, my sixth sense screams at me that I can stand in front of him with my eyes closed.
“How do you know I smiled? You can’t see anything. I can’t see anything.”
“You just proved me right without realizing it.”
“Very clever.” I smile even wider this time.
“Are you always so quiet? Or is it that something’s got you worried?”
“Are you always interested in the feelings of the strangers you meet by the lake?” I counterattack. I still don’t feel able to tell him about my future, the one that starts tomorrow when I marry Dario Magghio.
I admit that I am afraid. I still don’t even know how to have sex. Although Teresa says that it is natural and that I will instinctively know what to do, the fact that my younger sister’s advice guides me does not leave me much time to feel at ease.
When did Tere become more well-versed than me? When did I miss out on her growth?
“I don’t often see such beautiful strangers about to throw themselves into the lake.”
“I wasn’t going to throw myself into the lake. Do you think I intended to commit suicide?” I’m surprised at such scheming. I would never consider such a thing.
My parents have taken it upon themselves to make me a believer, and in these moments where they decided for me, I no longer know if there was a divine purpose for me getting married and away from that bastard Lucian.
“No,” he hastens, “I don’t see you as a drifting soul.”
“You don’t talk like you’re from around here.”
“How am I supposed to express myself? In plain words devoid of feeling?”
I laugh softly at the almost tongue twister he blurted out.
“No, I’m just saying you don’t look like you belong here. Normally this town is full of people used to seeing each other every day. Some things go unsaid,” I argue for my backward thinking.
“Don’t apologize. I think you’re just used to being treated like you’re one of the regulars.”
Crap.
He hit the nail right on the head.
His way of expressing himself is not what is wrong. His words and intensity in saying them are not what is wrong… it’s me, the timing, and the people around me. I am stranded in a life with no surprises, except for my marriage to Dario. Now that has been a surprise.
“It’s refreshing to hear you talk like that. Too bad I didn’t meet you sooner.”
“You met me at the perfect time.”
This man really does look like something out of a Christmas card and well wishes.
My perfect man. I don’t know what the hell I’m thinking.
This can’t happen to me now, not when I’m about to marry another man.
“You can call me crazy,” he continues, “but I feel like I know you.” My mystery knight directs a hand toward my face, and I’m stunned to see his intentions; his fingers run down my cheek.
He has a slightly square chin, and his silhouette draws me in like a transparent but heavy force.
“You’re beautiful, like a ray of light in the darkness,” he murmurs.
“I…”
“Don’t say anything. Don’t speak. Let me taste the sweet flavor of your lips.” His plea is almost painful.
Not that I can refuse either, since I wish for him to kiss me, to touch me, to run his soft, warm hands all over my body.
I close my eyes and feel his breath on my lips. Our mouths meet. My mouth is eager for the desire I feel for him to possess it in every way possible. My instinct tells me he can take me to heaven in the blink of an eye.
My lips part instinctively. His wet, luscious tongue tastes my mouth. Likewise, it dances with mine. I cling to him for more warmth—my belly burns and throbs. I feel an involuntary vibration and an unknown desire. My insides are burning. One of his hands rests on my hip, and the other grips my neck. A moan comes from my throat, something I’ve never done before.
I am dumbfounded at what this stranger is capable of provoking me.
Just one kiss, and I want to take off my clothes and let him make me his right here, in the lake, on the sweet damp grass from this afternoon’s drizzle.
“Just as I imagined,” he says as he pulls away for a second. My lips miss his touch and taste. I want more of him. I want more of this stranger who makes me crave forbidden acts.
“God… What have you done to me?” my voice sounds hoarse even to my own ears.
I recognize the feeling: I am aroused all over, craving him.
“You belong to me. That’s why you respond like this.” His words are so strange, but they ring so true to me.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt this for anyone. And for a stranger!
With Lucian, everything was so centered and simple. No excitement or this heat that fills my body and takes over my soul.
“I wish I belonged to you.” I can’t believe what I just said, but I can’t help it once I start.
I know I will never see this man again, as I will move to another town, to a place I will not be allowed to leave.
I will be a prisoner in my own castle.
I will be Tatiana Magghio, the wife of the Shady One. Tomorrow, I will no longer be the young single woman who can fall in love with a stranger at the lake.
“You already do. What you feel…” he places his hand on my chest, and with the one on his hip, he pulls me closer to him. I feel his member throbbing, hard and strong, almost reaching my belly button since he is so much taller than me, “that thing your body and heart feels is the same thing I feel now. I don’t care if you think it’s not possible, but you, little dragonfly, are and will be mine.”
“Make me yours tonight,” I request. I stand on tiptoe and risk reaching for his lips. He doesn’t think about it for a second and kisses me back passionately. “Let’s forget about any commitments for tonight, please. Make me yours.”
“I have no plans to let you go either.”
He kisses me again, slower this time, less eager.
“For tonight…” I don’t want to hurt him; I don’t know him, and I don’t know who he is. Maybe he’s a frantic madman who believes in love at first sight.
I’m beginning to believe that I am a sinner of such a lie myself.
I don’t care if love, at first sight, is a fallacy. However, I would hate not to share this moment with someone who has made me feel like no one else in my twenty-four years. Stranger or not, he possesses more of my heart and soul than anyone.
“For as long as you let me love you.” His hands encircle my waist, and I stop thinking.
I’m not unfaithful: I’m not married to the Shady One yet.
It may be stupid. Maybe it is, but I know I will regret it if I don’t follow my heart in this.
May the creator have mercy on my heart!