CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

Dreams were peculiar things. Tiny details that would normally skate by unnoticed during waking hours seemed larger than life and sometimes became strangely prominent.

The scent of an ocean breeze. Orange blossoms warmed by an afternoon sun just a few hours after reaching its pinnacle in a powder-blue cloudless sky. That was a detail most would ignore during an average day but it would be one of few things recalled in full consciousness with the dawn.

The motorcycle, too, its engine silenced after a long ride but its body still warm from the trip. Between that, the sun and the tryst, it was uncomfortably hot out.

Steelbeak shed his helmet, then the black leather jacket before turning to the woman who was reluctant to leave her spot behind him on his motorcycle.

She was keeping secrets from him; two very important ones. The look on her face declared she had no intent in divulging either but the sadness in her eyes revealed that she knew one would need to be addressed that day. Especially before she would let him continue with his plan for their afternoon together.

His intentions were blatant enough: the romantic and secluded bluff overlooking the ocean spoke volumes. It would be a mistake for either party to proceed, but such mistakes had been made many times over again in recent years. Likely they would be made time and time again.

Well damn it.

Steelbeak assisted his escort in removing her helmet and told her it was shameful to hide such radiant beauty. A feeble scoff was the reply he received before she said words he was certain he never wanted to hear from anyone he cared so deeply for.

There was a long silence.

Hot tears.

And an argument that went in circles but ultimately went unresolved.

Then, when Steelbeak exhausted his last effort at retrieving a smile from the beautiful woman, he did what she least expected, deeply desired and needed more than anything else in the world. He caressed her cheek with an unreasonably gentle touch, drawing her face tauntingly close to his. With no one but the elements to witness, he took their minds off of everything.



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