She stepped out onto the balcony and the warm southern air fought with the unseasonably cool breeze against her bare shoulders. She hugged herself and looked over the yard. Down below on the first floor there were several party goers enjoying the music and each other. She wasn't sure if she should really be waiting for him here.
When he'd said "Meet me up there. I'll be right behind you." he'd pointed at this small balcony and it hadn't seemed as high or as dark or as removed as she felt standing there in the shadows. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea. She'd made up her mind about him- or she thought she had. Maybe her being there, alone, waiting was sign enough that her decision had been hasty.
The crowd down below was oblivious to her. Her inky curls and the black cocktail dress made her a shadow in the dark. She looked out over the guests trying to find him move through the crowd. She leaned over the banister betraying her eagerness to see him.
He'd been dressed in a smart suit, dark with subtle charcoal colored pin stripes. He was still a bit taller than her and broad shouldered. His hair a wild mop and his eyes; seemingly always focused and eager to meet her gaze.
She didn't hear the French doors open. She didn't hear him approach her from behind. She didn't hear anything until he must have been directly behind her.
"Hello there." She almost jumped but just as her body reacted she felt his palm on her shoulder. His hands were very warm. She didn't continue to turn around. She stood with her back to him.
"H- hi!"
"I'm glad you came to meet me. I hope you don't think ill of me for asking to meet you alone up here."
"Why would I do that?" She was unconsciously whispering.
"It could be seen as- compromising. My asking you away from the crowd like this." His other hand reached her other shoulder and his voice was in a dusky whisper as well now. His lips must have been within an inch of her ear. The warm air of his breath sent slow ripples of sensation from her ear, down her throat, along her spine and lower.
"Did you ask me? I thought you were telling me to meet you up here?" Her breathing picked up and she slowly rested her back against his chest. She could feel his breath match her own. His hands moved in front of her his arms closing around her.
"I suppose I did. Are you in the habit of doing what you're told?"
She laughed nervously.
"No." She was surprised to find herself saying the word in breathless sigh. His warm breath sent more rivulets of sensation dancing over the flesh of her neck as he bent down and gently settled his lips against her throat just where her shoulder met. Another shiver.