The lightning was constant. Long streaks of white electricity streaking sideways, splitting the night sky in two. It was both mesmerizing and frightening at the same time. The crackle of the thunder, muted by the thick office windows.
Not my usual shift, but I was doing a favour for a co-worker, and my midnight coffee break was looming. I kept one eye on the clock as my fingers flew over the keyboard, finishing up my work early, I eyed the novel laying on my desk.
The picture on the cover was more than a little provocative, and I found myself hoping that the words would be as stimulating as the cover. The title, "Whatever He Desires" was making my head spin with erotic thoughts. I hit the save key and leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes for just a moment and imagining what 'his desires' might be. A fleeting glimpse on my closed lids of a naked torso, strong shoulders and dark unruly hair...sigh!
Pulling in a breath I leaned forward in my chair and opened my eyes. To darkness, utter and complete inky blackness. Blinking several times and wondering if maybe I had fallen asleep at my desk, I gasped out loud as the lightning lit the interior of the office, just briefly and as it winked to darkness again, I realized that there had been an image imprinted on my eyes. Shaking my head and giving a nervous giggle out loud, I realized that the storm must have knocked out the power. My brain playing tricks on me, imagining a tall dark stranger, leaving its traces on my memory.
Fumbling on the desk, trying to find my cell phone, which would at least give me a little light to see by, and maybe even to read by. The flare of the storm, once again lighting the room, and ohhhhhhhhh. There was someone here with me, and he seemed closer than the last flash.
"Hello, who is that?" my voice quivering with a tinge of fear.
Just the snap of thunder answered my question.