She wandered through the garden, breathing in the beauty surrounding her. How she loved to come here, to be engulfed by nature's canvas, and filled by the sound of its music. This was Sally's favorite escape from the turmoil and tensions of everyday life.
Her flowing white skirt brushed against her silky legs as she slowly traveled the rows of roses. Every so often she stopped briefly, leaned her curvaceous figure forward to take in the soft sensuality of a half-opened bud. The scent filled her senses and her mind. Such a flower caught her eye, as she settled onto the soft grass beneath the shade of a large magnolia tree in full bloom. She pulled her skirt over her knees and adjusted her sketchbook onto her lap, ready to try and capture that beauty for her own collection.
So absorbed in this world she was, Sally was left oblivious to the stranger observing her from across the garden's stream.
His eyes had caught her as soon as she entered the garden. He watched as she made her way among the blooms and foliage. The bright sun seemed to sparkle off the dark tresses that tumbled over her shoulders. The waves that framed her face drew his attention to the exquisiteness of her fair skin, and her dark rose-colored lips.
Sam had never before been overcome with such feeling, such emotion. Immediately he longed to touch those full lips, to trace them with the tip of his finger, and to feel them press their softness to his own. But most intoxicating to him were those dark eyes. As soon as she looked up from her drawing he noticed their intensity. He felt the instantaneous warmth spread through his senses. He could only imagine the passions those ebony eyes were windows to. How he longed to gaze into them, to be lost within them as he reached the heights of those passions with her.
All this ravaged Sam's mind and senses as he watched her. When she finished her sketch, and began to gather her belongings, he knew he must catch this lovely creature before she left. The idea of letting her slip away before having the chance to just speak with her suddenly terrified him. To lose that chance, though sure to be slim, at sharing in such fervor was something he would not do.
Still oblivious to the man with her among the flowers, Sally collected her tools to head back to her dreary apartment. How she hated the city, its dark streets, shuffling shadows and gray demeanor. This garden set apart in the center of it was her only escape. She had promised herself long ago that someday she would flee its monotony for the flowing meadows of the country she had grown up in. Goodness that seemed so long ago, but she still had not lost hope of returning. The gloom of spending another evening alone there though made it even more foreboding. Lost in these thoughts and memories.
Sally did not hear the man approaching until she felt his presence almost right next to her. Startled, she whirled around to find him standing only a few feet away, simply gazing at her. Frightened a bit by his closeness and unnerving gaze, she backed a few steps away and stumbled over the roots of the tree. Quickly his hand shot out to catch her arm before she tumbled down, then softened his grasp as she steadied herself.
The soft smile and kindness that now sparkled in his blue eyes relaxed her a bit, and some of her fear drifted away. His eyes were so blue, matching the clear oceans of the tropics, and sparkled in the afternoon's rays. Sally returned his warm smile, then realized she was still staring into those eyes, and quickly pulled her gaze away mumbling a soft thank you.
"I'm sorry to have frightened you. I should have spoken sooner, but I was so enthralled as I watched you...I mean observed you drawing. Your passion for the beauty here simply radiates from you." Sam removed his hand, though reluctant to break the touch—the electricity he felt between them strained to hold him there. It took all he had to not reach out at that moment and brush his hand against her blushing cheek. God she was beautiful, was all he could think.