Winter had come early that year leaving the air unusually chilly for an October night.
At least it is not raining, Rosaline thought, wrapping the light jacket tightly around herself while she hurried through the park. The zipper had broken two days ago but between classes and her part time job at the hospital she hadn't found the time yet to fix it. It had been a gift of her grandmother's when she left for college. The bright red color had faded some during the past four years but the well-worn material proved still a gentle reminder of a childhood she was reluctant to let go of.
The chilly wind bit into her cheeks as she hurried across the park, scolding herself once again for staying until closing time at the library. Taking the shortcut through the park across the street was now her only chance for catching the last bus.
He heard the hurried steps, caught her scent on the wings of the wind long before his eyes had spotted the girl through the thick bushes planted next to the sidewalk. She smelled sweet, of rose petals and powdery soap and underneath them of innocence. He could tell that the night was getting to her, making her nervous and afraid, her pulse a loud thunder in his ears even from afar.
Trying her best to ignore the flickering street lights above her head and the mysterious shadows of the oak trees around her she pressed forward, as fast as her feet would carry her.
The rustling of branches suddenly caught her attention, making her heart pound.
The wind. It must have been the wind, she confirmed with a determined frown on her face. Just the wind blowing or a stray cat wandering around. No reason to turn paranoid!
A twig snapped and he was upon her in a moment, crushing her body unto the ground, the air leaving her lungs under the weight of the massive body towering over her frame. The iron grip upon her mouth condemned the girl to mute struggles, kicking and squirming, angry fists banging her attacker's solid chest in vain.
What a prize she looked hot and flushed with effort, fear and fury animating her eyes and pale skin with the soft glow of passion. The man above her growled low in his throat, his lust and hunger for the lively creature struggling underneath him fueled by the desperate anger radiating from her every move. How nicely she whimpered, her breath hot against the naked flesh of his palm. Good thing he decided to forgo the gloves, preferring the touch of naked skin on skin, hot, sweaty and so soft, rubbing against his bare hand.
His lips traced the gentle curve of her jaw line, brushing against her angry face, nuzzling her furious cheeks with surprisingly soft kisses.
"Easy there ... easy now." A seductive murmur caught her attention through the fog of desperation that settled around her as all of her struggles seemed to be in vain.
A glimpse of amber eyes, hypnotizing with an underlying sensuality she didn't quite understand. They sent a shiver of awareness running down her spine and shook her frame when his body pressed intimately against hers. Even through many layers of clothing she could feel the heat radiating from his flesh as his weight settled upon her, pressing her body into a soft pillow of grass. A warm flush spread through her system despite the cold ground against her back and the chilly caress of fear teasing her senses even through all of his sensual distractions.
He covered her, completely. Immobilizing her with his impressive frame and weight as much as his steady golden gaze. His eyes enchanted her, so unusual, unlike any she had ever encountered and yet soothing away her rational fear with the silent promise of heat and passion far beyond her understanding.
Perhaps if she had been more experienced in the ways of men, she would have recognized that look for the raw need and pure longing it had been. The need of a man for the woman he desired. The hunger of a predator for his prey.
In her innocence and confusion all she saw though was the possessive claim of a stranger, the forceful attack she had always dreaded. The haunting eyes of a rapist.
A loud thud echoed through the deserted park and the stranger got knocked of her as suddenly as he had appeared.
Rosaline's shriek, no longer muffled by her attacker's hand, reflected the terror unfolding in front of her eyes as she scrambled backwards, bumping against the thick trunk of an age old tree.
The fight was furious and wild, making her heart race with newfound panic. She saw the two man launch at each other, wresting on the ground, the guttural sounds of their anger filling the air.
Run! Run, damn it, her mind kept screaming but she was unable to move.
She watched them in awe, both of the dark figures strong, furious, unyielding, moving faster than her eyes could follow, one punch after the other, against the trees, on the ground, hitting taught flesh, cracking bones, yet barely eliciting a groan of pain.
It was not fear that had her paralyzed she realized with shock. She found herself fascinated by their fighting. Males, powerful, strong, hurting each other. Over her. For her.
She didn't notice licking her lips, how her breathing grew shallow at the idea. Instead Rosaline swallowed hard and shuddered with disgust at the very thought of arousal not being far away from her mind at the sight of such brutal onslaught.
Ashamed by these alien feelings she turned her head away from the fight, shutting her eyes tightly. She felt hard nipples rub against the fabric of her bra with the slightest movement though.
God! What kind of a sick freak would get off on a show like that?
She jerked her arm away instinctively as soon as she felt the tentative touch.
"No! Don't!" Rosaline protested against groping hands, sliding over her face, her neck, legs and arms, searching, probing, easily avoiding her punches, finally clamping down on her wrists and swiftly drawing her up from the ground.
"You're not hurt."He stated, a strong arm sneaking around her waits, steadying her on wobbly knees.
She looked around the small clearing, noticing broken branches and torn bushes, the only indications of the earlier fight. Her attacker was nowhere in sight.
"He's gone."
It was the first time she dared to peer up at the face of the man standing next to her. Fear and confusion lost the battle against her curiosity.
Tall. That was her first impression as she had to tilt her face up to meet his eyes. He wasn't handsome in the classical sense, but his features were strong, angular, giving him the air of someone older than his twinkling green eyes would have suggested. Dirty blond hair fell into his face in unruly tresses, covering most of his forehead.
"Thank you. For saving me."she breathed out, finally remembering her manners and scolding herself for staring.
His white teeth gleamed in the moonlit darkness of the night as a slow smile spread across his face, transforming the rugged plains of stubble into a boyishly handsome grin.
"I can't remember saying anything about you being safe, sweetheart." He whispered, bringing his face close to hers.
Rosaline's pupils dilated as horror overshadowed her features. It couldn't be! Not again!
The smile crept up across his face until finally reaching his eyes, so close to her own. She felt his quite laughter against her cheek, seductively warm and inviting.
Rapists are toying with her and God, what is she thinking! She was definitely loosing her mind, Rosaline decided, trying to inch away from him.
He took a deep breath, his arm tightening around her waist. That little delight was going nowhere for now. Saved? Maybe. Safe? Not so likely.
"Doesn't a hero deserve a reward?" he asked in a low whisper against her lips.
