The Quest for Paradise - Page 66/94

Hesitantly I let my arms close around the man that held me and tentatively I experimented for the first time in my life with leaning into a man's presence. The water lapped at my chin, but I sank no lower in the water as I gave up all pretense of standing and instead allowed this man I belonged to support me.

I closed my eyes and relaxed against him as the feel of his physical strength and the knowledge of his spiritual maturity became peace itself in this moment of turbulent upheaval. In some ways I should have been embarrassed and in a way I was, but I didn't care right now.

Time went on and I knew we should leave the warm water, but the man made no move to do so as he supported me against himself effortlessly. Finally I whispered out, "Thank you for saving me."

I felt his head nod against the top of mine and then his grasping hold on me changed and just as assuredly I knew that everything was about to change. He raised me higher in the water and with eyes still closed I felt his lips form over mine in a gentle kiss, which after a long moment of discovery I returned as best as I could in my inexperience.

Opening my eyes I stared into his. He let the kiss break off and with barely enough room to form words between our faces I said as a tear fell down my face, "I'm scared. I don't know your name or even if you can understand what I'm saying. I…."

"Tolak." He said simply cutting in.

Staring teary-eyed into the man's face before me I took a deep breath and said with what little courage I had left, "I'm yours Tolak."

He nodded and deeply said, "I know."

His lips were on mine again and I lost myself in the simple enjoyment of a man's domineering kiss. A kiss that turned into a possession over all that had been formerly mine and was now made his.

*****

The feeling of being watched had my eyes opening despite the desire to remain asleep. The little girl who'd rescued me from a monster only to then deliver me into the passionate embrace of her father now had her smiling face positioned but three inches in front of my own.

Blinking I tried to come to a better awareness only to be embarrassed by that very awareness. Fighting the desire to move in order to cover myself I whispered, "You shouldn't be here."

The little girl's face drew back with puzzlement as she asked, "Why?"