25: 25 In the rain (AVOT)

25 In the rain (AVOT)

Taken aback by her sudden movement, Rhain found himself cradling Daisy in his arms. It was an instinctual response, her delicate form nestled against him triggering his protective instincts. An instinct rarely triggered since he had turned, because it went against his other instincts. The darker, more predatory part of him that stirred at her fear. It whispered in the recesses of his mind, to chase, dominate, and feast. Tonight, however, was not for that.  1

His arms held her close, her cheek resting against his chest. The scent of her, mingled with the rain, drew him in, enticing him to bury his nose in her hair, but he resisted the urge. 

Slowly, she lifted her head, her wide, frightened eyes meeting his. The sight of her, wet from the rain, with droplets clinging to her eyelashes, awoke his male desires. 

His gaze roamed over her face, lingering on her lips. He was entranced by the softness of them, the slight parting as she drew in quick, shallow breaths. The sight of them, slick with rain and tremulous with fear and something else...it was captivating.

His hand slowly rose, reaching out to touch her cheek. His touch was gentle, as he traced the contour of her face, his thumb brushing against her lower lip. 

Daisy's breath hitched, and a soft sigh escaped her as he traced her lower lip. His gaze never left her face, watching as her eyes fluttered close, her face tilting slightly towards his touch. It was a silent invitation, one that he was finding increasingly difficult to resist.

He wanted to taste those wet lips and the way they trembled under his touch… he wanted her whole body to tremble that way. 

Slowly, he leaned in, his breath ghosting over her lips. The sensation of his breath grazing her lips was enough to make her heart flutter. Every cell in her body was aware of his nearness, and she found herself leaning into him, drawn by an irresistible pull. Her lips, still tingling from his touch, parted slightly, as if on their own accord.

She didn't dare open her eyes, afraid that reality might not match the sensation she was experiencing. His scent, a mix of oak and roses, filled her senses, grounding her against the dizzying anticipation

And then, he was there. His lips pressed against hers in a chaste kiss that sent her world spinning. It was gentle, a whisper of a touch that held a promise of more. It was an offer, an unspoken invitation, a subtle request for her to let him in.

Her heart raced in her chest, a thrumming echo to the steady beat of the rain on the roof above. She found herself responding to him, her body moving of its own accord as she leaned further into his embrace, her hands clutching at his rain-soaked shirt for support.

Every rational thought seemed to have left her mind, replaced by a singular focus on the sensation of his lips on hers. She could hear nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat, feel nothing but the pressure of his lips and the strength of his arms around her. It was as if the world had narrowed down to this one moment, this one sensation.

Everything about the kiss felt right - the way his body molded perfectly against hers, the gentle graze of his lips, the strength of his arms securely wrapped around her. She could hardly believe that this was her first kiss, that she had spent so many years untouched when such pleasure existed.

She felt a shiver run through him and then his arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer. His kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more passionate. A soft moan escaped her lips, muffled by his insistent mouth. The sound seemed to spur him on, his kisses becoming more fervent, and the intensity of it overwhelmed her inexperienced senses. 

Slowly, panic welled up within her, afraid of losing herself in this storm of threatening sensations. She pulled back abruptly, breaking their kiss. She gasped for air, her entire body flushed as she tried to regain her breath. 

When she dared to glance up at Rhain, she was met with an image that sent a fresh wave of heat surging through her. There was a tamed wildness in his eyes, just dancing beneath the surface. His jaw clenched visibly, a clear sign of his effort to control whatever threatened to manifest itself. 

The silence lingered between them, amplifying the tension. Finally, Rhain spoke, his voice husky, "Perhaps we... need a bit of a cool-down." A corner of his mouth quirked upward into a half-smile as he observed her flustered state. 

Before she could respond, he was up on his feet, pulling her along with him. His movements were swift but gentle, careful not to startle her any further.

"Come," he coaxed, tugging at her hand gently. 

Daisy was confused about what he intended to do. Was it what she thought, she wondered as she followed his lead. He took her to the edge of the shelter, just out of reach from the cascading rain. He then let go of her hand, only to surprise her by stepping out into the rain.

"Rhain..?" 

He walked further away from the shelter before tipping his head back and allowing the rain to wash over him. 

Daisy watched him from the shelter. Rhain was alluring. Unfairly so. The way the rain painted him—outlining his muscles, trickling down his jawline, and moistening his lips—was a sight that stirred feelings in her that she was still struggling to understand.

Rhain pivoted to face her, mirth dancing in his eyes and a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Join me, Daisy," he urged, his voice a blend of challenge and invitation. 

Daisy stood on the threshold, a storm of thoughts brewing within her. She was pushing the boundaries of propriety, now caught in the winds of temptation. She wasn't just out in the middle of the night, sharing stolen moments and stolen kisses with a man she wasn't married to, but she was also contemplating getting utterly drenched in the rain. 

It was reckless, and underneath Rhain's coat and her own shawl, she wore only her nightgown. That alone was bad enough. 

Yet she began to take off his coat, feeling the weight of his gaze on her as the garment slipped from her shoulders. The shawl followed, cascading to the ground in a heap of fabric. With a deep breath, she stepped out from the shelter of the veranda, hesitantly entering the open where the rain poured down.

The initial contact of the raindrops against her skin sent a shock of cold coursing through her veins, leaving her gasping. She could feel Rhain's eyes on her, taking in her reaction with an amused glint in his golden gaze.

As the rain soaked her clothes, the thin fabric of her nightgown clung to her form, leaving little to the imagination. A blush warmed her cheeks, and she wrapped her arms around herself, as much for warmth as for a shield against his roving gaze.

Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the falling rain. The droplets hit her face, her neck - each one a cool kiss against her heated skin.

As the droplets continued to strike her skin, Daisy slowly opened her eyes, her gaze instinctively drawn to Rhain. There he stood, a few paces away from her, bathed in rain, his eyes aglow with an unspoken admiration.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered, more to herself than to him. "If anyone found out... the scandal would be unbearable."

He ran his fingers through his rain-drenched hair, pushing it back from his face. The simple, unconscious gesture carried an inherent sensuality. 

"Well, I would still marry you despite the scandal," Rhain remarked casually, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "In fact, it might just be what this town needs." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "A little rebellion to shake up the norms, to show people that a woman does not only have her innocence to offer." 

Daisy blinked, surprised. 

"And besides," Rhain continued, a contemplative look crossing his face. "Isn't it interesting how a man's reputation remains unscathed? He might even be called adventurous and audacious. But let a woman dare to step outside the confines of what's expected, then her worth is forever questioned, her reputation tarnished."

Rhain's words cut through the patter of the rain. His questioning of societal norms, the double standards - it left Daisy speechless. Here was a man, who not only saw the disparities but dared to question them out loud. 

His words made her heart flutter, not out of fear but out of respect. Admiration even. 

She tilted her head and murmured, "You are truly a mystery, Rhain." 

*****

A/N

Would you like to have names for the chapters? I have been thinking of doing so but with multiple stories in one book, I wonder how that will work. Do you have any suggestions? 

My idea is something like this--

25 chaptertitle (AVOF)

What do you think? Let me know if you have better ideas. 

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