Bitter Wine, Sweet Kiss

lavender and aged wood, the whisper of wind slipping through the shutters. But

than she intended - not from affection, but from control.

" she

asting flickers of amber across the room. Her blouse clung to her skin from the rain, and

come back?" she aske

"But I stayed because I still love you. And I

tu

earth. And he was there - sitting, watching, waiting - no longer the bo

urself," she said

. "Then don't kis

een them cracked

im. Slowly, she unbuttoned the top of her blou

ars I hated you. Five years I imagine

ed, rising to

on his chest. His

word the moment

ng. Her fingers curled into his shirt. His hands explored the curve of her back,

m as he gently lifted her, c

ing her hair from her face.

id, voice husky

h other with a mix of hesitation and hunger - lovers once, strangers now, but som

a throw blanket, the fire's glow dancin

er head agai

es nothing,

kno

nge everything,"

tighter, as if h