A vision of her mother standing before her came to her, but it wasn't with the bruises that seemed to always mark her face, or bent from the years of abuse. The woman who stood before her no longer had the lines of worry and pain; she was peaceful and calm, her eyes filled with love. Beautiful. The silence washed over Sylvie. She could hear birds singing, the scent of cut flowers and lilac bushes soothed her. The vision of her mother comforted her as nothing else could.
She sensed her mother was finally at peace and Sylvie felt a caressing cool breeze float around her. Like a mother's arms encompassing her in a healing touch, her pain and guilt floated away on the wind. Closure. She'd needed it, but thought she'd never be able to find it, that it was lost to her forever. But Daimaen had given it to her. A priceless gift.
As she turned to leave, a branch from a nearby lilac bush floated to the ground in her path. Absently, she picked it up, and as she walked back to the car, she inhaled its sweet, soothing fragrance. The aroma of forgiveness.
Daimaen met her part way up the path. He searched her face.
"I'm fine,” she assured him, offering a smile of assurance. He put his arm around her and led her back to the car. She turned to him as he opened the door for her. “Thank you, Daimaen. You've given me something I thought never to have. How did you know?"
He touched the side of her face. “Giving you pleasure, giving you peace, are very important to me. Remember, what I said not so long ago?"
She remembered, but just hadn't realized its import. I give you what you need, when you need it.
"I remember. I just hadn't realized...” Her voice faltered.
"You thought this was all sexual, didn't you? That the rest of your feelings didn't matter."
Yes, that's exactly what she'd thought.
"Tell me, is that all it is for you? Are your feelings for me only sexual?"
She looked up at him quickly. “No, Daimaen. It's far more than that.” Her voice lowered. “Can't you tell?"
He smiled. “Yes, I can, but the question is, can you?"
Could she? Yes. Her life would be dark and empty without him in it. Not just in bed, how he sexually fulfilled her. She loved talking to him, exchanging ideas and dreams. She loved how he knew her, what she needed, how she needed it, even more so than she did herself. And she loved submitting to what he demanded, knowing and trusting him, only him, and knowing, deep inside, that he would never hurt her, would care for her, whatever happened. She'd never realized how one-dimensional her life was before meeting him.
"Yes, Daimaen.” And in that moment she gifted him with not only her body, but her mind, her heart, and her soul.
He molded her to him as he captured her lips, and she felt his acceptance of her gift, taking all of her, every single particle and essence that was Sylvie Taylor.
He released her and helped her into the car. “I think it's time for dinner. I have something exotic planned."
She looked up at him and saw that little glimmer of gold in his eyes. Her lips curved into an anticipatory smile. “Hmmm, that better include a very decadent dessert. You know how I love dessert."
He chuckled as he closed her door.
Adrianna Dane
Theresa Gallup uses the pen names of Tess Maynard and Adrianna Dane. Theresa has been writing since the age of 10. A legal secretary for 30 years, she is currently working on another erotic romance, as well as a full-length romantic mystery/suspense. She has been married for 30 years and has three grown children (a daughter and twin sons), and is a new grandmother.
Writing as Tess Maynard, her first published short story appeared in the ezine, The Whispering Forest, in January of 2004. Writing as Adrianna Dane, where adding sensual heat to romance is her motto, Esmerelda's Secret was her first foray into the erotic romance genre.
Having traveled and lived from the East Coast to the West Coast, Theresa receives inspiration for her stories from a variety of sources, including music and poetry, and her tastes are eclectic.
For more information about current projects, visit Theresa's websites at www.tessmaynard.com or www.adriannadane.com.
AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC
Quality Books, Print And Electronic
Horror
Romance
Fantasy
Mainstream
Young Adult
Science Fiction
Suspense/Thriller
Action/Adventure
Non-Fiction
Paranormal
Historical
Western
Mystery
Erotica
Buy Direct And Earn Free Books!
www.amberquill.com
* * *
Visit www.amberquill.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.
Sylvie's Gift Page 12
