Undeniable - Dancing by the Moonlight

Dancing by the Moonlight
by Zarah

His eyes opened abruptly, his consciousness coming into full alert as he sensed someone go by his door. He stood up, careful as to not awaken the sleeping woman beside him. As he pulled his shirt on, he watched her turn away from his side of the bed and into hers, her eyes still closed as she waltzed her way into her dreams.

He stood there for a few seconds, quietly, silently tracing her face with his eyes.

Without a word, he turned away from her and left her bedroom, careful as to not make sound as he closed the door behind him.

His eyes immediately cast itself on the stairs leading to the attic, as if it knows that what he seeks for is indeed there. His feet, as though it has a mind of its own, immediately set forth to begin their journey towards the attic.

He could hear footsteps ringing on the floor of the secluded room; footsteps that unknowingly created a song that gently stirred his soul. He closed his eyes as he summoned the strength to turn the knob and enter the room…

…and face the person he knows is there.

“Cole?” came her very surprised query.

He could see her slender physique standing by the windows, her body bathed in the warm light of moonlight beams that shone through the glass. With her robe on, her hair swinging loosely past her shoulders and her face devoid of anything but her natural beauty, she looked like an ethereal creature that descended from heaven to earth.

His angel.

“Can’t sleep?” he heard himself ask.

He saw her shake her head, causing the tendrils of fine auburn tresses to dance on her head.

He took a step towards her, his step small and quite unsure; like that of a boy afraid to come too close to the butterfly he’d been chasing, afraid that it suddenly would fly away.

But she wouldn’t fly away, not this time.

He won’t let her.

“I—“ he saw her draw her robe closer to her body, her eyes trained to nothing other than him. “I have to go.”

His eyes widened when he realized that she was doing this to avoid him. Again. Like every single time when they were left alone in the house.

“Afraid?” he asked her boldly, and watched as her body stiffened in response to his retort.

“No.”

“Then dance with me.”

His unusual request sent her into confusion. Her face twisted into a mask of utter disbelief.

“What?”

He held his hand out for her. “Dance with me, Piper. Just this once.”

He could feel her stare into his outstretched palm, as though she thought anytime now it would turn into a snake and bite her. He could feel her hesitation, her desire to be free from this suddenly suffocating room.

But she can’t fly away. Not this time.

“Just this once.” He repeated, his voice rough with stubbornness but smooth with patience. “Dance with me.”

Her eyes finally met his own, her orbs warmed with the moonlight streaming through the glass panes of the window.

“Yes,” came her response, her voice the barest and faintest of whispers.

But no matter, because at that moment, she was his.

He could feel the warmth of her skin as he snaked his arm around her tiny waist, as his hand settled on her side. His other hand held on to her hand, and as their palms connected, he could feel the contradiction that seemed to seduce the both of them into holding on a little tighter.

He could smell her, like jasmines and roses. He could feel her, like petals and cotton. He could see her, like an angel in heaven.

And at that moment, she was his.

He started the rhythm, and she immediately followed, their bodies following steps as ancient as time. He felt her rest her head onto his chest, and he closed his eyes as he let their bodies move as one.

The silence that cloaked them seemed not the quiet, still night, but rather an evening filled with laughter and music.

They swayed in synchrony with the beat of their hearts.

He could hear her sigh, and he felt himself smile as few more minutes went by with them locked inside each other’s arms.

“This is nice, isn’t it?” he quietly asked her.

“Yes,” came her soft answer. “Dancing is nice.”

He tightened his hold on her, yet his touch remained tender. “Tonight is such a beautiful night,” he said, his lips very near her ear. “Holding you like this makes it even more beautiful.”

“I—“

“Shh.” He swayed again, and she followed without question. “Let me hold you a few minutes more. Let’s hold on to this dance, because this might be the only thing we will have.”

“Cole—“

“Piper,” he stopped them both, but his hands remained around her, shielding her from the jagged reality. “Just a few more minutes,” he pleaded. “Let me hold you.”

She allowed him without hesitation.

end