Brian looked at Jessica with worry. She seemed unstable at the moment. His eyes followed hers. Her gaze traveled around slowly and she swayed. Her hand went to her head and before he knew what was happening she had fainted within his arms.
Brian sighed heavily. This girl stirred emotions deep within him. Emotions as an angel he hadn't been able to feel. He felt them now, god did he feel them. He brought his arm under her feet and he scooped her up like a child. Laying her on the bed, the blankets still covering her. His gaze traveled to her lovely face. Such beautiful blue eyes and yet so much pain was held within them. He'd make things right for her, if he had to die for her, he realized he would. It was weird being in love with a human and it was sweet. He realized too that nothing would come out of it. But nothing would make him stop loving her.
Brian picked up her clothes and set them on the dresser beside him, making sure to move the candles out of the way. Moving gracefully around the candles, he advanced towards the French double-doors. He stepped softly out onto the balcony.
Strong winds threatened to overcome him. He held up his hand and they eased. He stared out across the white sandy shore, taking in the gorgeous scenery that surrounded him. Earth had much to offer these humans. She was peaceful and soft, elegantly put together to create a slightly perfect form of paradise. It was only those who saw the earth a lonely barren place, who were truly unhappy. If they merely paused at the beauty around them for just a moment, they would realize what peaceful surroundings they actually lived in. Brian drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. His breathing slowed and evened out. He drew out his arms and let his true form became him. He was here to help one, but why not try to help those other lost souls, even for a moment. Just to let them know that somebody was there. He reached out with his mind. Touching the old, the sick, the frightened, the homeless with his thoughts, with hope, perhaps filling their lives with colors instead of the gray that they were used too. He touched them with his mind, reaching out to hold their hand, to hold them when they needed; to be the shoulder they needed to cry on, the soft goodnight kiss, the friend to share horrors and joys of the day, to be the heart that actually cared.
Brian slowly came out of his trance-like state. He once again wore the mask of the human he was portraying. He slowly opened his eyes with effort. That had drained him, slowly he studied his surroundings. The breeze had picked back up and the waves once again crashed upon the shore, Mother Nature once again took over.
Brian lowered his hands to his sides and turned, heading softly into the bedroom where Jessica lay asleep. He drew the heavy curtains closed behind him, shutting out the rising sun.
He walked over to the door and looked back at the tiny form lying peacefully on the bed. He smiled and nodded to himself as if he had discovered something about the girl that he truly liked. He turned off the light overhead and stepped silently out of the room. He shut the bedroom door softly behind him.
He made his way down the elegantly carpeted hallway, sweeping past the ferns and turned toward a tall brass handled door. Clicking the latch he stepped into a dimly lit room. Vast collections of books were placed orderly on the tall shelves. Candles hang from sconces upon the walls, creating shadows that were mysterious and yet the atmosphere was comforting and warm. A fire crackled and popped in the fireplace, enveloping the room with its warmth and light. Brian gracefully made his way over to one of the old-fashioned, yet cushioned chairs and sat down. His gaze traveled to the fire and there he sat until sleep too overtook him.
The world was quiet and almost dead feeling to Jessica. She glanced down at herself and was in awe of the beauty beheld upon her. Elegant jewels dangled from her wrists and ankles, her long flowing pale satin gown flew past her in the light caressing breeze. Her ebony hair was done in a crown-shape upon the top of her head. Dazzling jasmine and exotic flowers were inner twined within its locks. Her eyes shown with a light she didn't remember possessing. Jessica glanced up from admiring her own mesmerizing image.
Wow, she thought, this place is as if paradise itself! An enchanting ocean, clearer than the earth-time sky on a cloudless day flowed steadily up over her feet. She felt neither, it's warmth nor it's cool touch, only the soft pressure it placed upon her skin. The blazing sun shined brightly ahead, yet it didn't hurt her to gaze directly at it. Palm trees swayed with the breeze and exotic sounds filled her ears. She smiled grateful that she was no longer hurting, that she could no longer feel pain or sorrow.
She held up her hand and a creature with golden wings landed upon her hand. The creature bent down and placed a soft kiss upon the hand in which it perched. Jessica felt a wonderful feeling overwhelm her and she was immediately surrounded in a white light.
"Jessica!" she heard a distant voice tumble through the other sounds. "Jessica." She tried to ignore it, wanting to remain at peace and harmony and where she was. But the voice persisted.
Jessica opened her eyes up suddenly. She blinked a few seconds, trying to get her bearings. For a moment she was puzzled by where she was. Then everything came back to her, reality enfolded her within its grasp and the wonderful dream she'd had receded in the back of her mind. She was alone in Brian's room.
Slowly she sat up and looked down at herself. She nearly laughed aloud at her situation. She was still undressed. She sighed heavily and rose out of the bed. She noticed the clothes placed on the dresser and she grabbed them and pulled them on.
She stepped out of Brian's bedroom wearing a long white summer dress. She had decided whatever courtesy Brian showed her she would accept. Despite how much her ego and pride didn't want her too, she bent her will because she had nothing left.
She decided she liked her own clothes better only because she was more comfortable in them. She merely shrugged her shoulders and dealt with what he had given her. Now if only she could find him to thank him.
Jessica walked down the hallways of the vast place, taking in the beauty of the home in which this stranger lived. It was bright and elegant, yet cozy and warm. She liked how he had decorated the place. The warmth she felt didn't necessarily come from the house, but from the atmosphere created by whoever had occupied it. It was enormous, but despite its size she liked it.
She had never been in a place this fancy before. She was in awe of her surroundings. Sweet scents and smells filled her nostrils and bright light colors filled her sight.
Jessica made her way down the hallway and found a large door with a brass handle. She bit her lip, and wondered if she should look inside. She shrugged and decided that if Brian had taken her in his home he had enough sense to know she would be curious.
She turned the latch and stepped into a huge library. She instantly caught sight of a form sitting in a larger chair beside the roaring fire. She approached cautiously and realized it was Brian and that he was sleeping.
She advanced slowly, taking in her surroundings, including Brian. She slowly padded over the wooden floor, flinching as the wood creaked underneath her weight. She hoped he wouldn't wake and catch her spying.
Well, not necessarily spying. She thought. She tiptoed over to where he slept. Smiling at how cute the image of him was. He looked just like a little boy. He was even more gorgeous in the firelight. Whatever spell he had cast over her, whatever enchantments he had placed upon her, she was willing to admit she felt an attraction for him that she had felt for nobody. An attraction, when he was awake, she didn't want to admit. Truth be told, he was a male and dangerous to her heart, yet while he slept he seemed so peaceful and harmless.
She smiled and softly traced her fingers across his soft cheek and brushed the hair out of his face. She leaned in closer to get a better view. She tripped on the hem of her gown and flew.
She lay there sprawled within Brian's lap. He was now awake, how could he not be? The big cow had decided to grace him with her enormously large presence, she thought.
If she had been embarrassed before in front of him, that was nothing compared to how embarrassed she was now. She was grateful her face was away from the fire, for her blush was the deepest shade of crimson. It contrasted greatly with her pale form.
"Oh my god." She tried to get out. "I'm so sorry. I…I mean…"
He simply shook his head. "So you missed me that much, huh?" he asked chuckling.
"Well, I wondered where you were and I saw this door and it was…big…and…well you said I could stay here and….I mean…I tripped…and…" Her words were not coming out right! She couldn't speak, nor could she breathe. His eyes held her in their depths.
His gorgeous blue eyes, sparkling with amusement and suddenly captured her own. She tried to look away but she couldn't. His eyes were so beautiful, she felt if she looked away they would be gone, forever.
Jessica realized she was still sitting on his lap. Though, she didn't make an effort to move, and he didn't to try and make her.
Jessica slowly leaned forward, this time of her own free will. Brian softly nonchalantly stroked her hair behind her ear. Jessica leaned in closer, inches away from Brian's face, his mouth. She stared up deeply into his enchanting blue eyes.
This is it, she thought. This is what I've been waiting for my whole life. This kind of love and respect that this man, this stranger has shown me. This is what I deserve, I don't deserve to live in the gutters or on the streets. I deserve better. I deserve to be loved and to love myself.
Jessica grazed her lips over his, feeling the sweet taste of them, of him. She sighed when he pulled her closer. Passion that flowed between them was like electricity, it sparked and flames were ignited. Brian kissed her back just as fiercely as she was he. He wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands entangled in her hair.
This time it was Brian who pulled away. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Jessica…we can't" he said softly, breathlessly. She pulled away hurt. "I can't…take advantage of you like this." He shook his head. "It isn't right for me to do and…I won't."
Jessica tried to protest but he placed a tender finger to her lips, stopping the argument she was about to start. "Shush, now not another word. You're upset and very lost right now. You're very confused. You need to get your life together before there can be anything between us. It is how things work. It is how they always will. If we rush into this now there will only be pain and suffering in the end, and neither of us will gain a thing from it."
Hurt, anger, and frustration overwhelmed her at once. But she nodded silently tormented by his words. Yet he didn't say them to be harsh, what he said was the truth. How could they possibly have anything, if she wasn't satisfied with herself, let alone enough to be with him, to be there for him as he was for her? She slowly slid off his lap and stood silently on the floor waiting for him to react, to do something.
Brian looked into the fire, deep in thought. This was not very good. What was he doing? Why did he feel for her? What was it about her that made him attracted to her? Brian sighed heavily and rose from the chair, leading the way out of the library.
Sometimes things aren't always, as they seem. Sometimes judgements and feelings clouds the logic that surrounds us. And yet we get so wrapped up in these clouds, we get so wrapped up in what we feel that we don't realize what's staring us in the face. The one thing that binds forever, that never breaks its hold; that never releases its grip. It's a thing of great beauty, of elegance and passion, of loyalty and faith, trust and hope. It is…love.