Finding Him

20l Being Handy

“How did you lose your sight?” She breathed softly against his neck, sending a rush of emotions down his spine.

Instinctively, his arms tightened around her, causing her to collapse against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head against his shoulder.

There was something about having her in his arms that made him want to keep her there forever. The emotions she created in him frightened him enough to never want to experience them. Yet, he found himself coming back for more.

Secretly, he loved it when they danced. He loved having her in his arms and basking in the warmth of her closeness. He however hated stepping on her foot or the crippling desire to pull her further into his arms and ultimately to his bed; a desire that became harder to ignore as the days progressed.

The soft afternoon breeze danced about them as he led the dance for the very first time. He found leading easier and to his pleasure, Hadassah didn't seem to have a problem with being led.

“An accident.” He whispered, reveling in the feeling of holding her close.

Time didn't seem to exist as they danced, trapped in each other's arms. Daniel noticed he hadn't stepped on Hadassah's foot all afternoon, neither had she stepped on his. Their movement was as easy as the breeze that moved about them and for the very first time, he thought they were connected. It almost seemed like Hadassah could anticipate every step he took even before he took it.

She didn't speak after that, instead, she leaned further into his arms and allowed him lead the way.

The dance lesson ended and with it, a deep feeling of disappointment. When Hadassah pulled away, his arms felt empty.

The afternoon went by, bringing about the evening. They sat and ate dinner together and when it was time to go to bed, Daniel laid awake, very much aware of the presence of the woman he was dangerously attracted to, sleeping beside him.

Was she even asleep? He longed to pull her close, wrapping his arms around her. His arms felt empty without her in it. He wanted to breathe in her scent and kiss her. His desire to kiss her only seemed to heighten with every day that went by.

He couldn't see her, but he thought he knew her. It was similar to his ability to memorize his environment, yet, different. He didn't have her memorized, he had her engraved in his heart and with everyday that went by, she seemed to take possession of larger chunks of his heart until he feared she would consume him completely.

Did he love her? He was afraid to admit it, afraid to love her and have her reject him. He was afraid the purpose for their marriage would come to an end once she comes into her inheritance and she would realize she didn't care about him. She would realize she could do better than a man lacking everything.

Still, it didn't stop his heart from pounding at her presence, nor his skin from catching fire at her closeness.

He stayed awake the entire night, thinking about Hadassah. When the day broke, he heard her crawl out of bed and change out of her night dress, even if it was obvious to him she was trying her very best not to awaken him.

He heard her cross the room and open the door, pulling it silently shut behind her as she stepped out. He realized, as he heard the door pulling shut that he missed having her lay by his side. He wanted to spend the morning lying in bed with her in his arms.

Rolling over to the side, he fought to rid his mind of thoughts of her as he fell asleep. Still, he dreamed of her. In his dream, he could see, he could stare into the most beautiful brown eyes on earth and get lost in them. He had his title also; he was Earl Talbot and was married to Hadassah. He was allowed to marry her properly, on the grounds of the Talbot estate, in the presence of many witnesses. He was allowed to love her, to take her to his bed and love her.