A Brief Moment

“Frank! Frank, where are you? Come on, get over here now!” The woman on the monitor was moving across the yard, calling loudly. Cody turned to Donovan , raising his eyebrows. The woman neared the house. “Frank, sweetie, come on now.”

“Something we should know you’re not telling us?” Donovan silenced him with a look and Cody turned back to the screen. “She’s getting closer. Who is she? How does she know you’re here?”

“I’m going to find that out now.” Donovan slid out of the back door, and approached the woman from the back. Her short dark blonde hair shone in the sun, her lush figure outlined by the wind blowing against the silky blue caftan she wore. She had a hot dog in one hand and a leash in the other. Just as he realized what was going on, Donovan felt a large body hit him from behind.

“FRANK! There you are……Are you all right, baby?” From his position on the ground, Donovan saw the woman clipping a leash on a huge golden retriever, while feeding him the hot dog. “Frank, Frank. Did you try to catch a rabbit again?” Donovan flopped back on the ground, groaning. A dog! The mission was probably compromised because of a dog. A pair of concerned blue-green eyes, surrounded by sooty lashes, came into his line of vision and the scent of lavender drifted to his nose. Gentle hands lifted his head, resting it on a silk covered thigh, and then stroked his forehead.

“Are you all right? Sometimes Frank gets a little frisky…Can you see me all right? Does your head hurt?” The eyes moved back, to reveal the whole face. Dark, gold curls framed a round face, with snub nose and full mouth. Gold earrings flashed in the sunlight. “Can you talk?”

Anne Lindstrom looked down on what was undoubtedly the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. Short dark hair, threaded with silver at the temples, chestnut eyes and a mouth that just begged to be kissed. If his voice matched the rest of him, well…she felt breathless at the thought. She laid her hand on his shoulder, feeling the muscles under his black turtleneck. His eyes drifted closed again and she leaned closer, trying to see if he was still breathing. Her mouth was almost touching his and she felt his breath on her face. Just as she was going to straighten up, his hand came up to grasp her neck, and he pulled her a millimeter closer to capture her lips in a hard, demanding kiss. An electric thrill ran through her, even as she tried to pull away. His lips softened, coaxing her to open to him. Donovan’s free hand skimmed over her body, smoothing the soft material of her robe over her hip. Her hands, pushing against him a moment ago, now clutched the soft fabric of his turtleneck. Anne felt his tongue sliding into her mouth, exploring, searching. She moaned into his mouth, the sensations washing over her almost more than she could bear. Suddenly, he pushed her away and stood quickly, knocking her backwards onto the ground as he did. He loomed over her, thrusting his fingers through his hair, his eyes angry and hard.

“What the hell are you doing, chasing that mutt all over this yard? And yelling like a banshee?” He looked down and swore under his breath. When she’d been pushed over, her robe slid up her thighs, revealing a pair of beautifully shaped legs. “Get up.” He held out a hand and she slapped it away. She scrambled inelegantly to her feet and faced him, her hands on her ample hips. He couldn’t get the feel of her lips on his out of his mind and it pissed him off. All he needed was a complication that looked like a goddess incarnate.

“What am I doing? You’re assaulting me in Mrs. Jenkins’ back yard at the crack of dawn, and want to know who I am? At least I’m a neighbor! Who are you and what are you doing here? She’s not even home, so no one should be there.” The dog danced at the end of the leash, jumping up at Donovan. He turned and barked a “Sit!” command and the dog plopped it’s butt on the ground and looked up at him adoringly. The woman stared at him, then at the dog. “You ungrateful wretch! I take you to obedience classes and you never listen to me, this bozo says one word and you’re putty in his hands.” Her generous bosom heaved in indignation and Donovan blinked. He took the woman’s arm, grabbed the leash and walked to the side of the yard.

“I am house sitting for my aunt. Now, take your dog and go home.” She snorted and pulled away from him, his touch seeming to set her nerves on fire

“I will, too bad it’s on the other side of the yard!” She turned and stalked back across the yard, dragging her reluctant dog along with her. He watched the sway of her hips, a slight smile on his lips.

Anne walked into her kitchen, took off her dog’s leash and sat at the table, stunned. Mrs. Jenkins had a nephew that looked like that? She stiffened. Wait, Mrs. Jenkins had never mentioned any nephews. She stood and grabbed the phone , dialing the local police. She told them what had happened, leaving out the kiss, and watched a bit later as two police cars pulled up to the neighboring house.. A while later they drove off and she sighed. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe there was a nephew.

She got dressed and went to work, glad that she didn’t have to think too carefully about what she was doing. Being a Saturday, there were no deliveries at the pet supply store she was managing temporarily, so she could relax and think about her morning adventure. It was a slow day and she and Frank spent most of it sitting behind the counter. Her fingers ran over her lips, as she remembered Donovan’s kiss, how his lips felt on hers. The hours dragged and at 5 she headed home, stopping at the store for a pint of expensive ice cream, a large steak and a bottle of wine. She pulled into her driveway, and sat in her car a while, thinking, looking at the other house. She sighed, let Frank out of the car and went inside.

“Well, Frankie, my boy, I’m taking a long, hot bath and then it’s time for that yummy steak.” She strolled through the house, taking off her clothes as she went, dropping her shoes and socks in the living room, her T-shirt and jeans in the hallway and doffing her underwear and bra in the bedroom. She scurried back out to the kitchen, naked, to get the bottle of wine, a corkscrew and a glass and then back to the bathroom, where she ran a hot bath, throwing in lavender bath oil. She uncorked the wine and poured a glass, set the glass and bottle close at hand and sank into the hot water. A few candles scattered in the room cast dancing shadows on the walls. She sipped her wine, relaxing against the back of the tub. An hour later, she sighed, stood and grabbed a towel. She dried off, pulled on her silk caftan and made her way to the kitchen, Frank trailing behind her. She threw the steak in a frying pan, poured another glass of wine and walked out onto the deck.

“Ms. Lindstrom….” Anne jumped, letting out a small scream. “It’s me, Donovan. From next door?” He walked up the steps, moving into the patch of light cast by the kitchen light. He had changed into a white cotton and jeans and looked, if anything, more devastating than he had earlier. The shirt was unbuttoned half way and the sleeves were rolled up on his forearms. “May I talk to you?” She studied him, seeing the honesty in his eyes.

“Okay, let’s go in. I have something on the stove.” She led the way in and waved him to a chair. “Would you like a glass of wine?” She flipped the steak and then went to the cupboard to get another glass. Donovan nodded and Anne poured him a glass, then picked hers up. “How do you know my name?”

Donovan looked into Anne Lindstrom’s eyes. Since that morning, he’d been thinking about her dark turquoise eyes, seeing in his mind how they’d looked, heavy with passion. Anne flipped the steak again, trying not too look into his warm, brown eyes. She reached up into the cupboard to get a plate and her caftan tightened around her full hips. Donovan’s felt his blood quicken and shifted in his chair.

“You called the police today.” He sat back in his chair, crossing his long legs at the ankles. “After I told them who we were, I made the decision to come over here and talk to you. It seemed safer than you calling the local cops every time you saw me in the yard.” Anne turned, her eyes flashing. She walked over to him and leaned down.

“I called the police because a strange man was in my neighbors yard, a neighbor who is not at home right now. If that makes me a problem for you, so be it.” Dear God, she was beautiful. Her lavender fragrance washed over him and his fingers ached, wanting to caress her lush curves again. She stood straight. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Her voice was husky, breathless. He reached out a hand, took hers and pulled her towards him, slowly. He uncrossed his legs and sat up. His eyes never left hers, willing her to come to him.

“Annie…” he whispered her name and she sighed. “Annie, come here.” Her knees weakened as she reached him, and he tugged her down to sit on his knee. Her arms seemed to wind around his neck with a will of their own, and he buried his face in the fragrant valley between her full breasts. Her head dropped back and she shivered. Donovan’s tongue darted out, tasting her and she gasped. He looked up, a question in his eyes. “Annie?”

“Yes…” It was the merest thread of a whisper, spoken as she gazed down into the hot depths of his chestnut eyes, almost black with desire. He stood, lifting her effortlessly in his arms. “Tell me where…” The question was uttered against her lips, as he plundered her mouth again.

“Wait! The stove…” She tore her mouth away and motioned to the still frying steak. Donovan turned so she could turn the stove off, walked to the door into the hall and waited for her to direct him. When they reached the bedroom, he lowered her to the floor, and took her face in his hands.

“Jesus, Annie, what spell have you cast on me?” Her turquoise eyes were huge, dark with passion. As he lowered his head to kiss her, her eyes closed and she moved closer to him. His hands skimmed down her body, over her breasts and hips, slipping around to grasp her bottom and pull her close to him. She gasped and he took advantage of the opportunity, his tongue plunging into her mouth. Her tongue met his, playing, fencing with his. Her hands threaded into his hair, pulling him closer. His large, strong hands swept back up to her breasts, cupping them, his thumbs teasing her nipples. She broke the kiss, burying her face in his neck, her arms winding around his neck. He gathered up the material of her robe in his hands, revealing her long legs. He slid his hands under the robe, releasing her long enough to tug it up over her head. “Oh, Christ! Annie…” His hands trembled as they came to rest on her full breasts, stroking, gently squeezing, then moving to rest on her hips. Her hands ran over his chest, unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it out of his jeans, then smoothing it over his shoulders to fall on the floor. Her nails scratched lightly over his smooth tawny skin, as she lowered her head to lick at one of his nipples. He gasped and she shifted her attention to the other one, her hands sliding down to the waistband of his jeans. His breath caught as she unsnapped them, then slowly slid the zipper down. She slipped her hand in to grasp him, her touch cool and sure.

“Annie…..” His head was thrown back, his teeth clenched as he fought for control. Her tongue came out, licking his Adam’s Apple, moving to nip at the sensitive spot just below his ear. She knelt at his feet, slipping off his loafers, then tugging down his jeans and boxers. He pulled her up to him, taking her lips in a hot, wet kiss, his tongue plundering her soft depths. Without breaking the kiss, he lowered her to the bed, an iron hard arm about her waist, the other leaning on the mattress. His bearded lips nuzzled her neck and she sighed.

“Donovan…..” Anne moaned his name as his mouth moved down, his tongue laving her scented skin. He looked up, his dark eyes hot, his mouth poised over a hardened nipple.

“Should I stop, my beautiful Annie?” Her fingers gripped his head, pulling him closer. She watched as he smiled and lowered his mouth, latching onto a hardened nipple. As he drew it deep in his mouth, she felt a jolt of liquid heat run through her, pooling between her legs. He kneaded the other breast, his callused palm rubbing the tip, causing her to gasp.

“Oh, God!” Her legs moved restlessly, her hands running up and down his back. “Please…….” His hand slipped down, his fingers slipping through the curls at the juncture of her thighs. They probed the wet slickness there, finding the sensitive little nubbin, rubbing it gently. Anne arched into his touch, her breath catching.

“Easy, love, let it happen.” Her hips relaxed, moving slowly in time to his strokes. Donovan moved over her, positioning himself. “Now, Annie….” He slid slowly in, hearing her moan, as he filled her. He held still, trying to keep control. “Oh, sweetheart! God, that feels good.”

“Yessss…….” The word came out in a hiss of air, as her legs came up to wrap around his waist, her hips moving with him as he began thrusting slowly in and out. Her hands framed his face as she pulled him to her for a kiss, her teeth nipping his full lower lip, her tongue soothing the small injury. His mouth shifted, claiming hers, as his tongue mimicked the movements below, stabbing in and out. She tore her mouth away, breathing heavily, her arms wrapped around his neck. She nipped his earlobe, and ran a line of kisses down his neck.

“Annie, soon, love, soon…..” His hand came between them, rubbing, sending her over the edge. He felt her muscles convulsing around him and eased off on his movements. “That’s my girl….” He felt her relaxing and leaned down for a tender kiss. “Ready, love?” Her passion heavy lids lifted and she smiled.

“For more of that? Anytime, lover….” He grinned, beginning to move strongly again, this time determined for them to go together. “Mmmmm, perfect, Donovan, perfect.” Anne caught her lower lip in her teeth, the tension building quickly this time. “Oh…….!” Donovan saw it in her eyes, felt it in her muscles as they clamped around him.

“Now, Annie……”He pulled her legs higher yet, and stroked into her, deeper and faster. She cried out as her climax hit her and he buried his face in her neck, groaning as he followed. He collapsed on her, their hearts beating in time, and she held him close. He raised his head and smiled tenderly. “God, Annie, that was incredible.” He slid off of her and gathered her close, tucking her under his arm, close to his side. He chuckled as her eyes drifted shut and she yawned. “Sleep, love….”

“I don’t want to. I want to talk….”

“We’ll talk later, now sleep.” He kissed her brow and closed his eyes, slipping into a light doze. Later, he slid out of bed, stopped to write a note and left the house quietly.

The next morning, Anne cried as she read the note he’d left. Frank sat at her feet, his furry brow wrinkled as if in worry. She sat at the table, looking towards the neighboring house, her thoughts on the dark, mysterious man she loved.

“Dear Annie,” the note read, “We’re done here, the mission over, but know this. We will meet again, as we always do. I wish we could be open about our relationship, but the powers-that-be frown on these things, as we know only too well after the incident a few years ago. Remember, I love you. Keep me in your heart, as you are in mine. Donovan.”