Late Night Timbres
It was two o’clock on Thursday morning and I came inside to finally head to bed, but first, I must partake in the usual bathroom activities before bedtime. You know, to rinse my mouth with the alcohol-free mouthwash so my new Monroe piercing does not get infected. Oh, and to brush my teeth, of course. Needless to say, as I sat there, er, um, brushing my teeth, I heard a little scraping noise. My first thought was “What the heck is that?” I listened carefully to see if the sound would continue. It did. My second thought: “Is there a mouse in here?” I have never seen a mouse, or the remnants of a mouse, in my house.
I proceeded to locate exactly where the noise was coming from, by crouching down in front of the sink. It sounded like it was either coming from within the wall, from behind the small wicker trashcan, or in said small wicker trashcan. I listened for a while longer, to see if I could determine what variety of creature I would be dealing with. I finally determined that the sound was coming from within the trashcan, but still had no clue as to what was making said sound. It is two in the morning and I am dressed for bed, which means I am not wearing a whole heck of a lot, and I certainly do not want to be fending off some creature in my birthday suit.
What’s a woman to do?
Well, I did what any normal married woman would do, I walked right back into the bedroom and woke my husband from a dead sleep by saying, “Honey, there’s something in the bathroom making noise.” He half-turned in the bed with a loud “Huh?” I then repeated myself, “There’s something in the bathroom, making noise.” He sat up in bed, stood slowly, groggily, and walked over to the bathroom. He then proceeded to lean against the doorjamb, listening intently to the situation. I whispered, “Do you hear it?” and he replied with a sleepy nod of his head. He stepped into the bathroom after that.
Now, my husband is a very large man, and I have to wonder at times exactly what magical forces work within the bathroom to allow him to fit into such a tiny space. Nevertheless, he was now leaning against the sink and listening to the small wicker trashcan. He tapped it a few times, and yet, the noise continued. He pulled it out a bit to make sure there was nothing behind the trashcan. Yep, nada. He quickly and carefully flipped up each side of the Wal-Mart bag I use to line the trashcan and then tied it closed. Then he pulled the bag out, held it an arm’s length away from him, and walked out of the bedroom wearing nothing but boxers, which I found odd and hilarious because he never leaves the bedroom in such revealing attire. I heard the front door open while I inspected the bathroom and relined the wastebasket with another Wal-Mart bag.
Finally finished with my bathroom activities, I climbed into bed next to my husband.
“Thank you, my knight in shining baldness,” I said to him while situating myself under the covers.
“Wow, that’s deep,” he replied.
I still have no clue as to what creature lay within the trash, scraping softly, possibly trying to escape the confines of it. I figured my husband carried the little bag all the way out to the trash bin on the other side of the house, but when I told my mother the next day what had happened, she mentioned a small bag sitting just outside the front door. Wonderful, the creature could have escaped to come back and haunt me another day.
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This appears in Forever Nocturne, Vol. I, Issue I
He watched her as she took her drink from the bar and turned around. Her big brown eyes searched where she had last seen the tall man with the long black hair, but he had moved again. Closer, but hidden. He stood behind a small group, but her eyes found him once more, and he gave a shy smile and turned away, playing the game.
Her companion, a blonde-haired woman nearly as tall as she was, pulled her out to the dance floor as he watched from the shadows. He liked the way she moved upon that dance floor, and he envisioned how she would move beneath him. On top would probably be better. He wanted to taste her, ravage her, sink his teeth into that precious flesh. She found his hungry eyes washing over her and smirked. He let out a short laugh and raised his drink. Then he moved again, out of sight. Still, closer. He watched as her eyes searched for him. Precious dark brown eyes. The better to see me with, he thought. There, you found me again with those beautiful eyes of yours. Her friend leaned over to whisper in her ear, distracting her from him. He moved once more.
He now stood at the dance floor’s edge, behind her and next to a speaker. She turned slowly, gracious in her movement with the beat of the music that thumped through his body. Thump. Thump. Thump. When her eyes fell upon him, she stopped. He smiled, staring into her passionate eyes. She returned the smile and began dancing again… for him. His grin broadened, and he stepped forward, his hand slipping around her waist and pulling her close. She didn’t seem to mind. He leaned over her and the scent of magnolia drifted into his nostrils. His favorite flower.
“Gideon,” he said softly in her ear. She pulled her head back and gave him a funny look. He smiled. “No bible jokes, please. I’ve heard them all.”
She giggled and then leaned into him again. “Nico,” she replied. It was his turn to give the strange look. “Short for Nicollette.” He nodded with a smile. Her voice was beauty, too, and he couldn’t wait for her to cry his name. And her giggle, a nice flirtation.
“You don’t have an Alabama accent,” he stated.
“That’s because I’m from Arizona,” she replied. “We don’t have accents.”
“Are you visiting?” he asked, and she nodded. “For how long?”
“The weekend,” she answered. “Too short, if you ask me.”
“What’s so special here that you would need more than a weekend?”
She pointed over her shoulder. “My best friend,” she said. “We haven’t seen each other in nearly ten years.”
“Then I
must be intruding,” he said as his eyes locked with hers. She slowly shook her head as a sly smile
touched her lips. He grinned. Good,
he thought, because you are my prey for
the night.
She wanted a bottle of water, but he told her to stay with her friend. The scent of alcohol on her was slight, almost unnoticeable. Perhaps she drank the same as him: only one. He watched her from the bar as she danced with her friend while he waited for two bottles of water and a rum and coke. The alcohol was for the friend. He didn’t know her name. It wasn’t important. He wasn’t hunting her.
He returned with the drinks, and she took the bottle of water, opening it and drinking half of it down, her eyes remaining on his. She thanked him and began to dance around him. He laughed at this game, but knew it well, though hers was slightly different as she danced her seduction. She wasn’t playing games like the others had. No wolf and rabbit here. No playing hard to get. His beautiful prey knew exactly what she wanted. It wouldn’t take all night, and that pleased him because he was hungry for her.
Her body moved against his, breasts pushing into his chest. His hands slipped around her waist once more, moving to the small of her back and pushing her groin into his. Gideon noticed the friend smiling before turning to dance with another. It was a knowing smile, but the action intrigued him, if only briefly.
Nico’s tongue slipped around his ear and he shuddered from it. Then her teeth nibbled on his earlobe. He returned the favor and felt her flesh warm. Before long, his lips had found hers. Soft lips. Precious eyes. Smooth skin. He was famished for her.
They danced a few more songs, giving in to the beat of the bass thrumming through the speakers. Thump. Thump. Thump. He pulled her out to the patio. A quiet place. In the darkness that fell around them. His hand slipped to the back of her head and he pulled her close for a kiss. Soft lips. Precious skin. Seductive eyes. The better to see me with, he thought again. But do you see me? He nibbled on her lower lip, taking a taste of her. She grinned and returned the gesture. Perhaps you do, he thought.
They walked out to his jet black GTO and climbed in. She pulled on the seatbelt as he turned the engine. It purred, much in the way he expected her to purr for him in a short time. He stared at her a moment as the seatbelt clicked.
“You can never be too careful,” she said with a warm smile.
Gideon agreed and clicked his seatbelt into place.
“So, where are you taking me?” she asked.
His eyes slid to their corners and he grinned. “Where do you want to go?”
“Heaven,” she replied with a sigh.
He chuckled. “Oh, I think I can take you there.”
She giggled. Flirtation again, though not necessary at this point.
They pulled up to his lonely home that sat amidst vast farmlands and backed to a forest.
“Oh, I love the forest,” she said, taking notice of its beauty in the moonlight.
“Me too,” he replied as he opened his door.
When she climbed out of the car, she twirled in a circle, looking up at the sky. “Look at all the stars,” she said. “I don’t get to see stars like this at home.”
He smiled. “Damn shame,” he said. “Do you want to lie in the backyard and stare at the stars?”
Her head dropped down quickly as the grin spread across her face. Porcelain face. Precious eyes. Soft lips. She twirled her long dark hair around her finger and nodded.
“Come on then,” he said, heading for the house. She hopped and caught up to him, and her fingers danced around his waist while he unlocked the front door. He snatched a blanket up from the couch when they skirted through the living room and into the kitchen. He stopped briefly at the back door.
“Do you want a beer or something?” he asked, turning to face her. Her eyes sparkled in the darkness.
“No thanks, I don’t drink that much,” she replied.
“Me either,” he said and opened the back door.
He stood to the side and waved her through, bowing a little, and she stepped out onto the concrete steps that led down into his glorious yard. She hopped down the stairs and kicked her sandals off, allowing her feet to sink into the luxurious Alabama grass. Her head dropped back only slightly and she sighed. Gideon had stepped around her and was walking toward the center of the yard by the time she opened her eyes again. He unfolded the blanket and laid it down, then sat upon it, waiting for her.
She sat down, facing the forest, and stared into its dark beauty, the soft moonlight only casting short rays of light to penetrate its forbidden mysteries, but faltering just short of reaching them.
“You really do love the forest,” Gideon stated.
She nodded. “I love its hidden treasures,” she replied. “Wolves live in the forest.”
“Yes,” he said. “Do you like wolves?”
She nodded again. “I love wolves, everything about them. Their beauty, their grace. They are one of the most majestic creatures on this planet.”
He smiled. He’d met others who revered the wolf like this. But would she show fear in the face of one? There were several wolves in the forest behind his home. He loved them. He fell back onto the blanket and stared up at the stars. Her head fell against his arm and they both stared into the midnight sky.
Her fingers trailed along his hip, petting lightly as a star drifted against the black velvet sky. His hand came up from around her shoulder and his fingers touched softly between her breasts, sinking into the low v-neck she wore. He turned toward her, his other hand sliding across her stomach, underneath her shirt. His heart pounded heavily in his chest. Thump. Thump. Thump. Much like the music had earlier. She smiled.
He hovered over her as she stared into his amber eyes, and his tongue teased her lips, lightly touching and then pulling away. Then he took her mouth in his, kissing her deeply. Devouring. Soft lips. Smooth skin. Beating heart. A soft moan came from her throat. Not quite purring just yet. Her leg locked around his, and pulled him on top of her. His hunger for her heightened. Only slightly. His lips devoured hers, and then slid to her neck. Sweet neck. Smooth skin. Rapid pulse. Something of a noise. Not a purr.
Her fingers slowly worked his shirt up. Strong muscles. Smooth skin. Tender flesh. He pulled his shirt off and threw it to the grass. Her fingers trailed down his chest, to his navel. She pushed herself up on elbows and he leaned forward, his fingers lightly touching the hem of her shirt. She sat up, took his face in her hands and kissed him again. He pulled her shirt off and threw it to the grass. His heart beat harder. Perfect breasts. Just the way he likes them. She went back on her elbows again and he slowly crawled over her. Stalking her. His prey. The moonlight reflected in her eyes. Dark brown eyes. Ebony eyes in the dark of night. Beautiful eyes. His face lingered in front of hers before he quickly moved to the left and bit her neck. She gasped with pleasure. Quick breaths. Smooth skin. Heart beating. His fingers unhooked her bra. It found itself on the grass, too. Oh so perfect breasts. He smiled at her. A pleasant smile. Lips trailed down her neck, to her breast. He took it into his mouth, full. A moan. A soft growl. Playful, like a wolf. He slid to the other breast. Smooth skin. Beating heart. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her fingers trailed along his back. Nails scratched when he bit down on her breast. A low growl. Again, playful. His tongue slid down her stomach, following every curve. Smooth skin. Like silk. Blood, just under the surface. His hands undid her pants and pulled her legs free of them. She giggled. His prey. He would eat her up. And down.
The moon shone brightly, casting his shadow upon her. He grinned. Her hand slid around his neck, into his long black hair. She pulled him down, into a kiss again. His body moved against her, pressing into her, only the denim of his pants between them. Her fingers trailed down his chest, to his waist, and played at the waistline of his jeans before working the buttons. He helped her push them off.
The full length of him pressed hard against her thigh. She reached down and took him in her hand. Gentle strokes, like she already knew him. Knew what he liked. Good prey. Eyes rolled. Quiet sigh. Tender bites.
A low growl. Almost a purr, coming from her throat. He moved with her gently, their motion becoming one. She felt good. He nibbled on her neck. Love bites. She told him to bite harder. He did. He took hold of the pulse in her neck. Thump. Thump. Thump. Beating heart. The first cry. She liked it. Blood beneath her flesh, rushing through her veins like a river. He could almost taste it.
His body matched hers perfectly. He liked it. He liked her. His prey. Her dark brown eyes with hints of amber. The light glow of her skin in the soft moonlight. He pushed into her. Quickening motion. Hearts beating faster. Gasping breaths.
“Gideon,” she whispered, barely on her breath. Her movements, her reactions, just like he envisioned. Her prey to his predator. Her predator to his prey. A rip in the blanket, sounding like sharp claws. She cried, like he knew she would. Cried his name. But he wasn’t finished with her. Not yet. He rolled to his back and pulled her with him. She leaned over him and bit his neck. Love bites, as his hands ran the length of her body. Skin smooth. Silk-like. A soft moan. He liked her bites. Told her to bite harder. She grinned.
“Are you sure?” she asked. He nodded. She did. She bit harder.
He cried out. He liked it. He hungered for her to bite again. Quick breaths, as she moved on top of him. Good prey.
A howl in the night. Wolf song. She giggled as she ravaged him. The sound brought a small grin to his lips before her mouth took them again. Sweet lips. Soft skin, at the small of her back. Perfect breasts pressed against his chest. The fine hair tickling his skin. A shudder. Goosebumps. Her back arched. He cried out.
Flesh tore. Blood trickled, and then flowed.
Eyes widened.
He looked into her amber eyes. The scent of blood filled the air. Blood dripped, looking black in the dark of night, with only the moon to cast its light, bearing witness. Smooth skin. Precious eyes. Beating heart. Thump. Thump. Thump. He closed his eyes for a moment. Thump. Thump. Opened them again.
“Good prey.”
Thump.
Wolf song. In the night.
Her predator to his prey.
Amber eyes. Long ebony hair. Soft hair. Smooth skin. Strong muscles. Sweet lips. A good mate.
She jumped up and pulled her cell phone out of her pants pocket. Dialed the number. Someone picked up.
“Hey Cyn,” she said. “Come get me.” She looked down at him. “I’m done.” She giggled as she hung up the phone, but before picking up her clothes and walking away from him, she looked over her shoulder to the forest. The howl started low and deep in her throat, and the others joined her song. She took in a deep breath, grabbed her things, and walked away from Gideon’s body.
She didn’t devour him. She left him whole, alive.
He’d come find her soon enough. They always did.
She liked him. He would make a good mate. He already knew how to hunt.
© 2006 N.L. Gervasio