SIW Adam & Bronwille: Teaser Ch 03

Thinking about "Atlas'" poem she knew she wasn't alone with these feelings and it was clear that it cost him a lot of effort to piece this together and share this with her. It's like he had so many demons of his own that in some way they had affected him in a similar way as her attack had an impact on her.

Her tears dried up as she kept mulling over her past. The scent of him was lulling her to sleep.

She dreamt of "him". Dreamt of the evening they met. Her eyes had found him instantly and he was a sight to behold. He was large in every sense of the world. His hair was cut short, military style. You could see the muscles bulging under his tight, dark green T-shirt. She also saw traces of some tribal tattoos on one of his arms and the bottom of the other.

Her first impression of him was that he was a hard man and totally not her type. When their eyes met it felt like fireworks had gone off around them. It had taken her a lot of effort to break their eye contact. Not having exchanged words since her friend had introduced everybody to each other, she felt there was something about him.

His eyes had locked onto her, his pupils dilated, his nostrils flaring, and the corner of his mouth twitching lightly as if he wanted to smile but was fighting it. He gave her a courteous nod, acknowledging her presence then he broke away his heated gaze. She saw the keen interest disappear, being replaced by genuine politeness towards her friends as they were introduced.

Giving him sideway glances she could tell he was a large man, probably tall as well. That she couldn’t really tell since he sat, or rather lounged, in one of the love seats, filling it completely on his own. Just keeping to herself she did what she always did, sat on the side and observed.

When her eyes happened to cross Adam's, he always managed to trap hers for a few seconds.  She liked the sound of his name and felt shivers traveling her spine when she first heard his low rumbling voice. Each and every time she could clearly notice the keen interest he had in her, yet he never acted openly on it.

When she heard the others plan to go downstairs to party and dance, she did what she always did, came up with an excuse for not having to join them. She was fine tagging along, but actually mixing in the crowd still wasn’t for her, all the others bumping into her, the more than occasional gropes from fellow dancers. No, that wasn't for her, she preferred to stay on the side and just watch the others have fun.

Much to her surprise Adam volunteered to stay with her. He had said that in a light hearted manner but she knew it meant more. She started doubting herself. She shouldn't be alone with another man. Especially not one that towered over her like Adam did. Once he had stood up Bronwille almost had to bit her tongue to prevent her jaw from dropping. That man was huge.

As she made her excuse to stay behind, she had stood up. Adam stood beside her now and she had to look up, almost twisting her neck in two, to look him in the face. Bronwille was pretty sure that if he stretched his arms she could walk right under them without touching him.

Startled, she had tried to make sure that staying behind was what he really wanted. The quick wink he gave told her he was more than happy to keep her company. One by one her friends and the brothers left the VIP room, leaving her with Adam.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable she fidgeted with the bottom of her thin blouse.

"Do you want another drink?" Adam asked in a smooth tone.

Her throat was dry but she couldn't find it in herself to answer so she just nodded.

He asked what she wanted, but still her vocal cords refused to work so she pointed towards a glass of water she had been sipping from before.

With a smile he turned towards the intercom system and in a hushed toned asked for water and another Corona for himself.

Not sure what to do with herself she stood and went to look down at the dancing crowd. She liked that the VIP rooms were sound proofed, yet you could adjust the volume so you still felt part of the vibe going on down there. Scanning the people on the dance-floor it didn't take her long to find her friends. Nick and Fran just looked like a perfect match. As she looked on she couldn't help but smile, she had picked up some tension between Mia and Chris.

Liz and Ed just seemed to have a good time dancing, no sparks there. That didn't surprise her, Liz had high standards when it came to a man and didn't settle for just anyone.

Bronwille gripped the bar in front of her as felt or rather saw things getting slightly darker around her. That was her only indication that Adam stepped close behind her. He didn't touch her, but the longer he stood behind her the more she became aware of his presence. Yet she didn't feel overwhelmed or threatened by it. Oddly enough she felt accepted.

"You know I wouldn't do anything you don't want me to," his deep voice rumbled behind her.

Talk about being direct! she mused to herself.

This time she felt him step closer to her, still not touching her. She heard him inhale for a long time then holding his breath as if he was savoring how she smelled before she heard him slowly exhale.

"Exquisite," she heard him say before he stepped back, out of her personal space.

She felt confused by this behavior, as if she passed a test of some sort of test.

"So tell me," Adam asked her, "How come a pretty little thing like you isn't swept off her feet but hides up here on her own?"

She had to admire his directness.

Turning around slowly, she thought about how to approach him. He sure wasn't the type of man she thought could be interested in her, still all the small signs he gave off were just telling her otherwise. Can I take this step? Am I ready? What if he turns out to be some creep and this is all just an act? Dammit, I have to get over this sometimes she chastised herself.

"I'm not on my own right now, you're here, aren't you?" she tried to match his directness.

"I sure am," he replied with a lazy drawl in his tone as he sat down in one of the love seats.

He gestured to one of the others, inviting Bronwille to sit with him. His eyes lit up with interest as he followed her every move.

"Care to tell why you prefer to stay up here instead of joining your friends downstairs?" he quizzed her.

"Now that is an interesting question," Bronwille said as she mulled over a fitting answer. "Think you could say I'm not in for all the groping. I don't mind looking and observing them as they're having fun."

"What about your own fun then? Don't you want to dance and let yourself go?" Adam asked.

"As I said I don't mind just watching. I like seeing other people have fun."

Just as Adam wanted to say something a feint jingle announced their drinks had arrived. A young man entered and politely nodded to both of them as he hurried over to the table, put their new drinks down and quickly cleared up the empty glasses.

"Thanks Joe, put this round on my tab, will ya?"

"Sure thing, Adam, I'll take care of it." With another polite nod Joe closed the door behind and left them both alone.

"You seem to be quite familiar here?" Bronwille asked, taking this opportunity to change the subject.

"Hmm, I come here on occasion to wind down. The Whelans and I go back some years. They're the brothers I never had," he explained.

Adam stood up and went to the control panel. After pressing a few buttons Bronwille could hear some lazy jazz song come through the speakers.

She eyed Adam curiously as he strolled towards her.

"Who says we can't have some fun of our own?" he asked stretching out his hand.

Bronwille didn't know what to do for some seconds as she looked at his hand than looked up to his face. He tilted his head, silently repeating his invitation. Taking a big breath, Bronwille slowly laid her tiny hand in his huge hand and stood up.

A smile appeared on his face and lit up his face. It gave him a boyish appearance. He didn't say much, just enveloped her in his trunk like arms and held her tenderly as he started swaying to the smooth tones of the jazzy tune he'd put on.

She had to crane her neck to look up at him, but he simply smiled down at her, moved up a hand gently cupping her head. With just the slightest bit of pressure he let her know it was fine not to stare up at him. Bronwille understood what he tried to convey and she put her head on his broad chest.

They danced like this for some time. Bronwille felt relaxed and safe. She couldn't pin point why, but this man made it appear that she was his most prized possession and treated her accordingly. Inhaling his heavy scent she still picked up traces of something she could only describe as the smell of the forest, just as it wakes up at dawn in the morning. It made her feel at ease and for the first time in years she didn't feel bad about letting a man get close to her.

Bronwille certainly didn't think a fine specimen like him could evoke the feelings she was experiencing now. She wasn't there yet, but the things she felt now were feelings she had forbade herself to have for years now. Maybe this man could restore some of her faith in mankind.

Without realizing it, she cuddled closer, her arms barely reaching around him. She was not sure if she was deluding herself, but she thought she felt him brush his lips over the top of her head before tightening his hold on her. Smiling faintly she did just the same, not wanting to let go just yet.

Sadly an annoying ringing startled her.  Confused she looked around. Then it dawned on her. She'd been dreaming again and somewhere in her apartment her annoying cell phone was going off.

Bronwille cursed at this sudden wake up call. She just wanted to curl up and go back to dreaming of being in his strong big arms. She'd felt safe there. Being the emotional wreck she was right now she clung to everything that helped her staying sane. This dream was just one of those things.

With a loud groan she got up and searched for the damn thing that interrupted her favorite dream. Looking at the clock as she passed it she was surprised to see it was already noon, she had slept away her complete morning.