Chapter 4: Heart's Realization

Annie realized her body was moving automatically but her mind was scrambled with words, knowledge that was buried for three years. On the rhythm of her heart the words seared through her mind, demanding she acknowledge who she is…the soft wings of his love had caught her unaware. These three years she knew the missing piece of her heart…she was searching, missing him daily, calling his name always, Aaron, she knew his face, knowing the color of his eyes. Her body has started a deep-seated need to be touched by him, but currently the distance of his forgotten past was keeping them apart…

Aaron keeps his hand firmly on her bended elbow. He feels annoyance towards himself but seriously intrigued with the woman beside him. One thing was certain in his mind; he wasn’t going to let her out of his sight. There was something about her. He needs to know who she was.

“Barnard bring my own vehicle. I am driving.” He orders his driver.

Annie fights for control as her mantra vibrates throughout her mind. She had three rules for three years. Now here and now she found herself at a cross-road. It had taken much effort but she managed to follow one of her dreams. She went for what she wanted, brave enough not to care if she risks losing all. Beside she already loss severely.

“What are you thinking Annie?”

Aaron still holding her looking into her very expressive face. “Don’t deny as I can see the invisible words being written in your mind.”

“You are very intrusive in your behavior.” She tried removing her arm. He then simply adjusts his hold on her. The shock of his next move jolted her body into further awareness when he interlinked his fingers soft yet tightly with hers.

“You are mine,” he said absently just as the elevator doors slide opened. As one they stepped into the elevator together.

Annie found herself in limbo. Her reactions were instinctive as her present mingles with moments in almost forgotten times. Their shared moments now a constant river of remembering. Raw emotions start to flow through her veins. She can’t seem to control the various shudders and shivers of anticipation.

Aaron feels in-tuned with her reactions. Just beyond that close door in his mind, he senses something that awoke a sliver of shining fear. He found himself on the edge of remembering.

The spell broke with the elevator doors sliding opened. His fingers still tightly entwined with hers as they step out in one movement. “You are staying with me,” he said in a voice ringing with uncertainty.

“Fine,” she said softly. She has already decided to fight for him. It was clear he was reacting instinctively.

“You are mine,” he said again. The way he said it was almost like he was confirming something to himself.

I am yours… her heart confirms silently.

Aaron opened the door of his sleek black Lamborghini waiting for her to slide inside. Once she was settled her quickly moved to get behind the wheel. The powerful vehicle roared into life before they peeled away from the pavement, without thinking he drove fast leaving the city.

“Where are we going?” Annie asked softly. She slowly adjusts her body to look at him.

Aaron aware of her actions kept his hands tightly on the steering wheel finding himself within the fog of his memory. The underpass comes into view, the right opportunity to stop before he lost control. Now breathing deeply to calm his heart and focus his eyes. In his troubled mind he was instinctively protecting her.

“Are you okay?” Annie softly touches his white knuckles still wrapped tight around the steering wheel. Her memories in-tact but slowly understanding he doesn’t realize his reactive behavior.

“I need some air. The car feels too tight.” He pushed opened his door stepping out. The unexpected thundering vibrates through the sky. “We will get rain,” he said absently. He moved to opened her door holding his hand.

“Isn’t this dangerous?” she asked softly as she placed her hand into his.

“It is but I feel like watching the play of thunder in the sky. Please follow me,”

“Okay,”

They managed to climbed the steep slope of the underpass finding a solid place to sit down. As she settled between his legs, she looked at his bare feet. The moment it dawns on him his sleek fancy shoes won’t do he followed her as she dropped her shoes back into the car.

“Annie, aren’t you afraid?” his arms have settled around her frame like a protective barrier.

“Any other day I would say yes, I am afraid. Not today,”

“Why not,” as he leaned over her, he noticed the top of her breasts and between them the wedding ring.

Annie can feel the heat of his traveling eyes. She leaned more into his body with the thought why should she deny herself his nearness. He wasn’t remembering but her memories were active in its intensity. Her heart’s realization was throbbing within her chest.

“Happiness and sorrow are timeless Aaron.”

“You lost someone?” he asked softly his gaze fix on the ring.

“My husband, but I managed to rebuild because in the short time we were together he has taught me a few lessons.”

“Do you care to tell me? I realize my behavior is highly inappropriate but there is something about you.”

“Aaron…don’t be afraid and never apologize for your feelings. Every day is a chance to rebuilt what you have lost. Keep in mind that someone’s genuine effort is a true reflection of their interest in you. My husband taught me these important words in life.” The sudden thundering around them makes them acutely aware of nature.

“Tell me more Annie,”

“Love…”

“Honesty, but here I must warn you as I am going to lie to you for now.”

“Truth, is in the same category,”

“Respect makes the cornerstone stories in life.”

“Will you tell me the reason later Annie?”

“Time will tell Aaron. Whatever you do with this is up to you. What I can tell you as an observation…I noticed your sorrow. You are hiding from yourself. Don’t be afraid for your own truth.” Annie was so quick before he realized she made her body slide down the slope.

Aaron stayed where he was for the moment. He was thinking hard what she just said and one thing was certain this woman must stay in his life. He was already mentally fighting for her.

“Annie…” he whispered her name. It took a moment before something else dawn on him. He looks at the lightening playing in the sky darken and heavy with unshed rain. As he was slowly getting onto his feet, he found himself mesmerized…seductive, captivating where she stood looking at him. He watches the play of emotions on her face desperately wanting to understand what was going on in her mind.

“Who are you, Annie? Why am I so reactive towards you?”

He carefully starts to descend the slope definitely not as brave as her to just slide downwards. As her near her he start feeling the hot almost sneakily desire starting to course through his body. He has to fight his feelings not wanting her to know what’s happening with him

Annie stood there watching his reaction and finding it very endearing that he tries his best to conceal his reaction towards her. This now makes her wonder what had happening but the bigger question, why did the doctor lie to her? And who did she bury then?

“Why so serious Annie? And don’t deny it as you seem to have the most expressive face.” He has finally reach her. His warm eyes keep wondering over her face.

“I am curious, do you believe in kismet?”

Both look up into the sky when the first drops of water landed on their head. Neither move just now looking into each other’s eyes.

“I am not sure.” He rubs across his chin frowning. “Annie…” he looks briefly uncomfortable.

“What is it?” she asked softly while enjoying the soft drops of water onto her head. She should move but was using the water as concealment for the unexpected tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

“You husband and kismet…care to connect the dots for me.” He leans against the car as the urge was huge to pull her into his arms.

Annie tilts her head to the side just curiously looking at him. She quietly nods her head more for her own benefit. “I knew his face long before I met him. I just accept we belong together. A simple action from him had a life changing reaction within my heart. I must admit fear were also present and it usually left me breathless but then the soft wings of his love caught me truly unaware.” Annie stood there smiling in the soft down pour of rain, her warm tears mingling streaming down her face. It suddenly feels like her heart was breaking into a million pieces as she stood right in front of the man who is her husband but are completely unaware of that fact. She looks up at him as she gathers her strength, whatever was going on here, her dream was alive and breathing.

“Annie, I am sorry,” he moved closer to softly brush the tears that mingled with the rain. On impulse he moved closer and softly kisses her on the lips. Sudden happiness burst through him when he felt her soft lips parting beneath his. He gently nipples on her lower lip before he felt her smiling. He senses a kind of mischievousness about her. This has him breathless with wonder.

“Who are you, Annie?” he whispers against her lips.

“It’s easy, Aaron Casey, you find out,” she suddenly wraps her arms tightly around him just listening to the fast yet steady beating of his heart…