Interlude in the Rose Garden

Because who wouldn't want to be dragged behind the nearest rosebush by a handsome gardener?

Twelve's Jonas and Ari

In the Rose Garden

The meeting had broken up.  Once again in pairs and trios, the ladies made their way out of the garden.  Most of the girls were already gone when Brisella passed my hiding place, her arms linked with Daniela and Janela.  Ariela was the last to leave, her downcast eyes and the furrow in her brow evidence of her concern. 

I needed to speak with her. 

As she passed, I reached out a hand, grasped hers, and pulled her behind the rose hedge.  Taken off-guard, her customary grace was lost and she bumped into my chest with a gasp.  The nearness of her overwhelmed my senses for a moment.  My eyes were drawn to her lips, parted in surprise, and the scent of her filled my nostrils, her warm breath mingling with mine. 

When I tore my eyes from her lips, I noted the caramel gaze fixed on me, the tiny furrow between her eyebrows deeper than before.  Blinking, I took a step back, and dropped her hand.  As if an enchantment had been broken by the movement, her mouth closed with a snap and her arms folded over her chest.

“How much did you hear?” she demanded. 

I stared at my feet.  “Everything.”

“Then there’s nothing left for me to say.”  She turned away, leaving me with no more than the view of her profile.

“Ari, please,” I begged. 

She released a sigh, weariness lining the shadows of her face.  “It’s no use, Jonas. There’s nothing you can do.”

“You said it yourself, this ruse can’t go on forever.”

She folded her arms more tightly as if trying to hold herself together, but made no reply.

My earnestness pushed me forward.  I took a step toward her.  “I need you to know that when this ends, I will do all I can to protect you.”

Turning back, she met my gaze fully.  The gravity in her eyes eased and one corner of her mouth curved up before the other joined it.  One of her hands moved to cup my cheek.  “Jonas, what would I do without you?”  Standing on tiptoe, she leaned up to brush a kiss across the other cheek and whisper, “Thank you.”

* * *

Sorry! Not much snogging in the underbrush today!  But to learn more about Ari, Jonas, and the rest of the colorful cast of Twelve, please read Just a Taste, Embracing the Fangirl Within, Arguing With Myself, or Twelve for the Fourteenth. Thank you for stopping in and happy romancing!