The Storm Within

by Lillian

The wind outside was really starting to howl. Oriana closed the curtain and hoped that if she ignored it, it would go away. She could hear the shutters beating and the windows rattling. "Maybe some tea will help settle my nerves," she thought to herself. She had never been one who feared a storm. In fact she rather enjoyed a good thunderstorm. But this was not your normal spring shower.

Sitting at the table sipping her raspberry tea, she realized the wind had died down a bit. Rain was still coming down in buckets and the thunder rocked the house. Lightning flashed through the thin curtains covering the kitchen window. The lights were beginning to flicker now. "Please no!" she said aloud to herself. It was then that she heard a rapping sound. She chalked it up to the wind. Once again she heard "rap, rap, rap". It dawned on her that someone was beating on the front door. This frightened her a bit because no one in their right mind would be out on a night like this.

"Who is there?" she called to the stranger on the other side of the door.

"Please, can I come in?" was the reply she received. Against her better judgment she pulled back the chain and opened the door. Just as the door opened a flash of lightning illuminated the entire sky. Outlined in the dark she made out the figure of a man.

"Please, can I come in? My car has ran out of gas and I have no idea where I am at," said the rain soaked figure.

"Of course. Come in.," she answered unsure if it was the right thing to say. The figure stepped inside. He was a very wet, very cold, and very handsome man. Water ran down from his hair into his eyes. He reached up and wiped it away with the back of his hand.

"I will get some towels," she offered.

"Gracias." Walking to the bathroom to get his towels she realized how dangerous it had been for her to open her door to a total stranger. Her mother had taught her better than to do that! But what choice did she have? She could not let him remain outside in this weather. She quickly grabbed two towels and headed back to the living room. He was still standing in front of the door. She saw him shiver and realized how cold he must be.

"I will start a fire. You need to warm up," she said turning towards the fireplace.

"I need to get out of these wet clothes first. Do you mind if I use your bathroom?" he asked.

"No. Of course I don't mind. Forgive me for making you stand there like that. I don't know what I was thinking." What she was thinking was how gorgeous this man was! He had the warmest brown eyes that could melt an iceberg. And now he was going to get naked in her bathroom! She had to get a grip on her emotions because they were going out of control. She had not been alone with a man in months. Never in her life had she been alone with a man as beautiful as this.

The fire was beginning to burn nice and warm when she heard him come into the room. "Come on over and…" she had turned to face him when she realized that he was wearing nothing more than a towel…"warm up." She could not tear her eyes from him. She knew he saw her staring but she was helpless. "

I hung my clothes in the bathroom to dry. Do you have something I might wear?" Her first response was to scream NO! but she offered to get him a robe instead.

"I will be right back," she said getting to her feet. At that same time a bright flash of lightning and a deafening roar shook the house and the lights went out. "Oh no. I was afraid this would happen. They were flickering earlier. I'll get some candles. You come over and warm by the fire."

The fire behind him seemed to wrap his body in an orange glow. Oriana lit a few candles and set them on the coffee table. She found her eyes back on the stranger.

"Can I have the robe now?" he said with a smile that made her knees go weak and her heart pound.

"Ah...yes. I will get it for you," she said quietly. As she turned towards the bedroom she bumped into the table. One of the candles fell over and rolled to the floor. "Oh shit!" she yelled as she bent to pick it up. At the same time the stranger bent down to retrieve it himself. As he did the towel lost it's hold and fell to his feet.

"Ooops!" he said as he picked it up and tried to fasten it back around him. He looked up to see Oriana staring at him with a strange expression on her face. He knew she was trying hard not to laugh. She lost all control and the laughter burst forth.

"Ooops? All you could say was Ooops?" they both fell into a fit of laughter. He held out his hand " I'm Antonio." She took his hand " Oriana."

"A pleasure to meet you, Oriana. Now, if you would be so kind as to get me something to put on…" he said with a grin

"Why? Are you cold?" she asked with a grin of her own.

"No. I'm not cold anymore. I just feel a little uncomfortable wearing this."

"But why Antonio? You wear it so well." She was beginning to feel a little bolder now. "But if you insist, I'll get you that robe." She stood to go to the bedroom.

"You know?" he said as she turned. "If you were to lose some of your clothes I might not feel so…uneasy." Turning around she saw a look in his eyes that said he was dead serious.

"I need some wine." She left for the kitchen before he could see her crimson face. Returning with two glasses and the wine, she sat beside him once again.

"Does this mean I don't get the robe?" he wasn't letting up.

"Drink the wine, Antonio," she said as she began to unbutton her blouse. He was watching her behind those dark lashes. Sitting now in only her bra and jeans she asked, "Do you feel better now?"

Cocking his head to one side and running his eyes over her he said, "Not yet." Reaching over he began to undo the button on her jeans. The feel of his hands on her bare stomach was almost unbearable. Freeing the button, he slowly pulled down the zipper.

"Lie back." She did as he said. She was totally under his spell. He pulled the jeans over her feet and threw them over his shoulder.

"Now I feel better." Oriana could not resist the urge to wipe away a stray curl that had fallen across his eye. Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers, placing the lightest kiss against her lips. She felt as if she was melting into the floor at his touch. His next kiss was more intense as he parted her lips with his tongue. She could feel him lower his body to hers. His skin was like fire against her own.

He moved lower kissing her neck. She could not help the moan that escaped when she felt his tongue lash at her neck. Her hands were in his dark mass of curls as she guided his head lower. Unfastening her bra he kissed her breast. Flicking his tongue over her hardened nipples.

The hair on his chest brushed gently over her bare stomach. He had long since removed the towel from his waist. Slowly he removed her panties as he licked teasingly at her navel. As he moved up to kiss her full on the mouth again she felt his hardness rub against her. Oriana was on fire. Her body burned each place he had touched. He moved between her legs as his kiss deepened. She could wait no longer as she arched her body up to receive him. His moan was warm against her neck.

For a while neither moved savoring this moment. Slowly they began to move together. Her hands moved to his backside feeling his body move in this perfect rhythm. "Put your legs around me," he moaned. She was ever so willing to do as he asked. A wave of pleasure like lightning surged through her body. Wave after wave now rocked her entire being.

"Look at me." He said to her. "I want to see your face." Looking into his dark eyes she saw him as he came to his own release. He moaned loudly as his pushed himself into her. Her arms and legs held him tight to her. His ragged breath was warm against her face. She did not want to move. She wanted to remain here with him like this. They did not move for a long while. He kissed her eyes softly. Raising his head to look at her he said, " Now can I have the robe?" Together they once more fell in to fit of laughter.

The storm had all but died down. Only the sound of distant thunder and the sound of the rain dripping from the roof remained. Antonio and Oriana sat wrapped together in the robe. The lights had not come back on yet. She knew he would be leaving soon and this thought was crushing her. For a time they remained like this. Not speaking just holding each other.

As he left several hours later, he turned to her. " Do you mind if I keep the robe?" Not knowing why he would want it she said, " Of course you can. But why?"

Giving her one of the sexiest smiles she had ever seen he said, " So I can return it one day."

As he left, she shut the door behind him. "Life is good, " she said with a smile.