By: Tazura Avey

She had spread a blanket out underneath a shady tree to enjoy the warm day. Clad in jean shorts and a yellow tank top that proclaimed "Nuke ‘em ‘til they glow, then shoot ‘em in the dark", she had stretched out on the soft, sky blue cloth with a book and a glass of ice tea next to the tree. Now the ice had melted, creating a clear layer resting on the dark brown liquid, and her emerald eyes that usually sparkled with laughter and mischief, were closed. Her copper curls were gently blowing in the slight breeze, and the dancing leaves sent scraps of sunlight skittering across her face.

He had been standing there for several minutes, studying her still form and absorbing every tiny detail about her. His eyes started at her feet, a part of him noticing that her toe nails were painted a soft aqua blue, and traveled up her slender, tanned legs to her worn blue shorts that were rolled half way up her thighs. The yellow shirt was tucked into the waist of her shorts and her book was lying open on her chest with Gaudy Night By: Dorothy L Sayers printed in gold lettering on the dark blue leather. Her long nails, which were tinted bronze, added gracefulness to her already delicate hands and those hands rested casually on the book as if she had just put the book down for a moment.

Then his eyes rested on her face, the scattering of freckles almost lost under her tan. He knew her tan came from working and playing in the summer sun instead of from a saloon or a bottle. With her natural beauty, it fit her and made her seem even more like a wild creature that no man could hope to tame.

What makes me so special? He wondered, staring at her slumbering form. Out of all those competing for your attention, why did you choose me? Carefully, he knelt next to her and gently brushed a stray curl off her forehead, a childhood nursery rhyme skipping through his mind.

"But you are not a little girl," he whispered, his voice floating on the wind. She shifted slightly in response to his voice and a patch of sunlight glinted off the silver and garnet ring on her left hand. He knew it had been a birthday present from her parents and he longed for the day when he could replace her parent’s ring with his own.

Sitting down with his back against the tree by her head, he thought back to when he first met her. She had seemed so young and naïve, but that had been extremely deceptive. There were still things that she was naïve about and he enjoyed her innocence as well as her corrupt side. He had to confess that he had fallen in love with her hair first: the way the sun turned it into spun copper after it had just been washed, how it bounced into curls and waves as she brushed it. He loved to run his hands through her silky locks and feel the warmth they locked in.

A soft sigh snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked down to find her emerald eyes gazing at him lovingly. "Hello Sleepy Head," he teased, smiling.

She carefully put her book aside and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, pulling him down to steal a quick kiss. Turning over, he rested his hands on either side of her as he deepened the kiss, creating an offer for much more. She accepted his offer, beginning another interesting afternoon for the two of them.