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Ascriber / Writers Eyes Workshop - 1 Submission
Walking Jess?
By Emma Cook
Elena turned to face the sound of hurried footsteps approaching her from behind. He was beautiful. Stunning. She stopped dead in her tracks as he jogged past her and Jess.
'Morning,' he breathed. He had passed so close she could've reached out and touched his sweat ridden heavenly posterior. 'Oh…Yeah…Good morning.' She'd replied, eventually. 'Idiot,' she reprimanded herself, 'Bloody idiot.'
She continued her walk as Jess was becoming impatient with this interruption, pulling harshly on her lead, she pulled Elena a few tentative steps forward. She was still staring after the now distant figure, his reflection, upon the glassy lake appearing even taller and leaner than reality. Then just as suddenly as he'd arrived he turned and disappeared up the track towards the village.
Elena walked twice around the small lake, the clear waters sparkled cheekily at her. Weather dependent she would walk this route daily with her faithful retriever Jess. Today though was one of those rare Highland days, in that although it was early April the air was still and warming gradually with the rising of the sun.
'Oh' she sighed, it had been too long since she had felt the sun on her pale skin. She suddenly longed for warmth, ached to feel the hot prickle of heat across her shoulders.
'Sod it.' She murmured as she surrendered to the moment. Rarely encountering anyone on her morning jaunts she threw off her jacket, then her top, and before Jess knew what was happening her owner was standing over her in her non-matching pants and bra. Jess barked at Elena, and then rolled her head to one side as she was rubbed just behind her ears, just the way she liked.
Elena felt free. On instinct she leapt into the lake, Jess following by example. They both swam through the freezing waters and 10 minutes later emerged panting intensely.
'Oh Jess, whatever possessed me,' she exclaimed as she and Jess both shivered excessively trying to shake off surplus water, then trying and failing to rapidly replace her clothing. As she stumbled one leg half in her trousers, she felt strong warm arms catch her. She looked up into the face of the beautiful stranger.
Her breath caught in her throat. She managed to stammer, 'Oh d d d dear I mean …th th thank you.' And finished with 'Oh god now you're all wet, I'm sooo sssss sorry.'
'I'm not.' He replied, a twinkle in his deep blue eyes. He pulled her close and unzipped his sweat jacket he encapsulated her within it; his manly smell enveloping her further.
'A dream, she thought, 'A twisted cruel dream.'
Her thoughts were interrupted as he gently lifted her chin, their eyes met and the universe contracted to involve only the two of them. Even Jess barking ferociously and leaping about did not exist. They kissed gently, slowly and lovingly, then silently and slowly the universe began to expand outwardly bit by bit.
'Oh Jess, Shhhh!' Elena hissed as the mans lips parted from her own. She turned and gave Jess the death stare. The one only used on boisterous errant children, and pets. She looked back towards her living breathing angel who smiled a slow smile.
She grabbed at her clothes, most of which were now muddied and trampled thanks to Jess' excitability, as she pulled them on the absurdity of her situation hit home. She turned laughingly to ask him his name, but he'd turned and was jogging away. Gradually increasing his speed, and with it the distance between them. She longed to shout and run after him, though her sensibilities' would not allow it. She stood open mouthed in disbelief, unable to move or breathe in case the dream shattered as the moment would then cease to be.
The early morning sun glanced off the cherub's fair hair as he disappeared once more around the lake's perimeter and made his ascent village bound. Elena sighed, and slowly stepped through the April morn. She returned home smiling. Her husbands' car was no longer on the drive. He must her left for work early. So she hopped through the front door and flew upstairs to shower and ready herself for the new week ahead.