Chapter 4: Strange Sensation

[Roux]

I offered to clean the dishes right after we finished our stew, as I feel that it was the most right thing to do after he cooked for the both of us. While Aenon sits comfortably on his sofa in front of the fireplace. He was rolling tobacco leaves in a piece of paper and lit the tip of it, sipping the smoke on the other side then blowing it.

A frown made its way to my face, my nose wrinkling at the unpleasant smell as I put away the last bowl into the cupboard.

I definitely don’t understand why some people find it therapeutic while inhaling a smoke down to their lungs, only to blow it out. I’ve heard a lot from our local town healer that it only brings sickness rather than relief.

Well, I wouldn’t judge Aenon with that, as I barely know the man.

“How long have you lived here?” I start, wiping my hands to the clean rug hanging on the wooden rug, and trying my best to ignore the cough clawing at the back of my throat, not liking one bit the smell of tobacco smoke.

Earlier, I asked him if he could understand what I was saying and he nodded, but hasn’t spoken since he had said his name. I don’t know why, but he must have lived here alone for quite a long time so speaking might be strange to him.

Aenon puts down his tobacco and turns his attention to me. The smoke clouding his features for a moment, and I have to hold my breath and let the smell sway into the air outside before I slowly exhale, trying so hard not to choke.

I could never get the hang of that smell.

What I didn’t notice is that Aenon was already staring at me intently, studying my features, then he looked down on his tobacco with a deep frown settled on his face.

“No, no, no.” I panic, thinking that I have disrespected his place for showing displeasure with his habit. “It’s not like that—”

However, it was too late. Aenon flicked his cigarette into the fireplace, burning the piece in an instant. Then he stood up, making his way to the window, opening the pane wide to let the fresh breeze inside.

The tangy smell from his tobacco fled as the ventilation took place, clearing my nostrils, replacing my lungs with fresh air.

It was a kind gesture, but I worried he might take my reaction with him smoking on the bad side.

“I didn’t mean to insult your tobacco by any means,” I say defensively, lowering my gaze and shifting on my feet nervously. “It’s just that I am not used to the smell, is all.”

Why couldn’t I just bear it for a while? Internally, I chastised myself. It’s not that I am going to stay here anyway. Soon, I’ll be on my way once he’ll tell me which is the safest path back to Bleaksburn without worrying about the beast.

I couldn’t help but look down, dreading how I made Aenon uncomfortable in his own home. Heavy footsteps heading to my direction. The floorboards creaking underneath his weight. The next thing I know, rough hands cups my face, and the mere contact nearly sends my heart to ricochet inside my chest.

If I was complaining earlier that I couldn’t breathe because of his tobacco smoke. Right now, it seems like my lungs aren't functioning at all as Aenon was forcing every air to vacate my body.

He tilted my face up, his eyes focusing on mine. His gaze is soft and curious, yet the intensity that burns inside them. Just like a while ago when I had his hand on my chest. Like those pairs of emerald orbs are two different worlds that revolve into my very soul, sucking me deep.

Drowning me.

Adite’s! I can’t breathe.

He’s so close. Too close.

My mind went into full mode panic, yet my body froze. All the warning bells set off, clamoring at the same time with the cadence of my heart.

The combination of tobacco and his earthly pine scent took over my senses. Evoking the desire in me to run my tongue to his skin. To have those luscious lips on mine, tasting him, wondering if it would feel so good than it looks.

Rings of hell! Those filthy, filthy thoughts. But it only made my body grow with anticipation on how he would taste.

Tempting me to the edge.

His other hand lifted, fingers tracing the top of my brows, down to the bridge of my nose. Each touch sent thousands of lightning bolts into my body, making me weak in the knees and my belly seemed to have fostered an entire species of butterflies fluttering around.

My mouth gapes, wanting to say something. Anything that could divert myself to these weird feelings he was giving me. But it only makes matters worse. His eyes dropped to my lips, his fingertips hovering only millimeters from actually touching them. Contemplation set on his eyes, debating to let his index slide on them, and I was on the verge of leaning forward to allow him.

Yet, his finger hovers excruciatingly, even so closely, tantalizingly, that I could still definitely feel the ghost of it. The warmth he’s exuding, the fire in his touch burning me even hotter than what I felt at the pyre.

All of my senses are all wide awake. Too conscious of what is happening. Too sensitive to his every action.

The thumb on his other hand that was on my face strokes back and forth along the line of my jaw, and down to the column of my neck. Rough pad eliciting waves and waves of sensation that gathered to my core.

I can’t take it.

I would crumble into pieces if this would go on.

The tip of my tongue beseeching him to close our distance even more. To breach the gap and give in.

To pull him down and kiss me hard just to quench all these curious feelings.

I was too close to that.

“Aenon…” I plead, not knowing what exactly I want to say but my body screams for it.

His touch. The sensation he was infecting me with.

It’s all too unbearable, yet I’m yearning for it.

He leans forward, the tip of his nose grazing the side of my cheek. My chest collapsed, my eyes shut with the thousand sensations coursing through my blood.

A low grumble emanated from his throat. Primal and feral. It’s as though it wasn’t coming from a man, but instead from a dangerous animal.

It reminds me of the beast, but that would be impossible.

Suddenly, a squeal from a distance sliced through the tension like a hot knife through butter. Snapping the both of us as Aenon withdrew his hands away from me as if I burned him. My eyes shoot wide open and instantly backs further into the kitchen sink as though a bucket of ice has been dumped over my head.

Aenon’s face went from soft to rigid, snapping his attention outside to where the squeal was coming from.

Annoyance made its way to his façade, mumbling incoherent words while he steps back, turning away from me in an instant. I watched him headed towards the door still in my head processing what had just happened.

Only then.

Only then, I could breathe perfectly. Yet, my legs were still shaky and I had to lean my back into the kitchen sink to let myself gather my senses.

What was that all about?