Catching Moonlight (Man Season) Read Free Page A

the
verge of tears, glowing like emerald pools. And his body, dressed only in
tight, faded jeans and a white T shirt, was as perfectly muscled as the ancient
athletes depicted in bas-relief on the temple walls. Toby felt faint, not from
the fall but from the overwhelming desire that was building like a tidal wave within
her. His touch was like a cold fire, inciting her – she impulsively moved her
lips towards his, kissed him tenderly. He was shocked at first then began to
kiss back. She found herself clinging to him, using her tongue to explore that
glorious mouth. It was not like her to make the first move, or to get intimate
with strangers, for that matter. But something happened to her when she saw
him, a gate of some kind seemed to open, a door offering pleasures she’d never
dreamed of before. Dreams – she thought to herself – he was in my dream!
    Toby backed off, embarrassed.
    “My God, I’m sorry! I don’t know what
came over me! You must think I’m insane!”
    “No, I only think you acted on
impulse, and it was the same impulse I had. I was watching you sleep before the
storm hit. I thought then how good it might be with you.”
    “But you don’t even know me. We
really are strangers, I guess, though it doesn’t feel that way.”
    “ It’s how we
feel that counts. We are strangers no more, forever.”
    “I like the sound of that.”
    “You are a beautiful girl, Toby
Styles. Will you meet me here, tonight?”
    “Won’t you be having dinner at the
house?”
    “I never stay there. I live here,
behind the temple. Aella brings me my dinner.”
    “Why do you live by yourself, Dio ? Are you shy?”
    “No, I just prefer to be alone.”
    “Oh, that isn’t true. I can see in
your eyes that you’re lonely. I suppose that’s why I kissed you, to try and
drive away the sadness in your eyes.”
    “You did, for a moment.”
    They stared at each other; Toby had
to restrain a sudden urge to kiss him again.
    “You know, I had the craziest dream
before the storm. It was all about Hera and Zeus, and
a young woman who had a son who looked like you.” She stood, began to glance
around. “This is the temple of the moon goddess, Selene .
Was she the young goddess in my dream? I wonder.”
    “Do you believe in the Three Fates,
Toby?”
    “I suppose, if you mean, do I believe
in things happening because they’re meant to.”
    “That’s what I mean. I’ve been
praying to them for so long, begging them to send me someone. That someone is
you.”
    She turned, looked deep into the
emerald eyes. A smoldering fire was burning within them; it stirred her,
frightening her with its intensity. She wanted him at the instant she’d seen
him standing near the temple. In her heart she knew immediately that Dio was the man she’d longed for her whole life. But was it
real - or merely an overreaction to the romance of the island – and that dream?
    “ Dio , I’m
sorry I came onto you. I guess this trip has unhinged me somehow. I wouldn’t
want you to think I’m easy with everyone.”
    “I don’t. And don’t you ever be
sorry. I want you, Toby. I’ve waited for you so long.”
    He surrounded her in those pale,
strong arms, began to kiss her again – this time he took the lead, working his
tongue like an expert. His hands moved over her muddied sundress, prickling her
breasts. She felt an all-consuming need to be out of her clothes, wouldn’t let
her mind think about what would happen afterwards. She knew there’d be
consequences later but right then the touch of him, the earthy, wild scent of
his skin, was enough to blot out the world.
    He removed her dress, raising it up
over her head and tossing it on the stone floor of the temple. The rain was
slamming the roof, entering in through weathered spots here and there. The
thunder roared over the sea, lightning smacking at the water. The air was
alive, tense and dark. She could see him whenever the pale sun peered out of
the black clouds, like the flashing of