One temptation

(Next chapter of: "how to steal a heart)

   God, this has to be the hottest day of the year, or maybe it's just my thoughts going back to 'him'. My mind hasn't forgotten our little encounter about two weeks ago. I placed the diamond back in its display case and ever since, it seems like he hasn't come back to retrieve the prize that the reports have said he was after. What was he after now? What was he possibly looking for that could be more valuable than this diamond that he's been planning to steal for ages?

   Every night since we first met, I haven't been able to think the same again. Some days I stand on watch to make sure no one else comes for the prized possession of the museum, and other days I end up rounding the corners of columns and staring off edges of balconies to possibly get a glimpse of those piercing eyes on the rooftops at night. I decided to sharpen up on some fencing skills in case he returns to challenge me again, this time, I'll make sure to catch him. Just as my thoughts had caught up to me, I heard a noise in the corner of the room. 

   I checked my watch, the same time, the same sound. I took my flashlight out of my belt and shined my light on the object, I would be lying if I said that a laugh hadn't escaped my lips upon seeing a shiny pristine quarter lying on the tiles next to the diamond's pedestal. I bent down to pick it up, my ponytail swaying with the small breeze entering the building through the open windows and exposed areas between the columns outside. When I picked up the quarter, the moonlight reflected off of it in such a way that it looked like the moon itself, and then I saw him. When my eyes focused on the space in front of me, the quarter was out of my focus, I was met with those eyes that I've pictured ever since that day. 

   Shivers ran down my arms, my legs, my spine; Here he was, looking at me like my thoughts were transparent from the start. The wind seemed to stop in the moment like time had stopped itself, all I could do was breathe out like I was holding my breath for a century. "you're here." Is all I could whisper before his unreadable stare transformed into a soft chuckle and a smirk played upon his lips. "You missed me huh, princess~" he said whilst leaning his head onto his perched hand while crouched on the ground. The nickname staggered me, here he was after two weeks of who knows what, just to tease me with some dumb nickname. 

   I couldn't help but observe him with his much shorter hair, trimmed facial hair, and tattoo that was visible through the white dress- shirt deemed translucent under the moonlight. I felt my face heat up even though my mind flickered back to what he had called me.

"You like it? the new look?" he said as if reading my actions and my breath hitched to the back of my throat once again. I cover my face and run up the spiral staircase to the balcony that he had left once before. I stand there, leaning against it as I sigh heavily and look at the blade he left behind.

   I run my fingers on the metal and feel something engraved alongside it, a number of symbols, polished and shined as if it hadn't been used. "what's life without a little risk?" I hear his voice as his dress shoes made gentle clicks upon the tile. "What do you mean?" I say as I keep my back turned. His footsteps get closer until I can't hear the noise anymore, his breath warm and tickling my earlobe like before, "why don't you join me for a night, and you'll see." His eyes linger for a moment on the blade when I turn to look at him, he looks back at me and I know that he wants it to bring it with me, but why? "Are you finally going to tell me what you've been doing in your absence?" I question as he holds out his pinky for me to intertwine with my own "I promise, pinky promise you I will." As I take his pinky finger and wrap my own around it, he pulls me toward him by the hand and holds me by the waist, a mischievous sparkle playing around his cloudy eyes. 

   Next thing I know I'm being swept off my feet and carried across the rooftops of the bustling city, lights turning off one by one each landing. All I can hear are distant echos of sirens and the humming of cars, occasionally broken by the subtle sounds of crickets far from any height that we've reached. We're met with our final destination after twelve minutes or so, he sets me down on the floor which crunches under my feet. There are steps made of stone that seemed to be naturally placed or hammered into the side of the hill leading to the beach. After reaching the last step and approaching the coastline I hear the unsheathing of his blade, and I quickly reflex by meeting his sword with the one I had been carrying close. 

   Our stares both cold as the clang of metal caused our eyes to lock once more, those angelic eyes more mesmerizing when they are chilled and focused. Catching a hint of surprise laced in his expression, he smiled and complimented my reaction time to his sudden action. "Was that on purpose? Did you plan to try and kill me again?" I say scoffing, thinking that all this playing and dancing around each other had meant something more than just that stupid smirk and a motive to kill. "What? No!" he said almost as if he were offended, "I wasn't trying to kill you, I've just been keeping an eye on you, and I'm intrigued to find out how much you've been training." I rolled my eyes and cocked an eyebrow while eying him down "that's one way of asking I guess." I purposefully swing my sword towards him after making that statement and he ducks after flinching from catching him off guard. 

   "so" I started, "What HAVE you been doing for two weeks?" We were now in a tango of conversation and sword fighting and I was expecting a fully foolish response but was met with such sincerity in tone when he responded. " I've been traveling, maybe not far, but I've been to places, and I've always seemed to remember things from that night." Was he talking about the night we met? His speed and reflex started to combine as our swords created sparks and friction much like the words escaping his lips. "I've been to places much hotter than this, I've made acquaintances and done deals, but every mission and every plan, it never strays far from here. I want to know more about you, and I always try to find some way around it or some way to convince myself that this feeling is just an urge to go back and finish the mission I never did, but I truly wanted to see you again." 

   He expresses his point through heavy breaths and slowness in his movements before he lowers his blade and drops to his knees and mine sweeps under his chin. "It seems that I have bested you this time." I sigh and turn his face up to meet mine. "That, you have, princess~" he still manages to keep his charm even while exhausted and troubled with hidden emotions that we both seem to possess for one another. I help him up and our bodies are closer than before, his lips an inch away from my own and my breath caressing the delicate hairs upon his face. I couldn't look him in the eye as my own were focused on his lips as he spoke in a whisper " Come with me, and we can explore the world, together." I smile and my lip quivers being in such proximity to him.

                             "Now that, is one temptation."