I Dare You
Leann Rimes is one of my favorite singers and her song 'I Dare You' inspired me on the drive back to college on Monday. So, I had to write this little blurb. And, as always, it is dedicated to Posie. And, I've put a new spin on the presentation, so, please tell me what you think.
BLURB
Shaking the droplets of icy water from the collar of his coat, Brian slipped into the darkness of his hotel suite, unnerved by the silence evading his senses. He had left this very room filled with harsh barks of words from someone he loved in search of calm, but walking about the misty city with only his thoughts to occupy him had been too much. It seemed droll; searching so hard for peace that now he was haunted by it. Shrugging away the cold jacket onto a nearby chair with a hearty sigh of aggravation, he crumpled onto the end of his bed, allowing his head to hang low in shame. The only sound that that rose above the aching pound of his heart was the sound of rain pelting against the glass doors of his balcony. Each hit with a faint tinkle of sound, creating what AJ would have considered a beautiful melody.
In fact, their first romantic encountering had occurred during a thunderstorm. A terrible one at that. The power in his house had been killed by the powerful winds, abruptly ending the trivial video game they had been immersed in. Darkness swept over them and discomfort had settled in his heart. Then, somehow, Brian had felt AJ’s lips tentatively brush over his. The soft nature of the kiss had surprised him. Usually, when he thought of a kiss from AJ, he assumed that it would be brutal and alluringly satisfying of a hunger that no one dared to tempt. But, the first kiss had been hesitant, almost unsure of the potential lover’s reaction. Then, Brian had pushed forward. The sweet taste of mint and cigarette warmed his soul significantly despite the sinful reproductions... That’s what the fight had been about…
Jerking away from painful memories when thunder rumbled the walls of his room and a bolt of lightning illuminated the room, he noticed something resting on his pillow. Furrowing his sandy brows in confusion, he crawled to the top of the bed and flicked on the single light above his bed. Biting down hard on his bottom lip, he retrieved the single, long stemmed rose resting over a glossy photograph. Running his fingers up the smooth stem, he allowed his fingers to gingerly play with the blossoming crimson petals. Intrigued, he reached for the photograph in hopes to locate his secret admirer.
Inspecting the photograph, Brian felt his throat close with an overwhelming rush of emotions that he had never been prepared for. A deep longing for the unthinkable churning against the pain of knowing it was inconceivable. They looked so happy, their faces awkwardly pressed in order to fit within the frame of the camera. Each was turned to the side; both had been sprawled on the couch when AJ had tackled. It had not been a normal photograph by any means, but the smiles were unmistakable. AJ was the only person who understood him.
Sighing, he turned the photograph over with defeat so he wouldn’t be reminded, but found a familiar scrawl inked on the back.
There was no name left at the end of the message, but, given the faces on the photograph as well as the message, Brian didn’t need a name. Pushing himself up from the bed, the lightning illuminated the room once more, showing the depths of emptiness he had banished himself to for something he could never control. It was not his choice to love a man, it had merely happened. God had made him this way. A test of faith, perhaps, but he deserved to be loved.
Holding his breath and refusing to part with the rose, he sought out AJ’s hotel room in hopes to apologize for his outburst. To promise the man a chance in his heart. That, although he was terrified of the idea, he would try, because living without AJ’s love would be worse than death. And, he had every intention of delivering those exact words till he stepped into the threshold of the man’s room. Seeing AJ curled beneath the covers in a protective cocoon. Like always, he was sound asleep. The man could never be woken from his sleep, not even in such a terrible storm.
Moistening his lips in a nervous flurry of emotion, Brian concentrated on the sleekness of AJ’s bare back, exposed to his view as the man shifted to allow the covers to fall. Every inch of skin bared was temptation in Brian’s mind. A tapestry of artwork covered his shoulder blades and he was charmed into submission. Moving to the empty side of the bed, he slipped beneath the covers and worked to gently spoon the younger man.
Wetting his lips once more, Brian leaned forward to kiss the base of the man’s neck. “Alex...”
“Brian…” AJ mumbled softly in the haze of sleep, his usually raspy voice suddenly filled with baritone grit that sent a shiver deep into Brian’s body. But, AJ was far more tempted by the feeling of the man’s hips curved against his backside, molding them into what felt like a single man. Relishing in the fact, AJ allowed his eyes to close once more, savoring the closeness as if he were afraid it was a simple dream. But, when Brian’s muscular arms slide around his thin waist and the single rose’s petals brushed over his bare chest, he realized it was fate. “Got my note?”
“Yeah, I got your note,” Brian promised, nestling his chin against AJ’s shoulder, tilting to nuzzle his nose against the side of a rough beard. “And, I got a question for you…”
“Yeah?”
“Can I still be your man?”
Hurriedly turning to face Brian, AJ’s devilishly handsome grin widened when he pressed their foreheads together. “Brian, I dare you,” he murmured, capturing Brian’s lips in a smoldering kiss that caused Brian’s arms to wrap about him and fingers to tighten within his dark, curly locks. And, the rose fell to rest on the pillow, waiting for the kiss of morning light to bask in the glow of passion.