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  Jonah chuckled as he set both my feet on the ground and backed away slightly. “Don’t you worry about me, love. Just knowing you’re here with me is satisfaction enough for a lifetime.”

  Handing me the towel, he held out his arms and bowed his head as if he were waiting for me. Quickly catching on, I spread the towel in my hands and began running it through his hair. Jonah lifted his head, allowing me to make my way across to his face and down his neck and chest. He looked delicious when he was all drippy-wet, but the playful act of drying him was oddly sensual and made me grin from ear to ear.

  Chapter Four

  After our rather adventurous towel-drying session, Jonah smiled wide as he said, “I can’t wait to show you the project I’m working on.”

  Like an excited schoolboy, he grabbed my hand and bounced his way over to a door where a sign hung that said “Off limits for the rest of the month”. With a light click of the locking mechanism and a quick flick of the light switch, we entered the room now bathed in the powerful glow of the florescent lights above.

  After my eyes adjusted to the bright lights, I took in my surroundings. All the workbenches were pushed together at the center of the room and supported several sheets of drywall. With light pencil marks, numerous outlines of frogs in different positions decorated the plain gray surface of the soft material.

  Mesmerized by the simplicity and the possibilities of this massive project, I slowly trailed my fingers along the smooth sheetrock surface, feeling every minor divot the pencil marks made. Jonah watched me as I made my way around the tables. After observing me for a moment, he walked over to the corner of the room where there was a large metal cabinet with a combination lock securing the doors.

  As he masterfully unlocked the doors to the cabinet, twisting his skilled fingers back and forth over the knob of the lock, he began to tell me about his project, explaining everything in great detail.

  “The nature museum has commissioned me to do this piece to display a certain species of frogs. The wall of frogs will hang in the entrance, just to the left, as you walk into the foyer. At the moment, I am in the process of positioning the frogs across the wall, but I do not plan to actually bolt them down until the finished pieces of drywall are hung,” he explained as he set several different ceramic frogs gently onto the surface of the drywall.

  Amazed with his attention to detail, I leaned in for a closer look. I couldn’t believe how realistic they looked. I reached out to touch one, but immediately retracted my hand. Worried I may be overstepping my boundaries by touching his work, I looked up to him in a silent request, asking his permission to handle the dainty little frogs.

  He nodded once, encouraging me with a small smile and said, “Go ahead. You can pick it up and hold it if you want. It won’t bite you.” I looked up at him with a pseudo snarl on my face to show I wasn’t happy with his little joke. He began to chuckle lightly as he held his hands up in defense and said, “Holding one is the only way you’re going to notice the certain feature I want you to see.”

  I felt like a child on Christmas morning, taking a peek at a shiny new toy with excitement. Slowly, I picked up the tiny creature, no bigger than the palm of my hand. The texture and coloring of the matte glaze made the fake amphibian look soft, but in reality the surface was very unforgiving and cold. If you were to put it next to a real frog, the detail and likeness would be uncanny.

  “What species is this?” I asked, still studying the piece with intense concentration, turning it in my hands and inspecting every intricate feature.

  “It’s called a White’s Tree Frog, usually native to areas of Australia and New Guinea…”

  His voice trailed off. As I heard his words hit my ears, I realized I wasn’t quite paying attention—and for a very good reason. I could tell by the texture that the eyes were not ceramic, but the color wasn’t quite discernible against the brown glaze until the light hit it just right. As I turned the piece in my hand, the light reflected off the gems, making them glisten with an amethyst luster.

  “Jonah!” I gasped. “What did you do?” I was so mesmerized—I hardly noticed that Jonah had approached me from behind until he spoke.

  “There’s a piece of you in everything I create, Ella,” he said, enunciating each word softly into my ear. “You see, for so many years I have woken up with one thing on my mind… your eyes.” His breath on my skin made my stomach flutter and a quick intake of breath hiss through my teeth and catch in my throat. “Your eyes have been my only motivation all these years. Those beautiful, hypnotic, amethyst eyes. You’ve become my calling card. I’m known to put my own touch on a project that just so happens to end up using the color purple in some way. Most of the time it’s only a subtle use of the color. But, it all pales in comparison to you.”

  “I don’t know, Jonah. This… this is just breathtaking. I have no words to express how amazed I am with your brilliance. The subtle touch of the eyes makes the piece… well, perfect.”

  “And you’re my inspiration,” he said as he pressed a light kiss just behind my ear, causing goose bumps to crawl all over my skin.

  I just stood there a moment, continuing to admire the frog in my hand and reveling in the feel of his strength behind me.

  “What’s even better is the nature museum has a large dome skylight right in the center of their lobby. So, at certain times of the day, the sun will shine just right to make each eye sparkle and reflect minute amounts of color throughout the room,” he explained as he reached for another, somewhat larger frog and held it up to the light, twisting and turning until the eyes glimmered with brilliance.

  I couldn’t speak. Just imagining this piece hung in the museum made me dumbstruck with wonder.

  “Have you ever been to the nature museum here in town, Ella?” Jonah asked, positioning himself beside me.

  I shook my head while turning to look at him.

  “I’d love to take you sometime. It’s a great place. They have a lot of art exhibits, fossil exhibits, a planetarium, a butterfly garden, and even several nature trails to walk around in outside. I could spend hours there just looking and enjoying all the things they have.” His words became wistful, making me realize there is even more facets to this man I do not know.

  “I would love that. It sounds so wonderful. And spending that much time with you would make it even better.”

  “Great! It’s a date. I’ll check on their hours…”

  We stared at each other for several moments before I broke our stare and looked back at the little frog in my hand. I moved it around, watching the eyes twinkle with brilliance, and wondered just how many other works of art he had on public display that have a piece of me somehow entwined within his art.

  “So, would you like to help me work on this tonight?” Jonah asked, effectively bringing me out of my daydream and back to reality.

  “I wouldn’t want to mess anything up, especially since this is a paid job.”

  “You won’t mess anything up, Ella. Not only do I trust you and your skills as an artist completely, but the task I had in mind is rather simple, really,” he said with shrug as he leaned his elbow on the table and stared me. “Well?”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “I have about five dozen more frogs that need their amethyst eyeballs,” he explained with a huge grin and a wag of his brow.

  “Oh, I think I can do that!” I responded with excitement.

  “Of course, if you would rather go home, I can take you before I get to work. You don’t have to feel obligated to help.” His voice wavered with a hint of apprehension. I could tell by his thoughts he definitely didn’t want me to go, but also didn’t want to force me to stay.

  “Jonah, there is nowhere else I would rather be than right here with you,” I said honestly, touching his face and offering him a light peck on the side of his mouth.

  We spent the next several hours adhering dozens of beautiful amethyst gems to the eyes of the little frogs and laughing about everythin
g and nothing as we got to know each other more.

  As the time crept closer to midnight, I began to drag ass. Worried I would mess up on the eye application process, I gently pushed the rest of the stuff away and laid my head on the table, watching Jonah from the side of my vision.

  “I’m sorry I kept you out so late, sweetheart. I’ll just finish this one and we’ll head home,” Jonah said, never really looking in my direction, but still able to see me past the frog held high in his hands.

  “It’s ok. I’m fine,” I slurred in an attempt to let him know he didn’t need to cater to me.

  On the way back to my mother’s house, my lazy ass managed to fall asleep. Yeah, I know. It was literally only four or five blocks away. There was no reason for me to fall asleep so quickly. But, after walking to Lavendine earlier that morning and the emotional upheaval I had to deal with today, I’m surprised I lasted as long as I did.

  I was startled awake by the feeling of someone carrying me. With a death grip around his neck, I looked up at Jonah’s face and immediately relaxed with the awareness he was moving me from the car and into my room. I relaxed my hold and propped my cheek up on his chest, relishing in the feel of his heartbeat next to my ear still in perfect rhythm with my own.

  As he gently laid me on the bed, my eyes fluttered open to look at him, causing my mouth to water with desire. Are you leaving? I projected, too tired to talk.

  Yes, I have to go. I’m sure your mom wouldn’t appreciate it if I stayed the night. Plus, I don’t think I could keep my hands to myself if I did, he thought with a smile as he stroked the hair out of my face.

  “I don’t want you to go,” I said out loud as I gripped his hand and brought it to my lips, placing a long kiss in the center of his palm. I knew I sounded childish, but I didn’t care.

  “I know. I promise I’ll call or text you tomorrow… first thing in the morning. Okay?”

  I just nodded and gripped his hand tighter, my eyelids getting severely heavy with every passing moment.

  Jonah bent over, gave me a soft, reverent kiss on my lips and said, “Goodnight, my sweet Orella.”

  I was so far gone, I don’t even remember him shutting off the light and walking out.

  Chapter Five

  Turn.

  Green leaves surround all sides of me.

  Turn.

  Tall walls of green are all that are visible as I keep running.

  Turn.

  More green. The bushes of leaves are everywhere in sight as I continue to round each corner. Perfectly straight walls made of dark green leaves start to puzzle me.

  Turn.

  More of the same. Spinning in a circle, I try to regain my sense of direction, but the stark white sky is void of any discernible rays of sun. The sun must be there, because it is bright out—almost blindingly so. Yet, I cannot tell what time of day it is or which direction I am headed.

  I must keep going.

  Turn.

  Disorientation and confusion are beginning to take over my senses. I know I must keep running, but this maze of greenery seems to never end.

  Turn.

  My head hurts. Every turn seems to make my head spin and ache. Touching my fingers to my forehead, I notice something wet and a bit sticky. I see there is blood on my fingers. I am bleeding and I don’t know why. Regardless of the blood that is now matted in my hair, I have to keep going.

  Turn.

  I see something white up ahead. My legs are hurting so much. Almost as if they are severely bruised. But the green leaves are becoming less and less. I must be getting close. I need to keep going.

  Turn.

  More white walls are just up ahead. The patches of green are less abundant. A sharp pain in my chest is making it hard to breathe and my legs feel extremely weak. But, I must get on with this. I have to.

  Turn.

  I can’t tell if this maze of white, sterile hallways is comforting or overwhelming. It’s hard to tell where one wall ends and another begins. I feel the smooth surfaces to try and find any corner or change in direction.

  Turn.

  I feel myself dragging, becoming more weak and scared with each painful step I take. I’m in pain. I need help. I need to keep going.

  Turn.

  Collapsing, I hear my skin make a high-pitch squeaking noise on the surface of the cold, white floor. Looking at my battered body, wondering what is causing such excruciating pain, I see pale, sickly skin covered in dark bruises and scratches. My clothes are gone. I am naked, weak, and in pain.

  I try to stand up, but my legs will have nothing of it. They hurt so bad, I almost pass out from the pain. Crumpling to the floor once more, I push myself up with my hands and look at my surroundings beyond my frazzled hair. I am no longer in the maze. I must have made it out. But, now where am I? The large space doesn’t seem to have any sense of closure as I can’t tell where the walls end and the ceiling begins. Everything is white. The white is so blinding, it causes me to wince as I search for someone, anyone, to help me.

  My weakness takes over and I once again collapse to the floor. My upper body, being the only part of me that was once upright, now collides unforgivingly against the hard surface. I roll over to my back as my ribs protest every little movement, causing all of the air to whoosh out of my lungs as I struggle to breathe through the agony.

  Slight movement to my left catches my eye.

  There is someone. To my relief, I see a man. He must be a doctor. His back is turned to me, but I see he is wearing a large white doctor’s coat and white scrubs. He almost blends into the background with his all-white attire. His hair is dark and his skin looks… gray?

  He turns and looks at me with pity in his eyes. Pity and determination.

  I squint to try and focus better. Is that… that’s Divinus! It’s Jonah’s father!

  Desperate to get his help, I try to reach my hand out to him, but it is stuck. Looking down at my bound hands, I realize my entire naked body is now bound beneath white nylon ropes.

  I bang my head on the surface beneath me. I am now on my back with my arms and legs bound and broken. And in pain. Lots and lots of pain.

  A tear begins to trickle down my temple and puddles in my ear.

  Turning my head, I see Divinus has made his way closer to me. Everything is white, except for the gray monochrome color of his flesh. His eyes are so dark—they are nearly black in color. I feel undeniably frightened by him. Now that I am naked, bound, and utterly defenseless, I am unable to reign in my emotions.

  A loud sob leaves my throat and is the only sound I can hear.

  Divinus is kind in his movements, as if he wants to comfort me, yet he doesn’t speak. A single, gloved finger comes to my mouth as he attempts to quiet my uncontrollable cries.

  Once I have quieted down a bit, he begins checking to make sure I’m secured by tightening the nylon ropes around my body parts. Of course, it’s definitely not a binding you would find in a hospital, if they even had such a thing. This rope was coarse and scratchy as it harshly bit into my sensitive flesh. Each punitive tug on my binds was like a cruel reminder my body was bruised and broken, causing anguish to radiate through my entire body.

  Footsteps. I hear footsteps coming closer to me. With a painful gasp, I lift my head to see who is coming. My heart leaps into my throat at the sight of him…

  Jonah.

  Piercing green eyes stare back at me and take all my pain away. Not only do I no longer feel pain, but also a sensation of warmth is spreading through my entire body, taking away the shivers that had possessed my muscles.

  Jonah is wearing a pair of white cotton pants that hang loosely on his hips with a drawstring. His skin is also a gray monochrome color. The only color I can see is his eyes. The eyes that take all my suffering away and make me complete. The green emeralds entrance me as my sobs quiet to a light whimper of desperation. Desperation for Jonah to release my binds and take me into his arms.

  He looks at me as if he doesn’t know me, yet is inter
ested in the creature that is bound and helpless in front of him. Our stares are locked in place, like a magnet. A force of attraction we can’t break.

  Without notice, Divinus grabs Jonah’s hands and with quick, steady movements, slices both of Jonah’s wrists in a synchronized fashion. Just as I was about to cry out in protest, the first drop of blood hits my flesh.

  Searing pain radiates from the point of contact. My body arches and lifts off the table in reaction to the burning sensation taking over me. More of Jonah’s blood drips onto my skin, making me wish I were in the deepest fiery pits of hell as it would surely be a reprieve compared to this agony.

  As his blood continues to pour all over my naked body, I look into his eyes in astonishment that he is able to hurt me so badly. Once my gaze meets his, I realize he is not trying to hurt me. I can’t hear his thoughts, but I know his thoughts. It’s as if his thoughts are my own. He’s not trying to hurt me. He's trying to help me.

  The pain subsides as I realize Jonah’s true intentions. The discomfort didn’t go away, but it seemed much more bearable now that I know my Jonah would never purposefully cause me discomfort.

  As I lay there staring into Jonah’s beautiful eyes, I feel his blood seeping into my veins. Each new drop against my skin causes shocks to pulse through my body and straight to my heart.

  My eyes popped open, causing me to wince from the bright sunlight that assaulted my vision through the open curtains. Throwing my arm over my face, I moaned and turned my entire body away from the blinding sun.

  God, that was a horrible dream. Even though I was awake, the feeling of pain and helplessness still coursed through my body in waves. I cursed the fact that my dreams had such a strong feeling of reality, like my body was corporeal through all of my delusions. My body still felt shocks of pain… no, not pain… agony! It felt like I was recovering from my accident all over again.

  Looking over at the clock and seeing the glowing letters tell me it was now ten in the morning, I realized I slept much longer than I usually do. Of course, it felt like I was wandering through that maze all fucking night, especially since my legs actually ached with the feeling of muscle exhaustion.