Still waters run deep, I thought, as Lena pressed me to the wall. I didn't mind, though I hadn't expected such a turn of events. Her minuscule form was hiding surprising strength. I bowed my head to inhale the pine scent of her gold hair. She craned her neck to face me. Her emerald eyes held the darkness of a forbidden forest. Her lips, velvety and red like the sweetest cherry, were promising a world of pleasure.

My breath went short, my heart pounding, threatening to crash out of my chest. Her body was hot and smooth to the touch, pulsing with raw energy.

The oaken wardrobe in the corner toppled over, the crash echoing in the cramped room. Lena jumped back, her face a vibrant scarlet. Without a word, she lunged for the small table, snatching a T-shirt I recognized from the night before. Jeans followed in a blur, her trembling hands fumbling with the buttons.

"Hey, it's all right," I said in my most calming voice. It didn't reach her. "I'll be upstairs," I added and turned to leave.

"No, it's ok," her whisper made me stop. I faced her, not sure if I misheard her.

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't want to scare you," she breathed.

"You can scare me like this anytime," I shot her a warm smile.

She blushed, hanging her head down. But when her eyes flicked to me there was hope and desire in them, burning like a wildfire.

I stood closer to her, our bodies only inches apart. She was emanating heat, her breath ragged, her chest heaving in a swift cadence.

"No, I have to be more careful," she choked out the words and stepped back from me.

"Look, I'm fine," I reassured her, but she kept her distance. "I'll go make us some tea," I said, starting for the exit.

"I'll do it," she snapped back to reality and sprinted up the stairs, two steps at a time. I watched her in awe.

* * *

Lena made the best tea I'd ever drunk. The mug of aromatic brew waited for me on the counter along with a bowl of bacon-flavored chips. She curled in an armchair in the furthest corner of the room, hugging a grey pillow with green pine embroidery. She followed me with her intense gaze but avoided direct eye contact. The silence grew more and more awkward by the minute.

"I'll go get the tow truck," I said when I finished my tea. I hoped she'd suggest coming along, but she just nodded. "I'll come for you," I added with a warm smile. For the first time that day, she smiled back at me, "I'll be waiting."

The ride home took me longer than I'd expected. My mind was full of Lena. The memory of her dark, green eyes holding an untold promise made me struggle to keep my attention on the winding, forest road. The smell of the pines hit my nostrils, reminding me of the scent of her golden hair. It was the first day of December, but I felt hot in my jacket, despite the frosty wind.

At home, I took a quick shower and changed into fresh clothes. As I combed my hair, the note with the prophecy caught my attention.

Beware your love, her blood the key,

To make you thrall or set you free.

I read it out aloud. The image of Lena played on repeat in my head. Her lips. Her blush. Her heat. Her strength when she pinned me to the wall. I shook my head.

The way back to the cabin was a blur. By pure luck, I didn't cause an accident. Lena was waiting for me at the front of the hut, her hair shining in the sunlight. She jumped into the car and fastened her seatbelt. She gave me a disapproving look when she noticed I wasn't wearing mine, but she said nothing. I should have fixed the belt when it had broken a week ago, but I hadn't gotten to it yet.

We reached Lena's hatchback. How the vehicle got in between the pines was beyond me. In the daylight, deep traces in the dirt beside the wheels intrigued me even more. I spent twenty minutes maneuvering my tow truck so I could load the small car.

I kept glancing at Lena as I drove towards my workshop. She was tense, hugging her purse and keeping her eyes on the road. The strong scent of pine filled the air. I couldn't tell if it was the forest or the woman beside me.

I slammed on the brakes when a frightened deer skidded in front of my car. The force of the stop shot me out of my seat. Lena's hand on my chest flung me back before I hit the window. I gasped.

"You should always fasten your seatbelts," Lena murmured, tenderness ringing in her gentle voice. She had already curled back in her seat. I was lost for words.

The rest of the drive was uneventful. Lena watched me as I parked the tow truck in my yard and moved her car to the workshop. As I struggled to push the tiny hatchback through the gate, she made a half-hearted move as if to assist, but then thought better of it. Good, I wouldn't let the lady do the heavy work anyway. Diesel darted past, a mouse dangling from its jaws. I'd find the trophy later on the porch.

After the crisp air outside, the inside of the garage felt hot and suffocating. I took off my jacket and opened the hood of the little car, only to confirm it would take me a few days to deal with the problem. Lena didn't mind.

"Can I take you out for dinner tonight?" I asked, catching her off guard.

"Yes," she answered without a second's pause, bringing a smile to my face. "I'd be delighted," she whispered, as an afterthought. Her voice was sweet and dreamy, making my heart flutter.

"I'll pick you up at nine," I proposed, not giving her time for hesitation.

"I'll be waiting," she replied with an ardor I wasn't expecting.

I drove her to her apartment, noting the address for the evening. As I was leaving, a shadow in the alley caught my attention. It was huge and it struck a vague memory, I couldn't place. It was gone before I could make out any more details, but it made me uneasy.

* * *

The black suit and shirt gave me the mysterious charm that captivated ladies like a magnet. The silk, blood-red pocket square added to the allure. The fitted, black coat was both warm and elegant.

Lena opened the door as soon as I knocked on it. She was wearing a dark grey pantsuit and a white blouse. The slick ponytail and a smart pantsuit gave her a no-nonsense look. She had no makeup and her only jewelry was the gold crescent moon necklace I remembered from the night at the bar.

She greeted me with a sheepish smile. She grabbed a simple, gray coat, dropping her small purse. When I bent to pick it up our heads bumped and she jumped back with an awkward laugh. She blushed when our fingers brushed as I handed her the bag.

The restaurant I chose wasn't far, so we decided to walk. The night was cold and clear. In the bright moonlight, I could admire Lena's svelt body and graceful moves. With sparkles in her emerald eyes, she watched the stars as we strolled through the empty streets. I slid my hand into hers. She shot me a look of surprise, and then her warm palm locked on mine. As if nothing happened she went back to watching the sky, her breaths long and steady. My heart hammered against my ribs like on my first date in high school.

The small, round table next to a tall, gothic window was waiting for us. Subtle candlelight complemented the view of the wide river reflecting the orange glimmers of the street lights. As we took our places Lena's eyes darted in all directions. We ordered red wine and steaks – medium for me and rare for her.

"Tell me something I wouldn't guess about you just by looking at you," I broke the silence, bringing her attention back to us.

"I . . . ah . . . I volunteer at an animal shelter," she stumbled on her words.

"I remember. You're good with dogs," I recollected, earning a timid smile from her. I pushed away the image of the angry German Shepherd. "How do you even find the time for that?"

"I'm free on most weekends. And I enjoy taking care of animals. I'd love to have a dog. A Maltese or a Shih-tzu. They are so adorable. But I spend so much time at work, the poor thing would be always alone, locked up in my tiny flat. That would be cruel!" she enthused.

"A beautiful girl like you surely has plenty of invitations, not only on weekends," I taunted, looking her in the eyes. Blood rushed to her cheeks.

"No, not really," she whispered, averting her gaze. She sipped on her wine, hiding her face behind the glass.

The waiter brought us the meal. Lena cut into her meat, crimson liquid flowing on her plate. She ate in silence.

"So, what did you think of me when we first met?" I changed the subject.

"That you'll be mine," she said, her voice deep and heavy, her irises dark like pine needles.

I choked on my steak.

"I mean, my friend," she stammered, her voice catching in her throat. "You seemed so nice." She was back to her timid self.

"I don't seem nice anymore?" I teased.

"You're more than nice," she breathed, making my heart skip a bit.

"It's hard not to be nice to someone as . . . charming as you," I whispered, putting my hand on her palm.

Our eyes met, her stare so intense it pinned me in place. The heat was emanating from her in waves, enveloping me in the scent of pine. The world around us ceased to exist. Our ragged breathing was the only sound. Every fiber of my body ached for her.

The waiter came to take away the empty plates, breaking the spell. Lena jerked her hand away. I snapped back to reality.

I paid for the dinner and we went out into the night. Minuscule flakes of the first snow floated down and settled on Lena's hair, sparkling in the streetlights. She took me by the hand and led me to the river bank. We were alone in the comforting silence of the starry night.

I turned to her, my face hovering over her head.

"You are the most amazing woman I have ever met," I murmured.

"You have no idea," she muttered, her voice husky and rich. She grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me towards her. Her lips pressed onto mine. I gasped. She used it to slide her tongue into my mouth. The kiss was fierce and sweet. I wrapped my arms around her waist, her body burning me through the thick clothes.

"Let go of your pet and come here," a harsh voice boomed, breaking our embrace.

In the dim light, the huge silhouette of a man in a leather jacket loomed over us. Behind him two other, smaller goons stood at the ready.

"Leave her alone!" I stepped in front of Lena, just as she barked "He's not my pet!"

"Scram," the giant lunged at me.

"Don't hurt him. Let's talk," Lena's strong voice came to me as a surprise. "Adrian, go," she whispered to me.

"There's no way I'm leaving you with those thugs," I protested.

"I'll be all right. Just go!" she insisted, urgency in her voice rising.

"No –" The punch came without a warning, dislodging my jaw. Pain shot through me as I whirled to the ground. Lena cried out and flew at the aggressor. He sent her sprawling with a shove and followed it with a brutal kick to my gut.

"Leave him alone!" was the last thing I heard before a heavy boot landed on my head. Everything went black.