The Dark Intruder

No, it couldn’t be? She was attracted to a total stranger! A few yards away from the stranger’s chest, the weapon flashed. Victoria could hear it cut through the air; a fraction of second and she saw the stranger elude his attacker by a sudden shift of position ever so adroit to the left and pass to his right side, grabbing him by the arm and beating his weapon down with one blow. The bandit barely had time to ward off the blow that sent him crashing to the ground. And before he could manage to his feet, a second blow paralyzed him where he lay half-crouching. His sneer turned into a look of fear. His partner pulled his blade and brandished it in the air for the second time, but this time, Roberto gave him no time to show off. He parried his blade point wildly, showing an excellent swordsmanship. He aimed at the bandit’s chest, who was not quick enough and it slashed his jacket. His white shirt reddened. The sight of blood paralyzed him and he fell backward, slumping to the ground. “Look out!” Victoria cried out in warning. Too late. The stranger saw the bandit he thought he’d defeated raise himself to one knee and thrust a dagger wildly towards him. Victoria lunged upon him like a cat and dug her nails into the flesh of his neck. The bandit cried out in pain. He struggled, managed to free himself of her claws and grabbed her wrist ready to hit her. A powerful hand closed around his neck… Time dangled still. Silence. The wind shifted low, creaking, held at bay as though it too was …. Gasps, rapid shallow breathings of both horses and humans, rose and fell… **************** She could see him; she could perceive him. And under the surface of the trembling mass of her charged female body, she could feel the masculine strength possessed by this living being; electric currents pouring from the male body. It exerted a magnetic force… It accelerated her excitement… It pulled her to him… free electrons colliding… body molecules keyed up. Even the terrestrial objects immediately around them seemed to be animated in distinctly palpable exhalation. Liquid flame danced in Victoria’s veins with the wildest swirling and rippling. In every particle of her being, she flamed excitement; burned in many places: on the face, in her gut, the depths of her eyes and her breath. She flamed distinctly, and then met inebriation... His first sigh of addiction on my face. It was palpable and enslaving, like his charm, like the whispered promise of mysterious delight… Of the mysteries of a stranger, perfumed like burning catnip, vague like death, dark like grave **************** Of all things that bound, upon which nature’s wealth was lavished, however worthy of a king’s ransom, however tender, however sacred…none was like his. Yet, to look upon him, to garner up warm affections and bright hopes upon he who passed under the shadow of false hopes… hopes that locked the heart and brain… hopes that locked the sense and soul in its mystery… To behold him, coupled with the name: Intruder? Chalatan?…a spy?The heartbreaker, seducer…and to think him likely to be one ever so dear, and to be dragged into a weary life, heart-broken, fast linked to brutality and shame, was a sure road to ruin. This man…the stranger he was… he who possessed the power of such a tender allure that could draw upon the maiden heart sorrow uncommon. Analyze the principles underlying his individual phenomena…Profile: Gender: male; Height: over 1.85cm; Ethnicity: Latin; Complexion: dark; Occupation: Don Giovanni; Hobby: dandy for dress; seducing young maidens… **************** “You’re afraid.” Opening her mouth to argue and then purposefully stopping herself, she uttered a platitude instead: “All right then”— clasping her hands together— “Sig. Enrico Maria De Martis, I’m not afraid of you! And, guess what, I shall accept your wager. But first, pray tell, what’s at stake.” Enrico smiled, warped. “Since you are sure, the wager is: If you’re able to keep your promise, you may do with me what you wish.” “And if I am unable?” “Vice versa. It’s a fair game, don’t you agree? Neither of us knows what we may choose to do with each other. Or do you, signorina? You seem to have a vain, wicked mind.” “O-o-oh!” Victoria popped, wrinkling up her face. she put up a hand and backed away with a shudder, slowly repeating what he had said, purposely devoid of all emotion. She turned away to gain composure. “Well, of course, if you insist,” he approached her with an exaggerated reluctance, steps slow and sure; his form and stance, the way he breathed, it all made an exhibition of his the extent of his conviction. She jerked forward, a little awkwardly though in her attempt to strike him across the cheek. She’d missed, lost balance and was crashing into him. He made no attempt to catch her. He merely paused and raised an eyebrow. “Are you intent on banishing the victory from my face?” he asked teasingly. “If so, why don’t you think of a better way of doing so?” “You have lost our wager, you see, and now I shall claim my compensation – the forfeit you must atone for.” He smiled wickedly. “I have something in mind regarding that.” “Very well then,” she added. “I have decided it is fair you get your reward. I have no intention to renege my pledge.” “Then I’m afraid I shall collect it right away,” he declared. “But of course, signore,” she returned easily. “We’d be wasting time otherwise.” Enrico’s eyes narrowed slyly. “I indeed cannot wait to teach you some manners.” There was a pale cast to Victoria’s face. She swallowed uncomfortably. She was not sure anymore if she wanted to continue to play. “What’s the matter,” he inquired softly. “I thought you wished me to ravish you.” He grabbed her ...