Gathering Storm by Jess Parry Read Free Book Online Page B

they made their way to the Guinness Storehouse, they saw several open –top buses drive people with cameras snapping pictures.
    The Guinness building reminded Siobhan of some of the buildings at home with its steel beams and architecture.  Walking inside they were met with a giant pint glass that ended on the top floor bar. They wandered the floors watching the exhibits that showed the process for making the famous stout. As they learned the water really didn’t come from the Liffey River as rumored, Siobhan felt a cool caress to her cheek. 
    S hiver ing as desire was quickly r unning through her as she turned to see who had touched her, gazing at the empty space near her . Jason and Sarah had wandered ahead while she had stopped to read one of the displays detail. Most of the tourists that had been in the tour with them had also moved on leaving Siobhan alone in an empty room . Picking up her pace to catch up to her friends , she darted to the stairs leading to the next level . Stopping abruptly when she saw her breath appear before her in a wispy mist , clutching the rail tightly as fear engulfed her .
    Eyes widening, she felt the cold surrounding her, offering warmth she didn’t expect. H er eyes grow ing heavy as she felt body succumbing to the coldness, s he wanted to crawl into it, close her eyes and sleep. The faint roll of thunder overhead rang in her ears as she inhaled the taste of salty air from the sea.
    Slowly she felt the strong arms circle her into a hug as she felt a cool sigh whisper along her neck as if someone was breathing her in . Fear disappearing , as desire overclouded her sense s , this embrace was familiar to her. She felt another cold burst of air expell ing near her ear; silently persuading her overwhelming need to let go as the arms around her pulled her closer.
    Closing her eyes, she turned her face towards the source of the cold breath feeling the softest pressure against her lips. The stinging cold brought a tingling sensation of burning heat to her lips. T entatively r unning her tongue over her lower lip; hear ing a soft growl of desire before the pressure of another kiss. Unyielding she leaned into the embrace, unable to pull away from the arms around her. A moan escap ing her lips as the kiss deepened , longing filling her intoxicating her .
    “Becky, what the hell are you doing?”
    Snapping her eyes open, she stared wide eyes at Sarah standing half way up the stairs looking down. Her lips were swollen red from the kiss , slightly numb. Eyes a little too bright with desire she stood silently shaking as the sounds of people around her began filling her ears. Taking in her surroundings, she saw others were making their way up and down the stairs.
    Confusion spread across her face as she started up towards Sarah. What had just happened, she could have sworn someone had just held her , had kissed her senseless in an empty stairwell. Yet, as soon as she heard Sarah call to her, the stairs were alive again, teeming with people while the person kissing her had vanished . Absently rubbing her chest just above her heart, the ache inside tickling a memory she couldn’t quite grasp. Shaking her head, she sprinted up the rest of the stairs to Sarah waiting patiently for her.
    “You look like you just got the best kiss of your life” Sarah whispered hastily to Siobhan as she pulled her into the novelty store tucked into the corner of the bar.
    “What?” Siobhan responded breathlessly
    Grabbing her by the shoulders , Sarah turned her to the mirror column in front of them. Siobhan let out a yelp as she took in her appearance. Sarah was right; she looked like she had just been kissed into oblivion.

“I don’t know what just happened…one minute I was reading about the water used to make the beer, and then you guys were gone. I was running to catch up , I don’t know why you say I look like I’ve been kissed…I’m just a little blushed from running” The lie slid easily off Siobhan’s