simbelmyne

Disclaimer: I don't own Orlando Bloom or any living person depicted in the story. They deserve my utmost respect.

----------------- CHAPTER TWELVE----------------

Orlando wondered if anybody would say that Verena sleeping with Zoë wrapped in her arms was one of the most beautiful sights he could think of.
Moonlight fell through the opening of the tent as he entered it to lay down as well.
Zoë was snuggled up into her mother's embrace and slept peacefully, her head tucked under Verena's chin. Verena wasn't smiling, but seemed to be resting undisturbed. In their sleep, the resemblance was greater than ever, when you could not see the sharp questioning of Verena's green gaze in contrast to Zoë's soft and loving brown eyes, though the stubborn set of their jaw and the line of their nose were the same. Asleep, Verena looked very young and carefree, with none of the controlled energy she seemed to pour into every move.

He stretched next to them inside the tent, Zoë in the middle. Orlando fought the impulse to pull both, woman and child closer to him and settled keeping a small space between them.

Orlando replayed in his mind his prior conversation with Verena. How was it possible that neither the timing or the circumstances were ever right? He was still sure that he had done right by breaking of the kiss, but now he was thinking about Verena turning away and putting up a wall between them. Not again.
He whispered softly, while carefully lifting a stray strand of hair away from Verena's face :" Don't pull away from me V, please."
He was surprised as Verena's eyes flew open and he found himself looking into her questioning look. She stared at him for a short while and whispered back: "Why?"

Many things he could say went through Orlando's head. But none sounded better than the truth. Carefully trimmed and controlled, the only answer he could give her was a bit of the truth. "I care too much. I care about Zoë, about you and about our friendship. Please don't turn your back on me."

Verena closed her eyes and sighed. This was not what she wanted their relationship to be like. But she could not deny him being at least friends. And she did not want to. It would have to do, since there wasn't anything else she could offer him.

"Don't worry, Orlando. We are friends, and you can count on that. Good night, dear. And again, thank you, for everything," and after saying this, she forced herself to close her eyes and escape from the lure of his velvety gaze. It would be so easy to just let her sensations lead the way, but she just couldn't let go.

Orlando felt relieved as she said it, a tiny smile on his lips as he closed his eyes as well and tried to catch sleep. They were friends. He would not give up, he knew they could be more. "Sweet dreams, V. And thank you."

**************************

Zoë moved in her sleep and untangled her little hands from her mothers hair, turning to the other source of warmth next to her. She opened her eyes shortly and smiled as she recognized Orlando and she snuggled closer to him falling asleep again.

Orlando woke up for a moment and smiled as he recognized Zoë wrapped around his neck like a little monkey. He held her closer, sleepily enjoying the feeling of cherishing and belonging. It was still dark outside, so he closed his eyes and kept on sleeping.

It was a short while later that Zoë felt it was getting to warm for her and climbed over Orlando in her sleep, settling against his back. Verena sensed in her sleep that the warmth next to her was gone instinctively scooted towards the next source of heat, not resisting as two strong arms closed around her and pulled her closer. It felt right.

Orlando did not notice the change of the person he held. There it was still the feeling of belonging.

Verena saw herself in a dream, weaved more by sensations than images. A hard body against hers, arms surrounding her and the smell and feeling of a man's skin against her cheek. Since it was a dream, she burrowed deeper into the man's neck and sighed, indulging into her body's craving ... she whispered softly the name of the one she wanted and wouldn't dare to give in to, because it was just a beautiful, contented dream: "Orlando..."

In Orlando's dream, he held Verena, while she enjoyed his embrace. She looked into his eyes, her green ones filled with joy and love for him. He felt in heaven as his hands roamed lightly over her body exploring it as he had wanted since the first time he kissed her. Verena arched into his body and his touch, while her hands sought his skin under the clothing.
It was a blissful dream and he wanted to enjoy it while it lasted, so he drew her closer and kissed her the way he imagined he would if she would ever let him, pouring the might of his desire and his soul into the kiss.

It was such an intense dream, that Verena felt her most inner core melt at the power of Orlando's kiss. She kissed him fiercely back and indulged into being able to let go and give in to Orlando and her secret emotions, even for a moment and inside an illusion. Verena felt free.

As Verena felt Orlando's hand cupping her breast, the reality of her arousal awakened her with a start. She broke the kiss slowly and managed to control herself from drawing away from him while she surveyed him and the situation. She was awake, wide awake, trembling at his touch all over her body. He was asleep, his eyes closed , his breathing slightly faster than normal, while he was still caressing her.

Verena fought with herself for a minute while she slowly moved away from him. Luckily, he settled into deeper sleep and sighed loudly, turning onto his stomach.
On the other side of Orlando was Zoë, fast asleep, cuddling closer.

A bittersweet smile curved Verena's lips as she carefully crawled out of the tent.

She sat down on the ground, holding her knees to her chest, bringing slowly her body under control. Her skin was still tingling, screaming for his touch, feeling abandoned and lost.
Verena was loosing any control she had of her heart and body, the only remaining resistance was her mind. And as it clicked into working, it made everything seem even more impossible and awkward.

First, she had to sort out her feelings. Then, repress them as long as she was on assignment. But the only way she would be able to handle things for the next weeks was to stay true to her promise. She really wanted to be Orlando's friend. She needed his friendship. And then find the strength to move on. It sounded easy. It wasn't.

For now, she needed to cool down. The first lights of sunlight were hitting the surface of the lake. Verena laughed at her private joke as she remembered the time she had sent Orlando for a dive to cool down his arousal. It would be good to heed one self's advice. She stripped her tracking pants and socks while heading for the lake.

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