Sacred Spaces

Wind whipped up the empty beach, fresh and crisp as it buffeted Ginger atop her new bike. Freckled cheeks cold and flushed, she seemed unbothered by the chill. Low hanging clouds coiled through the evergreens crowning the cliffs overlooking yet another canon beach. The rocky coastline wound for miles in either direction, and there wasn’t a soul in sight, but the immensity of the grey Pacific, towering firs and pine, and silver streaks of sunlight in the mist felt so close, and pure, and intimate.

A warm presence manifested behind her, followed by the scent of Dial soap, musk, metal, and tobacco.

“When you said you’d park down the street you weren’t kidding.”

She smirked and looked back at Zaron as his strong tattooed hand reached over her shoulder to present an offering of fresh coffee.

“I come here for the view, not the convenience.”

“And the old fashioned dark roast.”

Ginger’s head bobbed in agreement as she accepted the ripple insulated cup. “Finish your errand?” The fleeting contact of his fingers across her’s made her realize just how cold she’d gotten.

Zaron shrugged casually. Passing his own coffee cup between his hands the man peeled off his jacket. He draped the dense leather over her shoulders, taking the time to adjust the tall collar around her neck.

“It’ll be my last one.”

“You said that yesterday.” Ginger savored a sip of the milky-sweet and bitter beverage as well as the view of how Zaron’s slim-fit button up hugged his broad, fit frame.

He breathed an amused huff and leaned back behind her against the bike. “This was it. Scout’s honor.”

Ginger laughed at the mental image of him as a scout, the unguarded chime causing a look on the man’s face that sent a delighted chill up her spine. His freshened up features were almost perfect but for the spot of red above his collar that somehow had escaped a thorough washing. Without a second thought Gin licked her thumb and wiped the fleck of blood from his throat.

Zaron stilled. She could feel the space between them, and then he filled it, his head dipping in briefly towards her’s, the the hairs windblown across their brows brushing together. A subtle smile curled the corners of Zaron’s lips as his gaze feasted on her features. “… I must be getting sloppy.”

Ginger licked her lips in a slow, crooked grin and turned to face ahead as she powered on the engine. “I won’t tell. Scout’s honor.”