Dreamwalker

The lights of the city sparkled far below where Danielle stood. From her vantage point on the thirty fifth floor, she could feel the life of the city beneath her. Its hustle and bustle, the sounds, tastes and smells. She could imagine them clearly from inside her gilded cage.

Danielle turned from the windows, heels clacking against the marble floor as she retreated to the bar. The amber liquid warmed her from the inside out. She lost track of the drinks as she tried to drown out the loneliness that threatened to suffocate her. Settling back against the pillows, Danielle smoothed the white satin gown over her thighs and silently prayed for sleep to claim her quickly.

Waves crashed and the sky was alight in brilliant crimson hues as the sun bent to kiss the sea. Wind gently rustled the hem of her dress as the water lapped at her feet. Shoes hung carelessly from her fingertips as Danielle made her way down the shoreline.

Unsure exactly where she was headed, she knew only that she had to follow the trail of hurricane lamps and all would be revealed in time. At the end of the pier, more lamps flickered. Soft music wafted on the air, beckoning her closer. He had chosen this setting for them with great care, an ironic tribute to a vacation they never took when they had the chance.

Her heart skipped a beat as he turned, eyes locking on hers. No matter how much time passed, the sight of him always took her breath away. If it was possible, he looked even better than the last time she had seen him.

He wrapped his arms around her and she sighed blissfully as her head came to rest against its favorite place on his chest. He made no effort to move, neither one of them wanting to break the spell. Finally, she broke off the embrace and allowed him to lead her to their table.

Once seated, his hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. His palm remained against her cheek, cupping her face. "I missed you, beautiful," he whispered.

Somehow he always seemed to know when she needed him most. And it had been too long since they had last been together. Her need for him burned like a raging inferno. The look in his eyes revealed the same feelings simmering just beneath the surface.

There was food and wine on the table, but they remained untouched. No matter how much time had passed, they picked up right where they had left off. In their brief time together, they had been close friends, passionate lovers, their complicated and intense relationship the most defining of her life. After all these years, he remained the one all others were measured against...and all were found wanting.

She never questioned how he was able to visit her like this, but the end always came too soon. She wanted to cry when he stood and reached for her hand. Drawing her against him, their bodies swayed slowly to the music. His lips pressed against hers. The moment was so tender, so perfect, it broke her heart all over again.

Though the words were unnecessary, she whispered, "It's always been you." Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "You've always been the man of my dreams."

Their bodies entwined once more, fervently wishing that this moment would last forever, both knowing that he would be gone again the moment she opened her eyes.