The Forbidden flame

He kissed me with an intensity I had only ever seen in movies, as his hands roamed my body, hot and heavy.He gently laid me on the bed and left a trail of kisses from my face downward.

Just as things were about to get interesting I heard a faint beeping sound and the scene gradually changed till it was pitch black.

I opened my eyes once again to the realization that it was just a dream....again.

"Damn it," I groaned and turned off my alarm clock. The darn thing woke me up at the wrong moment.

I placed a hand on my chest to steady my heart that was beating erratically.

My skin was warm with the echoes of the dream,I could almost feel his lips on my neck, hot and warm.

If only I hadn't set an alarm I could have finished the dream. I turned to the other side and willed the dream to continue.

But it was gone, just like every other morning.

I buried my face in my pillow, feeling pathetic. Who dreams this vividly about someone who barely knows you're alive in that way?

Except he did know me. He'd watched me grow up. Which made it worse.

I groaned again,this time at myself and got up with a heavy sigh.

For the past few weeks Axel Creed had been the star of the show in all my dreams.

He was handsome, tall, athletic, sexy with tattoos that screamed dangerous but he was also my father's best friend which made him off limits.

I had known him practically all my life and he was older than me but that didn't stop me from developing feelings for him.

I know you're probably thinking it's just a childish crush that will go away but it's not.

I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower.

I was drying my hair when I heard a knock at the door.

"It's open," I said. Then my dad popped his head into the room.

"Good morning honey, I just wanted to make sure you're up already. I wouldn't want you to be late for your flight," he said with a smile.

"Good morning dad, thanks for checking. I'll be ready in a  few minutes."

He nodded and left, shutting  the door after himself.

I went back to drying my hair. As soon as I was done with that I put on comfy travel clothes and wheeled my boxes out of my room.

After which my dad helped me take them outside.

I went back to my room to see if I forgot anything and saw the picture of my mother on my bed stand table.

"I'm going to college mom," I said, like she could hear me through the picture.

She would have been so proud of me, I blinked back tears and took a deep breath to calm myself before putting the photo in my bag and leaving the room.

I grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and told dad I was ready to go.

We got in the car and we were soon on our way to the airport.

As we drove to the airport my mind was filled with thoughts of Axel.

I had been dreaming more about him lately because I was going to be closer to him than ever.

Yes, I'd be going to college in the city he lives in.

Just thinking about being in the same city with him had me feeling all giddy on the inside.

I couldn't lie, he was part of the reason I chose NewYork and luckily for me I got in.

I could already see my life in the next four years, I could see myself walking down the aisle with Axel at the other end getting teary seeing me as his bride.

"Ellie, did you hear what I just said?Ellie," my dad called.

"Yeah, sorry, what did you say?" I asked, smiling sheepishly.

He just shook his head and smiled. "I said, make sure you call me when you land and also when you get to the school and you're all settled in okay?

I nodded. The airport was already in view. I did a little happy dance in my head.

We got to the airport right on time and it was almost time to board the plane.

Dad hugged me tightly, like he didn't want me to go. His arms were strong but shaky, and I felt the tremble he was trying to hide.

I know how hard it must have been for him to support my decision to go far away for college.

Since mum died we had always been each other's support system.

We hadn't been apart for more than a month since she died and it was at this moment I realized how much I would miss him.

So I hugged him back, I held on to him tightly, trying to convey my feelings through that one simple gesture.

After what seemed like forever we broke away from the hug.

As he handed me my last luggage he cleared his throat and spoke.

"Don't forget to call. Or text. Or send smoke signals. Honestly, I'll take a carrier pigeon at this point."

We both laughed and I noticed sadly that his eyes were suspiciously shiny. I had a feeling my eyes looked the exact same way.

Then he turned and walked away and I watched him till he disappeared, wiping the tears from my eyes.

I took a deep breath and boarded the plane.

Once comfortably seated I plugged in my headphones and played the travel playlist I curated for this moment.

As the plane took off I nuzzled into the seat and closed my eyes, enjoying the music.

I woke up a few hours later and we were about to land.

I could slowly feel myself getting excited again, just the thought of seeing him had my heart doing somersaults.

When we landed I got off the plane and wheeled my boxes outside.

I just stood outside and admired the city, New York City. I couldn't believe I was finally here.

I held on to my keychain tightly, Axel gave it to me a long time ago and since then I have treated it like my lucky charm, carrying it everywhere with me.

I took a deep breath then brought out my phone as it beeped, indicating a text message.

I checked and it was from Axel, my heart rate sped up as I opened the text.

"I'm almost there." That was all the text said, as usual he was acting cold and distant but I didn't care, I was just happy I'd be able to see him.

My fingers gripped the keychain tighter, the cool metal pressing into my palm like a warning.

I knew I shouldn't feel this way.I knew I should let it go.

But the moment I saw his car pull up, I knew I never would.