Burning Kisses

Scarlet's heart thudded wildly in her chest as she tiptoed through the shadowy halls of the haunted manor. Her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps, each exhale a puff of mist in the cold, damp air. The flickering candle in her trembling hand cast eerie, dancing shadows on the walls, making the old portraits seem alive, their eyes following her every move.

"Jareth?" she called out, her voice echoing through the empty corridors, laced with desperation and fear. Hearing her own voice, wavering and uncertain, did little to calm her. She swallowed hard, trying to push back the rising tide of panic that threatened to consume her.

"Jareth, where are you?" she cried again, louder this time, her voice cracking under the weight of her dread. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the distant creaks and groans of the ancient manor settling.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she brushed them away angrily, refusing to let fear take over. But the oppressive darkness and the sensation of unseen eyes watching her every move made it hard to stay brave.

Her hands, slick with sweat, tightened their grip on the candleholder, the flickering flame casting a fragile light in the enveloping gloom. She strained her ears for any hint of Jareth's presence, any sound that might guide her to him.

"Please, Jareth," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. "I need you." Her plea was filled with a mix of fear and longing, her usual fiery spirit dampened by the chilling atmosphere of the manor.

As Scarlet ventured deeper into the manor, the shadows grew thicker and more menacing. She felt a sob rising in her throat but choked it back, determined to find him. Each step felt like an eternity, her mind racing with dreadful possibilities.

"Jareth!" she called out one last time, her voice echoing through the empty halls, carrying all the weight of her fear, desperation, and hope.

Suddenly, she heard the sharp crash of glass shattering against the floor and spun around quickly. Standing there was a woman—or rather, a ghost—dressed in a flowing white garment. Her face was as pale as snow, an eerie glow emanating from her lifeless eyes. Scarlet's blood ran cold, and a scream tore from her throat, echoing through the haunted manor.

"Scarlet!" Jareth's voice called out in a playful tone, cutting through the fear that gripped her. Tears welled up in Scarlet's eyes, and she began to sob uncontrollably. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, overcome with fear and relief. Jareth rushed to her side, wrapping his arms around her and gently patting her back, trying to soothe her.

"Where were you when I needed you?" Scarlet's voice was choked with tears, her body trembling as she clung to him.

Jareth had intended to tease her, not to frighten her so deeply. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, but it was a sound filled with remorse. He felt a nudge on his shoulder as Scarlet expressed her frustration.

"I thought you said you weren't afraid of ghosts," Jareth teased gently, trying to lighten the mood.

"Was that why you left me?" Scarlet sniffled, her tear-filled eyes searching his for reassurance. "Can we please leave this place, Jareth?" Her voice was small and pleading, her fear palpable.

"They're just fake ghosts, Scarlet," Jareth said softly, his tone reassuring. "But if you really want to go, let's get out of here." He helped her to her feet, steadying her as she wobbled slightly, her legs still shaky from the scare.

As they walked towards the exit, Jareth kept a protective arm around Scarlet, his playful demeanor giving way to genuine concern. The eerie atmosphere of the haunted manor began to fade behind them, replaced by the comfort of their bond and the promise of safety in each other's presence.

Once outside, Jareth guided Scarlet to a bench under the blooming purple tulips. The dark sky, illuminated by the moon, made the flowers look even more beautiful. Scarlet glanced up at the tulips, a small smile playing on her lips as if they could see her.

Jareth removed his red cloak and placed it on her shoulders, covering her slightly exposed arms. She shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks flushing as she awkwardly muttered, "Thank you," unsure of where to look or what to say next.

"It's winter. You need to take care of your health," Jareth explained as he sat beside her.

"Do you know the meaning of purple tulips?" Scarlet asked, not listening to Jareth's scolding but rather gazing up at the flowers that matched the dark sky.

Jareth followed her gaze to the tulips. It felt comforting and admirable to watch them with Scarlet. Unconsciously, his gaze shifted to her pure and innocent face.

"They're pretty," Jareth said, his admiration clear as he continued to look at her.

"Right? They mean royalty—" Scarlet began, but she gasped in shock as leaves fell from the trees with a fresh breeze blowing through.

"Wow, it's beautiful," Scarlet exclaimed, her face brightening up.

"I never knew flowers could hold so much beauty until I saw them with you," he whispered, his eyes reflecting the moon's soft glow.

Time seemed to have stopped for scarlet. What was she hearing? It felt unreal, and a blush crept onto her cheeks as her heart began to race. She desperately wished for it to stop but it didn't. What was wrong with her? She pretended not to hear him and looked elsewhere, avoiding Jareth's gaze.

"It means royal-" She regretted looking in his direction because he was only half an inch away from her, and she could feel his breath caressing her cheeks. Her breath itched suddenly away of the situation and tension. 

With great effort, she managed to say, looking elsewhere, "It means royalty and admiration."

Scarlet adjusted herself and fanned her cheeks with her hands as they grew hot. But Jareth pulled her towards him, lifted her chin, and pressed his lips against her pink, heart-shaped lips. Scarlet's eyes widened in shock. Even though she was taken aback, she couldn't resist the urge to kiss him back.

She slid her hand to the back of his head, giving Jareth more access. He bit her lip, and she hissed in pain but the pain soon turn to pleasure. His hands slid to her waist and neck pressing their bodies against each other.

Jareth deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing her lips before slipping into her mouth, coaxing a soft moan from her. The sensation was electric, sending waves of heat through her body. Her hands gripped his shoulder, feeling the muscle tense under her touch as he pulled her closer.

Their breathing became ragged, the intensity of the kiss growing. Jareth's lips left hers momentarily, trailing down her jawline to her neck, where he placed a series of burning kisses that her gasp and arch against him. She could feel his heart pounding in sync with her own, the closeness overwhelming.

Returning to her lips, Jareth's kiss became more urgent and passionate. His hands slid under her shirt, the warmth of his touch sending shivers through her. She responded with equal fervor, her own hands exploring the contours of his back, feeling the heat of his skin through the fabric.

When they finally pulled away, their foreheads rested against each other, both breathing heavily. Scarlet's cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining with a mixture of relief and something more profound.

Noticing the shy look on scarlet's face, he lifted her chin again and asked, "Do you love me, scarlet."