Tuesday Tales – Library Picture Prompt

Happy Tuesday!  It’s once again time for Tuesday Tales!  Today is a picture prompt and we are back to our untitled Steampunk romance.  When we left last week, Gideon was struggling with his memories of Sophia and his feelings for Emma.  Where will the struggle leave him?

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With Emma in his home to assist, it was a small miracle Gideon accomplished as much as he did on the humidor.  He watched her play with his mechanical, steam driven critters, the creatures scurrying over and around her finger.  She is gentle he thought to himself with a smile.

After they cleared away the lunch dishes together, Gideon smiled to her.   “I need to go to the library for a bit of research.  Do you wish to accompany me?”

“Of course,” she crooned.

The stroll to the library was quick in the late autumn chill.  Emma gasped and the majesty of the building.  Dark wood shelves were covered with volumes of books.  Expansive glass windows let the bright sunshine flood the room.  Gideon chuckled as he took her hand and led her to the section he needed to search.

Once she had recovered from her awe, she cocked her head to him.  “Gideon, your little creations are marvelous.  Why did you make them?”

“To keep me company.”  Gideon glanced inside a book, looking for the information he needed.

“But why not get a real pet?”

He looked at her for a long, silent moment.  “My creatures can not die.”  He set the book on the shelf and walked away as he noticed the mist fill her eyes.  When he retreated a few aisles away, he slumped against the shelf and closed his eyes.  He never meant to make his pain hers.

He was startled by soft, sensual lips pressed against his.  He wrapped his arm around Emma and held her tight to him as he touched her cheek with his other hand.  He wiped her tears away.

As the kiss broke he heard her whisper, “Oh, my poor, sweet Captain.”  Gideon felt a fire ignite in him as he parted her lips with a devouring kiss of his own.  For now, his research would have to wait.

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