It was silly to think of it that way, but it was nonetheless how she felt. Her inevitable disappearance was very real to her.
Things will start coming back to her soon. She knew it. And she feared it.
“What are you thinking about?” he murmured, his lips touching the top of her head.
“How I wish I could stay here forever.” The strangely painful honesty.
He pulled his head up and seemed to go somewhere for a moment. She looked up at him and found his eyes focused on the carpet. A memory? “Maybe I should ask what you’re thinking about.”
He looked back at her, undeniable guilt on his face.
“Liz, I know you think that I don’t understand what you went through those first few days after you woke up. And maybe I can’t fully, but I know it was unimaginably difficult. Frightening. If I didn’t say it enough, I’ll make up for it now, I am sorry. I feel like I failed you. As a husband. As your partner,” his voice faded. “You wouldn’t have even been in that—” he took a swig of his wine and placed it on the table, swallowing hard and then turned to face her. “I promise you will never feel alone again.” His words seemed to have a deeper meaning for him than her.
She couldn’t control the need for him any longer. She’d held back long enough. Ever since that night they shared, his advances had been subtle and teasing. She wouldn’t hold back anymore. If she was going to lose him as she knew him right then, she needed to take advantage now.
She set her glass down and turned back, pushing herself further into him. Placing her hands on his chest, she leaned in for a long kiss that she wanted to savor. Pushing aside her fear of losing him, she broke away and looked up at him. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to shower and go to bed.” She smiled to herself and turned to walk up the stairs, leaving him alone in the living room. Her not so subtle way of giving him a taste of his own medicine.
Their master bathroom was heaven. And though her escape had different intentions, a shower did sound pleasantly needed. The pearl white tiles dulled as the steam spread through the spacious room. The mirror fogged just before she stepped behind the wide glass frame onto the ridged porcelain surface. The hot water barely scorched her skin.
Yes, this was what she needed.
It was, after all, a long emotional day and perhaps Matt would leave her to end her evening in solidarity, but somehow, the longing in his eyes just before she turned away, made her doubt it was the last she’d see of him that night. Surely, he’d be back, when she was through, emerging out into the cool bedroom in her bathrobe. The same one he’d once painfully placed around her shoulders when she’d pursued him.
Perhaps she’d play the same game.
Or perhaps she shouldn’t. Time was not her friend. Not with the fleeting memories she’d been having. Though unclear, the visions of the past were still flashing into her mind.
Submerging her hair into her personal waterfall, she closed her eyes. The pressure against the back of her neck somehow releasing an incredible amount of stress. With the now perfectly warm water filling her ears, she opened her eyes and mouth to fill the rest of her senses.
A dark figure behind the steamed glass appeared. He warned her with a tap on the glass before stepping in. The same desire was in his eyes, only now with a hint of humor behind them.
He crossed the short distance to her, placing his warm hands on her waist, he pushed her lightly against the wall.
“Your game won’t work on me,” he insisted.
“Don’t be so sure of that.”
“Maybe I let you win,” he murmured before crushing his lips over hers. He pushed her wet hair behind her and traced his fingers down her neck, between her breasts and then down to her navel. He paused to tickle her there, making her squirm into him and before she realized it, his hand reached her pelvic bone, making her jump slightly.
It wasn’t enough. She needed more of him. She was desperate for more. She began to slide down when he pulled her back up and pinned her back to the wall.
He gave her a tempered smile before sliding himself down her torso, slowly licking her. His lips and tongue teased her relentlessly, until his tongue finally delved deeper. Her hands reached out but found nothing to grab as she melted. They landed back on the top of his head. Her fingers digging into his skull. How was it even possible to feel this good? She cried out and started to shake, which only made him move faster and stronger, until she climaxed and melted into his arms.
He stood, turning the knob to shut off the water. Her eyes flew open. He was barely wet, and she hadn’t had the chance to use soap before he started drying her off. He wrapped the towel around her and carried her back into their bedroom. She glanced at the bed that he’d already turned down for them. Their unfinished wine glasses sat on the night table. And the main lights were turned down, leaving only the dimmed pin-up wall lamps on either side of the bed.
He pulled the towel over her shoulders and shuffled her wet hair. She laughed and fell into him, losing her balance. He chuckled along with her and pulled her onto the bed.
“I wasn’t done with my shower.”
“And you won’t be getting much sleep either.”
“You’re going to be very disappointed in about twenty minutes,” she joked.
He seemed lost in her laugh for a moment before kissing and guiding her farther onto the bed. She slid a hand onto his bare chest and one over his back, pulling him closer. She felt him harden instantly as he glided over her. His body was smooth, or maybe it was his touch that was so gentle. He didn’t take the time to take her in the way she had him. But then, a married couple who know each other well unclothed, might rarely do that anymore.
“You are beautiful,” he reassured, leaning back just enough to look into her eyes when he said it.
“Stop stalling,” She pulled him back down to her.
