Sweat-soaked skin slaps together, and one minute I'm pinned to the bed underCharlie'sbody, the next I'm flying, flying, flying into the atmosphere. I burst into a million stars, shuddering, shaking, and gasping for air.
"Fuck. I'm coming, baby. God, you're sofuckinghot. I can't stop."With a roar,Charlietakes off right behind me, lifting my leg to his shoulder to press even deeper into me. A second rocket, smaller but no less fiery, shoots off in me at the same time he pounds into me one final time. In a fit of convulsive thrusts,Charlieempties himself before collapsing to the side, gulping for air.
"Fuck,"he moans, his face smothered in the sheets.
I can't speak, only gasp for oxygen as my senses slowly return to me. I've heard people talk of seeing heaven after goodsex, but until now I couldn't imagine it. This is nirvana. Pure joy.
Charlielifts his head, his breathing still ragged. Heholdson to the end of the condom as he slides out of me."Be right back. Let me takecareof this."
He flips on the bedside light and gets up. I can barely move, every muscle in my body no stronger than Jello.Charliereturns with a warm, wet washcloth and with a tendertouchcleans between my legs."Can I get you some water?"
"Sure,"I say, suddenly self-conscious.
MaybeCharliesenses this because he drapes the light blanket folded at the foot of his bed over me andkissesmy cheek."Will you stay the night?"
"Do you normally spend the night with your, um, dates?"
He shares a lopsided smile."No,Palmer."
"Oh."
He makes a sound like a half-chuckle."Yeah.Oh. But you can stay. I'm asking you to stay."
"Oh. Well. If you're asking,"I say, trying to keep the moment light.
Hekissesmequick."Be right back."
While he's gone, I stare at the ceiling and think about what just happened. Not thesex. I don't need to think about that because it will forever be imprinted on my brain. What I wish I could figure out is why hewantsme to stay and whether I should. If this is only a fling, I should find my clothes and slink back home, right? As unappealing as it sounds, it's probably the right move. We're friends, and he's probably only being polite. If I were some random woman, he'd probably have called me a Lyft already.
I slip out from under the blanket andstand, glad my legs are strong enough again toholdme up. He returns with two waters and frowns when he sees me."You aren't staying?"
I'm about to explain it's better if I go home, but something in his eyes stops me. I shake my head."Just need the bathroom."
"Oh."His relief is palpable. He hands me a glass and I greedilydrink."Across the hall."
"Thanks,"I say, handing the glass back. When I'm finished, I come back to the bedroom to find he's turned the bed down and is lying on one side. He pats the empty space next to him and I climb in beside. He turns off the light and puts his arm around me.
We settle down, my head resting on hischestwhile he plays with my hair."Your hair is so soft. It's like cornsilk."
"It's so fine,"I say."I wish I had some texture to it. I'm actually jealous of Tisha's locs."
"I don't know if you canpulloff locs, Coco."
"Duh."I poke him in the side and he makes a good-natured grunt."Though I always wantedpinkhighlights."
"Why don't you get them? What's stopping you?"
"Nothing now, I guess."He keepsplayingwith my hair while I lazily scratch hischest."Did your tattooshurt?"
"Yeah. The ribs are probably the most painful place to be inked, but once I got the first one, I was compelled to follow throughand putthe second one on the opposite side. My next one will be on myass."Hischestrumbles with laughter.
"So, fleshy parts are better?"
"Generally speaking. You thinking about getting a tattoo?"
"Maybe."
He chuckles."Tattoos,pinkhair. Are we going through a rebellious phase?"
