Her gesture eliminated any further reluctance on his part.
Impatiently, he pushed her hands away to undo them himself. He was considerably more efficient at the task than she would have been. But when they were loosened, she reached forward again. This time she wrapped her hand aroundhim.
He groaned, and together they placed the tip of his staff where his hand had just been.
“You are sure? You are quite, quite sure?” Michael’s voice sounded hoarse and gravelly.
In answer, Lilly wriggled forward. “I am,” she said. “I am yours, Michael. I will always be yours.”
Her words freed him.
Michael began slowly, almost leisurely sliding along her entrance, as he had earlier with his fingers. But this was different.His member was larger, fuller, and yet it was made to fill her completely.
He paused a moment and then, taking a ragged breath, thrust hard.
Lilly gasped out loud, almost a sob.
“I’m so sorry. Lilly, I’m so sorry.” He froze, as though any further movement would cause her more discomfort.
Lilly inhaled slowly to regain her bearings. She enjoyed this closeness, butthat last parthad most definitely not been pleasant. With Michael still inside, she waited as the pain receded. Finally, she spoke. “Was that it?” she asked. “Are we done?”
She felt Michael begin to shake, and then could have slapped him when she realized he was trying not to laugh.
“We’re just beginning, sweetheart.” She heard the smile in his voice.
And then he was moving again.
He started slowly, testing her. “So sweet,” he whispered. He seemed to be in tune with her needs, listening carefully for any sounds of pain or resistance she might be experiencing.
Right here. Right now. This was meant to be.
Relaxing into the water and into Michael’s hands, Lilly began moving with him as that promising ache began to build again. Small waves sloshing around them grew to larger surges, as Michael held her against the smooth rock of the cave and pressed into her deeper, deeper.
The fullness increased.
Sensing only her core, where she and Michael joined, Lilly moved with him to find completeness.
The world became smaller still.
And then Michael reached down, past her belly, and touched her lightly. It was all she required for those crashing sensations to wash over her again.
Like a wave hitting the sand, Lilly broke into a million pieces.
But Michael’s pace increased. He thrust twice more and then one last time, into her very center, and cried out as though in pain. His seed, he was releasing his seed inside of her.
How can such closeness be possible?
Shaking, her lover wrapped his arms around her.
If this was her last night on earth, she could never ask for more; surely it was enough. For she would always know that for one enchanted night, she had, in truthlived.
REGRET
1824
They rode the next mile or two in complete silence, neither really knowing what to say now.
What’s done was done.
