I felt the pulse of his release deep inside me at the same moment my climax shattered through me, a wave of white-hot light. I collapsed forward onto the desk, my body shaking, his arms wrapping around me from behind to hold me together. He stayed inside me for a long moment, his forehead resting between my shoulder blades, our rushed, heavy breathing the only sound in the room. Then he withdrew, slowly and deliberately, and turned me around to face him.
His hands came up to frame my face, his thumbs stroking my cheekbones. His eyes were now soft and tender.He didn't speak. He just kissed me in a slow, searching slant of lips that was almost more intimate than what we’d just done.
"Bed," was all he managed to say, his voice a rough whisper against my lips.
He took a step, pulling me with him, but our legs were tangled and unsteady. We stumbled the few feet across the room, a clumsy, breathless mess of limbs, never breaking the kiss, our mouths still fused as we fell in a heap onto the mattress.
He rolled, pulling me tight against him, and gently stroked my hair. It was lulling and hypnotic. The sea washed against the shore, in sync with my heartbeat. The moon hung low in the window, spotlighting the rumpled bed and the mess of clothes on the floor.
Gradually, his hand slowed on my hair, eventually coming to a stop as his breath deepened. I closed my eyes and let myself believe, just for a minute, that this was real. That I could have this. That we could have this. I clung to him, refusing to let go, even as my real life crept back in around the edges.
For one night, I let myself be reckless. I let myself be happy.
