Calm. She felt strangely calm.
The events of the day were clawing at the edges of her mind, clamouring to break through and destroy any sense of peace that she dared to feel- but currently, with the sensation of his strong hands gently caressing her back, she could think of nothing but him.
She could have lost him today. With this thought came another stifled sob as her heart pained at the concept. He held her close and sighed softly into her hair, his fingers clutching her ever so slightly tighter than before. She burrowed her face further into his chest, desperate to escape from her thoughts, and felt his heart beat a steady rhythm against her cheek. He was here. He was alive. Her own heartbeat slowed to match his as she relaxed into his embrace. She never felt peace like she did when she was with him.
It had been so long since she'd last been in his arms, and never like this. As he held her, his fingers absently brushed the bare skin at the base of her neck. Suddenly, she was acutely aware of his closeness; she could feel his breath dance across her skin. Every touch of his fingertips - soft, strong, tender – sent an electric current surging through her body. A shift in the air, quickening heartbeat, a caught breath-
She wondered if he'd felt the change. Slowly, she lifted her head to catch his gaze. Staring into those warm, caring brown eyes felt like home to her. She knew he could read her eyes as well as any book, and she his. Now, his eyes questioned, searched her own. She could see the longing reflected in their depths, but also apprehension, fear, worry.
Their faces were inches apart. She felt his body tremble under her own, his hands on her back suddenly still- as if one movement could shatter everything. He was so beautiful. In answer to his unspoken question, she leaned forward and placed her lips on his. Once. Soft. Gentle. A flutter rose in her chest and she felt him tense, almost imperceptibly, as their lips met.
She brought her gaze back to his. The force connecting them was almost palpable. Could he feel the electricity in the air? She daren't look away from his eyes, never wanting to lose this moment, break this spell. Overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes swam, and a single tear spilled over and dropped onto her cheek. Before she could think to wipe it away, he raised his head and softly kissed the spot where it fell. His hand lifted to cup her face, his eyes fixed on hers. He was no longer trembling.
His touch was sure. She was sure. This time, she couldn't have told you who kissed whom. Their lips met once more and they both fell, together, into oblivion, into ecstasy, into a dream. Was this the right time? Is there ever a right time? She needed him, she wanted him, and tonight? Tonight he was hers, and she was his. Nothing else mattered.