TWENTY-SIX
Slow means a chaste kiss. Her lips gentle and closed against mine. It's crossing a line that we aren't yet ready to breach. It's a confirmation that we're both heading in the same direction. It's a promise of what we can have together. It's nice. Her body goes stiff at my lack of reciprocation. Too many thoughts and I've almost missed the moment. I kiss her back. Arousal pools smooth and warm. I know my face is flushed when she pulls away. She smiles. I saw Johanna Mason naked a long time before I ever saw her exposed.
"I'm not good at this, Johanna."
"Don't worry. Me neither." She rests her head on my chest and I wrap my arms around her.
The rules say no relationships for a year. Sobriety is the job. You don't want to trade drugs for love, but I think that in a year we'll still find ourselves here.