We watched the sun gradually disappear into the sea, before walking hand in hand back to the barracks. Richard had to go back to camp in the morning, so I wanted to be with him every moment until then.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" I asked him, as we approached our porch.
Richard looked nervous and a little embarrassed, but nodded in agreement.
"I'll be over in half an hour." He promised, and disappeared into his house.
I jumped in the shower and washed the sea water out of my hair, then pulled on my nicest PJs. I was nervous, but I suspected Richard was even more so. If he really hadn't been with anyone since his wife, 130 years ago, then I could understand his trepidation. Perhaps we should take things slowly. There was no need to rush after all.
There was a knock at the door and Richard appeared, his hair all ruffled from the shower, wearing a tight t-shirt and lounge pants that hung off his hips. We smiled at each other shyly as he followed me into my bedroom.
We climbed into bed and I curled up in his arms. In the outside world we could have watched a movie or something to break the tension a bit but I didn't have a video player (though there were some knocking around, I would have to try and source myself one).
"I wish you weren't going back tomorrow. Can't you come and spend a week here or something?" I sighed.
"It sounds tempting, but it wouldn't really be fair on my people. I would feel I was abandoning them." He admitted.
"Well you'll just have to make lots of short trips." I told him.
"Don't worry I will be." He replied with a smile, and planted a kiss on my head.
I looked up at him and his mouth met mine in a slow, lingering kiss. For someone as out of practice as him he could certainly kiss well. The kiss became more intense, and I ran my hands through his dark hair, while he brushed his hands down to my hips and embraced me. His body was now pressed against mine, and it became clear just how much he must have been enjoying himself. I pulled away to catch my breath, reached down and pulled my vest off. I could see his dark eyes widen, from the moonlight that poured through the window. I reached for his t-shirt and he helped me pull it over his head. His body was toned and muscular, and I ran my hands down his torso. His mouth claimed mine, and I lay on my back while he moved his hips over mine, and before I knew it we were making love. It was intense yet tender, and it felt like our bodies were truly made for each other. He made sure I was satisfied, before releasing himself with a satisfied groan.
We lay in each others arms all night. If I hadn't been so tired I would have probably stayed awake all night, just to drag the moment out for as long as I could, but I was spent from our long day at the beach, and drifted off.
I awoke to the feel of soft kisses on my neck.
"I have to go." He whispered, as he nuzzled his face into my hair. This was the moment that I had not been looking forward to.
"I hate not knowing when i'm going to see you again." I complained.
"I'll be back soon, I promise."
We showered together, before dressing and going next door to his house. I hadn't really spent much time in his house before, and had only really ever progressed to the kitchen, so I was interested to see how he lived. It didn't feel as homely as my house, probably because he spent so little time there. I sat on his bed watching sadly as he filled his backpack, ready to go back to his Camp. Shortly after, I sent him on his way with a loving kiss.
I dragged myself to work, where I spent the day mourning the loss of Richard. Hopefully he would be back again in no time.
I was glad to make my way home late afternoon, but was disappointed to run into Ben on my way.
"And hows life with you Sophie?" He asked. He was pleasant, but there was an underlying tone in everything he said or did that I didn't at all like. He struck me as the sort of person that was only out for himself, and would trample over anybody to get what he wanted.
"I'm ok thanks." I replied, trying to avoid opening up a proper conversation.
"You look tired." He remarked. "Richard keep you up all night?" He asked, sarcastically, with a smirk on his face.
I went red and made my excuses to go before hurrying off. I was NOT going to get into a conversation with him about Richard. But did this mean that he somehow knew about us? I don't know how he could have done when we had only properly been together since the previous evening. I hoped he didn't have camera's installed in my house and made a mental note to check when I got back. I'm sure Richard would have been aware if there had been though and told me. I hoped I wasn't the subject of the local gossip. The people here probably had that little going on in their lives that they loved to have a good natter about each other. Still, I supposed they would find out eventually anyway, as I had no plans to let him go anytime soon.