Opening my eyes, I stretch. The cool, soft sheet against my naked body is like a lover’s caress, and my thoughts go to Silas and last night. I’m spent and invigorated like only a night with him can do.
We had come back to his place and spent the night alone together. Loving each other with kisses, touches and our bodies entwined. Savoring every moment like it was our last.
A cloud of steam billows from the bathroom door as Silas steps into the room with only a white towel wrapped low around his waist. His chiseled, bare chest is partially damp, and his hair is loose and wet.
He’s hot as fuck. I will miss this. My fingertips burn with the memory of his hard, heated flesh beneath them, last night, each scorching moment flashes before my eyes in a kaleidoscope of pleasure.
He stands in his room, in all his glory. Saliva pools in my mouth and I bite my lips to stifle a greedy moan. He doesn’t look my way as he walks to the closet and I suck in a breath at his tantalizing back dimples peeking out from the towel. I want to lick them.
What is with me? I’m a horn dog; like I didn’t just spend hours getting fucked senseless by this man. I’m insatiable. Silas seems to have that effect on me.
Pulling the sheet over my head, I stuff my face into the pillow and giggle, squeezing my eyes shut as heat rises throughout my body.
“What are you laughing at?” His voice cuts through my laughter, and I peer from under the sheet.
“Um, nothing.”
Without warning, the bed dips as he places one knee beside me and lifts his legs over to straddle me. The ends of the towel open for a second and I get an eyeful, enough to tempt me more than I already am.
He yanks the sheet down below my waist, my bare body on display and before I know what’s happening, he’s tickling me. Oh my God, how does he know I’m insanely ticklish? I buck, kick, and writhe while gasping for air in between my fits of hyena-like laughter.
“Stop!” I pull a large intake of air. “Please stop.”
It’s not immediate, but with a few more pleas, he relents. His eyes are hazy, glittering with mischief and lust. His palm splays on my stomach, the tips of his fingers graze the underside of my breast, and the heat of his touch and stare makes me squirm. Unable to look at him without conveying my need, my eyes close and I inhale a deep, calming breath.
“Look at me.” My eyes snap open at the deep rumble in his voice, and he scoots down, pulling the sheet with him.
With all of me bared to him, his hands roam up my thigh, pulling my legs apart. Laser focused on my exposed sex; he licks his lips like the big bad wolf readying for a meal. He leans down, inhaling my arousal before biting at the juncture of hip and pelvis. My sex clenches at what’s to come.
***
Days. The time we have left together is only days, and while we spend every minute we can with each other, we can’t stop it. Or slow it down.
It’s bittersweet. I’m excited about the trip, so giddy some nights that I lay awake anxious to hop on that plane. But I dread saying goodbye to the man I love. It’s not forever, that’s what I keep telling myself. It’s the only way I can make peace with leaving Silas. If only I could have both.
I cry like a baby when it is time to say goodbye to Jorge, Lucia, and Betty. Each offers words of love and encouragement. Betty gushes and preens over me, telling me how proud she is, and I haven’t even done anything yet.
Then there’s Boy. With welling eyes and a runny nose, I bury my face in her soft, warm fur. The dog may not understand, but it’s like she can sense I’m sad and she’s concerned. Her whimpers mimic mine, as she buries her body into me. Her tail wags, and I cling to her.
Of course, the hardest is saying goodbye to Silas.
Our drive to the airport is silent, much more subdued than when we took Daisy not too long ago. The line to check in moves quickly and I’m ready to go through to the gateway sooner than I’d hoped.
If we were flying directly to Montevideo, it would take over a day with a couple stops. But we aren’t going straight through. We have a stop for two days in El Salvador before flying on. Vinny has a friend joining us who lives there. A fellow marine biologist. Then we will fly to our destination. I promise Silas to call him on the way down.
“I better go in,” I say. Not wanting to leave, but no longer able to drag this out. I just want to rip off the band-aid.
“Okay.” He brushes back my hair and cups my cheek. “Safe travels and enjoy yourself. You’re going to be amazing and love every minute of it.”
“I better,” I smirk.
“I’ll let you know when the tour starts. If we can work something out, if you can join us or if I can come to you, we will.”
He doesn’t sound as sure as he first did when I told him I was going. What if he’s backing away from us? From me? What if, while on tour, he forgets about me? Falls into his old ways? The thought never, not once, crossed my mind. Now, the very idea’s a throbbing ache radiating from my chest.
“I love you, Pansy.” His lips take mine in a deep, long kiss.
Don’t forget me. My grip tightens on his sides, and I cling to him, hoping this isn’t the last time we will kiss. The last time we will see each other.