The door closed softly behind me just before my heavy black bag slid off my shoulder and dropped to the floor with a muffled thudding sound. My hands nervously smoothed over my skirt and then fluttered together, clasping each other tightly.
I knew you were nearby. I could smell you. I could hear you breathing. But I couldnβt look up, couldnβt look at you. My heart was beating erratically, very fast, and I could feel that my face was flushed.
I knew why I was here. You knew why I was here. We'd been so long getting to this day that I felt faint and trembly with hard-edged anticipation.
"Look at me," you directed, your voice warm but reinforced with steel.
I took a deep, trembling breath, and responded obediently to the voice I knew so well. You were standing close and I relaxed a bit more at seeing your familiar blue eyes. Iβd looked at your picture for hours and knew your face as well as my own. Weβd spoken on the phone many times; your number was on my speed dial.
You stepped closer and leaned in toward me at the same time I lifted my lips to yours. The kiss was tentative for a moment, and a little awkward. We fit ourselves together, though, and clung tightly as pent-up passion swept away all hesitancy. My body began to shake when your arms tighten around me and your hands slipped into my hair to cradle my head.