This story contains explicit depictions of a loving and caring relationship. If you find real love offensive, I suggest you find your thrills elsewhere.
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I had been away for a few days, unavoidable, but painful nevertheless, we had not spoken, not one word. E-mail was out of the question, there was no facility available, and telephones, except for dire emergencies, were a no-no. You hated them and would not use them.
My mind had been full of you the whole time, some of it good, much of it wonderful, dwelling on our reunion, but some of it had driven me distracted. I had been assailed with visions of you in pain, ill, in distress, alone, and me not being there to comfort you, to help. At those times, usually in the middle of the night, when I could not sleep for want of you and your warmth and softness, it was all I could do not to just jump on the first plane and rush back to you. In daylight hours it was easier to fill my time, get on with the work I had to do, get through this time, and then return to you. But every time I stopped, you were there in my mind's eye. Everywhere I looked, I was surrounded by couples, smiling, laughing, sending invisible signals to each other. It was unbearable. Our being together, our delight in each other, our need for each other was still so new, so intense, that not being together was like a physical pain, for me, at least.
Finally, my tasks complete, I was able to return. To you.
I have always been impatient, but now, it was as if time stood still, the earth had stopped turning. My journey seemed interminable. But now, I was here. As I stood at the threshold, my heart pounding, suddenly I was stricken with an inexplicable shyness. My legs refused to move, my mouth was dry, I was afraid. Afraid of what I would find on my return. These were the seeds that my mind was feeding me, seeds of doubt.
Finally, taking a deep breath, I opened the door and entered. Placing my bag and coat in the hallway, I made my way quietly to your study, where I knew you would be at this time. My heart was pounding so hard, it must have been audible out in the street. Gently I pushed open the door, and just peeping round the edge, my heart skipped a beat. You were there, just as I had been imagining while I was away. Sitting at your desk, totally engrossed in what you were writing, red hair tumbling down your back, over your soft creamy shoulders. The relief I felt that you were OK, nothing appeared to be wrong, almost turned my legs to jelly, it was all I could do to stand. I grabbed the door-frame, and in that moment of weakness must have made a sound, because your head moved slightly, your frame went rigid, and after a few seconds you turned in your chair and looked directly at me. Such a look, those eyes, those lips, that sweet face. I was so overcome, I could not move if my life had depended upon it.
For a brief moment, your face did not change, and then your mouth formed into an 'O', as you realised it was me, and I was back. Then the 'O' became a smile, wide, soft and so gentle. You turned your chair fully, rose on those long, long legs, and with a slight stumble, quickly crossed the room to me, stopping uncertainly a few inches from me, a look of concern on your face, a question in your eyes. Reaching out one hand tentatively to touch my face, you spoke, "What's wrong?".
The sound of your voice, the feel of your fingers on my skin, awoke me from my stupor. I took my hand from the doorframe, reached for you, and pulling you into my arms, holding you against me, whispered in your ear, "Nothing, love. Nothing. Not now." I held you this way, against my cheek and shoulder, my arms tight around you, and yours around me, so that you could not see the tears welling in my eyes. Not now. This was a time for smiling and joy. I was back.
Everything had been said in the long, deep, soft kiss that followed our greeting. It had said simply, I missed you. After that kiss, I had taken your face in my hands and just looked at you, taking in every curve, every crevice, every line, making sure nothing had changed in my time away. Nothing had. If possible, you were even more beautiful than when I left you. Then I smiled, wide and happy, and kissed your eyes, your nose, your cheeks, your neck, your ears, greeting each one in turn. "Hullo eyes.............kiss.............. hullo nose.................kiss..............hullo cheek.............kiss.............hullo neck, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, huuuuuullllloooooo neck................kiss................hullo ear....." until, laughing indulgently, you pulled my head down and took possession of my mouth again in a manner which told me in no uncertain terms you were glad I was back, and whispered against my lips, "Hullo, my love." leaving me breathless and overheating.
I bent and scooped my arm under your legs, you gripped your arms tightly around my neck as I swung you around, delighting in your laughter, and dropped us both on the couch, you sitting on my lap, your head nuzzled softly into my neck and shoulder. The couch, pulled up to the fire, was the place where we had spent so much time in the first delicious days together, exploring our feelings for each other, making love, talking, laughing, making more love, reading, eating, just being together.